Created and hosted by the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, theInsecure Writer’s Support Groupmonthly blog post is here again – and so am I.
I’m still recovering from the A to Z month and INSECURE as I have a shrinking backlog of emails/blog posts, reviews to write, as well as the final few WRiTE CLUB rounds, plus short stories to write.
These include an entry for the 2019 IWSG Anthology – another Insecurity. I’m going to write outside my comfort zone as the requirement is: Genre: Middle Grade Historical – Adventure/Fantasy. Sounds great. Middle Grade – I’ve never tried. Historical – I read so okay. Adventure – check. Fantasy – check. But together? What sort of genre is that?
Theme is no problem as ‘Voyagers’ can be interpreted lots of ways. I even have two historical ideas, but they aren’t fantasy as such – not yet.
I’m going to read The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell as it’s MG. It’s MG, historical, and fantasy – according to Goodreads – and it’s on my desk. But I’m unclear whether my ideas fit ‘Historical – Adventure/Fantasy’. More research?
Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale as a read might fit, and it’s on my bookshelf – but it’s YA not MG.
Lots of reading ahead whatever path I tread.
Anyway, on to this month’s question.
June 5 question: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favourite to write in and why?
Interesting question as I read multiple genres: mystery/crime/thriller; historical; alternative history; fantasy; science fiction/speculative; post-apocalyptic. Over the decades, I’ve tried to write most of those.
But – for now – I come back to crime. Crime in the sense of my police procedural series, Snowdon Shadows.
Why? As my protagonist, Sparkle Anwyl is a fascinating character to write – quirky and a detective with her unique approach to solving crime. Plus, my heart is back in North Wales, where the series is set.
Yes, there are other draft novels in different genres. But Sparkle and duty calls.
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The awesome co-hosts for the June 5 posting of the IWSG are Diane Burton,Kim Lajevardi,Sylvia Ney,Sarah Foster,Jennifer Hawes, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!
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.
Writing Wings 
I bet your anthology submission is going to be awesome! I love this year’s theme. I’ve toyed with the idea of entering, but I’m stuck on how to write MG. But I guess it could be a good challenge to try.
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Go for it, Ellen. You’ve had at least one in an anthology, why not another? I’ve yet to discover the art of writing shorts that sing.
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Crime is my favourite genre, too!
All the best with your submission.
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Crime covers so many themes, Damyanti – and eras. But MG historical-crime-adventure-fantasy?
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Sparkle Anwyl is quite the name!
Glad you are working on an entry for the contest.
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I take that as praise, Alex – or do you mean a mouthful? Or maybe she is making a name for herself? Maybe, she solves another cold case with supernatural clues.
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Best of luck with your anthology submission. I hope it goes well for you!
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I’ll try my best, Loni – and hope that’s enough.
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There is so much out there to read. I’ve got to sample every genre at least once. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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Almost too much, Anna. I find books to read faster than I can turn the pages.
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I’m sure you’ll write something awesome for the anthology!
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Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sarah – I’ve yet to write anything awesome for the IWSG anthologies. I keep gasping in over the finish line. lol
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Good luck with your anthology submission. I’m not even going to try. I can’t write MG, alas.
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I’m not sure I can either, Olga – or write shorts LOL -) I wonder if I’m doing the ‘write’ thing.
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I love when a character of your own story haunts you–as Sparkle does. At that point, they are as real as anyone in your life. And I like quirky.
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I suspect it’s not just Sparkle haunting me, Jacqui, but the North Wales setting. I sense that process drives you as a writer as well.
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Thanks bunches for stopping by my blog.
Best of luck with your submission. I too am toying with submitting a story. Like you, I’ve never written middle grade, but realize the challenge could be good for me. I submitted for the YA contest (didn’t make the cut), which was also a challenge since YA isn’t a preferred genre for me, but the experience of trying taught me a lot.
I haven’t really explored crime much. I started a story over a year ago and got as far about 1k words. Still, if I read more crime, I’m sure I’ll find inspiration to revisit crime again.
You’ve really got something special with Sparkle. I enjoy her story.
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Good to see you here, Toi. The IWSG Anthology is a real test – I submitted to the YA but didn’t make the cut. A Sparkle story too, mixing crime and her first meeting with Kama. Glad you feel I have something with her.
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Good luck with writing your submission for the IWSG anthology. I’m sure you’ll produce something brilliant.
I too, am still recovering from the A to Z Challenge and from various curve balls life threw at me in April and May. It’s been a tough two months indeed.
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Here’s hoping the year settles down, Kalpana – for both of us. Still juggling thoughts over the submission.
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The theme would impose a challenge for me too, but then challenges are good as they push us to try new approaches. Good luck!
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I agree, Nick as new approaches show us how far we can go as writers.
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