After a busy month, it’s time for my IWSG monthly blog post. I’ll admit I’m not the usual Insecure though, distracted as I am with all the promotion surrounding the launch of Voyagers: The Third Ghost on May 5th. If you’ve missed that visit my post back on that day:
https://rolandclarke.com/2020/05/05/celebrate-voyagers-release-day/
A huge thank you to the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh who created the Insecure Writer’s Support Group as they do such amazing things for writers, from the annual Anthology to friendly advice for all us vacillating writers. Many thanks, Captain Alex, for keeping me inspired to keep scribbling. Even at this difficult time.
Before I forget, I’m staying motivated and attempting to write another short story – an entry for 2020 IWSG Anthology Contest. It’s a challenging theme again – Dark Matter – so my old brain is attempting to re-awaken my SF leanings. More about the contest at:
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/the-2019-annual-iwsg-anthology-contest.html
Anyway, on to the monthly question which stumped me at first. Then the blocks fell away – or rather the chocks were pulled away.
June 3 question – Writers have secrets! What are one or two of yours, something readers would never know from your work?
Too many to mention. Or am I too overt? If my fiction is taken in isolation then two at least are secrets – and I’m not an alcoholic, even if I was a journalist.
But there’s my Gaming addiction. That’s a secret, invisible in my fiction, yes. As is my disability no thanks to a non-gaming MonSter. However, a sharp reader only has to visit this website and those secrets are trumpeted facts. I never hide those aspects of my life on here – nor my curious approach to writings.
My writing techniques are weird and somewhat capricious, but not secret.
However, a reader would need to dig much deeper for secrets that might contradict my ‘official’ image.
So, who suspects this retired equestrian journalist, whose debut was set against the horse world, is useless on a horse? Unlike my characters who are talented horse people in Spiral of Hooves – well, the main ones. Okay, I’ve ridden and like horses, but as a kid I kept falling off and as I grew up my ability on a horse hardly progressed. I feel safer on the ground.
Is that why I hate flying? Again, I’ve improved with age – although I took a few long-haul flights across the Atlantic when I was at college in Canada. But even though I know what all the scary noises are – like air brakes – I’m still irrational. Is that believable from someone who wrote a short story in the IWSG Anthology featuring one of the brave Soviet airwomen of World War II? Well, those women are one of my research obsessions – like other Women Heroes of that period.
However, there is a clue in Feathered Fire – the MC is afraid of flying.
Stay sensible, safe, and inspired, please
*
The awesome co-hosts for the June 3 posting of the IWSG are Pat Garcia,J.Q. Rose,andNatalie Aguirre!
How can I be repetitive asking you to agree these guys are the best? Especially as they all have concerns, fears, and insecurities. But they struggle on, so ticker-tape applause for all of them – plus toasts with the best brew available.
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 
That’s interesting that you’re not great on a horse but write about riding so well.
I’m excited to pick up Voyagers this month. I’m trying to read one anthology a month to help hone my short story skills. I like being exposed to different styles and techniques.
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Although a few reviews have criticized my lack of equestrian knowledge, Toi, I learnt more from those I interviewed for my equestrian job – their expertise countered my failings.
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I’m not very good on a horse either. And I hate flying.
Good to hear you are working on an entry for this year’s contest!
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So, other than as a prolific-writer/blogger/inspirer etc., Alex – we have two ‘talents’ in common – LOL 😉
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It was the early 1960s. I used to fall off every time Beth, a chestnut pony, used to start to canter, because she insisted on bucking. I completely lost my nerve, and it was only because of Little Joe’s patient tutoring (he was a bay) that I went on to be an above average weekend rider. Never as good as anyone who had their own horse, of course. But I was fine until Lollander landed me in hospital in the 1980s, after which I somehow couldnt find time to ride any more. Still love the horses, though.
Keep safe.
Jemima
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Your experiences, Jemima, demonstrate how important the right horse/rider combo can be. I regained my nerve in my twenties because of one horse, although too late to build on the rapport – or buy the horse.
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I fell off my horse when I was teen and spend 3 weeks in the hospital, so I sympathize. I’m no longer a rider. Wish that wasn’t the case, tho. Happy IWSG Wednesday, Roland! Good luck wth the contest.
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I was lucky that none of my falls were serious, Joylene – except to my pride/confidence. I witnessed more serious falls though as a journalist.
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I think we do improve with age. Just not on a horse. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
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It must be something comparable to fine wines, Anna – although, some of us lose other aspects…such as hair and grey cells.
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hehehe
Let’s not talk of gray cells. ;-P
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Ah, horses. As a child, I knew *everything* about horses and riding. Of course, it was all theoretical–I think that you can count the number of times I’ve actually been on a horse on the fingers of one hand. But boy, did I read all the books 😀
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Horsey books are prolific – and addictive, Rebecca. What better way to ride – safely 😉
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I am too dull for secrets though I suspect that I have some which are (so far) hidden from me too.
I love that everything in your life feeds your writing muse – which is as it should be.
A big hiss and spit at the MS monster though. It is a demandind and capricious beast.
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Not quite everything, Sue – I never encourage the MonSter to appear in novels. Well, it was the antagonist in a fantasy short I wrote for a past IWSG anthology contest – a fail.
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While the MonSter may not appear explicitly it underpins so many things. Not least your understanding of the difficulties so many face. Ducks look serene floating on the water – and out of sight their little legs are going hell for leather to keep them there.
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True, Sue. The MonSter is probably why I include characters with a disability/health issue – from my heroine with diabetes in Spiral of Hooves to my police detective’s deaf sister in my WIP.
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I love horses too. I have ridden but not a lot. I had Shelton pony as a kid but not much good for riding. Happy IWSG!
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Shelton as in Peruvian, Juneta? My pony was a Dartmoor, I think – and as lazy as me.
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Haha! I love that you were an equestrian journalist but are useless on a horse. Such delicious irony! I think that horses are magnificent creatures, but I am scared of them. Too many traumatic horse events in my life. One of my earliest memories is when the racetrack in Charlottetown burned down. I could hear the horses screaming. I had nightmares as a small child because I managed to get into my great Uncle Chester’s horse barn as a toddler and was bitten by one of his high strung race horses. I’ve been bitten, bucked off, attacked by mean boys with snowballs while on a horse on ice ~ thrown again and slid under its stomping hoofs. What else ~ had the saddle slide sideways while a horse galloped for the barn, been caught in a brushfire on a horse and dive-bombed by water carrying planes. To top it off, horses take one look at me and laugh when I try to get on them. I’ll likely never get on a horse again. They’ve got my number! LOL All the best to you, my friend!
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I think there was a stable fire in Black Beauty and I had nightmares about that. To have heard it in reality… so ghastly.
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It was ghastly, Jemima! The perfect word.
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A fire at a stable has to be a horrific experience as a witness or participant – poor you. I read of one arson case in the UK, which became the basis for an event in my WIP, Fevered Fuse.
Sounds, Louise as if you’ve had too many scary experiences on horseback – enough to put anyone off.
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Unfortunately it’s been years since I’ve last been on a horse. We used to take our cousins from California out whenever they visited Idaho. Now I never see my cousins, partly because everyone is so spread out and have their own lives and families. At least we can see each other through social media.
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Same here, Loni – last time I rode was in 2012 at a colleague’s place in England, and that was my only time Western. Nearest to horses I’ve got here in Idaho has to be setting one draft novel on a ranch near Moscow.
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The part about you not doing well on horses surprised me. Good luck on your story for the anthology.
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Working as an equestrian journalist opened me to elite riders’ experiences, Diane. So, I could stay close to the ‘horse’s mouth’ but on terra firma. Also, I was an equestrian event organiser so that yielded inspiration too.
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