Cherie Reich's Blog

Science Fiction and Fantasy Sale July... Become an Editor and Discover Your Pe...

A Lesson Learned #IWSG | Writing Goals | Bookworm News | Smashwords Sale

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. July's co-hosts are Tamara Narayan, Pat Hatt, Patricia Lynne, Juneta Key, and Doreen McGettigan. Follow the other IWSG bloggers or sign up for the blog hop here.

July's question: What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?
Although many answers come to mind, the one that sticks out the most is that each writer's journey is different and valid. We may have many things in common, but we each find our own way to write and that way is just as valid as any other way. Too many times we get caught up in the "rules" of writing, but they are just guidelines. It's up to each of us to find what works best.
For example, I'm a plotter. I need an outline before I write the first page. I will also come up with ideas and not get around to writing them for months or even years. The outline is where I learn the story. Writing that first draft is where I learn the main characters. In edits, I expand upon the world and solidify who people are. That's my process.
Yours will most likely vary, and there's nothing wrong with that.
What are your insecurities this month?

I'm writing up this post on June 27, even though it won't go live until July 5. Why? I'm off work from June 28-July 4, which means no access to unlimited internet and a fast internet connection.
After all I completed in May and early June, I've felt rather exhausted the past few weeks. I did catch up on blog comments and emails; however, I did not write any new reviews, edit the outline for Destined (The Fate Challenges #3), or update my websites/social media. I did finish editing the stories for Spirits in the Water, helped my friend with her fantastic novella series, and I made progress in editing Forged (The Fate Challenges #2).

My July goals include:
- Continue editing Forged.
- Continue helping my friend with her novella series.
- Catch up on writing reviews for books I've read.
- Update my websites/social media.

Oh, I also realized that July 1 is my two year anniversary of writing every single day. Since I'm editing a lot, the added words are much fewer than writing-writing days, but so far I've worked on a project and gotten new words down every single day since July 1, 2015.

What are your goals for July?

2017 Stats: 84,951 words written and 513,456 words edited(January 1-June 27)

In June, I read Sacrifice Moon by Julie Fortune. This is a Stargate SG-1 series book, and I loved it. If you're a fan of the show, you should enjoy it too.

SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOKSRELEASING IN JULYThe Legion of Flame by Anthony RyanMIND: The Vision by Jenn NixonLost Boy by Christina HenryAsh and Quill by Rachel CaineCracked Open by Susan Kaye QuinnEnigma by Tonya KuperAge of Swords by Michael J. SullivanBannerless by Carrie VaughnHeroine Worship by Sarah KuhnShadows Fall by Christine RainsChildren of the Fifth Sun by Gareth WorthingtonGork, the Teenage Dragon by Gabe HudsonSmashwords is having its month-long sale from July 1-31. You can get the Untethered Realms' anthology Twisted Earths for free, my fantasy short story collect People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors for a dollar, and my paranormal horror collection Once upon a Nightmare for just 99c.