This month’s piece for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group post is again a challenge because of the problems arising from my bedridden state, especially my injured leg… although it is healing.

Meanwhile, during November, I first managed to write my next present-day Ukraine story, titled Embedded, which I will post before the WEP/IWSG flash due by December 15^th.

I also took part in NaNoWriMo, writing Embedded, and some more Ukraine historical stories to fill part of the period between 1944 and 2022. The proposed Freedom Flights collection will open with my 1944 World War II story Feathered Fire, which introduced the two Ukrainian Chayka sisters and appeared in the 2020 IWSG Anthology (No. 5), Voyagers: The Third Ghost.

I managed to write three stories showing how the Chayka sisters reached the West, settled in Canada, and then helped found the aviation business, which will lead two of their granddaughters to fight for their motherland from 24^th February 2022 onwards.

My December flash will be my final 2022-23 WEP/IWSG Challenge, as sadly there will be no more Challenges. Many thanks, WEP team for all the writing inspiration over the years I have taken part in your Challenges.

However, I intend to continue writing episodes until, I pray, a just peace with reparations has been reached. Then, that will be a perfect conclusion to the Freedom Flights collection.

Congratulations to everyone else who rose to the NaNoWriMo Challenge in November 2023.

Slava Ukrayini

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Every month, IWSG announces 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!

December 6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?

The short answer is my reviews tend to be for the reader and refer to my reading experience.

However, I also give each book a star rating: E.G:- Story – five stars; Setting/World-building – five stars; Characters – five stars; Authenticity – five stars; Structure – five stars; Readability – five stars; Editing – five stars.  This gives me more flexibility in the body of the review to explore different elements, including critiquing the author, constructively.

I lean toward guiding the reader as to choosing good reads, although making it clear I have genre preferences. Therefore, my reviews tend to be reader-centric, with additional comments that could help the author.

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The awesome co-hosts for the December 6 posting of the IWSG are C. Lee McKenzie, JQ Rose, Jennifer Lane, and Jacqui Murray!

Finally, don’t forget to visit more active writers via the IWSG site:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.

Purpose: 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!

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 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!