IWSG & Lines in the Sand

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!  

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October 6 question - In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?

Interesting question.

My hard lines in the sand don't involve sex or language. You'll find both in my novels. I write heart-warming romantic suspense with good people who earn happy endings. Some cursing and a steamy scene or two included. Those are normal parts of everyday life for many people.

My hard lines in the sand are around other issues:

• kids will not be harmed
• diversity will be celebrated in all its beauty
• anyone who is racist will be a villain
• science will be believed
• Good will always triumph over Evil
• people will learn to accept and love themselves
• love will be caring and kind and generous
• people will overcome tragic backgrounds
• created families will have your back
• love will always find a way

How about you? Any hard lines for you as a reader or writer?

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I recently took this pic of the first 9 books in the Bloo Moose series. It gives me a thrill to see them like this. A dream I'm not sure I ever truly believed would become a reality. Thanks to everyone who's supporting me along this joyous journey! It's not a journey I could have ever travelled alone!

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My friend Lynda Young has a cover reveal today!!

Cling to God: 365-Day Devotional

Link for ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HBMG3L8

Take advantage of the pre-order and pick up your ebook for only $2.99 The price will go up after launch.

Or, if you’d like to join my review team, I’ll send you a free copy. Just leave your email in the comments.

Blurb:
365 days of inspiration and Bible wisdom to lighten your heart.

365 devotions to bring you peace in uncertain times.

365 ways to Cling to God.

This special book is a year-long journey with inspirational messages and uplifting scripture. It includes short Bible-based teachings that will encourage and refresh. It is faith-building and thought-provoking with reassuring reminders of God’s love. 

A great companion for individual worship or for group Bible study.

The perfect gift book or personal keepsake that will be cherished for years to come.

Start each morning with Cling to God to brighten your day and draw closer to God.

Author Bio:

Lynda R. Young accepted Jesus into her life in her early teens and has been active in her faith ever since. She has written multiple Christian articles and other inspirational non-fiction, given Bible-based talks, and is always looking for other ways to encourage and uplift. She is also an author of fantasy novels, an editor, game developer, artist, and dabbles in photography and all things creative. She lives in Australia with her sweetheart of a husband. You can find her here: Blog, Twitter, Goodreads

http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com.au
https://twitter.com/LyndaRYoung
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5832201.Lynda_R_Young

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Beautiful cover, Lynda!!! Many congratulations!

NEXUS is here!

 My buddy Tyrean Martinson's book NEXUS releases today!

This is book 2 in the Rayatana series and it is fabulous. The incredible story continues with more fascinating world-building. Here's my review!

This is a terrific read!

The world-building is incredible with a fascinating array of characters, settings, and technology. All of that creates a wonderful backdrop for Amaya's powerful story. As the story opens, Amaya and her friends are facing a trial for violating the laws of the Neutral Zone. Amaya has to learn who to trust, who to listen to, and how to believe in herself.
You'll find yourself caught up in the magic of the story in no time. A fabulous read!

Congrats to Tyrean!!!

Book Blurb:

Amaya is supposed to bring peace to the galaxy. Which is tough when she’s being held for crimes against the Neutral Zone. Her imprisonment is on her own ship with her own crew. But close quarters create tension.

Honestly, her role as Rayatana is a mess.

She may never get to use her powers for anything good. Not if her teacher continues to keep secrets, and not if her powers keep harming others. Putting her mother in a coma should put her in prison, but she has a mission. She wants to bring peace to her people. She needs to become the Rayatana.

 Nexus: The Rayatana Book 2 is available October 4, 2021 for all online, retail, and all ebook platforms. Published by Tyrean Martinson with Wings of Light Publishing, LLC. Young Adult - Science Fiction/Adventure/Sweet Romance. ISBN for Kindle: 978-1-7357695-5-4,ISBN for  Paperback: 978-1-7357695-6-1, and ISBN for EPub: 978-1-7357695-7-8.

Book Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BMHPQ1X

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09BMHPQ1X 

Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09BMHPQ1X 

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09BMHPQ1X 

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1105272 

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/nexus-the-rayatana-book-2/id1586906824 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/nexus-the-rayatana-book-2 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4248677708 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/nexus-the-rayatana-series-book-2-by-tyrean-martinson 

Tyrean Martinson is a word hunter. She forages for words both sweet and tart in the South Sound of Washington State. An eclectic writer, she writes speculative fiction, contemporary and historical fiction, short scripts, devotions, writing books, song lyrics, and poetry. She has been a fencer (long ago), a kickboxer (for a short minute), and an action-movie fan. Tyrean is a life-long book lover, a Christ follower, and walker. Once upon a time, she was a Girl Scout who sang too loudly, and now she’s a podcaster and praise team member. Since childhood, her imagination has been swept away by fairy tales, science fiction, tales of overcoming the odds, and redemption arcs.

Tyrean’s Writing Spot Blog: https://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/ 

Tyrean’s Tales: https://tyreanstales.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyreanmartinson/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TyreanMartinson 

Tyrean’s Tutoring Website Words Take Flight: https://words-take-flight.com/  

Have you read the Rayatana series? What kinds of world-building do you enjoy?

IWSG & Success!

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! 

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September 1 question - How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?

For me, success is a moving target.

On any given day, any of these mean success:

• feeling good about the words I've put on the page
• knowing I had my first short story chosen for a great anthology
• someone buys one of my books
• drafting over 1k words in a session
• a reader leaves a positive review
• a payment from one of the retailers lands in my bank account
• I manage to write a scene I've been avoiding
• an idea for a new scene/book/series/character lights up my day
• I edit a scene and it's so much better
• I can provide feedback for another author
• I can help a newbie writer - even though I feel like I'm in that category myself
• I manage to plot out a book...

Oh, wait! That last one is totally impossible!

Success is relative and changing. To be honest, I rarely give it much thought! Instead, I just focus on the next step.

How about you? What does success mean to you? When was your last successful moment?

WEP & Their Voices & News

Their Voices

They try to silence

the voices

the voices that tell the truth

They try to squash

the stories

They try to rewrite

the histories

They try to erase

their lives

They took away

their freedom

their choices

their futures

But truth cannot be silenced

Not forever

Unmarked graves will be found

Their stories will be told

Their truths will be shared

Their lives will be celebrated

and mourned

and remembered

Their potential was erased

Their loss is uncountable

But they have not silenced their voices

Those who will listen

Will always hear

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Some parts of Canadian history are horrific. Residential schools aimed to destroy indigenous cultures and people. Unmarked graves in multiple sites have been found. It's a hideous part of our history and something we have to acknowledge. We can't go back to fix the mistakes of the past, but we can acknowledge them and offer reparations and work to ensure nothing like this happens again.

The freedom to speak, the freedom to live and thrive, the freedom to be, was taken away from so many kids. I hope it never happens again. I know I can't fix the world, but I'll continue to work on my own little corner of it. It's the least we can do.

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The above is part of the WEP Challenge - although it's not an actual part of the challenge. One reason is that I'm offering the prize this month. The second reason is, I'm now a part of the WEP team!! I'm thrilled to be joining this talented and lovely group of writers!

Please check out this link to find the stories that are actually part of the challenge. WEP is always a good place to stretch your skills. I'm excited to work with the winner and to be part of the team in the future!

IWSG & Pants & Family, Oh My!

 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! 

August 4 question - What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

My favourite craft book is Take Off Your Pants!! by Libbie Hawker (scroll right to the bottom of her page for links).

I'm NOT a natural plotter. I was the kid who had to write the essay first and then make the outline that you had to hand in before you were supposed to start writing the essay.

As a teacher, I've always planned units backwards - start with the assessment piece at the end and work back to figure out how to get everyone there.

Most plotting books hurt my brain and inhibit my process. They also make me feel like a twit because I simply can't do it no matter how hard I try.

Libbie's book talks about starting with the character and his/her personality and flaws. Then you build a path based on that. It's not written for romance authors, but I simply think about two people, two paths, and how they can twine together.

Notice I said think, not write. I do create charts for the steps of the plot points along the path for each character but I haven't completed one of these charts yet. Getting better though!

I don't follow Libbie's entire process but it makes sense to my brain and has helped me organize my stories in my head so that I'm not dealing with a bazillion revision rounds trying to make the plot make sense.

Honorary mention to ALL the Thesauruses (Thesauri??) written by Angela & Becca. They are amazing!

How about you? Are you a backwards planner as well? Plotter or pantser or somewhere in between? Thesauruses or Thesauri?

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In other news, Reaching For Family (Bloo Moose Romance #8) releases on August 10th! That's next Tuesday!

Jenna Wilkes grew up knowing that animals were the only source of unconditional love. As Bloo Moose’s vet, she’s determined to make sure all of her patients find a loving home.

Noah Washington may not have been able to save the farm his adoptive parents owned, but now he’s got it back. Instead of taking out the bad guys as a Ranger, he’s trying not to sever his fingers while shearing his herd.

When the land surrounding her barn is suddenly filled with nosy alpacas and a wary man with shadows in his sexy eyes, Jenna realizes she wants to heal him as well. But when accidents start to happen she wonders if he only wants her gone.

When the threats escalate, they’ll need to rely on each other if they’re ever to learn what family feels like.

When family isn't safe, you need to make your own.

Preorder today to make sure Reaching For Family pops onto your e-reader as soon as it's available!

Website 

Amazon 

Apple 

B&N 

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Bloo Moosiversary!

 One year ago, the first three Bloo Moose books hit the shelves. Hard to believe it's been a year. And a great one at that!

A huge thank you to everyone! I've had so much support over the last year.

• blog posts
• guest posts
• tweets and retweets
• cheerleaders in so many corners
• readers
• reviewers
• kind words
• friends - so many amazing friends

So thank you!

Happy birthday, Bloo Moose! You're 1!!

If you're interested in any of the books, check out my website for easy links. Reaching For Family will be out in the world on August 10!

IWSG & Stress Breaks

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!  

July 7 question - What would make you quit writing?

Hmm. It would have to be something serious in my personal life.

When dementia slammed into our family a few years back, we had several months where I maybe slept 30-35 hours a week. Didn't write much for those months. Took my heart several more to heal enough to have the zip needed to produce any words. Even then, it took more than 18 months before I was back writing with any sort of regularity.

Writing about dementia helped me come to terms with the disease and its effects on our life. As that healing process moved along, I was eventually able to turn my attention back to the Bloo Moose romantic suspense stories.

Life has a way of throwing curve balls my way, but I can't imagine a time when I wouldn't want the release & enjoyment that writing gives me. Even if I never published again, I think I would continue to create stories.

I write because I enjoy it. It's my "me" time.

How about you? Do you have to change things up when life gets stressful? Is writing your "me" time, too?