IWSG & AQC

 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!  

February 2 question - Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?

It seems like such a long time ago when I joined the online writing community! Way back then I thought agents were for actors and that only famous people wrote books.

I've learned a lot since then!

On the very first day I decided to try to write a book, I stumbled across a site called Agent Query with a forum called Agent Query Connect. I didn't know what a query was. Nor did I know what a forum was...

Regardless, I clicked and a whole new world opened up for me. I discovered that regular people wrote books and that maybe I could, too. I discovered a whole new language (including query and forum) and a slew of acronyms (WIP, POV, MC...).

I found an amazing group of writers always willing to help others. I learned so much about craft, more about queries, the importance of being succint, and the power of feedback. I found my first critique buddies. I found the courage to share my work. It was an amazing community.

Agent Query is no longer around - and I never did discover the person/people behind the AQCrew persona but whoever they are, I hope they're enjoying fabulous success and joy.

If I hadn't stumbled into that inclusive, caring community, I doubt I would have ever have written books strong enough to be published. While I still keep in contact with many of those writers through FB and Twitter, I do miss the AQC community!

There are many echoes between AQC & IWSG which might explain why I think so highly of IWSG as well!

How about you? Any people or communities who have helped you along your path (writing or non-writing!)? Anyone else know about AQC?

Of You and I

I believe in the power of you and I

I love the Olympics - always have. Life gets put on hold for me when the Olympics are on. I loved sports as a kid and played many of them. None of them to any extraordinary level of achievement, but enough that sports are important to me.

Our Canadian television stations have worked together to coordinate coverage and we've seen an incredible amount of events. The Canadian theme song of the Olympics is I Believe. We see daily montages of athletes striving to this music every day. I know I'm a total sap, but these things can move me to tears. There is so much aout the Olympics I believe in.

Believing is important.

In sports, in our careers, in our families. In our dreams.

There has been a lot of good news lately over at Agent Query Connect (if you're an aspiring writer and don't know this site, get thee hither!). Lots of folks getting agents & deals, pubbing, making the NYT bestseller lists.

Yesterday the wonderful RC Lewis announced an incredible deal. I don't think I could be any more excited. RC is one of 'those' people. You know the ones. Smart, kind, generous, funny, talented. I'm still smiling this morning for her.

So, let's all channel that Olympic spirit. Let's believe in the power of you and I.

Any good news you're excited about? Are you a fan of the Olympics? Do you Believe?

It's All Kid's Play!

A fabulous blog buddy of mine, Jean Oram, has set up a great website for anyone who has kids. It's called It's All Kid's Play and it's a TON of fun! With so many screens calling for kids' attention now, it's important to have a lot of activites that are easy, ready to go, and most of all fun.

That's where Jean comes in. Her site has 32 categories (not including jokes and book recommendations) of activities ranging from arts and crafts to sports, to challenges, to outdoor activities, to games, etc. This site is great for parents looking to cure their children's boredom blues, reconnect with some games, looking for party activities, or just looking for a way to bring more free play (unstructured, creative, child-directed play into their lives). Let's take a tour of a few of those sections...


Tricky Business: This has those goofy challenges kids (and grown up kids) love. For example, armpit farts, can't touch the floor games, catching stacked pennies off your elbow, lick your elbow (can't do that one), making salt/sugar crystals, etc. Tricky challenges are a great way to get kids back to the basics of playing. They challenge our thinking, the way we think the world works, test our boundaries and skills, and are a sure fire way to start the giggles!


 Car Rides: I feel this area of play is especially important these days as the family vehicle is one of the few places kids get to engage in free play these days. Families spend a lot of time in their vehicles commuting, driving to organized sports, etc., and it is a great place for families to reconnect and play. These days the majority of kids don't know how to entertain themselves in the vehicle without some sort of screen. On the car rides page I have a bunch of games that are great to help develop communication skills, visual skills, critical thinking skills, even math skills (and so much more). There is also a printable PDF with MORE games (than listed on the webpage) and a link to word games as well. There are so many things to do in the car! (Example games: I Spy, Round Up, How Long Will it Take?, License Plate games.)

Get out of the House: This section is great for families who are looking for something to do (heck, you don't even need to have kids for many of these!), planning a staycation, or planning an outing. This section includes many family friendly ideas on how to get everyone up, out, and moving. Spending time with your family increases individual resiliency whether you are 5 or 75. (Farmer's Market, go-carting, people watching, laser tag, go to the library, indoor wall climbing, etc.).

Those are fabulous! And those are only 3 of those 32 categories. You've got to check out the rest. I bet it'll make you want to play a game RIGHT NOW - whether you're a kid or not!

Jean and I originally met over at Agent Query Connect, where Jean is a super moderator for the site. If you haven't visited, it's an great place where writers at all stages of their careers hang out. Jean's blog is all about writing and you can also find Jean on twitter talking about writing as herself @jeanoram and representing her kids' site as @KidsPlay

What's your favourite kids' game?

Jean's got a Facebook page up and going - it looks great! Check it out too :)

Agent Research

I'm hoping to query my Steampunk in a bit. It still needs a polish or two, but I thought I'd start doing some agent research to see who I'd like to have on my querying list.

I'm using Agent Query and Query Tracker and then checking out the websites for the agents. I love both of these sites. If you're an aspiring author and haven't discovered them, you really should check them out.

Agent Query has a searchable database that gives you a quick overview of each agent and links to more detailed information as well as links to their websites.

Query Tracker also has a searchable database with links to the agent's websites. You can also keep a list of which agents you'd like to query, which query you sent them, dates, responses... It's easier than creating your own spreadsheet - although I did one of those as well.

I've spent hours on this and expect to spend many more. It's really interesting. You can tell a lot about an agency just by looking at their website. There are a ton of incredible agents out there - professional, helpful, busy. I hope to improve my odds, and not waste their time, by doing this research.

So, anyone have any tips to help?

Agent Query

All aspiring authors need to check out this site! It’s an amazing resource for all aspects of writing. I first stumbled across this site when I finally decided it was time to get a little more serious about my writing. I think I’ve always written, but it was always just for me. For fun.

Agent Query has it all. There is great advice for everything from writing the dreaded query letter and synopsis to finding an agent. Their database of agent information is truly incredible and very user friendly.

Agent Query Connect is a free forum for writers. There are well over 100 discussion groups to help you out. The most popular is the Query Critique forum. Writers at all stages of their careers help each other to create the best queries possible. Other groups focus on first pages, first chapters, agent updates, writing tips, and so much more. There are also several critique groups focusing on various genres.

Check it out using the link on the side. You won’t regret it!