To Write or Not to Write That Story by J.Q.Rose #IWSGbloghop

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

Happy IWSG Blog Hop Day!

Happy March!

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.

Thank you to our awesome co-hosts for the March 2 posting of the IWSG Blog Hop-- Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!

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March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?

When I began writing my memoir, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir, I was conflicted about several scenes. The first commandment when writing a memoir is to always tell the truth. Should I tell the truth about a couple as being mean and selfish? People who were well-known and loved in the community. They have passed away, but their family lives in the area.

Arranging a Dream by J.Q. Rose

The memoir covers the first year my husband and I purchased a floral and greenhouse business in 1975. The operation was located in Michigan, five hours away from our home in Central Illinois. Because we wanted to make our dream of working for ourselves come true, we bought the operation from strangers. We didn't know anyone in the community to ask about their reputation. Trusting the owners were honest folks, we packed up our belongings, said goodbye to friends and family, and two paychecks, we moved with our one-year-old daughter to Michigan.

Still, the worry about deciding if we made the right decision niggled in our hearts. Were the owners taking advantage of a young couple with stars in their eyes? We had no business experience and no floral design skills, only a dream to work hard and develop the business. We needed the owners to stay with us, teach us about the everyday workings of the operation, and share their experience in the flower business.

No, I am not going to tell you how the book ended. No spoiler here!!

To make the story read like a novel, I made the owners the villains. Everybody loves a villain, and conflict engages readers. We had plenty of conflict with the previous owners during that year. Because the book is creative non-fiction, I  chose to change their names since they have passed and could not tell their side of the story, as well as to protect their identity due to the family still living in the area. 

The amazing revelation as I wrote the story brought about an understanding of why the owners treated us like that. I try to stress in my life storytelling workshops that yes, the participants may be writing for reasons such as leaving a legacy to their families, but I don't believe a writer realizes how much she will learn about her own life until she reflects on the experiences through the lens of time. (Sorry for getting off-topic, but you must realize I am a life storytelling evangelist!)

Reviewers have called it inspiring and fascinating, so I feel I made the right decision to forge on with telling the truth and finishing the book.

Thank you for stopping in. 

Please leave a comment below. I am anxious to discover how bloggers have wrangled with writing or not writing their stories.

Click here to visit more bloggers during the blog hop! 

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catch-up

Last week was an active week in my book marketing life. A guest interview, an article, and a podcast popped up on the Internet during the same week!

If you have time to visit them now or later, please click the links below. Thank you!

BWL Publishing author badge

How the Internet Affects Your Brain Function at the BWL Publishing Insiders Blog

Click here for a thank you from author Shannon Lawrence featuring books by all the bloggers she visited while touring with her new writing craft book--The Business of Writing Short Stories.

Click here to visit Shannon's feature of her new release on this blog.

Click here to visit the Blue Million site where author Amy Merz shows off her clever way of conducting interviews.

Click here to listen to my reading of Terror on Sunshine Boulevard at author Diana Kathryn Plopa's Indie Reads Aloud podcast.

A HUGE thank you to all of my hosts!

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Please pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia 

and the countries involved in defeating the dictator.

IWSG: Problems with Creating a Book Title and Blurbs #IWSGbloghop

 

November IWSG Blog Hop #IWSGbloghop

Hello and Welcome to the November Insecure Writer's Support Group with our outstanding co-hosts Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie Lees, Joylene Nowell Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery! Thanks so much for co-hosting!!

November 3 question - What's harder to do, coming up with your book title or writing the blurb? Both are challenging to write. In fact, I must admit I did not come up with book titles. What blurbs I wrote, my writer's group re-wrote. Is that cheating??? 

I loved my writer's group. We brainstormed on everyone's titles and blurbs. Why is it so much easier to help write another author's blurb and figure out a catchy title? I was disappointed however when they turned up their noses at my title for my memoir about the floral business and motherhood--Rose Petals and Baby Poop in favor of Arranging a Dream: A Memoir. Can you imagine that? 😄 ( I think I mentioned this before, so you know how badly my feelings were hurt...)

Janet, Wendy, Esther,Theresa
My group, the Koffee Kuppe authors.
When we started the group, noone was published.
Now, we are all published authors. Unfortunately, two of the gals have moved from the area,
and the other is not writing at this time. I really, really miss our brainstorming. Times change. 

Stepping away from your manuscript to get a bird's eye view is necessary to write the blurb. We know every detail of every inch of the manuscript. We are zoomed into the pages, but friends who have helped to shape the story can study the arc of the story from a distance and pick out the BIG story. It's okay to get help like I did. And much more fun than agonizing over a title or blurb while sitting alone facing the keyboard by yourself. In the end, you must make the decision what to use.

Titles? The best advice I can give is what another author told me. Wait until you are done with the book, article, blog post, etc. The title will be inside the pages, usually near the end. 

Do you agree? Please leave a comment below. Thank you.

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UPDATES:

Smashwords Sale

My mysteries and memoir are on sale for $1.50 at Smashwords during the Half-Off Holiday Sale . Grab some great reads from the authors at BWL Publishing. Click here to download now.

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Thank you.

#IWSGbloghop Quit Writing? Author Radio Interview

Insecure Writer's Blog Hop

Always on the first Wednesday of the month.

#IWSGbloghop

Happy IWSG Blog Hop 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 join.

& & & &

Thank you to the awesome co-hosts for the July 7 posting of the IWSG Blog Hop are Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, and Louise – Fundy Blue!

IWSG Question of the Month

July 7 question - What would make you quit writing?

I will quit writing when my brain cannot put words together to make an intelligible sentence. 

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Insecure? You Bet! by JQ Rose

9: 15 a.m.--Tuesday, July 6

In 30 minutes, I will be interviewed by Shelley Irwin, the host of the Morning Show on PBS radio in West Michigan. The interview will be anywhere from 6-10 minutes which will probably seem like a lifetime.

Talk about Insecure!! I have never had an interview over the phone, nor Have I ever spoken to such a large audience. 

I am secure about my book information, but what else will she throw at me? Writing this concern on paper is supposed to help me work through the nerves. However, I believe it is only ramping them up! Hang on, I'll be back to let you know how it goes.

Update: 11:30 a.m.This morning I was interviewed on the local PBS station about my memoir, Arranging a Dream.

I was so wrong in thinking the time would drag. When the interview ended, I realized we'd been talking for 10 minutes. The time flew by. I was lucky she stuck to the questions I sent her, so no surprises. I had rehearsed the answers pretty well, so I didn't stumble over the answers. Well, maybe a few times. Now I wish I had longer to make more points about life storytelling, but I'm glad I was able to get a lot of information out to the world.

I appreciated the host bringing up my upcoming workshop on Saturday on life storytelling at the local library several times.

This experience was the perfect one to have when not knowing what to expect. Now I'm ready to tackle being a guest on podcasts. Can you suggest a podcast that hosts memoir authors or mystery authors?

Do you think appearing on podcasts and radio/tv shows helps to sell books? I have heard they don't, but at least they get your name out. 

Have you been a guest on podcasts or radio/tv shows? Were you insecure? Do you have tips for being an awesome guest? Aren't I full of questions this month???

Please leave your answers or any thoughts below in the comment section.

Thank you!!!

vintage radio

Update:  1:45 p.m.

Click here to listen to the recorded interview with Shelley Irwin on WGVU PBS Radio July 6, 2021

& & & &

Sign up for the Rose Courier to receive all the news from JQ Rose
plus articles, giveaways and fun!
Click here to get the Courier delivered once a month to your inbox.

#IWSG Readers' Reactions to My Writing, New Look for the Focused on Story Blog, Happy Mother's Day!

 

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!

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 join.

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

The awesome co-hosts for the May 5 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, PJ Colando, Tonja Drecker, Sadira Stone, and Cathrina Constantine!

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May 5 question - Have any of your readers ever responded to your writing in a way that you didn't expect? If so, did it surprise you?

When I began publishing, I was thrilled my friends supported me through buying my first book. It was so much fun to watch them leaf through the pages and then to see their expressions of astonishment when they absorbed the idea that I could actually be a published author!! ( to be honest, I was amazed too...)

What surprised me was their response or absence thereof. Days and weeks went by. I waited to get feedback on the book. However, several never said a word about it. I didn't want to ask because I thought it would sound like I was wanting praise for the book. I asked the ones who had an amazon account to leave a review, but only two did that for me. Sigh...

I found, a few books later, this is what happens. I must remind myself that reading a book is not the priority for many folks, and their lives do not revolve around writing, reading and reviewing. I can finally accept that and be grateful for my friends' support when they ask about my writing and purchase my books. A huge thank you  to those who take time to give me a thumbs up via reviews. And, as I understand it, even a thumbs down review is good to have, not for the author's psyche, but the more reviews, the more buzz for the book. Hopefully 4 and 5 stars outnumber 1 and 2 stars.

On the other hand, my best friend since third grade has not read a book in many years because she can't focus her attention to read a book. But when she discovered my memoir was published, she bought the book. (Had I known she wanted to read it, I would have mailed her one). I found out she had purchased the book when she left a voicemail, beginning with, "I'll try not to yell." Then she proceeded to yell, "I got the book. I got the book! It's so cool! I started reading it and could not put it down! That first paragraph just hits ya'." She ended the message with "I love it, I love it, I love it.!"

 When I returned her call, I asked her about reading. "I thought you weren't able to concentrate on reading a book anymore."

She replied, " I don't sit down and read it. I walk around the room and read as long as I can, then I set the open book on the dining room table and pick it up when I am ready to walk around the house and read a little more." When I learned what a struggle it was for her to read my book, her words about it were more precious to me. A chunk of my heart sighed at her determination to read that crazy book. What an exemplary act of friendship. 

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UPDATES:

My memoir, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir, was just released with a hardcover. The story is all about making your dreams come true. Well, having a hardcover book was one of my dreams. Thank you, BWL Publishing for making that dream come true.

Spring brings new beginnings, so I am freshening up the Focused on Story blog beginning today. Below is the monthly schedule I plan to follow through the summer, then re-evaluate as to freshening up the schedule again! 

Of course, IWSG is scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month and has been for several years. 

My Life Writing Journal has a new book cover in time for Mother's Day. Laughing at myself that Mother's Day is this Sunday. Guess I'm kind of late with my marketing to get it in time for Mother's Day!! I do love this cover a lot more than the original one.

My Life Writing Journal
On sale now on amazon.com

BACK OF THE BOOK:

Do you want to get started recording your life stories? Many life experiences make up your entire story from birth to the present. With the list of topics in My Life Writing Journal, it is easy to spark the memories in your life and share the good old days with family and friends.

Click here to order the journal from amazon.com

Do you know Smashwords is having a HALF-PRICE SALE THIS MONTH?

J.Q.'s Mysteries on Sale at Smashwords

BWL Publishing is offering their books on sale for half price. You can pick up my mysteries AND my new release, Arranging a Dream, for $1.49!! 

Click here to grab some wonderful reads while sitting on the beach or in the AC this summer!!!

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PLEASE NOTE: Beginning in July, Blogger will no longer be sending emails from bloggers to their subscribers to notify them when a new blog article has been posted. I post every Wednesday on this blog, so if you don't get a notification from me, it's not because I have not posted. Please check-in on Wednesdays. I will also use Instagram and Facebook to announce new posts. (If I can figure out IG soon!!!) 

The Rose Courier

Stay in touch with updates from JQ--packed with articles, freebies and photos in the Rose Courier!

Click here to sign-up for delivery once a month.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and grandmoms
and to all those who have been a guiding light to a child
God bless.

Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog Hop: Let's Compare a Working Writer to a Hobbyist

 

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

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.

✰✰✰✰

Question of the Month

Question of the month

October 7 question - When you think of the term working writer, what does that look like to you? What do you think it is supposed to look like? Do you see yourself as a working writer or aspiring or hobbyist, and if latter two, what does that look like?

When I think of the term working writer, I believe it means writing is the job of making an income to feed the family and pay the bills. I am not in that category. 

I am a hybrid author of fiction and non-fiction books and a journalist with articles in magazines, newspapers and online magazines). So I don't believe I am an aspiring author. 

That leaves hobbyist, but that sounds like I'm not serious about writing. I am. I love the craft of writing and I try to offer readers a good experience when reading my stories or articles. I want them engaged, informed, entertained and thinking about a message I may have snuck in there. Alright, I think all writers have a message for readers, but sometimes are not aware until the book is written that they really did have a message.

Perhaps another way to define a hobbyist is that I spend more money on writing than I do on making money from my writing. I think everyone knows hobbies are expensive--look at what you need for golfing, sewing, running, baking, cars. They all cost money. This defines me! 

Musing about what to write.

One more way to define hobbyist is a life-long learner. As writers, we learn something new just about every day--new words, new programs, new updates to computers, new friends, new ways to market, social media opportunities, etc. I bet you could add a lot to this list too of all the new things you have added to your writing journey. It sure keeps life interesting to have writing as a hobby, aspiring author, or a working writer!

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 Stay-Up-To-Date with J.Q. Rose--articles, news, prizes, sneak peeks, guest authors and books.

Click here to get the October issue of the Rose Courier delivered to your inbox once a month.

* * *

Thank you for stopping here at the Focused on Story Blog with JQ Rose.

Click here to visit more participating bloggers!

IWSG Blog Hop: Writers Have Secrets

Hello and welcome to the 
Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog Hop!

Always on the first Wednesday of the month.

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.

The awesome co-hosts for the June 3 posting of the IWSG are Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre and Me!! 

Looking forward to hopping around and visiting with you awesome bloggers.

When you stop by here, please leave your blog URL so I can return the favor. The iced tea and chocolate chip cookies are waiting for you on the table on the back deck. Enjoy!

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June 3rd question - Writers have secrets! What are one or two of yours, something readers would never know from your work?

I write mysteries with a dead body or two or twenty in the story. Secretly, I hate having to describe the murder scene. I cringe at the idea of actually seeing blood and guts.  But if it makes me gag, then I have done my job well. We want the reader to feel emotion. However, temper the scene so the reviewer isn't repulsed by it and decides to close the book!

Happy IWSG Day!!

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New Rom-Com Release for author Ellen Jacobson!

Smitten with Ravioli by Ellen Jacobson

Review by J.Q. Rose

Smitten with Ravioli by Ellen Jacobson

I have enjoyed reading Ellen's Molly McGhee mystery series with all of the quirky characters and crazy situations. Tipping her toes into a rom-com novel delivers the same humor and entertaining read as in her cozy mystery series. Even the title, Smitten with Ravioli, made me laugh! I loved the Italian setting, the reason that made her dump her graduate studies, her cooking class and fellow students, and of course, the guy she fell in love with but didn't want to fall in love with, of all people! But the extreme lying? Hysterical. Grab this one for a true mental escape from reality. I was given a copy of the book by the author and am voluntarily recommending it to you.

BUY LINK: Amazon and major online booksellers

Your reviews help readers to discover books they would like to read and authors to get the word out about their books.

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Be in the know! Click the image in the sidebar or click here to sign up to receive the Rose Courier for all the news and giveaways from J.Q. Rose every month. Thank you.