Wednesday, November 4, 2020

IWSG & Saving Civilization

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.


IWSG badge


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!  

The awesome co-hosts for the November 4 posting of the IWSG are Jemi Fraser, Kim Lajevardi, L.G Keltner, Tyrean Martinson, and Rachna Chhabria! 

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Before we get to today's question, I want to give a shout out to our own Elle Cardy/Lynda Young. Her latest book, Well of Ash is SO GOOD!!! The world-building blows my mind and the characters are amazing! Be sure to check it out!

No one knows who built the Great Wells across the world or why. To linger near makes the skin crawl and the mind drift in nightmares. Yet this one calls to Ash in whispers that pull her closer. Soon she’s caught in a mystery that can kill. She must find the answers before she loses her sanity and her life.

If you like dragons, magic, and a fierce heroine with a wounded heart, then you’ll love Well of Ash, a YA Fantasy novella by Elle Cardy. Available now as an ebook and paperback on Amazon. OR, for a limited time, pick up a free copy when you join Elle’s VIP newsletter club.



November 4 question - Albert Camus once said, “The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” Flannery O’Conner said, “I write to discover what I know.” Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?

Well, I'm not sure Bloo Moose is going to save civilization, but I love the quote!

I've always been a reader and I've "told" stories in my head since I was very small. I was too shy/awkward to share and didn't actually write any of them down until well after my own kids were born.

Once I wrote my first story (a really angsty Star Trek TNG story with all kinds of equality themes going on) I realized that creating the stories was fun. And (strangely) going through the story to make it better was fun too. Learning the craft proved to be fun as well.

I wrote my first short story because the prompt intrigued me. This became my first published story (Until Release in the Tick Tock IWSG anthology) and it gave me the confidence to get my work out there.

Dancing With Dementia was written because dementia had crashed into my family and writing about it helped me process it all in the hopes of helping others.

My Bloo Moose series is contemporary romantic suspense. Reaching For Christmas releases on Tuesday and it will be book 5, I'm working on book 7 for NaNo. I write in this genre because it's all about overcoming obstacles within ourselves and teaming up to take on another obstacle. And Hope. My books are always about Hope. 

So, I guess my rather convoluted answer is that I write because it's fun, it helps me process life and it gives me hope for the future.

How about you? Anyone else start off with Fan Fiction? Anyone write to help process their lives or to bring hope into your own? Or are you out to save civilization? We need that!

I'm also visiting with the amazing Denise Covey today talking about rapid release. Hope to see you there!


100 comments:

Liza said...

I wrote my first piece of fiction for a blog contest. I didn't win, but I got a nice comment and it made me realize I could do it. My writing won't save the world either! Thank you for hosting IWSG this month.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations to Lynda!
Glad you entered the IWSG contest and got a taste for being a published author.

Pat Garcia said...

Congrats to Lynda and congrats to you on your series. keep Writing. You're doing a fantastic job.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
Back again. I forgot to say thanks for co-hosting this month.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Thanks for co-hosting, Jemi. I think your dementia story is very important.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

And thanks for co-hosting today!

Nancy Gideon said...

I agree. Writing is therapy and our characters carry our angst, our fear and our dreams. Thanks for co-hosting this month, Jemi!!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Thanks for co-hosting! I love that you write stories about overcoming obstacles. Every book you've written is infused with hope and shows determination to beat the odds. :)

Mary Aalgaard said...

Great reasons to write, and your stories sound wonderful! If nothing else, they are a welcome distraction!

Cathrina Constantine said...

Great answer and post for why you write! Thanks for co-hosting!

nashvillecats2 said...

Congratulations to Lynda and also to you for this wonderful post.
Yvonne.

Diane Burton said...

Good answers. I agree about Lynda's stories, esp. Well of Ash. That story was fascinating. Thanks for co-hosting this month.

cleemckenzie said...

There's no better reason to write, Jemi! I totally agree.

Here's my congrats to Lynda. You two are on a book publishing roll!

Sadira Stone said...

I could not agree more about Romance being the litarature of hope. Thanks for cohosting this month!

Jemi Fraser said...

I can see how that would be a great boost - those comments go a LONG way for me too!

Jemi Fraser said...

IWSG was exactly the boost I needed. Without it I'm sure my stories would be sleeping on my hard drive somewhere!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks so much, Pat! I'm having a ton of fun!!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - you're so welcome!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Joylene - it's such a horrific disease - we need more money looking for a preventative cure!

M.J. Fifield said...

As much as it is needed, I'm definitely NOT the person to be saving civilization...

I've never tried to write fan fiction before, but I do know quite a few writers who got into the craft that way.

Love Elle's cover art!

And thank you for co-hosting!

Loni Townsend said...

Grats to Elle!

Writing for the fun and enjoyment it brings are the best reasons to write. <3

Thanks for co-hosting!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Nancy - writing is a wonderful way to be consumed :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks so much, Tyrean! I love that the books show what I was hoping they'd show!

Jemi Fraser said...

And we need all the positive distractions we can get this year! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Cathrina!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Yvonne! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynda's well of ideas is filled with wonder!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's been fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

Hope is what we all need for sure!

Elephant's Child said...

I love your reasons for writing. Long may it continue to be fun - for you and for your growing numbers of readers.

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm not saving civilization either - but I hope someone is!!!

Jemi Fraser said...

It really is all about joy!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Sue! You're the best!!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I love your answer! Thanks for co-hosting!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Congratulations to Lynda.

I wrote my first piece of fiction when I was a kid, I had only shared it with my grandmother as I was too shy to share it with anyone else.

Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium

Lynn J Simpson said...

Definitely write to process life. And like how you also do it because it is fun! We must keep it fun!

PK HREZO said...

Hi Jemi! Great to meet you. And great answer! Writing helps me process too--like therapy.
That cover is gorge btw!! Looking forward to more of your blog. :)

Jacqui said...

Nice to get to know you, Jemi--and thanks for co-hosting this fasbulous blog hop!

Adrienne Reiter said...

I write compulsively and for fun. Great post. Thank you for co-hosting. Happy IWSG!

Ellen Jacobson said...

I am so in awe of how quickly you're pumping out your Bloo Moose series. I need to catch up on the latest releases :)

Carol Kilgore said...

I don't think my writing will save the world. I write to get the stories out of my head. They keep coming faster than I can write them down.

Jemi Fraser said...

That sounds very familiar! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Agreed! Fun is very important!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's a great way to process!
Elle did a fabulous job on her cover!

Jemi Fraser said...

IWSG is SUCH a great group!

Jemi Fraser said...

Those are great reasons!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Ellen! I did have a lot of drafts done before I started publishing! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

That's exactly it!!! I probably have 5 or 6 waiting impatiently!

J.Q. Rose said...

My answer is similar to yours. Just gotta get it out and on paper. Congratulations on your Bloo Moose series.
JQ Rose

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you!
It always feels great to get those stories down!

Sarah Foster said...

Congrats on the upcoming release and thanks for co-hosting!
Creating stories is definitely fun, and when editing is going well, I think it can actually be fun, too.

Jemi Fraser said...

I think we have some similarities going on! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Sarah! I'm not quite at loving editing yet, but it's a lot more fun now that I know what I'm doing! :)

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Writing because it is fun is a great reason to write. It makes ypu smile and feel good about yourself, I imagine. It does me. Enjoy every minute.

Pat Hatt said...

Nothing wrong with writing because it is fun. Being hopeful is a win too. Not sure I consider the 50th edit fun though lol

Fundy Blue said...

Thanks for co-hosting, Jemi! Lynda's books are on my must read list. I must find more time to read! Winning a spot in an IWSG anthology really lifts your spirits and confidence, doesn't it? Wishing you all the best in your endeavors in November!

PJ Colando said...

Thanks for co-hosting. Good Luck on your Christmas tale... and, most of all, I admire your support of another author.

Have lots of NaNo fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

It really does! And I will - you too! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - maybe not the 50th for sure - although I've been there too!

Jemi Fraser said...

Time is definitely something we need more of!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks so much, PJ. I have so many talented friends - it's fun to support them!

Samantha Bryant said...

Writing has always been part of how I process life as well. Great post! Thanks for popping by my blog today, too. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

I write because the voices in my head tell me to. Seriously, I don’t expect to change the world with my stories. But I do want to make a few people happy for a while, as they read my books.

The Purple Assassin. said...

That's a lovely answer to why you write. Somehow I think I can relate to it. I think I write to let go, really helps me process things and look at things in perspective.

Lovely blog you've got out here! Good to have come across it!

Have a great week ahead!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Writing because it's fun is the best reason.

Thank you so much for the shout out!
Many hugs!

Lyn/Elle

Shannon Lawrence said...

Those are excellent reasons to write! I'm considering writing one about my dad and ALS to continue working through what was a 6 1/2 year process.

A Hundred Quills said...

Good luck with the new book Jemi. You've been on a roll, isn't it? Love your energy and consistency in writing as also your reasons to write. Inspiring.
Sonia from https://soniadogra.com

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Love your reasons for writing!

I think I write because I can't *not* write, ha.

Jemima Pett said...

That was a fantastic start to your writing career. Well done!
Must pop over to Den's blog to see what rapid release is!

Jemi Fraser said...

I enjoyed your post!
Writing is good for our souls!

Jemi Fraser said...

I think that's awesome! It amazes me when some words I've written touch someone else - an amazing feeling!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you! It's amazing how much better I feel when I've had a chance to write.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks & You're welcome! :P

Jemi Fraser said...

Good idea! ALS is such a horrid disease. We need more money poured into finding cures for these diseases and raising awareness helps that!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks so much Sonia - It's been a crazy and fun year!

Jemi Fraser said...

I totally get that, too!!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's a little bit nuts! :)
It's definitely been a fun year from that perspective!

Leigh Caron said...

Love the Blog Moose series concept and congrats on your new release. I also checked your Dancing With Dementia blog and it's touching.

emaginette said...

I liked the 'helped process life' bit. I think I do some of that too. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Leigh! Even though dementia is ripping apart her brain we still manage to laugh and love!

Jemi Fraser said...

It definitely helps! Once the words are 'out' I can deal with things in a better way!

Patsy said...

Writing is fun – some of the time at least!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - agreed! :)

Sandra Cox said...

Congrats to Elle.
Thanks for hosting and have a Happy November.

Jemi Fraser said...

Same to you, Sandra!

Arlee Bird said...

I wrote my first short story in third grade. It was a horror story inspired by Twilight Zone. I wouldn't say that's fan fiction, but the show's story presentational approach inspired much of the fiction writing I did in subsequent years.

I don't know about saving civilization, but I do write a lot of things to help me process my own life or present my world view in hopes that it might influence others in some positive way.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Jemi Fraser said...

Twilight Zone fiction would be fun! *adds it to To Do list*
Spreading positivity through our words is such a great aim!

Carrie-Anne said...

Some might say alternative history is a form of fan fiction when it features real people. I always enjoyed the Who fan fiction on my estrogen Who lists when I was in my early twenties, but never personally wrote any myself.

Thanks for co-hosting!

J Lenni Dorner said...

That is a really excellent answer. I like that it's about hope and processing life.

Damyanti Biswas said...

Congratulations on the new book and all the best with NaNoWriMo.

Toi Thomas said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I love the Well of Ash book cover. You have some good reasons for writing, hope is always a good one. I too write to process things.

Jemi Fraser said...

I like that interpretation! Yes - I would definitely count that as fan fiction! I've never read Who fiction but I'd like it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks! Hope is always a biggie for me!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Damyanti!!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's a gorgeous cover!!
Processing life is a biggie - maybe even especially this year

Melissa said...

I like your reasons for writing. Congrats on the new book, and thanks for co-hosting.

Nick Wilford said...

Excellent reasons! Writing is a great way of processing life.

Chrys Fey said...

I'm really glad the IWSG Anthology gave you confidence. You have been slaying it this year with all of your books. :D

Lidy said...

Thanks for co-hosting this month!
I’ve always been a reader as well. And my love of stories hasn’t waned since I was a young girl. My love of stories was so well known that at the end of science camp one summer I was giving the storyteller award.
The first story I ever told was about twin royal sisters running away from the castle in search of adventure.

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