Wednesday, August 7, 2019

IWSG & Surprises!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.




Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express 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!

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day 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.

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August 7 question - 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?

As a pantser, I have to say my writing often surprises me.

It doesn't take much for a whole scene to take a swift turn and go in a whole new direction. Of course, with my romance stories, the happy ending won't change, but the path to get there is totally flexible!

I've also been surprised by a lot of my flash fiction stories. As a rule, I'm a happy and positive person. I write mostly contemporary romance which requires happy endings. But during flash fiction, I've been pulled in a lot of directions - not all of which are happy or upbeat.

And you know what?
They're so much fun!!!

Here's to more surprises in the future!

How about you? Do you like when your writing or reading takes an unexpected turn? Do you like those stories that are different than your norm?

44 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Maybe one of your longer stories needs to go in a darker direction. Who knows what might happen?

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Your story for Tick Tock was one of those and it was one of the best stories in the anthology.

The Cynical Sailor said...

Sometimes, I like when my writing takes an unexpected turn. But other times, it comes too late in the process (or at least I think it's too late) and it's a struggle to adapt to it.

I'm enjoying reading more outside of the norm. I didn't used to care too much for romances, but am really enjoying them now. Maybe it's the HEAs. We could all use more of those in our lives :)

Cheers - Ellen

Meka James said...

Same on being a pantser and being surprised by my writing. My characters are often in charge and take me on interesting rides.

Sara Codair said...

My flash fiction also tends to take a different direction than my longer works.

Jennifer Hawes said...

I tend to be a pantser too! Outlining has its place. It's more of a guide. Things always go there on way!

Rachna Chhabria said...

I tend to be a pantser too, that way I write fast and get surprised more, than when I do intense plotting.

emaginette said...

I started in flash fiction. 500 words that changed my life forever. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Helen said...

Does it seem like that 'darker' writing reveals too much of your own soul? Is that what worries you about using it? Asking because I think that is how I feel about some things I've written that I didn't think were part of me when they come out.

cleemckenzie said...

To me pantsers are the explorers. They like to find out what's possible outside the carefully organized world of logic. Keep being surprised.

Elephant's Child said...

I love being surprised in my reading. Predictable lacks excitement.

Yvonne Ventresca said...

This makes me want to try flash fiction. :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

I think whether you are a pantser or plotter you need to be open to changes. Though I can see as a pantser that there would be more surprises.

Debbie Johansson said...

When I write my short stories, they tend to send me down some dark paths. Sometimes these can be quite unexpected or a character reacts differently to what *I* wanted them to. It certainly makes writing more interesting! ;)

Doreen McGettigan said...

I'm often surprised when I give myself a chance to do a little pantsing, always in a good way!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I find that one of out three of my novels are darker than my usual.

Jemi Fraser said...

I've got a few ideas, just sure I'm brave enough to live in that world for any length of time! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you! I loved writing that story!! will always be one of my favourites!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's a HUGE benefit to reading romance. The world is often sad and scary and I love knowing those characters are going to be happy!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's so much fun!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Interesting! I like playing with different tones in the flash pieces!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm working on being a better outliner - I spend FAR too much time revising! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

It's definitely more fun to write without an outline!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's fabulous! Love how a story can change so much!

Jemi Fraser said...

Interesting! I think for me, it's more about my inability to live in the darker places for any length of time. I'd become a puddle of anxiety is I was immersed in the dark side for too long!
Our minds are fascinating places - those dark areas do need to come to light somehow!

Jemi Fraser said...

What an awesome way of looking at it!! I'm going to take that to heart!

Jemi Fraser said...

So true! I love when an author can take an unexpected twist!

Jemi Fraser said...

I just started recently and it's so much fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

So true - change is probably inevitable for all of us!

Jemi Fraser said...

It certainly does! Love those twists and surprises!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's a blast to just write and see what happens!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's interesting! I do like to switch up the tone from time to time - those dark ones can be such fun!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi Jemi,

Writing is fun and certainly can be full surprises! I've certainly been surprised with my writing at times, that's for sure.

Mason Canyon said...

I think being open for change when you're writing is a good thing. Keep up the great work!

J Lenni Dorner said...

It's great when when our characters or stories surprise us! I love moments like that.

Denise Covey said...

Writing flash fiction is such a joy. You can really go where the story takes you. Outlining novels has proved a waste of time to me - especially a thorough outline.I think I'm going to try that 2 sentences per chapter outline thingo. At least I may not spend 3 years writing a novel then. Well, I might...

Jemi Fraser said...

I love those surprises! Well, most of them, anyway! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Mason! Surprises are often the best part of life!

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too! It's one of the best parts of this journey!

Jemi Fraser said...

I might too! It doesn't take me long to do the first draft, but the EDITING!!!! Oy...

Michelle Wallace said...

I know exactly what you mean by the flash pieces not always being happy or upbeat. I struggle with writing the darker stuff but have pushed myself to experiment.

Jemi Fraser said...

I can do darker in shorts, but facing that longterm dark is not in my wheelhouse ...yet :)

Authors with Advice said...

I like to read fun stories so no darker themes for me.

Jemi Fraser said...

Dark certainly isn't for everyone! I can only do them in sort doses for now :)