What a week this will be! Not only celebrating my grandson's high school graduation on Sunday, May 28, and celebrating my birthday, his birthday and his Dad's May birthday, this weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Since my birthday is tomorrow, May 25, I'm taking it easy and enjoying this very busy week with the family.
★★★★★
Someone asked if we should be having parties and cookouts on Memorial Day because we are honoring our fallen soldiers on that day. Yes, we will take time to remember their service and sacrifice in defending our country.
I believe those soldiers would be proud they served so we could have the freedom to have such a day.
Thank you to those brave men and women who loved our country.
Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend from J.Q. Rose
Today I'm sharing a video I created about Tips for having a successful, productive Writers Group meeting.
I've been in several groups that have helped me grow in my writing, learning a lot about publishing and discovering wonderful resources to help me. If you want to attend or establish a writers group, check with your local library or bookstore. Contact local authors to find out if they would be interested in getting together at the local restaurant or library room.
Our Koffee Kuppe Writers Group L-R: JQ Rose, WS Gager, Joselyn Vaughn, Tess Grant
I would never be a published author if I didn't have the support from my writers group that met at the local coffee shop--the Koffee Kuppe. When we four began meeting, none of us were published. In only a few years, we all had traditionally published books!
All of my groups have been in-person, but there are ways to find groups online. Google "find writers groups." Many Facebook groups concentrate on a specific area such as mystery, romance, memoir, etc. Search for them on Facebook.
Below is the video with 8 tips for conducting a writers group meeting. This video will give pointers on how to conduct a meeting so each participant will be anxious to get back to writing.
VIDEO: Writers Groups-- Eight Tips for Having a Successful, Productive Meeting
Writers Groups--8 Tips for a Successful, Productive Meetings
Whether you're new or experienced, a writers group can improve your writing. And raise your spirits! The camaraderie and sharing within the group inspires writers to keep on writing and sparks ideas for more stories, poems, novels.
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Find more tips on the writing process, publishing and marketing in Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing.
Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing: Tips on the Writing Process, Publishing and Marketing
Back of the Book: Need help with
your writing? Fifteen romance and mystery authors share writing tips they have
gleaned from their experiences as “on-the-job” writers. The tips are organized
into the main topics of writing, publishing and marketing.
The novelists also
reveal the “light bulb moments” in their writing journey, the questions they are
asked most often, and the best advice on writing they have received. By
offering their expertise, the authors hope to smooth the sometimes rocky road
for new writers toward a rewarding career in writing.
Click here to download now for 99 cents at amazon.
Best wishes for success in your
writing career!
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Do you attend meetings with other authors? a writers group? Please share your experience as a member of a writers group in the comments below.
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and to all those who have been a guiding light to a child.
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I don't usually share photos of my family. But I believe an exception can be made because Mother's Day is this Sunday.
My Clan
I have to admit this photo is 6 years old. This was before girlfriends, before leaving the nest for college, jobs, marriage (yes, my grandson will be married in June!), and before my granddaughter was a teen-ager.
The picture makes me smile. It captures a wonderful time. So forgive me if I feel a bit sad that the kids are growing up. The little boy in front graduates from high school in 2 weeks and will be going off to college this fall. The little girl will be in high school next year.
It is a bittersweet experience for me. I am a bit sad missing those good old days when the kids were little but looking ahead to future days filled with happiness and new adventures with them.
The years skim by too quickly, don't they? I wish I could have captured those days that are behind us and put them in a bottle like Jim Croce's song, Time in a Bottle.
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VIDEO: Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce
YouTube Video: Time in a Bottle performed by Jim Croce
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Have a wonderful Mother's Day whether you are near or far from your loved ones.
Blowing kisses to you all.
How will you spend Mother's Day? Please leave a comment below.
Thank you for stopping by.
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Founded by authorAlex J. Cavanaugh, theInsecure 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 this link: Insecure Writer’s Support Group
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 hereto sign-up and/or to visit the participating bloggers this week.
When you are working on a story, what inspires you?
Because my WIP is a non-fiction book about how to write your spiritual autobiography, I am inspired when I research my topic. I am thrilled when I find a teacher who broadens my horizons with her teaching, an inspiring Bible verse that triggers a writing prompt for my readers, and a quote that fits into the point I want to make about writing.
I was surprised and thankful when Kevin Horsley gave permission for me to use one of his quotes in my book. I emailed him on Sunday and received a yes from him on Monday! He certainly made my day! I was definitely inspired to keep rolling along on this formidable WIP.
According to his website, "Over the past 25 years, Kevin Horsley has been analyzing the mind and memory, as well as its capacity for brilliance.... He was awarded the title International Grandmaster of Memory by the Brain Trust and is a World Memory Championship medalist."
Why would I need a quote on memory in my book? Because writing life stories is all about remembering stories from the past. The number one excuse for people to NOT write their story is because they say they can't remember anything. I think his quote emphasizes how important your memory is.
Your memory is the glue that binds your life together,
everything you are today is because of your amazing memory.
You are a data-collecting being and your memory is where your life is lived.
---Kevin Horsley
I have a section in the book that helps writers spark memories. It's fun to remember those good old days, and I can help them do it. Yes, some memories are ones we want to forget and that's okay. Perhaps, someday the story will bubble up to the surface, and then the writer may want to write about it when ready.
When the research is so interesting, I do that instead of writing! Then I dread going through all my notes to figure out what I need and can use to structure the book. That is the difficult part.
Whether fiction or non-fiction, you still have to research to write the story. Do you enjoy the researching side of writing? Do you find you are researching more than writing? Does it inspire you?
Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. Thank you.
Click hereto visit the participating bloggers this week during the Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop!
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National Library Week April 23-2023 #mylibrarystory
Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog by J.Q. Rose. I had to pop in today to let you know this is National Library Week!
I ๐ my library.
Would you believe there are more libraries in the US
than Starbucks or McDonalds?
According to the USC News, “There are over 17,000 public libraries in the U.S. alone,” said Gary Shaffer. “More than there are Starbucks or McDonald’s. To me, that suggests they’re alive and well." Gary Shaffer is the new director of the Master of Management in Library and Information Science program at USC Marshall.
Libraries today are not the ones you visited as a kid! Not only books but audiobooks and eBooks, classes, speakers, toys, crafts, games! Our library even offers an exercise class and a stretch and walk group!
Go visit your library. You'll be in awe of all the items and programs available to you. And thank the librarians who work hard every day to create the best experience for their patrons.
Have you downloaded the Hoopla or Libby app to check out eBooks and audiobooks? Amazing. I can download a book from my library no matter if I am at home or in Florida! You need a library card to use the apps. Try them. Hoopla also has movies, documentaries and courses!!
Greetings from snowy Michigan! Yes, April snows. We just returned from Florida last week after enjoying the road trip back north and seeing signs of spring, well until we got too far north where spring is just beginning. We arrived home long enough to enjoy gorgeous spring weather for a few days only to have Mother Nature throw a snit Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday. She sent a skiff of snow that actually was fun for me to see the snowy landscape early in the morning. It's gone already, but still cold air temps.
We returned with traces of a bad cold hanging on, draining our energy and ambition to get unpacked and cleaned up ready for another gorgeous spring, summer and fall up north.
Lots of fun things are ahead for us with my fourth grandson's graduation from high school and our #2 grandson's wedding in June. He's the first grandchild to make a commitment to marriage. Time goes by so quickly. You can count on that!
In fact, time has gone by so fast these last couple of weeks, I decided to take time off from writerly responsibilities.
Time to relax and renew
As I began this post, I realized what better tip to offer writers than to urge you to take time off. It can reduce stress, increase creativity, make you more fun to be around, and may help you to live longer!
Every writer needs some time to dream, eat, nap, rest, relax, read, laugh and enjoy being with the ones you love. Those hours/minutes spent away from writing will recharge you to tackle your writerly duties. Afterall, Easter and the spring season are times of new beginnings. Start fresh.
Please heed the tip this week: Take some time for yourself. Yes, you deserve it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog!
Join me on the first Wednesday of the month for the IWSG Blog Hop! And come back on the third Wednesday of May for Tips and Topics for Writers!
Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on this blog.
Click here to receive the Rose Courier delivered quarterly to your inbox.
Sign up now to get the Summer edition. Filled with photos, updates, new book releases and more!
Founded by authorAlex J. Cavanaugh, theInsecure 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 this link: Insecure Writer’s Support Group
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 hereto sign-up and/or to visit the participating bloggers this week.
Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you're at the start of the journey, what are your goals?
You bet I remember writing my first "novel!" I was in seventh grade and my favorite book was Black Beauty, so my first book was suspiciously similar to Black Beauty! I guess I could call it fan fiction.
My grandmother, Maw, typed up the manuscript written on a yellow lined tablet ( a real tablet, not an electronic one.) I was in Heaven when I saw the official ms printed from the typewriter, arranged in paragraphs and margins, etc.
After we sold our flower business, when I was 48, I decided to pursue my dream of being a writer. I found the courage to enter our local newspaper office. I met the editor, and we discussed writing an article about a local family farm famous for their gorgeous pumpkins for Halloween jack-o-lanterns and fall decorations. They displayed them in their large front yard. What an eye-catching sight as drivers passed the farm. Who could resist stopping to pick up one or more of the beauties?
We were friends with the farm family, so I wasn't bashful about asking them if I could write an article about their century-old farm and their fall business. Plus it would give them some publicity too.
Shockingly, after reading the completed article, the editor said yes to publishing it, and he wanted to take a look at more ideas I had for more stories about the local area. Just like that, I started my "career" in freelance writing.
I loved interviewing people, visiting new locations and learning every day. I wrote for newspapers, online magazines known as e-Zines and featured articles in magazines.
After a while, I decided to try writing a non-fiction book for middle-grade girls. After 22 rejections from children's publishers, I could not face more rejections, so I self-published.
I knew nothing. I pulled my hair out formatting the publication as an eBook. I cried a lot! Compared to modern self-pubbing, the creation of a book using Smashwords was archaic. Even with Mark Coker's excellent guide, I struggled, but finished it!
In 2010, I spent most of my time educating readers about eBooks and explaining how to order the book. I talked to a lot of blank faces during those days. Reading a book that was on a screen was incomprehensible to the majority of people.
Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women by J.Q. Rose Empowering girls to dream big!!
I have come full circle with my writing. In 2021, I updated and made available Girls Succeed as a print book in color! So much easier to do it now! What a delight to see it and flip through the physical pages in my hand. (I still think the interactive eBook version is more interesting with links to the amazing women I interviewed for the book and to informational videos of the work they do.)
As far as where I am now---I am never going to write another murder mystery. I decided I don't need to add to the violence and grief there is in the world right now. I am back to writing non-fiction books and short stories.
I am in the role of sharing the wisdom I have accumulated over the years. Join me in my series, Tips and TOPICS for Writers, on the third Wednesday of the month. I love teaching, sharing and meeting authors.
Tips and Topics for Writers Series
Click here for the blog post on the new AI technologies for writers and more!
Click herefor my experience creating A+ Content for my Girls Succeed book published by KDP.
DREAM BIG Artist Julie McKevitt
I have fulfilled my dream to be a writer and to have a published book, both traditional and indie. I didn't make a lot of money, but no one can cap the value of a heart filled with stories and friends.
Thank you for allowing me to ramble on about the story of my writing life. I look forward to reading your blog posts on this subject. If you have a writing tip, please leave it in the comment below.
Keep Writing!!!!
UPDATE: I am enjoying penning my latest project so much, I decided to work on it through the summer and offer it to the public this fall in time for 2023 fourth-quarter sales. I'll keep you in the loop. That's easy if you click the Follow this blog button below so you won't miss a thing. Thank you!!
Click hereto visit the participating bloggers this week during the Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop!
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