Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month as a writing prompt. Answering it is optional. For September, the question is: “If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?”

This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Gwen Gardner, Doreen McGettigan, Tyrean Martinson, Chemist Ken, and Cathrina Constantine. Feel free to swing by their sites and see what they’re up to.

My answer to the question (If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?)

I love this month’s question! Mention “the world” and I’m excited. One place I would never pick to do such a thing would be… a camper van on a discovery trip of the Canadian Maritimes. ????

Picturesque Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

Even before I became a writer, I said to myself: “One day, I want to write a book from a self-contained cottage in Hawaii!” This has not happened (yet); I’ve never even been to this tropical US state. I have, however, lived and traveled in self-contained units, like two sailboats and three campers. The part of using nature for resources like electricity, water, and propulsion (in the case of the sailboats) thoroughly pleases me and basic living off the grid surely is my thing. But the absence of a dedicated desk, internet, and the word “unlimited” in the above list makes writing difficult. I guess I could always use a notebook!

Irie, our sailboat and self-contained home for eight years

Solar panels and a wind generator provided us with electricity on our sailboat. We also collected rainwater.

Irie anchored in Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia

Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month as a writing prompt. Answering it is optional. For August, the question is: “Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you’d forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming? ”

This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Renee Scattergood, Sadira Stone, Jacqui Murray, Tamara Narayan, and LG Keltner! Feel free to swing by their sites and see what they’re up to.

My answer to the question (Has your writing ever taken you by surprise?)

With the risk of sounding arrogant, I’ve always believed in my writing and that the articles I submit to magazines are worthy of publication. Don’t we all? Luckily for me, this is usually the case and it’s the occasional rejection (or lack of response from the editor) that takes me by surprise.

When it comes to unpublished work, sitting in folders on my laptop, I often regard that as “useless”. So, whenever I do browse these stories, blog, and article ideas, I sometimes stumble on a piece of good writing. That takes me by surprise. If only I could spend all my time writing articles for magazines!

Snatching an agent for my memoir is another beast all together. Here, I don’t expect easy progress, quick interest, or magic. It has proven to be a long road as rejections and silence are a big part of my life this year. If an agent ever reaches out, that would be a surprise. I’d love to share that story as an answer to this question one day!