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Tag: rejections

IWSG Writing Update October 2019 – Sightseeing Instead of Submitting

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.

This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Mary Aalgaard, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor. Feel free to swing by their sites and see what they’re up to.

The question for this month’s blog hop is long: “It’s been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don’t enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?

My answer

I believe that reading benefits people, whether they are writers or not. The advantage of being a writer who reads is that you always learn, consciously or not, and this improves your craft. The disadvantage of reading for me is that, 1) I compare myself to other writers, leading to two trains of thought, either “I’ll never be able to write this well and become successful” or “I can and do write like that, so why am I not becoming successful?” And, 2) I get annoyed by typos, feel like I have to proofread and correct the copy, and try to retain wisdom. As a result, reading often feels like work instead of enjoyment. In general, reading does make me a better writer.

However, I don’t agree that not reading means that you don’t enjoy reading, as suggested in this question. I rarely read because of time constraints, not because I don’t enjoy it. Also, writers might purposefully NOT read much (in certain genres) to develop original ideas and unique voices. Nothing wrong with that.

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IWSG Writing Update April 2019 – My Road to Publication Step 3: Rejections

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 for IWSG members. Answering it is optional. For April, the question is: “If you could use a wish to help you write just one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?”

This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are J.H. Moncrieff, Natalie Aguirre, Patsy Collins, and Chemist Ken. Feel free to swing by their sites and see what they’re up to.

My answer to the question (If you could use a wish to help you write just one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?)

I’m going to cheat with this month’s question, as I enjoy writing every chapter of my memoir or any new book I have in mind. Instead, I would use my wish to help me write a summary/blurb that catches the eye of a reader, an editor, a publisher, or, most importantly right now, an agent!

Rejections

After completing step 1 (the book proposal) and step 2 (submitting queries to agents), it is inevitably time for step 3 – rejections – on my road to getting published traditionally. Continue reading

IWSG – Writing Articles

Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) encourages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement or anything really about their writing.  Last month, I gave a summary of my book project. The question IWSG would like to see answered this month is “What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer and where is it now?” Since my only success as a freelance writer is getting articles published in boating magazines, I would like to share some insights about article writing.

Caribbean boating magazines

Caribbean boating magazines

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