First Wednesday of 2022!
I’ve been on a break, and how much I needed that! 2021 was a long and very challenging year for me as it was for so many people. It was good to take time out and focus on my family and friends who aren’t online with me, but who sit across the table and chat over a cup of coffee. Since we have three stair-step boys (5, 4, and 3) in our family who are eager to see what Santa has delivered–not to mention two new Queensland Heeler puppies, there’s a lot of action all through December up to the big day. I wouldn’t say it was a restful month, but it was chock-full of fun and excitement. I look forward to 2022 with hope for good health among all my family and close friends, and some productive writing/reading experiences here with all of you.
Now it’s time–as Alex says–to rock the neurotic writing world!
Join Us NowOur Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce 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!
What’s the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?
I’m sorry I published early. I thought I was ready to jump into the fray, but looking back, I wish I’d waited and scoped out the business side of writing more carefully. However, when is it a good time to take that leap and send your manuscript out into the world? If I’d waited, I might never have found a publisher who thought well enough about my work to take it on. As it was, I had two books out in two years with a third in the wings. I received good advances and good reviews, so I was launched, and I just had to learn as I went.
While I still have regrets, I think I’ve overcome that choice, and during these years I believe I’ve become a better writer for having made a lot of those new writer mistakes. I’m curious to read what others are writing in response to this month’s question.
Be sure to visit the awesome co-hosts for today’s post!
Erika Beebe,Olga Godim,Sandra Cox,Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!
The Seventh Annual IWSG Anthology Contest Winners!The genre is sweet romance and the theme is first love.
Thanks to all who entered. We had a record number of entries this year.
Now we present the authors of
First Love: The Art of Making DoughnutsThe Art of Making Doughnuts – Linda Budzinski
Paper Faces – Sylvia Ney
The Real Thing – Sammi Spizziri
My Heart Approves – Melissa Maygrove
Oliver’s Girl – Michael Di Gesu
Clyde and Coalesce – Kim Chan
My First Love(s) – Templeton Moss
How to Save a Princess – Katie Klein
The Castle of Ohno – SE White
Marmalade Sunset – Denise Covey
A special thanks to our official judges:
Author Nancy Gideon
Nancy Gideon is the award-winning bestseller of over 70 romances ranging from historical, Regency, and series contemporary suspense to dark paranormal and horror, with a couple of produced screenplays and non-fiction writing books tossed into the mix. She’s also written under the pseudonyms Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West, and Lauren Giddings.
Agent Caitlin Blasdell, Liza Dawson Associates
Caitlin Blasdell has been a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates since 2002 with a focus on commercial fiction. Before becoming an agent, she was a senior editor at HarperCollins Publishers.
Author Susan Gourley
Susan Gourley is traditionally published in fantasy and science fiction romance using the name Susan Kelley. She is currently serving as the President of the Pennwriters writing group renowned for the annual conference.
Author Jennifer Lane
Jennifer Lane writes sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist. She has published nine novels and two short stories, including Behind the Catcher’s Mask as part of the IWSG Masquerade Anthology.
Author Meka James
Meka James is a writer of adult contemporary and erotic romance. A born and raised Georgia Peach, she still resides in the southern state with her hubby of 16 years and counting. Mom to four kids of the two legged variety, she also has four fur-babies of the canine variety. When not writing or reading, Meka can be found playing The Sims 3, sometimes Sims 4, and making up fun stories to go with the pixelated people whose world she controls.
Author Loni Townsend
By day, she writes code. By predawn darkness, she writes fantasies. All other times, she writes in her head. People call her peculiar with a twisted sense of fashion, but don’t let those understatements fool you. Her behavior is perfectly normal for a squirrel disguised as a human.
First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts will be published by Dancing Lemur Press’ imprint, Freedom Fox Press, later this year.
This is our seventh anthology! Previous titles include Dark Matter: Artificial, Voyagers: The Third Ghost, Masquerade: Oddly Suited, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, Hero Lost, The Mysteries of Death and Life, and Parallels: Felix Was Here.
Quote of the Week: “There’s nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street.” Willie Stargell, baseball Hall of Fame
