#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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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!

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#IWSG – A Writer’s Life

November 5, 2025 by Roland Clarke

Another month has slipped by, so it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. And yet another chance to reassess my writing strategy, and my life.

Although I’d shelved my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, while I changed focus, that decision has been preying on my mind.

Is ‘Fevered Fuse’ something I need to rewrite to make it publishable? Is Sparkle Anwyl, its quirky lesbian detective, a minus? Is revising ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in the series, a better use of my final time here? The two other titles of the series exist: No. 3 ‘Seeking a Knife’s first draft is half-written; No.4 ‘Ruined Retreat’s first draft was written in November 2017, for NaNoWriMo. Have I been wasting my time creating Sparkle Anwyl and her world? Did my beta-readers and my editor waste their precious time?

Please, does anyone have enough time to read even the first page or chapter of ‘Fevered Fuse’? If someone is really keen, she/he could read the first three chapters of ‘Fevered Fuse’ and ‘Fates Maelstrom’ to let me know if either is worth continuing with.

Maybe I need to skip both titles and revise ‘Ruined Retreat’. 😉

As for my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, I face different dilemmas. Will I finish writing the episodes before the war ends? More importantly for the people suffering, when will that end and with the just peace they deserve?

For the few still reading the episodes, including those clicking ‘Like’, I should post the second April 2025 episode later this week. Obviously, I’m still following the news from Ukraine and now the troubling news from Venezuela. Cuban Missile Crisis Mark 2, Trump version?

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Remember, the question is optional!

November 5 question – When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

My first thought was, “A Sailor’s Life for me”, but then I remembered when I made my first scribblings and dreamt of “A Farmer’s Life for me”.

A decade later, after part-time work mowing lawns and mucking out horses in Canada, I entered the journalism world… as a lowly sub-editor in London, back home in the UK. Beyond subbing ‘Fishing Reports’ and short pieces in The Field magazine, I was gradually allowed to attend events that required brief reports. Finally, I wrote my first published full-page article, anywhere. It was also my first equestrian article, and about a place where I’d had a summer job, The All England Jumping Course, at Hickstead.

By then, I wanted to be a journalist, even returning briefly to Canada to cover the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, with interesting results, especially equestrian. Writing an article for the Canadian equestrian magazine The Corinthian on a major British event should have been my breakthrough as a journalist, as should have been my brief time at a Journalism College.

However, a series of events turned me into an equestrian photographer, then an organic fresh produce wholesaler, to green campaigner, and a video producer.

I’ve never stopped scribbling, even before my job at ‘The Field’. In my teens, I was already penning short stories, mainly science fiction and fantasy. While at my finishing school in Canada, I produced an SFF fanzine called ‘Mind Sphere’ and received my first and only physical rejection letter.

In my late thirties, I was briefly the editor of the Socialist Environment and Resources Association’s journal, New Ground, and wrote a few articles. Almost two decades after my first foray into journalism, I became a regular contributor to some equestrian magazines as a journalist and occasional photographer.

Dick Lane and his team of Lipizzaners at Brighton Driving Trials. Photo: Roland Clarke

While watching a show-jumping class at Olympia in London, the ideas for a plot took shape, and thirteen years later, my only published novel, Spiral of Hooves, was released.

My writing life hasn’t been straightforward, mainly because I’ve let myself be sidetracked. Finally, bedridden by multiple sclerosis, I should be able to focus on writing… one thing. Unfortunately, not, as I outlined last month.

Now, I have Sparkle Anwyl, my favourite character, vying with Freedom Flights, for my attention. The latter now dictates my life, but something tells me I need to keep ‘making hay while the sun shines’.

The awesome co-hosts for the November 5 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!

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 – Favourite Scribblings

October 1, 2025 by Roland Clarke

Another month has passed, so it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. And another chance to reassess my writing strategy.

I’ve shelved my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, while I change focus. I will continue revising ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in the series, although that will require months.

I’ve just posted two more episodes of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights. If you read Part 1 of No Cards Game, you may realise how the episode ends before you reach Part 2. Obviously, I’m still following the news from Ukraine.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Remember, the question is optional!

October 1 question – What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

My first thought was, “These are a few of my favourite things”, but then I realised “There can be only one”, but which one? And why?

The obvious work would be my only published novel, Spiral of Hooves, the first book in the ‘Chasseur’ series. The MCs return in the first draft of a sequel, ‘Tortuous Terrain’, as does Zoo Sécurité, an organisation that appears in other series. Spiral will always be a favourite, but not quite number one. Gradually, the Zoos have become a valuable creation.

One member of Zoo Sécurité is a key secondary character in my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, which has yet to reach an audience. However, Sparkle Anwyl has become my favourite character. But the series falls short of that Number One slot despite Sparkle and my overall arc for her career. I’ll still revise ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in the series, and one day, hopefully, another Sparkle mystery, ‘Ruined Retreat’, featuring another Zoo operative.

As I attempt to assess my favourite written work by trawling through predominantly unpublished scribblings, I recognise an ongoing obsession that might be holding me back. Creating and outlining series ideas.

If I’d stuck with the characters and equestrian world created in Spiral of Hooves, I might have succeeded in publishing more. Instead, I have five or more unwritten series.

For instance, the Gossamer Flames saga grew from my two ‘Wyrm’ draft novels, written in 2011 before ‘Spiral of Hooves’ was published… but after SoH was written. Instead of revising a draft novel, I built new projects to muddle my writing plans. Like ‘Eagle Crossing’ in 2016, set in a 21st-century Viking North America called Kanata. It was extensively researched at the time of devising, as I believed Kanata was my writing future.

Eventually, I developed Sparkle Anwyl, who became my favourite character.

Yet, the favourite thing I’ve written is Feathered Fire, the 1944-based short story published in the 2020 IWSG Anthology (No. 5), Voyagers: The Third Ghost. My reasoning is, firstly, as a standalone story, all the elements seem to work, thanks in part to the editing by L. Diane Wolfe from Dancing Lemur Press.

Secondly, writing Feathered Fire gave rise to Freedom Flights, a crucial part of my ongoing writing journey. Readers asked what happened to the two Ukrainian sisters in the story, so when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24^th, 2022, I created their two granddaughters and the modern Night Witches. The present-day episodes led me to start writing about the post-1944 growth of the Chayka Family and their aviation business based in Canada, Chayka Air. Of course, there are at least two Zoo Sécurité operatives involved.

Commander Evdokiya Bershanskaya gives a briefing to her “Witches”. (Archives Vlad Monster, http://www.ava.org.ru)
**https://www.gracpiacenza.com/night_witches_eng.html**

So, Feathered Fire inspired the saga that’s now a key part of my writing, alongside the unfolding career of my Welsh detective, Sparkle Anwyl. All other scribblings must be shelved… for now.

The awesome co-hosts for the October 1 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!

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.
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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 – AI Rejection

August 6, 2025 by Roland Clarke

Another month has passed, so it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, and an opportunity to tweak my writing strategy.

First, it’s been over three months since I submitted my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, to London-based publisher Joffe Books. As expected last month, I never received an answer, so that is a firm rejection. Their website says, ‘Do not be disheartened if you don’t hear from us. What is not right for us may be exactly what another publisher is seeking. We encourage you to look for other opportunities to publish elsewhere.’

I’m not disheartened, I’m just disappointed to wait three months for this rejection from my first choice. Months ago. I began checking out other publishers by listening to a few of their authors’ books, and I made a short wish-list of small publishers. The second on my list, based in New York, answers within two weeks (and the third, an LGBTQ+ publisher, in 16 weeks). Unfortunately, another UK small publisher only considers fiction from UK-based writers, not UK-based fiction.

However, before I submit ‘Fevered Fuse’ again, I need to know if the manuscript is unpublishable (as it stands). Or perhaps, I would be best to revise another novel, such as ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in my Snowdon Shadows series, which reads better than ‘FF’. But not up to the same standard as the audiobooks I listen to.

I worry that I’m kidding myself about being a writer, even if I’ve just posted another episode of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights. If you manage to read Winter Warning, there’s a question to answer, but only if you want.

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

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Remember, the question is optional!

August 6 question – What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Last month, I wrote the following:

‘Has anyone kept up to date with the legal cases against AI companies, like Anthropic and Meta, that have used pirated books, ignoring copyright, to train their AI products? My debut novel, Spiral of Hooves, was one of thousands of pirated books. Latest news from the Authors Guild on the cases at: https://authorsguild.org/news/mixed-decision-in-anthropic-ai-case/ and https://authorsguild.org/news/meta-ai-ruling-meta-gets-technical-win-but-law-favors-authors/.’

Therefore, this abuse of copyright and the reasoning behind it, training AI, must rank as the most insidious and unethical practice. Closely followed by using AI to write books, thus flooding the market at the expense of real writers, depriving them of income.

‘Insecure’ colleagues have also pointed out other dubious practices like ‘price-gouging on ISBNs’ in the USA, ‘vanity publishers’, ‘false research’, ‘the predators’, and numerous other restrictions and traps. Plus, so many more unethical practices at: Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Jemima Pett, and the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

I don’t think it’s unethical, as I realise publishers are overstretched, but knowing why a manuscript is rejected would be helpful. I guess multiple rejections mean ‘time for me to write something different’. Or stick to reading a book. 😉

Which reminds me of my May IWSG post on my writing fears: #IWSG – Writing Fears | Writing Wings

The awesome co-hosts for the August 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim

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 – Genre Trial

July 2, 2025 by Roland Clarke

Another month has passed, so it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, and an opportunity to plan another writing adventure.

First, it’s almost two months since I submitted my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, to London-based publisher Joffe Books, and I’m still waiting for an answer. I’m beginning to suspect a rejection is awaiting me when the three-month deadline is reached in early August. At least I’m checking out other publishers by listening to a few of their authors’ books,

However, as I wait, I’m distracting myself by working on draft 6 of ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in my Snowdon Shadows series. This revision primarily involves changing the POVs from multiple 3^rd Person to Sparkle Anwyl’s 1^st person, an interesting challenge as Sparkle isn’t in every scene.

Has anyone kept up to date with the legal cases against AI companies, like Anthropic and Meta, that have used pirated books, ignoring copyright, to train their AI products? My debut novel, Spiral of Hoovess, was one of thousands of pirated books. Latest news from the Authors Guild on the cases at: https://authorsguild.org/news/mixed-decision-in-anthropic-ai-case/ and https://authorsguild.org/news/meta-ai-ruling-meta-gets-technical-win-but-law-favors-authors/.

I have yet to write another episode of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights. The last one was Eagle’s Flight, and the next is provisionally called ‘Dispersal and Concealment’, and picks up on something discussed in Eagle’s Flight. Obviously, I’m also still following the news from Ukraine.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Remember, the question is optional!

July 2 question – Is there a genre you haven’t tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?

This may be hypothetical for me, given that I have so many drafts to revise. There are also others that I must accept as remaining abandoned. Most of those to revise fall under the Crime & Mystery genre, although there is one that would be classed as Science Fantasy, Gossamer Flames. Also, Freedom Flights starts in 1944, and although the current episodes are Present Day, it would be classified as Historical Fiction… especially if I keep developing the 1944-2014 chapters.

However, I have written Fantasy and Science Fiction stories, an Alternative History, and a few Children’s short pieces, all of which are unlikely to be revised. I even started a Romance novel on the international tennis circuit. Checking out genre lists, such as Reedsy’s The Ultimate List of Book Genres: 35 Popular Genres, Explained, or Wikipedia’s List of writing genres, I realise there are quite a few genres I’ve missed attempting.

Two stand out: Horror and Erotica. A few of my shorts have had horrific elements, and one reviewer of Spiral of Hooves was unable to finish reading because of the “sexual scenes”.

Time to attempt writing an Erotic Horror… featuring a female vampire with strange fetishes. Or is that a ‘miss-stake’?