The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day, and from today onwards the group are revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive!
Every month, they’ll announce a question that members can answer in the IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt us to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. So on to the JULY 6th QUESTION:
What’s the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?
My immediate thought was of some of the motivational words that my IWSG critique partners had written about my writing – helpful in getting me progressing stalled projects. That should have applied to the encouraging comments from the first professional editor to appraise one of my draft novels. However, I still need to apply those constructive but daunting suggestions.
So I’ve decided that one of the good reviews that I received for “Spiral of Hooves” comes in at number one. I would have chosen one of the Five star reviews on Amazon, but they got removed when the book ceased being available – and I’ve mislaid the file where I saved them.
No matter, Goodreads has seven still accessible, from the weird one star one that said, “It’s missing an understanding of the horse world that makes someone who is immersed in it want to read the book”, to the four star ones that felt that I demonstrated my knowledge. Yes, I was a professional equestrian journalist – or was that in another life?
Anyway here’s one of the best extracts:
“Spiral of Hooves is a great book for horse lovers who also love thriller or crime novels. The plot has several twists and turns, the characters are rich, and the author’s in depth knowledge of the world of eventing brings the story to life.
Arguably one of the best things about this book is the writing of the riding scenes. They are authentic, realistic, and incredibly well written. The reader is brought with over every jump and through every turn.”
What more can I say? Was I right to feel chuffed and inspired? Dare I attempt a better sequel?
Cover credit: Danielle Sands
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The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day. We post our thoughts on our own blogs. We talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered. We discuss our struggles and triumphs. We offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.
Please visit others in the group and connect with my fellow writers.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
And be sure to check out our Facebook group –https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/
Our revved up IWSG Day question 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.
The awesome co-hosts for this July 6 posting of the IWSG are Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott!
Writing Wings 
Write the story makes you the happiest. Let it fill you up… 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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Thanks emaginette. That’s what I try to do, but sometimes that can be a dilemma as to which one…
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What wonderful feedback! You definitely should feel chuffed!
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Felt chuffed at the time, although frustrated by the odd negative comments. Thanks Ellen.
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A book for horse lovers AND crime lovers? I like that! 🙂
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It worked for some people, Chrys
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Nothing like a good review to worm a writer’s heart 😉
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So true, Sarah – thanks.
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Write the sequel! You’ll have fun doing it.
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Sequel written but outside comfort zone of eventing – tackled endurance and barrel racing, although have some helpful friends that will check for errors I suspect.
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That’s great. It’s exciting to leave the comfort zone. Good for you!
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Those are great reviews. 🙂 Yay for knowing your stuff!
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Thanks Loni, glad some people recognise my knowledge.
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Those are some awesome reviews – I especially like the one that included the part about authenticity – how wonderful! If you want to write the sequel, I say, go for it!
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Actually two paras from same review, but the other 4* reviews were similar vein. Sequel has passed the first draft stage, but have switched main sport to endurance.
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Bummer the book was pulled. But with a review like that, maybe you should attempt a sequel?
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The publisher changed hands and I had the choice of a new contract – poor terms etc – or getting my rights back. So I can release the sequel, one day. Thanks Alex for commenting.
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Why is it we could get 10000 positive reviews and one negative comment crushes us?
Keep focused on the positive one!
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It doesn’t make sense having that crushed reaction. I can now shake my head and focus on the positives that make sense. Thanks Doreen.
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That’s an awesome review. Write the sequel! Readers are always going to love stories about horses. I spent part of my day yesterday with a handsome horse. A bit of a pig, but adorable.
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Thanks Joylene, might make more sense than struggling with an SF sage that is hard to sell.
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