Cathrina Constantine's Blog, page 3

@TheIWSG #IWSG #WritersCommunity #WritersSupportGroup #WritersLife

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group  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!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day 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. 

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Janet Alcorn, SE White, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine!
February 7 question: What turns you off when visiting an author's website/blog? Lack of information? A drone of negativity? Little mention of author's books? Constant mention of books? 
I love my blogger friends. The blogs I visit each month have become special to me. It's rare when I come across negativity, and usually, it's understandable. I don't mind at all when author's books are mentioned, because authors have to market their wares. (I so dislike marketing) With that said, I admit that I don't have tons of time to blog hop. If I come upon someone's blog that has an extremely long post, I quickly skim it, and look for the meat in the words.
I hope everyone is having a good start to the New Year! 


FREE!

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group:
Guide to Publishing and Beyond
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Smashwords

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group:
Writing For Profit
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Kobo

@TheIWSG #IWSG #writingcommunity #writersSupportGroup #writerslife

 

https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html 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!Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
Alex's awesome co-hosts for the January 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Olga Godim, Diedre Knight, and Natalie Aguirre!
In the beginning of 2023 I was full steam ahead with my WIP. Then life got in the way and I lost my concentration. I'm still battling with sitting my butt down and completing this draft. I don't know what my problem is. I'm at 82k. I basically know where it's going. But my insecurities and doubts have doubled concerning my writing. I'm wondering if it's all worth it.
The time spent writing grows exponentially because I'm a turtle writer. LOL. Since I now self-publish it's also the money spent for professional editing. Formatting. Covers. And the worst...Marketing. 
I'm hoping to climb over this hump and put my thoughts in order to complete this project. 
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

@TheIWSG #IWSG #writingcommunity #WritersSupportGroup #Writerslife #authorslife #writer

 

https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html 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!Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
Alex's awesome co-hosts for the IWSG are C. Lee McKenzie, JQ Rose, Jennifer Lane, and  Jacqui Murray
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? 
That is a good question. I rarely critique an author. In my opinion, it's not my place to critique an authors already published work. If unpublished, and an author asked me to critique their work, that's a different story....
And I never give a bad review. Because as an author I know very well those long hours of hard work, and what goes into writing and publishing a novel. I once couldn't get through a book. I waited months and picked it up again. Guess what? I was able to read it and enjoy it. Sometimes it's just not the right read for that moment in time. 
Or, if I totally dislike a novel, which is rare, I wouldn't post a bad review. I've read some pretty nasty reviews and those are heartbreaking for an author. And I've actually liked those books with the nasty reviews. So only you, as a reader can judge what you like and don't like. 
There's millions of books out there for a diverse population. Not all books are a person's 'cup of tea.'

#IWSG @TheIWSG #WriterSupportGroup #WritingCommunity

https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html 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!Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
Alex's awesome co-hosts are PJ Colando, Jean Davis, Lisa Buie Collard, and Diedre Knight!
November 1 question: November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?
I am a terrible, slower than slow turtle writer, and I would never even try to participate. I'm amazed by those who do participate, and I wish them much success!


On some days, it helps not to think about what's happening & what might happen in your life or in the World....

@TheIWSG #IWSG #Writingcommunity #WritersLife

https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html 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!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
Alex's awesome co-hosts are Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia Josephine, and Rebecca Douglass.
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?
My research came from Google on this topic and I found many conflicting answers. I copied a couple paragraphs from Google. 
While some argue that AI can produce high-quality content efficiently, others believe it's far from replacing human writers. AI tools can help with editing, grammar checking, and generating ideas, but they lack creativity and the ability to understand complex emotions.
While some statements claim AI will kill many jobs. But not replace the human touch. 
A vast number of book writer's believe AI is a threat to their livelihood and the very idea of creativity.
My own opinion and thoughts concerning AI are totally negative. I don't care for the AI concept at all. Perhaps my negativity comes from watching too many Sci-Fi movies. I can't seem to get my head around the idea of AI being a good thing. However, I've been known to be wrong. Only time will tell....   

#IWSG @TheIWSG #WritersSupportGroup #Writerslife

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Happy Anniversary ⭐ ⭐ ⭐🎊 12 Years Strong 🎊

https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html 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!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
Alex's awesome co-hosts are Sonia Dogra, J Lenni Dorner, Pat Garcia, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Meka James!
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 scrolled all the way back to April 1, 2013 to find my first IWSG post. I entered the A to Z challenge to begin my journey with this Fantastic group.I'm a social introvert, and it took me a while to join in. I have never regretted it. Over the years I've connected with many gifted authors. I have dozens and dozens of blogger friends that I look forward to reading about their journey each month.When I started blogging, I used to post often. But life is hectic, now I post once a month for the IWSG. This support group encourages me like no other. 

@TheIWSG #IWSG #WritingCommunity #WritersSupportGroup

https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html 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!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG 
Alex's  awesome co-hosts are Kate Larkindale, Diane Burton, Janet Alcorn, and Shannon Lawrence
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?
Yes. Last month's post. I deleted it minutes before it was supposed to go live. 
Last months post in a nutshell:    Authors, who are well aware of the long hours, and hard work it takes writing, editing, publishing, and marketing, and then post DNF's & bad reviews for Other authors novels--- this bothers me. Even if I hated or disliked a book, I could never, would never post a DNF or a bad review to any author's work. --- 'nough said.
As far as my own writing process, I have rewritten or deleted  scenes I was conflicted about. 

@TheIWSG #IWSG #WritersSupportGroup #writingcommunity #WritersLife

https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

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!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
Alex's awesome co-hosts are Patrcia Josephine, Diedre Knight, Olga Godim, J. Lenni Dorner, and Cathrina Constantine! 
Question: If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with? 
I'd have lots of time on my hands, that's for sure, because I'm a turtle writer. As far as replacing those hours and hours of writing, truthfully I don't know what I'd do...  





Good Question... 

The IWSG Book Club Presents

THIS QUARTER DISCUSSION:  JULY 27, 2023
For those interested in our quarterly spotlight reads, the first official discussion will be on jULY 27, 2023. 
The featured titles are:

IWSG Member Book:
Razor Valentine - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43789927-razor-valentine
Craft Book:
How To Rock Self-Publishing:
A Rage Against The Manuscript Guide -
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50609426-how-to-rock-self-publishing

[image error]Don’t forget we have IWSG swag!
All of us here are volunteers and the domain name costs money. The little extra from swag purchases goes to that domain.
And it’s your chance to show the world you are insecure and proud!

Visit the IWSG Swag page today!Have news you want to share with your IWSG members?
Email: JunetaKey@gmail.com
Please add IWSG to the subject line.   Administrators:   Alex J Cavanaugh
Michelle Wallace
L. Diane Wolfe
C. Lee McKenzie
Pat Hatt
Juneta Key 
Sandra Cox 
 

FREE!

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group:
Guide to Publishing and Beyond
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Smashwords

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group:
Writing For Profit
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Kobo

 

@TheIWSG #IWSG #WritingCommunity #WritersSupportGroup

https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

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!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
 Alex's awesome co-hosts are Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Meka James, Victoria Marie Lees, and  M Louise Barbour!
May 3 question - When you are working on a story, what inspires you?
What inspires me: Watching great movies. Action-packed with some romance. Thrillers. Mysterys. And lots of fantasy. 
Also, reading, plenty of great books in all kinds of genres.



  

@TheIWSG #IWSG #writingcommunity #writersupportgroup #writerslife

https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

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!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Jemima Pett, Nancy Gideon, and Natalie Aguirre!
April 5 question - Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you're at the start of the journey, what are your goals? 
I definitely remember writing my first book. It was a long and frustrating journey. I didn't know what I was doing. My grammar was atrocious, but I kept plugging away. I never took any creative writing classes. I learned how to write by reading, reading, and reading. I can't recall how many drafts, how many revisions, how many rewrites, and hours I put into that first manuscript. And, I'm still learning something new every single day.