Tuesday, September 30, 2025

IWSG Blog Hop: My Favorite Writing and New Book Release by Dr. Bob Rich

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop
#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. 
To find out more, click here.
  
The purpose of the group is 
* to share and encourage. 
* Writers can express doubts and concerns 
without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 
* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 
*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 
Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!
Happy October

The awesome co-hosts for the October 1 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!

Hello and Welcome to the Focus on Story blog and to the IWSG Blog Hop!

Before I answer the Blog Hop question of the month, it is my honor to introduce you to an outstanding author and friend from Australia, Dr Bob Rich. He just released his new book, The Hole in Your Life: Grief and Bereavement.

The Hole in Your Life
Bob Rich, PhD

Dr. Bob emailed me this message. "My daughter died in December, and to honour her memory, I had my 20th book published, The Hole in Your Life: Grief and Bereavement. As part of healing from my loss, I want to reduce the suffering of others insofar as it is within my power, and this book is my tool."

This is a timely book as the holiday season approaches. For those who have lost loved ones, the holidays are difficult times when we face the empty seat at the table. The book guides you when your world falls apart, whether because of the loss of a loved person, other disasters like bankruptcy, divorce or natural disaster, or “merely” experiencing second-hand grief at all the suffering we see on the news.

 Dr. Bob has decades of experience in providing counseling and psychological services. This little book, written with humor, uses stories to teach the ways of thinking and acting that help resolve grief. You can read a little about it at http://grief.lhpress.com
* * * *

About Dr. Bob:

Bob Rich, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in psychology in 1972. He worked as an academic, researcher and applied scientist until "retiring" the first time at 36 years of age. Later, he returned to psychology and qualified in Counseling Psychology and ran a private practice for over 20 years. During this time, he was on the national executive of the College of Counselling Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), then spent three years as a Director of the APS. He was the therapist referrers sent their most difficult cases to.


As you can see from his picture, tiny kids laugh at Bob, perhaps because they think he looks funny. When he walks down the street, strangers smile at him. This comes with the territory of being a Professional Grandfather. Since

Dr. Bob
Author and Grandpa

all sentient beings (on earth and elsewhere) are his family, his joy is to spread smiles, which act as boomerangs. That is very appropriate for an Australian storyteller.

 

One of Bob’s personal cliches is, “Writing is the chocolate icing on the cake of life,” even when it concerns topics like grief and depression. Click here to sample a few of his short stories and essays at his blog, Bobbing Around.

 

His long term policy is to offer a free e-book to any new subscriber to Bobbing Around, and anyone who sends him proof of purchase of one of his books. What have you got to lose but boredom?
* * * *
October 1 Question 

What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

This is an easy question to answer. I enjoyed writing a romantic suspense novel, Dangerous Sanctuary. The characters are funny and quirky, and so were the situations they faced. The scenes and conversations about who killed the choir director were not funny. I giggled as I wrote the scene where Pastor Christine is

Dangerous Sanctuary
left with the responsibility of taking care of a kangaroo and a pig.
Why did I write this story about a woman who is the pastor of a small church in a small town in West Michigan? The spark was ignited by a challenge from our pastor (who was a woman) to explain why we were followers of Jesus. She only asked for a short, 3-minute elevator pitch. But instead, I wrote an entire book! As one reviewer said, "There's no preaching."

Back of the Book:

Pastor Christine Hobbs has been in the pulpit business for over five years. She never imagined herself caring for a flock that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer. 

 Detective Cole Stephens doesn't want the pretty pastor to get away with murdering the church music director. His investigative methods infuriate Christine as much as his deep brown eyes attract her.

 Can they find the real killer and build a loving relationship based on trust?

* * * *

Please leave your thoughts below on how you choose your favorite writing project. 

Thanks for stopping in today!!
Click here to visit more participants in the IWSG Blog Hop!!

Watercolor painting is by me! I've been playing with watercolor this summer and loving it. You too?

Connect online with JQ Rose:
Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com






Tuesday, September 2, 2025

IWSG Blog Hop: AI for Writers and Broken Laptops #IWSGbloghop

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop
#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. 
To find out more, click here.
  
The purpose of the group is 
* to share and encourage. 
* Writers can express doubts and concerns 
without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 
* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 
*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 
Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!
Happy September!


The awesome co-hosts for the September 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight!


September 3 question - What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others, with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or creating outlines\beats?

I do not use AI when working on a creative writing project because a story comes from my heart. I don't believe AI can replicate human emotions....yet.

Yes, I use it for research, similar to using plain old Google or reference books in the library in the pre-AI age. I use AI to brainstorm ideas just like we did in our writers' groups, meeting at the Koffee Kuppe. Although writers come up with more creative and fun discussions!

Talk About Insecure!

When my laptop broke, about a week into August 2025, I felt insecure or perhaps uncomfortable without it. A lot of my day depends on being at the desk with that little machine. 
My broken laptop

My laptop's plastic border around the front of the screen came unglued. I took it to Luke, my computer guy, who knows all about computers and can fix anything at his shop, Fremont Computer, in Fremont, Michigan.

He was honest and said there was no way to fix it. But, being the sweet guy he is, he taped the border onto the screen. Yes, taped it. Alas, by the next morning, the tape had lost the battle. 

Okay, so Gardener Ted, also known as Handyman Ted, my hubby, took the screen out to his shop and screwed it down. I thought it was a brilliant idea, but that lasted a couple of days until the plastic around the screen cracked, resulting in broken plastic shards. It was a wreck.

We called Dell for help. They said to mail it to them for $59. so they could diagnose the damage. Three days later, they reported the laptop was at their warehouse in California and they would soon diagnose the problem. To make a long story short, they would not work on the laptop because it was a biohazard. A what? 

Needless to say I had to depend on Professor Google to explain biohazard in a computer. The AI Overview explained--In the context of a laptop, "biohazard" is not a formal or universally used technical term. Instead, it is an informal label used by repair technicians to describe a device that poses a biological or health risk due to extreme filth or unsanitary conditions. 

Say what??? Yes, they mailed it back to us tightly wrapped in two layers of plastic, so 
the creatures or environmental dangers would not escape.

When I picked up my new laptop, I asked Luke if he had ever heard of a biohazard in a computer. He was not familiar with that term. He immediately brought my old laptop out from his workroom. He took off the back and searched around in it. I held my breath waiting for a bug to crawl out, a worm to wiggle its way between the widgets on the board, or to discover nasty, dirty junk that would make me throw up. But, no, it was clean. Thank goodness.

He said he had an experience with a laptop that came in for repair. When he checked it out, the outside of the laptop had a gooey substance in the openings. When he opened it, the entire inside was loaded with dead Japanese Beetles. He said he hightailed it out of there to throw it in the trash barrel in back of the store!

The writer part of my brain brightened. "I bet you have a lot of stories to tell about experiences as a computer guy." I can assure you I will  be back to Luke's shop, but not for a repair or a new machine. I'll be back asking questions about running a computer store and listening to all his stories!!

Have you heard of a biohazard in a laptop? Any fun story about your life with a laptop?? Please leave your thoughts below.

Thanks for stopping in today!!
Click here to visit more participants in the IWSG Blog Hop!!

Author J.Q. Rose and Handyman Ted


Connect online with JQ Rose:

Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com














Wednesday, August 6, 2025

IWSG Blog Hop: Writers Beware!

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop
#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. 
To find out more, click here.
  
The purpose of the group is 
* to share and encourage. 
* Writers can express doubts and concerns 
without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 
* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 
*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 
Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!
Happy August!

The awesome co-hosts for the August 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim!

Smiley is wishing you a fantastic day with the IWSG bloggers!

August 6 question 
What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Nothing is more unethical in the publishing industry than vanity publishers. In so many Facebook groups, I meet a new writer who was caught in the web of these deceitful publishers. The vanity publisher takes advantage of unknowing writers, convincing them that he can make the writer's book a bestseller on amazon and earn thousands of dollars in book sales, promising he will never take a percentage of the royalties when the writer signs the contract . Then the unscrupulous publisher snickers when he sees the $ 4,000 payment for his services show up in his bank account, so pleased knowing he doesn't have to sell one book for the novice writer because he has made his money up front.  I have met folks who have been drawn into the wicked scheme. 

Picture the steam swirling around my head when I hear how someone has been taken in by a smooth talker. I have the same reaction when a little old lady has been swindled by a scammer who promises to roof her house, or install new windows, or paint the driveway. He asks for 50% of the overblown payment in advance, but he never shows up at the lady's house to do any work.

Writers beware. Research your publisher before signing a contract.

Please leave a comment below on how you check the reputation of publishing houses. Have you been caught by a vanity publisher?

Thanks for stopping in today!!
Click here to visit more participants in the IWSG Blog Hop!!

Connect online with JQ Rose:

Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com











Saturday, July 5, 2025

IWSG Blog Hop: I'll Never Forget This

 



It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Everyone is encouraged to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 
Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.


Celebrate Canada Day and Independence Day

I hope you have celebrated Canada Day and Independence Day USA this week. In fact, I am blaming the Fourth for my absence from our IWSG blog hop. It has been a wonky week, so I completely forgot about posting on the first Wednesday of the month. I don't know how I could forget it because I've been posting every month for over 10 years! 

Sorry I'm late for posting on the IWSG Blog Hop on Wednesday July 2.
Photo courtesy of kalhh at Pixabay


Thank you to this month's co-hosts: Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott!  I will catch up with you guys next week.
****
JULY'S  QUESTION: What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?
I will never forget what my first publisher said when she emailed me. She told me she would like to publish my novel, my first mystery novel. That was a catch-my-breath moment because my dream was to be a published author. But the next line is the one emblazoned on my heart. "We love your voice."

Please leave a comment below about the first time your teacher, editor, or publisher contacted you about your writing. How did you react? 

Thank you so much for stopping in today, even if I am a bit late with my July blog post. I will make a note in capital letters on my calendar to remind me to post in  August and beyond...

****

Connect online with JQ Rose:

Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com




Tuesday, June 3, 2025

IWSG Blog Hop: A Turning Point in My Life

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop
#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. 
To find out more, click here.
  
The purpose of the group is 
* to share and encourage. 
* Writers can express doubts and concerns 
without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 
* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 
*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 
Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!
Happy June

The awesome co-hosts for the June 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Pat Garcia, Kim Lajevardi, Melisa Maygrove, and Jean Davis!


June 4 question - What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult?

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell



This is an easy answer for me. Black Beauty is the book I loved. In fact, my first "novel" was written when I was in 7th grade. The story was suspiciously similar to Black Beauty. This was a turning point in my life because my grandmother, Ma, typed up my "manuscript" rom my scribbles hand written in a lined notebook. I was amazed to see the book typewritten. Being the teacher she was, it was also edited into an amazing looking book! Thank you, Ma. 

When I saw my story magically turned into such a beautiful piece, I was hooked. I wanted to write a LOT more. She was always my support and encouraged me to keep writing. 

How about you? Do you have a memory of the time when you decided to write stories? Please leave a comment below. Thanks.

* * * *
Here's wishing you a fabulous month of June! We have GT's birthday, Father's Day, and our 55th wedding anniversary in June. I love June!

* * * *

Connect online with JQ Rose:


Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com



IWSG Blog Hop: My Favorite Writing and New Book Release by Dr. Bob Rich

  Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop #IWSGbloghop What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group? Founded by author   Alex J. Cavanaug...

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