Created and hosted by the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group monthly blog post is here again – and so am I.
It’s been another bad month and my plans to develop and focus on Fevered Few, my NaNoWriMo novel were derailed so I am no longer sure about the track to publication. I am wondering if attempting to find a publisher for my second novel is realistic or whether I would be better to merely blog my scenes over an indefinite period.
I will be posting the opening to another Sparkle Anwyl mystery for the WEP/IWSG Challenge next month as well as a separate Sparkle Anwyl case during the Blogging from A to Z Challenge in April. Perhaps that is the way forward for my fiction writing rather than attempting to edit a novel – like Fevered Few – for submission to a small press.
What would you suggest that I do? Blog posts or publication?
Much of my writing problems are due to my health. During the last few weeks, it has become harder to type as my left hand is cramping up – like forming a claw. One of my solutions is training a dragon – Dragon Naturally Speaking. This post is my first using the dictation software. Apologies therefore for any errors in this trial run which the dogs are constantly interrupting.
Bark-bark. Woof-woof.
Anyway, on to this month’s question.
March 6 question – Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?
Most of my writing is from the hero’s point of view but I have written from the villain’s perspective a few times.
My current WIP is from the POV of Sparkle Anwyl, my Welsh detective protagonist. However, some of the chapters within other draft novels have been written either from the villain’s perspective or from the POV of a shadowy and unclear character. I haven’t yet had to get inside the mind of a darker antagonist as these characters have been more misguided or conned by their own self-belief.
What about your favourite perspective? Hero or villain?
The Welsh Dragon, Mametz Wood Memorial
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The awesome co-hosts for the March 6 posting of the IWSG are Fundy Blue, Beverly Stowe McClure, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard!
Purpose of IWSG: 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!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. 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.
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer
in their IWSG post. 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!
Writing Wings 
I’m sorry about the typing difficulties and hope the dictation program works well for you. Some people have had great success with it, but only you can say whether the added hurdle still makes editing and publishing a good fit for you now. I wish you all the best with it.
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Thanks for your concern, Susan. Today, I did 900+ words with Dragon to get my A to Z posts started. Interesting training hurdle – even with interruptions. Problem is my thinking and then my self-editor.
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You could try posting on Wattpad and build a readership there. I hope the hand gets better soon. Hang in there. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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Wattpad could be an idea – if I can brave that daunting step.
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Wish I could help you decide about continuing the book. I’d say put it away for a while perhaps for 3 months and just enjoy writing a few short stories or free write about anything on your mind. When you come back to the story and read it, then you’ll know what to do with it. Wishing you the best in writing and health!
JQ Rose
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That may be what happens anyway, Janet as the A to Z Challenge plus IWSG/WEP posts will take me well into the summer. Plus my current WIP started with short stories,
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I’ve heard good things about Dragon – glad it’s working out for you. In terms of blogs or publishing, it’s hard to say. Is there a way to do both? Maybe blog the scenes first and then move on to publishing?
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Dragon is proving okay – so far. I waver towards a mixed approach, Ellen.
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I heard the Dragon software is great.
I’d say submit. You never know!
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Submission could tempt me, Alex – but perhaps shorts.
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So sorry to hear about the physical difficulties. Good luck using Dragon. I, too, have heard good things. Anna’s idea about posting on Wattpad bears checking out. I’ve read that some publishers are watching it as a source for new books. Whatever you choose, don’t give up.
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Wattpad seems to be a good option, Diane. Worth investigating.
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Sorry to hear you haven’t been able to write like you want to. I hope Dragon Speak works well for you!
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Thanks, Loni for your thoughtful comment. Dragon will help – it already is.
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You should do what you think is best, of course, but I wouldn’t give up on the publisher route too quickly. Writing doesn’t always follow the schedules we’d like it to, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to throw out our plans entirely.
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Still wavering here so thanks, J S., but health and old age are against me at this point.
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You should do what is going to make you happiest. I had a friend that spoke into a recorder her story then paid someone to transcribe it. The Dragon I think would probably be most satisfying in the end because of seeing the end result immediately.
I plan to self publish first and then later write something for submitting and I have even thought about the blog thing but I think I’m scared to do that one.
Wishing you much success and that you find what will make you the happiest and work best for you.
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Oh, and I have put some of my stories on Wattpad, but I don’t socialize there much, but it is a thought.
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I’m tempted by self-publishing except for the expense that we don’t have. Maybe Wattpad is the answer, Juneta.
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I think the spring will bring an extra portion of motivation for you! As far as novel editing or blogging, it seems like the novel is not calling out to you right now and you already have plans for the blog, so why not give the novel a break and focus on another writing form? And, in May, after the A-Z, pick up that novel again…
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Sound advice, Liesbet especially as even writing my A to Z is hard at the moment ever since I went down with a bad cold so have minimal energy for anything,
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I’m a hybrid publish author. I agree with most of the above. Do what you feel, and most of all have fun with it. Happy IWSG!
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Hybrid is probably the best way so thanks, Adrienne.
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Dear Roland. I’ve read all the comments and your replies and I agree with Lisbeth. Blogging keeps the juices flowing and you can always keep dipping into your novel from time to time. To shelve it for too long, would however be a mistake, I think.
Sorry to hear about your hand. Dragon speaks seems to be working well for you so I hope you don’t play the guitar or the piano !
As for publishing, I don’t think you should give up the idea. Maybe the time is just not right for you. However if you have finished stories, send them off. The worst that can happen is rejection, which is just part of the writer’s life, and the IWSG is here to keep encouraging you !
Have a nice, sunny, spring day.
From Toulouse, France.
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Thanks, Susan – I’ve accepted your Goodreads friend request. I plan to focus on the blog stories first – if health allows – and may even send some off. Dragon worked until a cold made me unintelligible.
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So sorry to hear about your hand. The good news is that you continue to move forward in your writing progress. It doesn’t matter how slowly. It’s the movement forward that counts. At least that’s what I try to tell myself. I’m praying for you, sir.
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Moving/crawling forward is the aim so thanks for your thoughts, Victoria Marie. Trying now to cope with a bad cold.
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Thanks for stopping by my blog and sorry for the late response. I too have been considering whether to publish or just post to blog. I’m currently not interested in submitting to a publisher, but it’s still a good idea if that’s a goal for you.
Sorry to hear about your hand, but it’s good you’re still writing anyway. I’ve heard of Dragon Naturally. I hope it works out for this.
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Your writing deserves to get published,Toi. But I understand why we choose not to go the publisher route. This is my first comment written with Dragon, proving its versatility.
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I was looking for your A to Z Theme announcement, but I saw that I hadn’t commented on this post. Bummer about your hand. I knew someone who I think had Dragon or some similar thing, but I never heard how it worked out for him. I’m sure the technology just keeps getting better too.
All the best with A to Z.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal –https://rolandclarke.com/2019/03/18/azure-spark-revealed/
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Today my keyboard died, so I’m waiting for a new one – possibly on Wednesday.
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