IWSG: Writing During the Pandemic #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!

Welcome February 2025!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello and welcome to the February IWSG Blog Hop! I am looking forward to visiting many of my IWSG friends and meeting new IWSG bloggers! 

Thank you for joining in on the fun.

💖💖💖

The awesome co-hosts for the February 5 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Louise Barbour, and Tyrean Martinson!

Every month, there is a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

February 5 question - Is there a story or book you've written you want to/wish you could go back and change?

Yes, probably every one of them!!  Okay. I know you all probably said the same thing. If I had to pick just one, it would be my memoir, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir. 

I had been working on the story about our first year in the flower and greenhouse business when COVID struck. Recognizing the profound impact this tragic period had on everyone, my publisher reached out to authors whose books were set to be released in 2020. She offered to postpone the book's release and encouraged us to take the time we needed to complete our manuscripts.

I truly needed that time. Instead of meeting the June 1, 2020 deadline, the publisher released the book on January 1, 2021. What a coincidence. That was the anniversary of our first day as business owners 45 years ago!

Arranging a Dream
a feel-good memoir
eBooks available
at all major online bookstores
and in print

When I read through the book many months after publishing, I could see where the pandemic had interrupted my life and stolen my sense of storytelling. The memoir reads as if was written by two different people. The last part of the book is stilted and includes too much narrative instead of including dialogue, reflections, and emotions. 

The anxiety and fear that we were living with drained me both physically and emotionally. I could not write about that turning point in my life when my husband and one-year-old daughter and I moved from our friends and family in Central Illinois to West Michigan to follow our dream. And we did!

Yes, I would like to write the last part of the book again, but maybe not. Maybe that was the way the end chapters were supposed to be. I am thankful I was able to finish it and we made it through the pandemic alive and well.

I know your life was disrupted during that horrific time. How did the pandemic affect your writing? 

Please leave a comment below. Do you have a turning point in your life that you need to share with your family and/or publish for the world to hear your voice? Go for it!! You'll be amazed at what you learn about yourself, plus your family will love to know all about the "good ole days."

💖💖💖

Happy Valentine's Day from J.Q. Rose!

Thank you for stopping in today! I'll be hopping about cyberspace visiting IWSG bloggers!

Click here to sign up to join the monthly blog hop and visit the bloggers this week.

Connect online with JQ Rose:

Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com

Facebook 

Instagram

Substack

IWSG Blog Hop: Besides Writing, Photography is Another Way of Expressing My Creative Self #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!

Welcome November!

The awesome co-hosts for the November 6 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Lisa Buie Collard , Kim Lajevardi, and Me!

Hello and welcome to the November IWSG Blog Hop! I am thrilled to be one of the "awesome" co-hosts this month. Looking forward to visiting many of my IWSG friends and meeting new IWSG bloggers! Thank you for joining in on the fun.

November 6 question

 What creative activity do you engage in when you're not writing?

I enjoy taking photos of nature, family, and events in my "real" life thanks to my dear great Aunt Elizabeth. She was the unofficial photographer of the family. 

I was fascinated as she clutched her Brownie camera and peered into the glass viewfinder on top of the camera to frame her shot.  The strap was attached to the camera so Aunt E. could hang the leather strap around the back of her neck. This helped her keep the camera steady, but also she couldn't lose it!

Brownie camera Courtesy of Danson67 on Pixabay

In those good old days, all pictures were saved on film, not to a digital file. No filters that we use today to change the lighting or enhance the picture. She wouldn't know if the picture was in focus or too dark or light until she took the film to the drugstore to have it developed. Only one or two pictures were taken of the subject. Today we snap six or eight pictures with our digital cameras and phones because there's no charge for each photo.

With all the helpful technology, it is easier these days to be a good photographer. However, it still takes an artistic, creative eye to compose stunning images. 

I've taken many photos during our travels, but none can begin to elicit emotions when viewing the actual site, such as the majesty of the mountains, the magnificence of the architecture, or the glory of a gorgeous sunset. However, I try because memories can't be captured unless the photo is taken.

I look forward to learning about your creative projects when I visit your blog. In the meantime, please leave a comment below about your memorable pictures.

Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week. So many amazing bloggers on the IWSG Blog Hop!!

Connect online with JQ Rose:

J.Q. Rose blog 

Facebook 

Instagram

IWSG: Writing versus Distractions, New Release-Mom's Memories and Reflections on Motherhood #IWSGbloghop #jqrose #newbookrelease

 

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 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 and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!

Happy May!

🎕🎕🎕

Thank you to the awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG--Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

May 1 Question

 How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

Distractions? What distractions? SQUIRREL! 

I like this question. Oh wait a minute. My husband just came in and needs some help in the garage.

I'm back. Got the greenhouse put together.

Now where was I? Oh, distractions. Wait, I have to plug in my second screen. 

GRRR...I still don't have that screen working! Hard to concentrate on my writing because it is sitting right next to me taunting me because I can't figure it out. Guess it's time for a coffee break to cool down and think how I am going to solve this.

Okay. I'm back. Figured out the screen.

Now back to the answer to your question. First I want to wish everyone a marvelous month of May. I love May--so many birthdays, anniversaries, and gorgeous landscapes of flowering trees and spring flowers. Everything is fresh and new, coming alive in Michigan. Now....

Sorry, my daughter called. 

Now about distractions.  Oh, let me throw in a load of laundry before I get into an essay about distractions.

Now about distractions.....The answer is YES they distract me and derail me.

🎕🎕🎕

UPDATE: 

I am thrilled to announce the journal for moms is now available on Amazon! In case you didn't know, I advocate for each person to write their life stories. What a gift to your family when you record life experiences, and surprisingly, it's a gift to yourself. 

Mom's Memories and Reflections on Motherhood: A Guided Journal
J.Q. Rose

Mom’s Memories and Reflections on Motherhood: A Guided Journal is adorned with bright yellow sunflowers and created with pages to journal about mom's unique life experiences, capturing the laughter, tears, and growth that define motherhood. 

Providing a suggested topic, a writing prompt, and an inspiring quote on each page, 

the journal makes writing your stories easy.

The hardcover, premium-color book is divided into three sections for moms to write about the different stages of parenting a child. The Early Years, The Adolescent Years, and Reflections.

One of the sections in the journal

Click here to find out more about Mom's Memories. Thank you.

If you would like the journal in PDF format, please let me know in the comment section below. I have no reviews for the book, yet. I'd appreciate a few sentences left at Amazon when you have time. Thanks.

🎕🎕🎕

GETTING IT RIGHT! I had a difficult time fitting the book cover for Mom's Memories inside the template for KDP. I could see where the words would be cut off on the back cover and a problem with the front cover having words not centered how I wanted them to be placed. So many iterations later, I sent it off to KDP with all the corrections. When I saw the finished product on the sales page, I nearly had a heart attack. 

After all that time spent on the cover, there was ONE typo on the back cover. I had copied and pasted a phrase when re-doing the blurb, so the sentence did not start with a capital letter. What a basic rule--sentences start with capitals....grrr. How did I miss that??

So, once again I had to fix it. The book was originally published on Monday. I corrected the typo on Monday afternoon, and the changes were live the next day!! Kudos to KDP for their quick action. I have since tweaked the manuscript and it was complete with the revisions the next day!

I used Draft2Digital print to publish a different journal in November. I learned later D2D converts the font to 12 point. I must have missed the place to request using my formatted manuscript which is in 14 point. 

After the book is published, D2D does not allow changes for 90 days. After that time, a token is issued to revise the book for free. After using the token, the cost is $25.00 to make later changes. I was amiss for not researching the D2D rules for post-publishing. 

The book interior looked fine, but I did not like the smaller font even if it is the usual size in publishing. However, my readers are older, and I think 14 point is a good size. Large print is considered 16 point.

Have you used KDP or Draft2Digital to publish your books? Please share your experience in the comments below.

🎕🎕🎕

Motherhood

Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day on May 12 in the USA!
 To moms and all who are important in the lives of a child.

Click here to visit more Insecure Writers Support Group  

members participating in this month's IWSG Blog Hop! 

Scroll down the page to find the bloggers' sites.

Click here to link to my new Substack page. It's FREE. The subject of the May 2 article is finding your passion.

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Thank you for stopping by today! And for clicking around this post!

Insecure Writers Support Group: Is Blogging a Chore or a Joy? #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 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 and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!

Happy April!

Our awesome co-hosts for the April 3 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia

April 3 question - 

How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?

I believe I started seriously blogging in 2011. I tried Word Press and gave up. Too complicated for me. Then I tried Blogger. I discovered I could get the gist of Blogger a lot better than WP. Perhaps it was because of my attempt to master WP that opened the door to understanding how to use Blogger.

Oddly, today's question is about blogging. I just saw an announcement from an author friend who is giving up blogging. She titled the article "MY FINAL  Blog Post." Wow. I felt a bit of grief when I realized I would not have a window open into her world anymore. 

I must admit I have thought about giving up blogging. But for some reason, I feel such an attachment to JQRose.com, I can’t imagine dropping it completely…yet. I have started writing an article every week at Substack.com, so this could take the place of my blog. Hopefully, my readers would follow me to Substack. But who knows how long I’ll keep writing there??? And a newsletter? I won’t be sad to see it go. Do you notice how insecure I am in making the decision to drop blogging or not?

My blog is my "home" on the web. I am comfortable here. Everything is on this blog--my books, my media kit, my series through the years, my history, interviews with guest authors, and the IWSG blog hop and friends I can keep in touch with every first Wednesday of the month. Gosh, I'm getting misty-eyed just thinking about it.

Do you have a warm, fuzzy feeling for your blog? Or has it become a chore? Please leave your thoughts in a comment below. Thank you!

💮💮💮💮

Updates

💮💮💮💮

Recipes 'n Reads Series
Guest author Helen Henderson

*Please stop in on Wednesday, April 17, when author Helen Henderson will share her favorite recipe and her latest book release.

     *WIP--I am working on a journal for Mother's Day sales. I know, I know. It's pretty late to be ready for 2024 sales, but I'll have it ready for 2025!! 

Click here to visit more Insecure Writers Support Group  

members participating in this month's IWSG Blog Hop! 

Scroll down the page to find the bloggers' sites.

Click here to link to my new Substack page. It's FREE. My Substack title, Picking Noses, is all about keeping your Easter lily looking fresh. Click the link to find out, especially if you have an Easter lily at your house or office.

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Thank you for stopping by today! And for clicking around this post!

Can You Replace Writing Stories and/or Articles with Another Venture? #IWSGbloghop #writers #storytelling

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

Happy June!

HAPPY IWSG DAY!

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 and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

THANK YOU to the awesome co-hosts for the June 7 posting of the IWSG Blog Hop--Patricia Josephine, Diedre Knight, Olga Godim, J. Lenni Dorner, and Cathrina Constantine!

🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋

  June 7 Question  

If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with?

Should I admit the truth that I was ready to give up writing this past winter? I was fed up, not with the writing exactly, but all that comes with it-- marketing and publishing. With millions of books competing with mine, I was overwhelmed with the idea of spending hours, months, years on creating another book. I faced the reality I needed even more hours of consistent marketing to reach readers.

I have more time behind me than ahead of me. Did I want to waste my time marketing instead of writing? 

I did not.

But after "giving up" on writing, I felt hollow inside. I discovered penning a book is not the same as marketing and publishing. I could not find anything to replace the writing, so I decided to write anyway. The noise in my head of worrying about marketing vanished. You may have heard my sigh of relief. With a clear mind, I discovered my next project. One that is written from my heart. With joy, I keep finding more pleasure in writing than I have in a long time. I am taking the time to enjoy the process. With this renewal, I have a purpose in my life. 

I am flooded with delight when I tap the keyboard and scribble notes that litter my desk. Satisfaction is my reward when the words flow and open my eyes to more insights about my work. 

I am engaged in a new season in my writing life. Yes, writing comes in seasons. Have you experienced those seasons filled with energy and love of writing and seasons when there is no time to write or desire to pick up a pen or open your laptop?  Be assured, There is a time for every season under Heaven.

🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋

The Rose Courier

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!

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to visit more Insecure Writers Support Group members 

participating in this month's IWSG Blog Hop!

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Thank you for stopping by today.