IWSG – Oct 2022 – Suspense Keeps Me Sane
Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh created IWSG — because Alex understands we need a place to congregate, insecurity is part of our creative nature, and together we’re stronger.
On the first Wednesday of each month, you can write on any subject related to your writing journey or adopt the option of answering the month’s question. Either way, you’re in safe territory.
If this sounds good to you, sign up here.
IWSG’s Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and the hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, a specific question is offered, which may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you struggle with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
The awesome co-hosts for the October 5 posting of the IWSG are Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!
My go-to answer for this month’s question: What do you consider the best characteristics of your favourite genre? is (in alphabetical order):
Adrenaline rushAnticipationConflictEmpathyHeroIntensityPacing(If you missed my title…) Isn’t it interesting that these elements can be assigned to any genre?
In and of itself, Suspense keeps us committed to reading the story by drawing on our emotions.
One of the best characteristics of my dear husband is his ability to make me laugh. Even in the worst of times. He has other wonderful traits. He’s unique. A one-of-a-kind, special human being. He supports me, listens and accepts me in ways I can’t say because I’ll cry.
The best characteristic of Suspense is it has caused me to be a witness to the past. Like Dear Husband, Suspense is my catharsis.
I started writing because I couldn’t cope with losing my dad. The autobiography took seven years to write. Years later when dear husband and I experienced a devastating loss, I wrote a novel about a mother torn from her family and placed in the Witness Protection program. When 911 happened, I wrote a novel about a Soviet fighting the KGB to save an American soldier. After my neighbour murdered our friend (you get the picture) I wrote a novel about a Metis terrorized by a psycho stalker. Sadly, more tragedy and I wrote a novel about a mother who loses her two adult sons and slowly relinquishes her mind. I just completed a manuscript about the isolation and loneliness of a husband after his wife is killed in a hit-and-run. Instead of agreeing to surgery to remove brain tumours, he travels to Britain for retribution.
I wrote my first manuscript (shelved) to honour the memory of my dad. Hooked on the process, I wrote five more novels. I didn’t purposely write to release the pain that life can throw at you. I wrote because I am a writer. It wasn’t until completing the second manuscript that I realized I was channelling grief through creative writing.
The plots of my stories were spun to fit the element of intrigue and fiction; (I am a storyteller, after all). The names were changed, but the themes were taken from my life. (Remember the advice: write what you know?)
I could say that I made these morbid stories publishable through edits and revisions, but the truth is all my novels contain the characteristics in the list above. They also end in hope and faith in the future.
Writing Suspense is me bearing witness to life. Writing Suspense enabled me to persevere. Because of that, I hope to write a children’s book next.
Before I forget, my ideas for my novels come from everyday questions: What if…?
Some images of suspense:
Have you ever written something for mental health benefits?
Thanks for visiting. Now I’m off to read your posts.–namastejoyleneps. I’m celebrating my 10th year with IWSG!The post IWSG – Oct 2022 – Suspense Keeps Me Sane appeared first on Joylene Nowell Butler.
