Beth Camp's Blog, page 20

IWSG May 5: Surprises and Ripples . . .

You probably already guessed that the first Wednesday of the month belongs to the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG), a lovely online community of writers who at least once a month share hopes and concerns. Our mission to support each other as we pursue our dreams! This month's question: Have any of your readers responded to your writing in a way that surprised you?Yes! I was surprised when

IWSG April 7: On Risks and Challenges . . .

 Today is the first Wednesday of April, and it's time to check in with the Insecure Writer's Support Group. This online community of writers 'meets' via a blog hop, so join in to support other writers and to share your thoughts/reactions in response to this month's question.April 7 IWSG Question: Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add

Closing down March. Moving to April!

March ended with a few firsts. Our first foray south -- a road trip to Redmond, Oregon, to see dear friends, after a year of staying at home. Fully vaccinated, we drove south through Tri-Cities, down along the Columbia Gorge, and then through the rolling hills to a week away. How good it was to have conversations with our friends, to share memories of trips from long ago, to discover several new

IWSG March: Thinking Ahead . . . to Spring!

The first Wednesday of every month is . . . officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) day. We may write a post in response to this month's question. Or, we may write about our writing struggles, doubts, or triumphs. We hope to offer encouragement to other writers -- and we visit each other and comment. Why not, join in? Inspired by Alex Cavanaugh, the founder of IWSG, we persevere! IWSG's

Are we hibernating . . .

I creak and groan as I wake.Another day of snow, two or three inches moreatop yesterday's gift; winter's iceglistens on the roadway.All I want to do is pretend to be a bear,roll over in my cave,burrow down under my winter quilt,hibernate until spring, when I'll emerge,half-dazed, hungry, groggy for coffee, maybe news the pandemic has eased.Later, I'll hope for an end to February. I'll put on my

Working towards an ending . . .

I've been writing the rest of Moira and Dylan's story (introduced in Standing Stones) for about a year now, using many strategies to draft (freewriting, outlining, scaffolding, hero's journey). I'm happy about the overall progress (about 80% done with the first draft), as both Moira and Dylan face nicely dramatic challenges. Yet, I don't yet know how this story ends.I've got the cover. I know my

Winter morning . . .

So cold this morningno one wants to go outside.The very air draws life out of my Dusty Miller plant, hunkered down for winter on the patio,its white leaves shriveled up,tucked in upon itself, no hope for spring. And yet, on yesterday's walk,up to the pond and back,I saw a red-winged blackbird,its shrill call a reminder: this tooshall pass, the sun will return,as will all those lost words,somehow

IWSG February: Snow and rubber bands . . .

 February begins. The first Wednesday of each month, writers are invited to post an update -- their musings about the writing life, sometimes prompted by a question. IWSG's February 3 question - Blogging is often more than justsharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships.Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?The short answer is yes. From The

January's Flying By . . .

 Does anyone else feel like this month is flying by faster than anticipated?Writing kind of got set aside these first few weeks as we huddled around the television to await election results. Shocked by the mob that stormed the Capitol, I yet admired those Congressional representatives and staff who returned to count and affirm the votes of the Electoral College. That was an unforgettable January

IWSG Jan 2021: Into the New . . .

Into the new with a special treat: An interview with Liesbet Collaert, author of an adventurous memoir, Plunge.And it's the First Wednesday of the Month, which means time to connect with a wonderful community of writers who share their thoughts, hopes, doubts, and dreams in a monthly blog hop as part of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Check out this link and try to visit/comment on at least