The
first Wednesday of every month
is the Insecure Writer's Support Group posting day, where writers can
express their doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or
weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and
guidance. It's a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Check it
out here and join if you want support with your writing.
Our 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!
November 6 question - What's the strangest thing you've ever googled in researching a story?
The awesome co-hosts for the November 6 posting of the IWSG are Sadira Stone, Patricia Josephine, Lisa Buie-Collard, Erika Beebe, and C. Lee McKenzie!
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November 6 question - What's the strangest thing you've ever googled in researching a story?
The awesome co-hosts for the November 6 posting of the IWSG are Sadira Stone, Patricia Josephine, Lisa Buie-Collard, Erika Beebe, and C. Lee McKenzie!
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Welcome to another IWSG post!
I am looking forward to reading about the weird things people have googled! I don't have any very interesting ones--I mean, every mystery writer googles weird poisons, and things like how long it takes for rigor mortis to wear off. I have gone down the rabbit hole a time or two--the biggest one, which might actually be a wormhole, was the fascination with WWI I developed while thinking about a particular story. That long since left the realm of research and became something I do for its own sake. But I'd rather hear about your adventures!
For myself, as I announced last week, I'm juggling a couple of projects (well, okay, three), including being 5 days into NaNo. I'm working from the most thorough plan I've ever had, and have hit 10,000 words, but I still don't feel like I know what I'm doing or exactly where the story is supposed to be right now. So much for detailed plans.
If you want to get in on another of my projects, a 9000-word Christmas novella featuring the characters from Pismawallops Island, just sign up for my newsletter before Dec. 15. I'm giving the story as a Solstice gift to all my newsletter readers (note: if anyone can recommend how to do that, please let me know--I would rather have something direct than give out Smashwords coupons). Here's a sneak peak at the cover:
If you want to get in on another of my projects, a 9000-word Christmas novella featuring the characters from Pismawallops Island, just sign up for my newsletter before Dec. 15. I'm giving the story as a Solstice gift to all my newsletter readers (note: if anyone can recommend how to do that, please let me know--I would rather have something direct than give out Smashwords coupons). Here's a sneak peak at the cover:
Enough about me! I'm off to see what others are up to as we move into the craziest time of the year.
©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2019
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated!
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated!
You are doing awesome with NaNo! I'm behind in my word count, but it's early days yet. No worries! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm doubly proud of keeping up because we spent the first 4 days of the month doing a little trip and visiting with friends. I know I wrote some above-average awful stuff while I was simultaneously chatting with them!
DeleteGlad you're keeping up your word count for NaNo! It never works out for me to participate.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it does, sometimes not. I only participate when I'm ready to start a new book anyway :)
DeleteYou can always email them the formatted book (epub or mobi) directly like you would to reviewers. Some also use BookFunnel -- though I think there's a fee involved.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with NaNo!
Ronel visiting on IWSG day Year in Review
I'll check out BookFunnel, but I don't like fees :)
DeleteYes, just save your copy from the Smashwords site and attach it to your newsletter :) You might like to send the mobi and epub and ask them to email you if they need any other format (but it'll probably only be pdf)
DeletePS Just realised you might not want to 'publish' it on Smashwords yet. But you can set it all up to get your formatted files :)
DeleteThen again, you can save a Pages document direct to Epub. You just need the doc file converted to mobi. Oh, I should have put this in an email lol
I think that MailChimp will do a link for people to download, but I haven't confirmed that's true on the free version.
Delete10,000 in five days?!! Awesome, and who says you have to know where it's going? Don't worry, just get the words out and see what happens. The one thing about Nano I've always found is that because of trying to meet the word count each day, a flow develops and the feeling is amazing... Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteAgree about that flow--it's why I leverage NaNo for new novels! If I really focus, and know what I want to write, I can do more than 1000 words an hour. So it's not that hard to find the time. NaNo just gives me the direction.
DeleteThat's a cute cover!
ReplyDeleteThanks! This is an exception from the usual--I did it myself with my little Photoshop :) It served as a good reminder why I usually pay for my covers :D
DeleteWell, you know. Lots of corpses floating around in our books, so we have to know stuff :) I'm not super-fussy about being realistic, but I do want to be in the ballpark.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great word count. Even if you stumble a little, you're still ahead.
ReplyDeleteMaybe giving out eBooks directly? Guess you'd still have to email all of your subscribers to see if they wanted ePub or Mobi though.
Yeah, I'd like to keep it simpler. I think there are some ways, and worst case I'll do the old Smashwords coupon.
DeleteGood Luck with your NaNoWriMo
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteStoryOrgins is free for all right now while it is in beta and I have really liked it. I have done Booksprout, this one okay, and Prolific Works. I like Prolific works over Booksprout, but have started using StoryOrgins as can do same thing as those other and intergrated your email provider and it keeps track. It is really nice don't know if will stay when they do decide to charge though depends on price. Prolific Works is my choice if I had to pay right now until I know what StoryOrgins will be. https://storyoriginapp.com/ Happy Belated IWSG!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll check those out.
DeletePS Prolific Works and Booksprout both have a free plan but your email is not integrated FYI. I like BookFunnel but Prolific Works cheaper and I like their new layout better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info!
DeleteGood luck juggling your projects! It's fun when research leads to a new personal interest.
ReplyDeleteThanks--I think I'll need it.
DeleteI've finally pinned down the genre of my NaNo novel which helped me to structure the story into acts. Yet I still don't know what's going to happen in my story. I know the plot and pinch points but have no idea what's supposed to happen in between. Plus, I'm a plantser so my MC takes over in telling the story.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your projects and NaNoWriMo.
Good luck to you, too!
DeleteCongrats on your NaNo progress. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteSo far, so good.
DeleteHi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteYou're doing GREAT so far with NaNo! Your story will take you where IT wants to go, just keep and open mind and let the words flow.
Fun cover! So colorful and festive. Happy Holidays to you!