ISWG

Today is the first Wednesday of the month so that means it's time for Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Group post.

Ok I know this might sound strange but here is my insecurity: I don't think I'm a very good critique partner. I was invited to be in a picture book crit group which I was thrilled about...until I saw how thorough all these ladies were in their critiques. Line by line they pick out everything, grammar, structure, story arc, characters... Everything! They even leave suggestions on how to fix it. I read everyone's stories and I like most of them. I write, "Great job! Wonderful idea!" I wonder if I'm making a contribution. Sure I find grammar errors and a few awkward constructions here and there. But who am I to tell someone their idea won't work as it is? I don't have any books published yet. The funny thing is I didn't have a problem beta-reading for Jess, but maybe because she is my daughter I felt I could be more brutal with the red slashes throuh her words. Maybe because I am new to the group I feel I have to be nice. I love being a part of it, but I want to bring something useful to the others.

So If you have any suggestions on how to improve my critiques I'd love to hear them! I don't want to let these ladies down. I anxiously await your advicice!

 Kathy :)

KOMF Winners and IWSG

First off this morning I'm announcing the winners of our inaugural Knights of MicroFiction winners.  

Drum Roll please..... and a big round of applause to Elisabeth over at Fair Bettys World for her entry about the dangers of using incense while doing yoga; and to Julie at Rosewood Pencil Box for her entry on sibling rivlary, for her post click here.  Ladies we will be contacting you to do a short interview/feature.  Thanks to everyone who played along and we hope to see you again at the end of February!  

Moving on to:

Today is the first Wednesday of the month so that means it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh.  The purpose is to get together monthly and talk about our fears, insecurities and also our successes.

This month I have a couple insecurities.


Last week, I had one of those days where nothing was going quite right and a funky mood settled over me.  
I sat down at my computer and began working on my next scene, hoping I could write my way out of it.  But the scene before me required love and tenderness.  How could I paint a picture of affection with my words when my heart and mind were full of tumult?
I could have whipped out a chase or fight scene with ease.  I tried listening to music, but soft, smooth words did not leave my fingertips.  Instead I closed the file and worked on something else.

I know I shouldn't let my own mood affect my writing.  I know if I want to succeed at this I have to be able to write under any circumstance, but how do you distance yourself from your own emotions and still write with the passions of your heart?

Second:
 As you can see, I've finally taken a leap of faith and started co-hosting my own monthly blog hop with Jess from Write Skate Dream., called the Knights of Micro-Fiction, where we provide a monthly prompt and then we can all enjoy reading each other's works.  I think the best part of blogging is to be a member of this great writing community and now I feel like I'm helping foster that community spirit.  But I've never hosted anything before and I hope I can make it work.


I'd love to hear your thoughts, encouragement, and advice.

Thanks

Kathy

Jess just made us a linky list (she's awesome!), click here to join us