Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop: Practice Writing

Hello and welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog. 

Is March coming in as a lion or lamb in your part of the world???

Today is the monthly meeting of the Insecure Writers Support Group(IWSG) blog hop! 

Internet Writers Support Group Blog Hop
First Wednesday of every month.

What is IWSG? Founder of the  Insecure Writer’s Support Group and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose 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.

The group blogs the first Wednesday of every month.  The list of bloggers is always available so you can hop around to the author blogs filled with humor, advice, and thought-provoking topics on writing and publishing. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page.

IWSG Question for the Month

March 1 Question: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

Writing a story.

A really, really, really old story? Yes, I have. Funny how time and experience change the perception of our writing. When I wrote the story, I thought I had done a pretty good job. I especially loved several of the scenes. The brilliance of my writing shone through, or so I thought about twenty years ago. I was wrong

Even if there were some glaring problems with it, I am still proud of finishing it. With that story, I learned a lot about putting words together to make sense to a reader. Afterall, that's the tough part of writing. The reader has to get it. 

Remember learning how to ride a bike???

I bet the first time you got on a bicycle, you didn't ride smoothly. In fact when your dad let you go, you probably crashed--how do you stop this bike??? Writers have to jump on a story and learn how to write. And the more you rode your bike, the smoother you pedaled and the bolder you became--like speeding down the gravel road from the top of the highest hill. So the more you write, the more skilled you become. Practice, practice, practice. 

However, don't keep your writing to yourself if you want to improve your skills. Writers learn by sharing their writing with others. Get feedback and suggestions to improve so your readers will be able to follow the story easily. 

Call me crazy, but I enjoy the editing and revising of my stories. So maybe I should re-visit that really, really, really old story and fix it up. What a challenge!

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(Note: Click here to go to my blog post on writers/critique groups.)

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Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing
Need some help with your writing?
Fifteen romance and mystery authors share writing tips they have gleaned
from their experiences as “on-the-job” writers.
Available at amazon

REVIEW: Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing

ut of 5 starsAre you an author and need inspiration?

ByKristine McCaffreyon May 2, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

A great little read about creating characters, writing dialogue, 
and editing and marketing tips from established authors 
in the romance and mystery genres. You can enjoy it in one sitting.

Encouragement and Help for Writers, FREE e-Books on Writing

Tips on writing from experienced talented authors

Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing is FREE on Amazon September 14-16.

Do you remember when you started your first job? How excited you were? How you wanted to soak up everything you could about it so you could do your job better?

Do you remember when you learned to play an instrument, stepped on the stage in your first class production, learned to swim (or not), cooked your first meal, and all the other firsts in your life?

And do you remember all the things you did not know about that first experience? All the questions you had to ask from someone with experience?

Do you remember writing your first poem or story? How thrilling it was to put it down on the paper and share it with someone? Do you still feel like that when you are working on a writing project?

Somewhere along the line, we learn about the job or the instrument or baking a cake. Then we study and experiment so we can get better. Sometimes learning a little bit makes us realize we'll never be perfect at it because there's so much to know, so we get discouraged.

In writing and publishing, the project can become overwhelming, so we quit.

1

Don't Quit!

Many authors online or in your community are willing to help you. I was surprised at how generous writers can be and how much we want each other to succeed. That's what kept me writing. Not only because I want to write, but because there's such a wonderful world of helpful writers who will encourage you, teach you, understand your feeings, make you smile.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group

I belong to a wonderful group of writers who want to help. 

IWSG MISSION STATEMENT:

"The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support." 

Our Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh began the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop held the first Wednesday of every month. (If you type in IWSG in the search box at the bottom of the sidebar, you can bring up the posts I have shared with the group and get connected.)

Compilation of helpful writing tips by members.
Click here to learn more about this e-book.

IWSG has grown so much there are 100's of writers participating in the blog hop. A website is now available with all kinds of writing tips and information. IWSG members contributed writing tips for the FREE e-book,
The Insecure Writers Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond.

Find out more about the IWSG at these following links:
IWSG Website
IWSG Newsletter
Join the IWSG Blog Hop
IWSG Critique Circle Facebook Page
IWSG Facebook Page

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Guest authors on the J.Q. Rose blog shared writing tips on the writing process, publishing and marketing. It was my privilege to share the tips they posted here plus many more in an e-book, 

Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing. 

FREE September 14-16. 

Grab the IWSG tips book and the Romance and Mystery authors tip book so you can learn more about this crazy writing and publishing industry. Please leave a review so we can spread the word about these valuable resources for writers.

Where do you go for help with your writing? Do you have a blog, a book, an online class, a mentor, a writer's group? Please let us know in the comment section below. Your tip may encourage and enlighten another writer. Thank you.

Running Your Author Business, Resources for Authors, This Week

Hello and welcome to the J. Q. Rose Blog!

Hello from J.Q. Rose

According to the Holiday Insights Website, March 29 is the National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. This day is one close to my heart because my husband and I were small business owners. We had a flower shop, greenhouse, and garden center for twenty years. And let me tell you, we put in enough hours to equal forty years of work. Owning your own business requires a lot of work.

Authors are small business owners too. Did you ever look at it that way? Your book is your product. I know you didn't write a book thinking about selling it. I know the story swirled in your brain until you just had to write it down. But because you had a message or a desire to touch people's hearts, you shared it with the public. At the moment the book is published--indie or traditional--it becomes not just a heart work, but also hard work. You need to set aside the creative area of your personality in exchange for the practical reality of being a business owner. Your responsibilities include editor, publisher (indie), marketer, speaker, and book keeper.

I never realized there were so many "jobs" associated with being a published author until my first novella, Sunshine Boulevard, was published. The good news is there are many resources to help you learn about running this small business- books and online websites, writing groups, and authors who are willing to share their experiences.

I hosted a blog featuring romance and mystery authors who shared their tips on writing, marketing, and publishing. Not only was it a wonderful opportunity to meet authors, but also a chance for writers to gain valuable information from the experienced authors. Here are some of the resources they use in their writing business. Check them out for your writing business.

Publishing

Joel Friedlander, The Book Designer http://www.thebookdesigner.com/

Joe Konrath http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/

Marketing

L. Diane Wolf http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com

Karen Cioffi, Writing and Marketing http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/

Training Authors http://www.trainingauthors.com/

Build a Business with Your Book http://buildabusinesswithyourbook.com/

Author Marketing Club http://authormarketingclub.com/members/resources/

Book Marketing Tools http://bookmarketingtools.com/

Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound https://publicityhound.com/

Author Groups

Insecure Writers Support Group-http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Writers Chatroom http://www.writerschatroom.com/

Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing
Available at Amazon--99 cents

It was my privilege to gather the writing tips shared on my blog (plus more) in one place in the writing tips e-book--Romance and Mystery  Authors on Writing: the Writing Process, Publishing and Marketing. Contributing authors in the book are:

Conda Douglas

C. Hope Clark

Gail Roughton

Heather Fraser Brainerd

Heather Haven

Helena Fairfax

J.Q. Rose

Joan Curtis

Joselyn Vaughn

Kathy McIntosh

Marsha West

Melissa Maygrove

Miss Mae

Roseanne Dowell

Sara-Jayne Townsend

What are your favorite online resources on writing? Do you look at your writing as a business?
Please leave a comment below. Thank you.

This week:

Romance Readers Want to Know
Thursdays on the J.Q. Rose blog

March 31--Author Diane Wickles rounds out our March guest authors. Bring your questions about her writing process. Looking forward to a great discussion next week.

Look who's coming in April! 

You're invited to fire up those questions for the following authors:

APRIL
7	Joselyn Vaughn
14	Spring Break
21	Sandra Cox
28	P.A. Estelle

Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog Hop: Google Calendar, Apology, FREE PDF Copy

Hello and welcome to  the IWSG blog hop. 

What is IWSG? Founder of the Insecure Writers Support Group and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose 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.

The group blogs the first Wednesday of every month.  The list of bloggers is always available so you can hop around to the author blogs filled with humor, advice, and thought-provoking topics on writing and publishing. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page. 

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Embarrassed
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net by Salvatore Vuono

Ummm, the first Wednesday of the month has passed. Somehow it slid into Thursday overnight. In fact at 4:00 a.m. today, I realized I had forgotten all about the IWSG hop on Wednesday. But, hey, I figure it is still Wednesday someplace in the world. Right?

I apologize for missing THE blog hop day in my corner of the world, but I have a gift for you along with my apology.

So sorry!
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos,net by Stuart Miles

One of the reasons I didn't get the blog done was I didn't check the dang calendar. Whether you schedule something on a physical calendar hanging on the bulletin board in plain sight and never look at it OR add the event to your Google calendar and don't open your email, there is no guarantee you will actually show up at the appointed time. I am at that stage where I am dealing with ICRS disease (I Can't Remember Stuff (well you know what goes in the S but this is a PG rated blog.)

Last week I learned there are a lot of ways to use the Google Calendar and there are tutorials on Video Tube or information for Google calendar tips and tricks to make it a real tool for marketing and business use. I hope to check this out and vow to actually look at it every day!

The other reason I never thought about the blog hop is because this is the week for the book launch for the writing tips eBook, Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing: Tips on the Writing Process, Publishing, and Marketing. I chose this week especially so I could let you all know about it and give you a FREE PDF copy of the eBook. But since that offer ended at 12:30 this morning, I'm going to extend it for you. 

Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing
Now Available
***If you would like a free PDF copy of the 40 page book, please contact me at jqrose02 at gmail dot com.Tell your friends and, if you have time, leave a review. Thank you.Deadline for receiving this freebie is Saturday, May 9,2015 at 9:00 pm EDST.

In August, I invited romance and mystery authors to send me writing tips to share on this blog during October through February. I compiled tips from the fifteen participating authors with new material to make up the book. Yes, when I sent them the letter of invitation in August, they knew their tips would be included in a book. So the intention was to turn the blog posts into a book known as "blogging a book." 

I enjoyed meeting new authors and working again with author friends on the project. And oh my, what great tips and information are included in the eBook. 

# # # #

Worrying about missing an event or appointment can make me insecure. How do you keep track of your schedule? Please leave a comment below to join in the discussion. Thank you!

I hope you will accept my apology for being tardy on posting for the monthly ISWG blog hop and the offer to receive the FREE PDF copy. 

For more information about the book, go to Amazon. All royalties go to public libraries.

# # # #

Don't miss a new blog post on the J.Q. Rose blog. Submit your email address in the Follow by Email box in the right sidebar. I promise, NO SPAM!

Snowbird Spring Migration, Winter Projects

“Migrating Geese At Night” by Vlado

courtesy of freedigital photos.net

Migrating north this week because my husband and I are snowbirds. We are packing and moving back north for the summer. 

I'd like to make a case for changing the name of snowbirds to sunbirds. We follow the sun...summers in Michigan and winters in Florida. I believe snowbirds fly away from snow, but, hey, Florida has no snow to fly away from! 

Escaping to Florida reminds me of summer camp when I was a kid. I had fun and more freedom at camp. In winter, I have fun and freedom in Florida. No responsibilities to organizations or family (whom I truly love and miss during the winters), and complete freedom to write and wonder.

Quick Tips on Vegetable Gardening:
Starting Your Garden

This winter I feel very pleased with myself. Unfortunately I didn't get much done on my WIP concerning a murder in the funeral home. On the other hand, my dear hubby, Gardener Ted, and I published a gardening book on amazon. It was so good to share this writing experience with him. And he is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to vegetable gardening. Yes, I'll keep you updated on ours this gardening season.





By the time we get home, I hope to have news about the release of my writing tips book--a compilation of writing tips from fifteen talented authors. This project was a joy to work on, getting to know so many great authors who generously shared their writing tips and advice. 

Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing
Coming Soon!

I finally settled on a book cover. This one garnered the most votes and the best comments.

So that was my winter. How about you? Any writing projects? Great books you enjoyed this winter? 
Leave a comment below and let us know about your activities...well, the ones you can share in public anyway!!

I'll be offline for awhile this week, but will return next Monday!!

Have a wonderful week!

A Baker's Dozen of Helpful Websites for Writers, Cover Reveal

Writer on the job

Hello and welcome!

Sometimes we need a break from writing to re-charge and think. Today I listed a baker's dozen of websites to inspire you, teach you, and to just make you think about your writing. They are in no particular order and I didn't explain each one because I want you to go and find out what they have to offer. Curious? I hope so.

I also listed three groups which are helpful to romance and mystery writers. Check these out too to pick up all kinds of information.( If you want to know police procedure, then you definitely need to join the Crime Scene Writer group!)

Click on each site and group to discover what they offer. Have fun! Let me know which ones you found helpful.

A Baker's Dozen of Helpful Websites for Writers by J.Q. Rose


AbsoluteWrite  

JoelFriedlander's The Book Designer 

Women onWriting  

Karen CioffiWriting and Marketing 

K.M.Weiland- Helping Writers Become Authors 

Insecure Writers SupportGroup (IWSG) 

Dr John Yeoman Writers Village 

WritersDigest 

AuthorMarketing Club 

Never GiveUp by Joan Y. Edwards 

Funds forWriters-- for freelance writers 

Carolyn Howard Johnson’s Sharing with Writers 

Women’s Memoirs 

GROUPS

Crime Scene Writer 

Long and Short Romance Reviews 

Marketing for Romance Writers 

What are some of your go-to websites for inspiration or knowledge on writing? Please leave a comment below. 

COVER REVEAL!

Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing:
The Writing Process, Publishing, and Marketing

I am so excited to reveal the cover for the writing tips eBook. 

In this book, fifteen romance and mystery authors share writing tips they have gleaned from their experiences as “on-the-job” writers. The tips in the eBook are organized into the main topics of writing, publishing, and marketing. The authors also share the “light bulb moments” in their writing journey, questions they are asked most often, and the most helpful advice on writing they have received. 

The goal of sharing this information is to smooth and straighten the rocky and twisting journey for writers along the path to a rewarding career in writing. 

The one thing I discovered when I became a published author was the generosity of those who stepped up to share their experiences on their path to publishing. This eBook is a chance to pay it forward to writers who are looking for support and encouragement and lessons for success in their writing ventures.

I'm anxious to get this eBook of practical tips and advice into the hands of readers. Watch for the announcement of the release on this blog soon!

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Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing: Books on Writing for Writers,

Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing series
Writing Tips

Hello and welcome. So glad to see you here today. I have good news and bad news. The bad news is this is the last blog post in our series, Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing. But the good news is that I have compiled all the excellent writing tips and advice into an e-book that will be available this spring. In addition to the tips here, authors share even more insight in writing as a career, publishing, and marketing books inside the ebook. 

Subscribe by email to the J.Q. Rose blog so you can receive updates on the progress and new posts on the blog.

The good news too is how excited I am to have introduced you to new authors and re-acquainted you with others. Along with the writing tips, we also found great romance and mystery stories. In case you missed one of the blog posts in the series, here are the authors who participated. 

***applause***

OCTOBER
2	Roseanne Dowell
9	Miss Mae
16	Heather Fraser Brainerd
23	Marva Dasef
30	Gail Roughton
NOVEMBER
6	Joselyn Vaughn
13	Melissa Maygrove
20	Conda Douglas
27	THANKSGIVING NO GUEST
DECEMBER
4	Marsha R West
11	Kathy McIntosh
18	IWSG BOOK
25	CHRISTMAS NO GUEST
JANUARY
1	NEW YEAR'S DAY NO GUEST
8	Sara Jayne Townsend
15	Joan Curtis
22	Helena Fairfax
29	J.Q. Rose
FEBRUARY
5	Heather Haven
12	C. Hope Clark
19	Resources for Writers

Pile of books courtesy of Stuart Miles
Freedigitalphotos.net

I asked the authors what books they have found helpful in their writing process. I have listed them below.

Mystery author C. Hope Clark said, "Stephen King's On Writing, then the rest comes from reading what you'd love to be able to write. We read too many how-to books on writing instead of reading the good stuff and emulating good writing. We learn more from seeing it put into practice than from lesson plans."

Author Joan Curtis suggests Hooked: Writer Fiction that Grabs Readers and Never Lets them Go by Les Edgerton

The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile

by Noah Lukeman 

Author Marsha West advises--There are many, but two that I have are post noted, highlighted, and dog eared (yes, I have the paperbacks) and are great helps with editing. I’m embarrassed to say a couple of judges from the first contest I entered suggested I get these. They also suggested I get one on Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. (I really knew nothing about the craft of writing fiction, especially genre fiction.) Here are the first two:

 Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White

Author Sara-Jayne Townsend said--In my view the best book about writing is Stephen King’s On Writing.  He has a very approachable, accessible style and this book is pretty much him sitting down the reader and saying, 'this is what works for me.  Maybe it will work for you too.'

J.Q. Rose says--Here is a list of books on writing that I have used and still use:

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Author: Anne Lamott
Publisher: Knopf

Chicago Manual of Style

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing

Author: The Editors of Writer’s Digest

Publisher: Writer’s Digest Books

How to be a Writer: Building Your Creative Skills Through Practice and Play

Author: Barbara Baig

The Elements of Style

Author: William Strunk  and E.B.White. 

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Author: Stephen King
Publisher: Scribner

On Writing Well

Author: William Zinsser

Reading Like a Writer

Author: Francine Prose
Publisher: HarperCollins

Writers on Writing: Collected Essays from The New York Times

Editor: John Darnton

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within (I found this especially inspiring when I questioned my calling to be a writer.)

Author: Natalie Goldberg
Publisher: Shambhala

I hope you find these books helpful in your writing projects.
What is one of your favorite books for writing?  Leave a comment below. Thank you!