#IWSG – Another Year

January 3, 2024 by Roland Clarke

This is the first Insecure Writer’s Support Group post of 2024 so, Happy New Year to everyone. May this year prove better than the one past, despite any gloomy predictions… forecasts which should be ignored as always.

2023 felt like a turbulent year from my health and my wife’s to writing and world events. I’m praying for positive developments in 2024, starting with everyone’s health… not just mine. As this is a writing blog, I wish you all a fruitful year, filled with inspiration.

I must prioritize completing the revision of Fevered Fuse and avoid distractions. Unfortunately, another urgent deadline is approaching fast… my 2023 tax return due January 31^st. However, I cannot ignore world events, from Red Sea piracy to primarily the war in Ukraine. Even with the final draft of my Welsh police procedural preying on my conscience, I still get diverted by nightmares… well, Night Witches.

The WEP/IWSG challenges may be over, but I intend to continue writing episodes of my saga about the Ukrainian Chayka family. Even over New Year’s Eve, I was updating my notes about my fictional squadron. In 2024 the war will enter its third costly year – the third year of my coverage. However, I pray that a just peace with reparations will soon be reached. Then, that will be a perfect conclusion to the Freedom Flights collection.

Slava Ukrayini

Finally, I am hoping this post is seen by friends whom I have lost touch with over the last few years. This occurred in part because I stopped checking my Facebook pages. If you are one of those who wondered where I disappeared to, comment below and I’ll attempt to rekindle our friendship.

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!

January 3 question: Do you follow back your readers on BookBub or do you only follow back other authors?

The easy answer is I’m not conscious of having any BookBub readers, nor if my single novel is on the site. To be honest, I haven’t read anything on BookBub… well, not that I remember.

Sorry.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Olga Godim, Diedre Knight, and Natalie Aguirre!

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!

#IWSG – Book Review

December 6, 2023 by Roland Clarke

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

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.

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.

#IWSG – To AI or not to AI

October 4, 2023 by Roland Clarke

This month’s piece for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group post almost didn’t happen. Last Friday, the internet company we are changing to laid a cable in advance of installing a modem etc. on Monday. However, the company we were leaving cut off all their services early, so for three days, including the weekend, we had no internet, phone, or security cameras. Added problem was my laptop runs on cloud so it wouldn’t save any work whatever I did. Come Monday, and the old company claimed everything was restored… but it wasn’t.

Fortunately, the new internet provider installed their equipment in time to work on this post.

Over the weekend, I was able on the writing front, to plan my next Ukraine story. As the war is dragging on and many issues are coming to the fore, such as impending elections, I will be taking a different tack with my Night Witches. I will be back with my new WEP/IWSG Ukraine historical short soon – Halloween theme – as the next episode is due around October 18th to 20th, 2023.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/p/challenges-2023.html

Slava Ukrayini

Remember, the question is optional!

October 4 question: The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?

AI means artificial insemination to me as a retired equestrian journalist and having worked in the dairy industry.

However, as a fiction writer, I have only encountered AI writing in editing software, as opposed to generative AI. So beyond a few articles I’ve read, I feel my thoughts are limited to a concern about its use to cut writers out… as with the WGA/studios dispute: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/oct/01/hollywood-writers-strike-artificial-intelligence?

But I can see its value in some situations, although I am unlikely to use it in my current situation: https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/11/08/ai-writing-is-here-and-its-worryingly-good-can-writers-and-academia-adapt

Although, I’m open to persuasion by writers I respect… like the inspirational Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Many thanks Alex and all IWSG members.

The awesome co-hosts for the October 4 posting of the IWSG are Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia Josephine, and Rebecca Douglass!

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 hashtag is #IWSG.

#IWSG – Ten Years of Curved Balls

September 6, 2023 by Roland Clarke

This month’s piece for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group post might be somewhat different as we’re being forced to discuss my care with the company covering the days my hospice don’t come. Their coordinator who books the aids is unhappy with the state of our home. Yet the aids have never complained about anything to us. And our puppy has learnt to poop outside, not in the house. However, we’ve got rid of one aid after she tried to push me up using my right leg – injuring it, which hasn’t healed after two weeks. So, we’re not happy with the company either, especially as they keep sending different aids.

On the writing front, Ukraine is still my writing priority. As I’ve said a few times, I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just Peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun. For NaNoWriMo in November, I plan to write some stories connecting my IWSG Anthology WW2 historical fantasy and my modern WEP/IWSG pieces. This Ukraine collection, ‘Freedom Flights’, will be assembled over the winter – fellow IWSG anthology contributor, Rebecca Douglas, has offered to help me – many thanks to her.

I will be back with my WEP/IWSG Ukraine Night Witches historical shorts soon as the next episode is due around October 18th to 20th, 2023.

https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/p/challenges-2023.html

Slava Ukrayini

Remember, the question is optional!

September 6 question: The IWSG celebrates 12 years today! When did you discover the IWSG, how do you connect, and how has it helped you?

I attempted to write my first IWSG post ten years ago, in 2013, having encountered the group a few months earlier. As I didn’t answer that month’s question, I didn’t claim that as an IWSG post. Although today I would, as it was an insecure confession.

Life Throws Curve Balls

DECEMBER 4, 2013 BY ROLANDCLARKE

Life Throws Curve Balls

IWSG has kept me writing for ten years…although not always the project I began a few months earlier. However, the enthusiasm and encouragement of other IWSG members has inspired my creativity. Although I haven’t finished more than a few drafts of the projects from 2013, I’m on the final revision of my police procedural ‘Fevered Fuse’, and my Ukraine collection ‘Freedom Flights’ will be my 2024 aim.

Although there have been curve balls leading to direction changes in my writing, IWSG has ensured I have never given up for more than a month or two. Yes, I have had insecure moments, but there are always some IWSG members who have helped me push on through the block… especially the inspirational Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Many thanks Alex and all IWSG members.

The awesome co-hosts for the September 6 posting of the IWSG are Sonia Dogra, J Lenni Dorner, Pat Garcia, Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen, and Meka James!

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 hashtag is #IWSG.

#IWSG – Risk-Assessment

August 2, 2023 by Roland Clarke

This month’s piece for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group post might be somewhat different as I’ve spent five days away in a Care Home- River’s Edge- with my laptop giving me grief, so no emails no writing, no gaming. There were no other amenities at the center to distract me, and the caring was hit and miss… so I got badly constipated and worse.

At least Juania and Treeky, plus Blondie, our new Companion fur baby got go camping, and enjoy themselves with 30 extended family and dogs. Most had fun playing in the trees and water, although Juanita fell on her tailbone, then got bitten during a dog-fight, then got a finger caught in a car door.

Not an ideal trip.

For now, Ukraine is my writing priority. As I’ve said a few times, I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun.

Chocolat

https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/p/challenges-2023.html

Slava Ukrayini

Remember, the question is optional!

August 2 question: Have you ever written something that afterwards you felt conflicted about? If so, did you let it stay how it was, take it out, or rewrite it?

I must pass this month, after all the mishaps. But I will be back with my Ukraine Night Witches historical shorts The next episode is due around August 16th to 18th 2023.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 2 posting of the IWSG are Kate Larkindale, Diane Burton, Janet Alcorn, and Shannon Lawrence!

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 hashtag is #IWSG.

#IWSG – Inspired Creations

July 5, 2023 by Roland Clarke

Before I tackle this month’s question for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group post , there’s time and space for the latest news updates:

Welcome WINDSONG BLONDELLE PHOENIX better known as Blondie, our new Companion fur baby. She will never replace my unique Quetzal, who remains irreplaceable and I’m still mourning her. Blondie is full of energy and tries so hard to play with Treeky. But the old man only wants to bark and bark. As for this old man, I’d love our new fur baby to share my bed – without stepping on my catheter – but the three times she’s been on the bed, her visits have been brief. She prefers getting Juanita’s attention by chewing her shoes. Luckily new toys are on order.

2. One minor problem is chewing through my computer cable, which left me unable to check my emails, write this post until Tuesday, or keep up to date on Ukraine. So, I’m being briefer than usual.

3. Health continues to plague me. I’m meant to be going on respite at the end of the month so Juanita and the dogs can go camping. Should be interesting… if I can take my laptop to write.

For now, Ukraine is still one of my two writing priorities. As I’ve said a few times, I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun. The next episode is due around August 16th to 18th 2023.

Slava Ukrayini

https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/p/challenges-2023.html

July 5 question – 99% of my story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from?

Remember, the question is optional!

I must be brief this month, but I can start by saying as a teenager and in my twenties, dreams were often my inspiration.

But that gradually changed to echoing real-life events as with my two current projects. My Snowdon Shadows police procedural series reflects Welsh issues with touches of the history and folklore. Likewise, my Ukraine Night Witches historical shorts are fiction set against ongoing events… not forgetting the initial short echoing the Firebird legend.