#IWSG – Feedback

May 6, 2026 by Roland Clarke

As my regular followers must have noticed, I haven’t posted anything since April’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, Apology.

Fortunately, my health has improved, so I have been writing.

My writing has focused on revising my North Wales police procedural Fates Maelstrom. My answer to this month’s question makes my decision to focus my time here clearer.

For those following my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, that project is on hold, except I keep abreast of the ongoing war daily.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a 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!

May 6 question – What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

Although I’ve had some invaluable feedback during my writing career, I’m going to focus here on my Snowdon Shadows Mysteries, set in North Wales.

Last year, I finished Draft 8 of Fevered Fuse, which chronologically is Book 1. When my beta readers read Draft 3 in 2020, comments like ‘Overall, congratulations! You have a really fun character, location and story. It will be such a super fun book to read’, and more specific ones, inspired me to hone that draft over the next five years with a professional editor’s help.

However, Draft 8 garnered a mixed response from writer friends and the first rejection from a publisher. Confused, I stopped submitting the manuscript and began revising Fates Maelstrom, chronologically Book 2 of the Snowdon Shadows Mysteries. When I sent the first three revised chapters of ‘Fates Maelstrom’ to one of my original beta readers, her response encouraged me to focus on that book.

“…I’m enjoying those first three chapters—I feel so far like this is much more put together than FF [Fevered Fuse] was when I first saw it… So, I guess my feeling so far is that the series is worth going on with….”

I’ve finished revising the first fourteen chapters, but after reading a writing article, I realised my original Scrivener outline would lead me astray. Fortunately, I have a synopsis with updates added, plus extensive notes on the new potline. So, I’m writing a new outline to guide my revision process.

I did start posting the opening six chapters of Fevered Fuse, if anyone is interested in seeing where I might have gone wrong. The comments there make me realise FF still has a future, someday.

Sparkle & Kama
Graphics by Jonathan Temples –
http://jonathantemples.co.uk/

The awesome co-hosts for the May 6 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

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!

#IWSG – Retrospect

January 7, 2026 by Roland Clarke

Although I knew January’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post was moving closer, I needed to give this month’s question more thought. That meant reassessing my writing intentions.

Although I’ve stopped submitting my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, to publishers, I haven’t abandoned it. Too much went into it, from my time and inspiration to my editor’s input over the years, and to the beta readers’ and other readers’ encouragement.

Although Substack was an option, I must increase my Substack followers before I post any of ‘Fevered Fuse’ there. Otherwise, I could release it in serial form to Sparkle Anwyl’s fans, but only after another novel featuring the quirky lesbian detective is finished. Another option is to submit the shorts covering Sparkle’s early cases, which are the origin of ‘Fevered Fuse’.

Three draft Snowdon Shadows novels exist: Fates Maelstrom, Seeking a Knife, and Ruined Retreat, offering years of work.

Naturally, my heart is still in Wales, although I remain 100% behind the brave people of Ukraine.

As for my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, our Ninja Captain was correct in saying, “I know you are passionate about Ukraine. Keep after that story. Don’t let people forget”. The people of Ukraine are why I keep writing. I’m still attempting to write enough episodes to cover two earlier months every current month. Except in December, I only covered events that took place between June 1^st and early July 2025. I will eventually post the second part of the July episode.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Remember, the question is optional!

January 7 question – Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn’t get done in 2025?

For a few hours, I was unsure which unfinished opus needed to come out of the vault, after I ignored it in 2025. However, I spent New Year’s Day working on ‘Fates Maelstrom’ after my number one reader, Rebecca Douglass, gave the opening three chapters her seal of approval. One day of writing became four, as I was convinced this had to be completed… well, draft six became my 2026 priority, alongside Freedom Flights.

I started ‘Fates Maelstrom’ back in 2012 as a psychological mystery set on Dartmoor in Southwest England. However, when the plot was relocated to North Wales, I added a new character – Welsh detective, Sparkle Anwyl. This was planned as the first of the Snowdon Shadows series, until various Sparkle shorts evolved into ‘Fevered Fuse’. So, Fates Maelstrom v6 is set after the Fevered Fuse events and features some of the same characters, like Kama, which creates interesting backstory challenges. Also, the plotlines have developed since v5, and the POVs, which were 3^rd person, are now just Sparkle’s 1st-person POV.

The crucial issue is allocating writing time over 2026. My intention is to commit to writing per month, Freedom Flights for three weeks, and Fates Maelstrom for one week.

Please note that the Snowdon Shadows page on this site is not totally up to date… yet.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 7 posting of the IWSG are Shannon Lawrence, Olga Godim, Jean Davis, and Jacqui Murray!

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

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

***

#IWSG – Using AI

September 3, 2025 by Roland Clarke

The months seem to pass by so fast, and another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post is almost here. Time again to update my writing plans…or rather to request some feedback.

Since my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, was rejected after my first submission, I’ve been thinking about my next step.

As I let my editor know what happened, she kindly sent me some suggestions. The one that struck me as most achievable at this point was being active on Substack, on which I discovered I had a dormant account. First, I should start writing short pieces, and then she suggested I post one of my existing novels or novellas in serialised form, which I should monetise.

I have four possible manuscripts that I could serialise, and that’s where I need help choosing the best one.

Fevered Fuse: Although this is fully edited and an excellent choice, I’d better hold this novel back as long as I’m still submitting the manuscript.
Freedom Flights: As the present-day episodes are on this blog, I could serialise the pre-2022 growth of the Chayka Family and their aviation business based in Canada, Chayka Air. The first four chapters (54 pages) are written, but the first one is my short story in the 2020 IWSG Anthology (No. 5), Voyagers: The Third Ghost, so not useable.
Tortuous Terrain: An early draft of the sequel to Spiral of Hooves, my published novel, so in need of revision &/r editing. A possible means to promote my debut book.
Eagle Crossing: An early draft of an extensively researched alternate history set in a 21st-century Viking North America arising from Leif Eriksson settling Vinland permanently in 1000 AD, and founding Kanata. Has potential legs.

I will probably still submit Fevered Fuse to at least two more of the small publishers on my researched list… but only if I’m convinced that the manuscript is publishable (as it stands). Or I will continue revising ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in my Snowdon Shadows series, until it reads almost as engrossing as the audiobooks I listen to.

I’ve just posted another episode of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights. If you manage to read Conviction and Commitment, Part 1, please be patient waiting for Part 2. I must make it worth reading before posting it online.

Obviously, I’m also still following the news from Ukraine.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Remember, the question is optional!

September 3 question – What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others, with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or creating outlines\beats?

Last month, I made my attitude to unscrupulous AI publishers clear. However, I can see the benefits of AI for our type of writing, even if I sometimes get frustrated when my AI-driven grammar software messes up my creativity – Copilot, I’m pointing at you.

As for the examples in the question, I don’t use them, nor am I tempted. I checked if any of the aforementioned ‘unscrupulous publishers’ produced them.

If I used any AI app besides grammar services, I would use Edwina, Fictionary’s Helpful AI Writing Instructor. Fictionary is the Story Editing software I’ve used on & off for some years, usually while writing early drafts and before I send a manuscript to my editor.

Incidentally, Kristina Stanley, best-selling author of the Stone Mountain Mystery Series, founded Fictionary and was one of the authors who helped me launch ‘Spiral of Hooves’.

Fellow writers, some of you might be interested in this FREE webinar on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time, organised by The Authors Guild Foundation – The AI Revolution in Book Publishing. I would attend, but my carer is still here at that time.
*

The awesome co-hosts for the September 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight!

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

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

#IWSG – Writing Fears

May 7, 2025 by Roland Clarke

It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, and an opportunity to write about something opportune.

On Sunday evening, I finally submitted my police procedural, Fevered Fuse, to London-based publisher Joffe Books. After researching the best independent publishers for crime fiction, Joffe Books was my first choice. I should hear back from them within three months. While waiting for the publisher to answer, I’ll rewrite ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in my Snowdon Shadows Mysteries, and write more episodes of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Remember, the question is optional!

May 7 question – Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them?

Since my late teens, submitting a manuscript has triggered my fear of rejection. I can’t remember the exact short story, but I wrote many fantasy stories in my teens. However, I do remember my first rejection was for one I submitted to a fantasy magazine whose name I have conveniently forgotten. All I know is that I was discouraged from submitting any fiction for decades. But I couldn’t stop writing and even edited a magazine called Mind Sphere for a bilingual SF & fantasy society I helped create in Montreal, Canada.

Four-legged Field magazine fans Credit: http://www.thefield.co.uk

My first paid editing job for The Field magazine led to my first published fiction articles, and eventually, my factual writing was published hundreds of times over the next thirty-five years. But my fear of rejection for fiction writing hovered in the background.

When I finally finished a novel I believed in – not my first or even third attempt – I submitted it, despite fearing another rejection… and encouraged by my wife, Juanita. However, Spectacle Publishing accepted Spiral Of Hooves and my debut novel was published in 2013. Except another fear emerged: the fear of failure.

***Cover design by Jonathan Temples. Cover photo by Nick Perry***.

Although Spiral Of Hooves sold a few copies and had predominantly excellent reviews, I believed I had failed. I’d written a sequel but shelved it and worked on other stories, unwilling to resign myself to accepting I lacked talent.

Or was that my problem?

I submitted some shorts, willing at last to accept a few rejections. IWSG threw me a lifeline, and in 2019, my WWII historical fantasy short story Feathered Fire was accepted for the 2020 IWSG Anthology Voyagers: The Third Ghost. The encouragement from the published short and fellow authors has helped me have faith in my writing. It’s also led to my ongoing Ukraine episodic story, Freedom Flights.

On one level, I manage my fears through my writing, although if I look at the growing pile of unpublished shorts and novels, I still question my talent.

Submitting Fevered Fuse feels like a test. Am I prepared for rejection? Or does another publishing opportunity bring the risk of not promoting the book enough? How do I promote a book when I’m housebound? I must do more than print a few T-shirts like the Spiral Of Hooves one I’m wearing today.

Perhaps I only need to be online in the present digital age… not housebound but cloud-borne.

Graphics by Jonathan Temples –
http://jonathantemples.co.uk/

I’ve just read this interesting blog piece by Pauline Rowson, the best-selling author of many crime novels, published by Joffe Books: https://www.rowmark.co.uk/article/the-emotional-stages-of-writing-a-novel/

The awesome co-hosts for the May 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn, Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!

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.

#IWSG – Reappraisal

February 5, 2025 by Roland Clarke

It’s time for my first Insecure Writer’s Support Group post of 2025, having missed the January IWSG post… I realised it was too late when I saw others posting. At least I managed a Christmas-New Year post.

However, I have also posted Episodes 28-32 of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights. I will post the next episode later this week, and there should be many more until I write about the just peace, hopefully this year.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Remember, the question is optional!

February 5 question – Is there a story or book you’ve written you want to/wish you could go back and change?

Initially, I felt I wouldn’t change any of my too few published fiction writings, although Spiral of Hooves was revised for the second edition. Perhaps rereading the novel would make me wish I’d changed more things.

However, some of the shorts posted on this site should be reappraised and, in many cases, revised even though I edit them a few times before letting my followers read them.

As an ongoing episodic tale, Freedom Flights will have to be revised. I’ve already started making changes to the collated episodes whenever I find mistakes and oversights. For instance, as I research the aviation aspects of the story, I notice incorrect jargon. In early episodes, I called groups of four to six planes ‘wings’ rather than ‘flights’… and other basic errors. When I’ve reached the final episode, Just Peace, I will start filling in the gap from 1950 to 2021 and revising the war episodes.

Naturally, there are other projects due for revision… one day.

The awesome co-hosts for the February 5 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Louise Barbour, and Tyrean Martinson!

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.

#IWSG – To Boldly Go

September 4, 2024 by Roland Clarke

It’s time for yet another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post of 2024, and I’m sure many of you know where I’m going to boldly go.

The final frontier?

Not yet, as long as I can mention my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, although with so many events concerning Ukraine in July I’m still working on the final part, which is due out sometime after this appears.

To keep up to date I might have to make August’s episode brief, even if that means merging it into September using the Kursk incursion. Plus, as I write this on September 3, 2024, there’s been a deadly Russian attack on Poltava I can’t ignore.

Slava Ukrayini

The other news has been canine. Our Beagalier puppy, Taika continues to chew through Juanita’s oxygen tubes, although Monday, her son Jason put up some wall hooks near the ceiling for the tube. Taika will need to grow wings to reach it… except that night he chewed the part where it ran near the ground. Darn it!

Remember, the question is optional!

September 4 question – Since it’s back to school time, let’s talk English class. What’s a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?

Back in the last century, my English Language teachers must have taught me endless rules I’ve either forgotten or absorbed so well they are ingrained.

Split infinitives were the first that came to mind, as did the classic split infinitive.

“To boldly go where no man has gone before.”

That line from the opening title sequence of Star Trek and its iconic mission statement was grammatically wrong we were told. Yet it made more sense to split the infinitive, and over time Star Trek won and people realized an infinitive could be split… most of the time. However, the ‘split infinitive rule’ never messed me up as a writer, not just because of Star Trek.

My best English Literature teacher told me that English grammar was an amalgam of Latin, French and English grammar, which led to oddities and inconsistencies. This included the split infinitive. In Latin the infinitive is one word as it is in French, a Romance language. Therefore: to go = ire = aller. I guess that means that if a verb is French in origin like ‘compare’ you can’t try to boldly compare 😉

Now I am an IFTW… Insecure Full-Time Writer the grammar rule I struggled to learn, is the one that messes me up. It’s also the one my editor questions me on. Maybe, I use it incorrectly.

The Oxford Comma. But rather than explain what it is, here’s an easy-to-follow infographic on its usage.