Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog
AND the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop
Always on the first Wednesday of the month.
#IWSGbloghop
Happy IWSG Blog Hop Day!!
and an early Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
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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 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 here to sign-up to join.
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Aye, 'tis a lucky day for me indeed because it's my turn to be a cohost, sharing duties with a bunch of lively leprechauns.--- Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre.
You may not find a pot of gold at the end of your blog hop stops, but I bet you'll find some golden nuggets of information, inspiration and encouragement that are more valuable than gold.
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| Question of the Month |
March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write.
But what about your reading preferences?
Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for?
What motivates your reading choice?
As I romped through the wide-open cyberspace filled with books, I discovered I have my go-to genres- romantic suspense, cozy mystery, YA, time travel, historic fiction, and Westerns (written by Sandra Cox). My non-fiction choices are mainly books dealing with the craft of writing, marketing, publishing and memoir. ( I like memoirs written like fiction.) I have tried many other genres to support fellow authors in the BWL Publishing Stable and here at IWSG.I found delightful reads that widened my reading horizons. Frankly, there were some genres I sampled, but could not finish. I'm sure you have the same experience when it comes to trying something new.
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WRITING UPDATES
1. You may remember last fall, I was revising and adding new material to my Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women interactive eBook. I had to put that plan on hold when my publisher decided to put my memoir, Arranging a Dream on pre-order in November.
I picked up where I left off. I contacted the 15 role models to let me know what they were up to nowadays. Afterall, it had been 10 years since their interviews. What fun to reconnect with these amazing women. And yes, they have moved on.
I updated each interview and added another interview. I was privileged to interview add another amazing role-model for girls, an attorney. (Girls requested a chapter about the career of an attorney.)
With so many changes, the book needs to be released with a different title and cover. In a nutshell, the book profiles successful women who made their childhood dream careers come true. Their stories will inspire MG girls to dream big and work toward making that dream come true.
So--if you have an idea for a clever title that would catch a reader's attention, please let me know.
Here are a few ideas:
- Girls' Dreams Come True: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women
- Dream Careers Can Become Reality
- Dream Careers Can Come True.
I plan to release the book in March during Women's History Month.
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| Naturally go together-Your Words, Your Life Story and My Life Writing Journal |
I also updated the eBook that accompanies the journal, Your Words, Your Life Story: A Guide for Sharing Memories.
If you have thought about sharing stories from your life, click here to download the eBook format of this guide at your favorite digital bookseller. On sale now for 99 cents.
Click here to order your life story writing journal at amazon.com. Promotional price $5.82.
Thank you!
Click here to visit more bloggers. I hope to see you on the hop!
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| The Rose Courier March 2021 Edition Stay in touch with updates from JQ--packed with articles, freebies, and photos! Click here to sign-up for delivery once a month. |
Thanks for co-hosting with me. I read in lots of different genres like you.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting you have a new book releasing. I like your first new title idea best. I will be doing my Follower News on 3/8 and 4/12. Email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com if you want me to shout out about your new release.
Thank you, Natalie, for liking one of the titles and for the invite to shout out about the release. Happy IWSG Day!
DeleteThanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteNot sure on the titles. The first is a bit long but the other two don't seem to say enough. Yeah, I'm a big help, aren't I.
Thank you, Alex, for the opportunity to co-host. I love this job. Yes, you're not much help. But, I'm feeling the same way. None of them hit me as good. sigh Back to the drawing board.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI too read widely and I read non-fiction too.
Looking forward to reading the book you're working on and thank you for co-hosting JQ.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
You are welcome, Pat. More genres keep me growing.
DeleteThank you for co-hosting this month amongst your busy schedule! Good luck with everything and happy early St Paddy’s π !!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa.
ReplyDeleteYour 'Girls Succeed...' book sounds like much needed reading. It was a good idea to go back to the women ten years later to find out where they're at. Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG this month.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was a joy working on this book.
DeleteHere are a couple of title ideas...
ReplyDeleteFrom Dream to Success: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women
Dreaming to Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women
Congratulations and best of luck. Thanks for co-hosting!
I like these!! Yes. Thank you so much.
DeleteI like your two part title. It catches the attention then explains the content. Thanks for co-hosting this monthm J.Q.!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, I need to explain in the title that the subject is careers and the role models in the book.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful project to work on! I like the first title the best. It's catchy and the subtitle will help potential readers know what the book sis about.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen!
DeleteThanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've read many genres, but I'm always drawn to the ones with paranormal or otherwise strange events. Especially thrillers. If there's something a bit spooky going on, I'm all in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month!
I finally realized how many of my novels and short stories have paranormal elements, but not exactly categorized as thrillers...But, I haven't read paranormal books. I find that odd. Do you have a suggestion for a good paranormal read?
DeleteCan't wait to read the interviews. I bet they were fascinating. Thanks for co-hosting, Janet. Best to you.
ReplyDeleteI was privileged to interview these amazing women who so generously gave up their time to share their inspiration with girls.
DeleteGreat idea for a book, Janet. I love that you got to reconnect with them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jacqui. I could probably have written another book about them entitled 10 Years Later.
DeleteI am not Irish, but every St. Patricks Day, I claim to have a drop of Irish blood. Every year we celebrate St. Paddy's Day with the entire family. It was a year ago, before all the lockdowns that we were all together. And I'm hoping for a spectacular St. Patrick's Celebration this year!
ReplyDeleteThank you for Co-hosting.
Great idea!! I think we're all a bit Irish on March 17.
DeleteTrying a new genre is always tricky. To be honest, I never check a book's genre, I just go with how something feels (cover, title, blurb). I assume I like a certain genre, but I could be wrong!
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. It is so easy to do while browsing the online booksellers. Hop all over the pages and easy to spend too much too!! Have fun.
DeleteYou certainly are a wide-ranging author! Your book of role models for girls sounds wonderful. Happy writing in March!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sadira.
DeleteIt must be so rewarding to be in contact with people you choose as role models. I'm sure they feel the same. Thanks for the St. Patrick's Day theme and for co-hosting today.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I just hope I tell their stories well.
DeleteThanks for co-hosting! I tend to lean toward silly or epic stories myself. Like you, my venture into other genres are often inspired by other authors I know. :)
ReplyDeleteSilly or epic. They are both entertaining.
DeleteSong lyrics are how I cheat when brainstorming titles for my shorts....Shhhh...
ReplyDeleteCool St. Patty's theme. Thank you for co-hosting!
Aha! Song titles. Thanks for the tip!
DeleteHey, JQ. I'm afraid I have a fairly limited choice in genres. I like romantic suspense, but not thrillers much any more. I like cozies by author friends. Some women's fiction and mysteries. But I really prefer third person books, and unfortunately, lots of women's fiction, mysteries, and cozies are first person.
ReplyDeleteI like the second title and would even make it shorter. Women's Dream Careers Become Reality.(I added women to help draw in the audience. And I took out the helping verb "can" to make it more immediate.) I love you went back ten years later to talk to the women. Very cool, JQ. I've shared. :)
I like that title. Thank you.Thanks for sharing!
DeletePS: I really enjoyed your memoir because it does read like a novel. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteYou caught my attention with the concept of memoirs or life stories told like fiction. I'm the same way. I love to read about the lives of others, but I want the story to be engaging so it keeps me wanting to read more. I probably lean more toward writing memoir than anything else.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I knew I could write my story like a fiction novel when I discovered the conflict and villains in my life!! I hope you do take time to write your memoir. You will discover so much about your life.
DeleteYes, memoirs written like fiction! I'm not interested in simply pictures without knowing their personal experience.
ReplyDeleteMy writing is in the memoir category. Once an editor I highly respect told me I had too much dialog and it sounded like fiction. I'm still confused by her comment.
Thank you for co-hosting our March blog hop.
Lynn La Vita @: Writers Supporting Writers
That IS confusing. I like to have readers turning the pages and good fiction does that. So why not page-turning for creative non-fiction?
DeleteThanks for cohosting this month, Janet. Best wishes for your newest book.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome and Thank you.!!
DeleteThanks for cohosting this month, JQ! Your memoir is working its way up in my pile of books. I need to get your memoir books too, because I'm am slogging through my memoir. Have fun today!
ReplyDeleteOoh--I hope I'm almost on top or on top by now!! Thank you. I love co-hosting with this group.
DeleteWhat a great project! I'll have to check it out. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Thanks, Samantha. I'll definitely be shouting about it on my blog and at the next IWSG Blog Hop---I hope.
DeleteNice blog. :)
ReplyDeleteOf the titles you listed, I liked the first one best.
Happy IWSG Day, and Happy Early St. Patrick's Day!
Thank you.
DeleteI love your blog, JQ! Great post with all the shamrocks. The first title: Girls' Dreams Come True: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women is the clearest title. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG's question for the month.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria.
DeleteCozy mysteries are also my mom's favorite, she loves them :) Thanks for co-hosting this month! And happy IWSG day.
ReplyDeleteI never knew there was a name for cozy mysteries until I started writing them! I just wrote what I like to read. You're welcome.
DeleteI adore the way you write - lots of spunk, like a leprechaun!
ReplyDeleteWhile your books are for girls, I suggest that you alter it to young women (please). Further, I have a possible title: Role Models for Your Career Ideal or some arrangement of these words, JQ
Girls' Dreams Come True: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women
Dream Careers Can Become Reality
Dream Careers Can Come True.
Ha...I think I would like to be a leprechaun! Thank you.
DeleteThanks for your title suggestion!
Frankly, I never wanted to write about myself. Memoirs require so much courage and honesty - not sure I have a sufficient supply. Besides, my life seems somewhat boring from my point of view. Who would want to read about it? I'd rather write about adventures with magic in one of my fantasy stories. Now, if I had magic, my memoirs would be much more interesting. Maybe I should write such fictional memoirs?
ReplyDeleteYes, you could write a novel based on your real life. Then you could add the magic, but I bet you can tell a great story without it, so just write your memoir. It is a fantastic journey looking at events through the perspective of time. You'll have aha moments that will allow you to understand why things happened the way they did. Try it.
DeleteThe "dreams can come true" titles remind me of the song lyrics to Young at Heart by Sinatra.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a good St. Patrick's day.
I love reading a wide variety of genres. I posted for IWSG day today. My post included a new book by a friend, a note about a free book next week, a tweet about a query contest (LGBTQ romance this round), and a quick message about April Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
I'll have to check out that song. Thank you.
DeleteThank you for hosting this month. I like, Dreams do come true. Stories behind successful women Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey, I like that title. Simple and clear. Thank you.
DeleteHappy early St. Patrick's Day to you too! You have me intrigued. I look forward to seeing what title you pick for the new book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn. I'll reveal it sometime this month on my blog AND for sure, on the next IWSG blog hop!
DeleteI like "Dream Careers Can Come True" for a title. The book sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynda.
DeleteA wonderful, inspiring idea for so many struggling to achieve.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteIt's wonderful you were able to revamp the book and add another section on being an attorney! I don't have a concrete suggestion, but it makes sense to have a reference to girls in the title so they'll know the story's for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shannon. It's directed at MG girls. I like your suggestion.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of "golden nuggets," I feel like I just met one! I've enjoyed this lovely post ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for co-hosting!
Congrats on the redo on your book. I think I like the first title the best. Someone inserted "Do" to the title which is a nice addition. Thanks for dropping by my little niche. Have a joyful day writing and rewriting! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book. How about: Women Make Their Dreams Come True, and So Can You. It's long but it works. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou like memoirs written like fiction! I've had (well, I guess you could say a memoir about me) a story for a memoir, but I've always wanted to set it up as fiction - using real events and experiences, yet through the lives a our make believe characters. lol I really need to research how to write one of these. Thanks so much for mentioning it and for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month. I too have tried new things when it comes to writing, so turned out great, others not so much.
ReplyDeleteA title suggestion, "If She Can Dream It, She Can Be It."
There has been a number of books I've started and then couldn't finish. Tried writing Romance, didn't quite work for me. Enjoyable blog post!
ReplyDeleteGosh, you're early with St Patrick's Day, we were barely over St David's Day on Wednesday! Sorry I'm late but it was good to read about your career success stories. I'm still wondering how those of us that shuffled up to the glass ceiling and hammered the hell on it got that far without all these role models. Although I hear that girls can be really hard on those who aspire to something these days. We all aspired then...
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month. It wouldnt happen without you ;)
Thanks for the honorable mention, Cuz. So appreciated! AND thanks for co-hosting.
ReplyDeleteI'd be thrilled to help you get the word out.
Stay safe and may your muse tap dance on your shoulder.
Thanks for co-hosting! I definitely have tried to branch out into reading some genres and they just weren't for me.
ReplyDeleteAt the point when you are in need of money yet you need to send somebody roses, don't attempt to set aside cash by going to the main online blossom conveyance administration you see and picking their least expensive decorative layout, since you'll wind up sending modest roses. buy flowers online
ReplyDelete