Opening my overflowing Inbox is enough to remind me of a horrific backlog – and what lies ahead…especially as typing is getting harder as is reading.
Gaming is manageable if I only need a mouse and simple keyboard commands.
Editing my novel, Fevered Fuse is toughest. I wish I had the money for an editor who could finish the novel for me. My Unfinished Opus? A pity about the drafted sequels in the Snowdon Shadows series.
Urge/remorse/punishment – list current/final (?) status…the fruitless/failed mission ahead: Fates Maelstrom (v5 so near yet…); Seeking A Knife (v1 to rewrite); Ruined Retreat (v1) + the blogged novellas: Azure Spark, Custody Chain. So much promise undelivered.
Plus, other drafted but unfinished projects, unrelated to my Welsh creations.
An abandoned legacy, which my family shows no interest in. Why bother?
No longer Insecure but Immobile.
Is this farewell?
My final monthly Insecure Writer’s Support Group post? Perhaps.
Answers are not needed, although the Ninja Captain might post a comment. Thanks Alex J. Cavanaugh for all you do – and thanks for creating the Insecure Writer’s Support Group without whom my writing would be non-existent…not even a legacy of any sort. I just wish I’d helped you guys.
So, don’t forget to visit real writers via the IWSG site, and for better answers to this month’s challenging question.
Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Although the question is optional, I’m tempted to answer.
March 3 question – Everyone has a favourite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?
A few months ago, I thought my reading was over – for various reasons, from losing my prime reading situation to problems turning pages of any sort.
I was almost at the end of a book which would have been my read of 2020. Instead, Madeline Miller’s Circe remains unfinished on my desk.
Then I remembered the pleasure of listening to good readers and favourite stories.
Sadly, my UK Audible account is no longer accessible – even all the books I’d paid for. With finances strained, I can’t afford to start a US Audible account.
But there’s You Tube and great sites to visit. No Circe though.
Anyway preferences. Although I’m selective in the genres I read, my choice is varied – Mysteries, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical and points in between. My current writing is a Police Detective series or was. I have written drafts in the other read genres – although my historical attempt is Eagle Crossing, an Alternative History that all began by asking, “What would have happened if Leif Eriksson had settled Vinland permanently in 1000 AD?”
My recent audiobooks included: classics like Frankenstein and Dracula – though I rarely read modern Horror – Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology, various Dick Francis thrillers/mysteries, the Chronicles of Narnia, the Hitchhikers Guide ‘trilogy’, the Assassins Creed novelizations, and finally a wonderful discovery, which was on my vast Want To Read list:-
Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone Trilogy and from there the Grishaverse…coming to Netflix in April. And her final book in the third series, Rule of Wolves is launched on March 30th.
I could write more…if I weren’t about to miss the IWSG deadline, or my fingers weren’t as uncooperative as my brain, or my keyboard/mouse wasn’t glitching ever since our kitten ran across it.
Maybe I need to revert to Dragon…if my speech wasn’t garbled, or animals played with cables.
Audiobooks – Adventures – Alternatives – Animals – Acceptance
**
The awesome co-hosts for the March 3 posting of the IWSG are Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!
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.
For more on the IWSG monthly post and links to other participants visit:
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Writing Wings 
This will not be your last post! Continue to connect with us. You need it. And we need you,
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I will attempt to use Dragon to help me next time, Alex, but no promises. Many thanks for everything.
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Oh Roland. This is hard to read – and how much harder it is for you to live it. Listen to the Ninja Captain please. He is right – on both counts.
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I hear you, Sue and the Ninja Captain. My apologies for this and I will try to be positive next time.
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I can’t say how sad it makes me to hear you are struggling so, that your work may have to go unfinished. I wish I could offer some magic healing, but alas, that’s not the world we live in. Please don’t go away. Even if you cannot write, you are part of us. We need each other.
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After all the kind words here, I can’t close here, so there will be more, Rebecca. Yes, we need each other.
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Oh no! I loved Circe! Hope you get a chance to finish it. Do you have an Amazon wishlist that friends can get you gifts from, by any chance?
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What a great idea! I believe if we gift Audible books, Roland doesn’t need a subscription.
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Thanks Rebecca – and congratulations on your WEP runner-up ‘Kiss’.
As noted in another reply, my wife gave me a gift sub, so people can gift books as normal.
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Thanks Deniz – yes, I will finish Circe.
My wife surprised me with an early anniversary/father’s day/birthday gift after reading all this. So, Circe is now in my Audible library, plus Jemima sent codes for two of her books.
I will now create a new Wishlist as that was on my UK account – now inaccessible.
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Oh, good, I’m glad you got it!
I hjave to confess I have wishlists on my UK, US, Canada, and Germany Amazon accounts, hee hee!
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Here’s my UK one, if you want to share lists! 🙂
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/VL5B8O52HY0L?ref_=wl_share
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I’ve sent you an email with hopefully some practical help for some of your troubles.
lots of love
J
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Many grateful thanks, Jemima and guinea pigs. Looking forward to listening to your tales.
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Wow! I’m at a loss for words. Sorry seems like an inadequate response. Hope you can keep posting, writing, and reading in the future. Deterioration of the body and mind sucks but we must strive to keep elevating the soul and spirit. I wish you well.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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After reading all these responses, I can’t give up, Arlee. Maybe I’ll cut back on commitments – apologies if that means passing on A to Z this year.
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My heart hurts for all you’re going through. I hope you continue to share your thoughts with the IWSG.
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Until I start trying to type, I blame myself for ‘time wasting’. But I will try to share something with IWSG.
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Oh Roland, we will miss you! Please be safe and know that we care. I agree with everybody here, stop by IWSG and share your thoughts whenever you can. All best to you, sir!
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After all the comments – yours included, Victoria, thanks – I will be back, even briefly. I can sort my life problems out.
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Hi, Roland! This post just broke my heart. If at all possible, I hope that it’s not your last one. You don’t have to write much ~ Just a few words to stay connected. I care about you, and I can see from the comments that others care about you too. I loved your Spiral of Hooves novel! Is there any way I can help you with your editing? Even though I call myself an agnostic, I do pray, and I keep you in my prayers every night. Sorry I’m just commenting now. I get behind ~ LOL! Take care!
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I’m writing this comment using Dragon Naturally Speaking. It’s not as fast as typing but easier than typing when my fingers won’t work. So, after all the kind remarks and comments here, I will attempt writing and posting here again. Many thanks Louise for all your thoughts and prayers. I will take care.
PS: I have to dictate this elsewhere, then copy and paste.
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Oh Roland. You must do what is best for you, but I sense (as many others have suggested) that this community is good for you & for your spirit. I hope you find a practical way to remain & to continue receiving the wellspring of good wishes that will always be sent your way.
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Thanks Debs. This community does keep my writing spirit alive – well. ticking over.
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