Magic at the Library

 My daughter works at our local library which is on my way home from work. Yesterday, I decided to stop in and say a quick "hi" to her and see how her day was going. She works at the circulation desk and no one was in line, so I just hung out there and we gossiped a little about what was going on in her day. 

A customer walked up to check out books with her two little kids in tow. I moved aside so my daughter could do her job and I headed to my favorite sections. 

This is where the trouble began. If I had just finished our conversation and said, "Okay sweetie, I have to go now," everything would have been fine. But nooooo, something was calling me from the inner most shelves like a tractor beam tugging at the Millennium Falcon. 

I didn't need to pick up any books. I already have plenty on my night stand. Most likely though, I would look around for a little and not find anything, tell my daughter "goodbye," and head home.

Of course that's not what happened. 

Libraries have this magical, serendipitous power. Fate can place a book that you never knew you needed to read on the top shelf of the stack you pass, someone can cough loudly next to you and you look over and see this book cover right in your line of sight. Some unknown force makes you reach out to grab the book and you flip to the summary on the back cover.

It's got you.

You can't put it down now. You know you have to take it home and read it.

Yesterday, seven books caught me in their spell. Could I have written their titles down and gotten them a different time when I needed another book? 

Sure!

But I was drawn to them in this moment and I let the serendipity lead me right to the circulation desk where my daughter checked out all the books for me. 

I know I probably won't finish all of them, but I figured it also helps the library to check out lots of books. In a time when funding for our libraries, especially in Ohio is scarce, it helps to show that they are being used often! 

So go to your local library to support them and let serendipity take over!

Have a beautiful day!

With Love, 

Kathy💕💕😀

 

San Diego & IWSG

San Diego Harbor

I've always wanted to go to San Diego. I'm not really sure why other than as a kid I loved watching nature shows with my grandpa and they often would show bits and pieces of the San Diego Zoo. Last week, my husband and I finally spent a week there. 

Compared to Cleveland, it was pretty much heaven. Blue skies and bright sun every day, high temperatures in the mid 70's, and lows in the high 50's! Back home we have grey, cloudy yuck about 362 days of the year.

Then there's the ocean and all of its beautiful bounty-- pelicans, seals, sea lions, the sound of waves crashing to shore... Ahhhh

La Jolla Beach -just north of San Diego

Year round flowers and green trees--bougainvillea, palm trees, roses...

Rose Garden in Balboa Park

The Zoo lived up to my childhood dreams-- we got to see koala bears, sleepily munching eucalyptus in their trees! Yes, they are just as cute as expected!! There was a giant elephant enclosure with jungle gym like toys to keep the elephants happily playing (I hope they were happy at least); tigers, cheetahs, lemurs, meerkats, mandrills, and so many other monkey-like animals. 

*TIP: Definitely get there right when it opens, it gets quite crowded later in the day with a plethora of parents pushing multi-child strollers. In the morning, we got to see many of the little fur-balls active and having breakfast and we didn't have to make our way through a maze of strollers.   

We had such a wonderfully relaxing time, it was definitely hard to head back home-though we missed our own little fluffy beasts (a beagle, a dachshund, and a toy Aussie Shepherd) and of course our kids (who are mostly adults but still mostly kids. 🤣🤣

And that is part of the reason that I totally forgot to post my IWSG on Wednesday! I was so excited last month to start posting again regularly and already on my second month I'm posting late :( 

So sorry!

THE IWSG!!!!!

If you're new to the IWSG, it's all about connecting and supporting other writers. Here is the official mission statement of the IWSG.

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!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the  November 6 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Lisa Buie Collard , Kim Lajevardi, and JQ Rose!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG 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. 
Remember, the question is optional
 
November 6 question - What creative activity do you engage in when you're not writing?

I have two other main creative loves:

1. Figure skating, which as far as I'm concerned, is equally art and athleticism is my first love after writing. I have been skating maybe longer than I've actually been writing. Being originally from Michigan, where many babies are born with skates on, I started skating almost as soon as I could walk--which was before I could hold a pen or pencil in my hand to make letters. I've continued to actively skate my whole life with the only time off when I was pregnant with my kids. I've spent almost 35 years coaching skaters and one of my favorite things is creating programs for the kids in which they can tell a story to the crowd. 

Video below is me a couple months ago. :)

2. Cooking/Baking is my other creative love. There is just about nothing better than creating a meal that brings people together. Special memories and bonds are made when friends and family sit together around a table talking, laughing, and enjoying great food. I love cooking so much that my next writing project is actually creating a cookbook. Right now I'm in the process of gathering all my recipes and cooking them to make sure they are written correctly! Every now and then I'll be posting them here on the blog.

Here's what I baked this afternoon with fresh Ohio apples-you'll have to wait for the recipe! 

Apple cinnamon muffins. Yum

Can't wait to read what you all do besides writing! 

Take time to take care of yourselves this month and then have a wonderful love filled Thanksgiving!!!

Love to all of you!!

💗💗💗

IWSG and New Projects

 

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!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from IWSG website

Find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG #IWSG

This month's cohosts are: 

Joylene Nowell Butler, Chemist Ken, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

The question of the month is: It's holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?

Well since I'm even posting this a day late, you can probably surmise that my holiday time is usually when I fall most behind in writing goals! But I've learned to tell myself that it's okay. As long as I have writing goals and I continue to work on them even haphazardly then I'm doing fine.

Last month I mentioned that I'm working on revising a novel, which I am still doing but I've added another project to my  goals list. 

I've decided to write a cookbook. My kids are about to all be out on their own. One is getting married next year and the others will probably be soon to follow. I'm actually writing the cookbook as a way to teach them how to make their favorite homemade recipes and if other people can learn and enjoy it that's even better! 

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!!

With love, 

Kathy

 

CassaDark Release! Interview with Alex Cavanaugh and IWSG!

 

CassaDark

By Alex J. Cavanaugh

His world is unraveling…

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by fear and doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each secret reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

Trade paperback, 226 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, LLC
Science fiction - Adventure (FIC028010) / Space Opera (FIC028030) / Space Exploration (FIC028130)
Print ISBN 9781939844842 $16.95 / eBook ISBN 9781939844859 $4.99

Links:
iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033
Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859 
Scribed – https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0 
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark 

Interview with Alex Cavanaugh!

Kathy: Hi Alex! Great to have you here!

Alex: Thanks for having me!

K: I've known you "virtually" for a long time and it was a thrill and a joy to read your latest adventure in the Cassa world! I'd love to hear more about what went into this newest journey through space. So let's just get started:

K: In your Cassa series most of the books follow Byron, what made you choose to tell Bassan's story this time?

 

A: By the time I got to CassaStorm, Byron was now in his early sixties. (Cassans live to be 120, so he wasn’t quite as old as it sounds.) But since I kept jumping ahead twenty years in between books, I knew the next jump would place Byron too old for action and adventure. (Like having Harrison Ford do Indiana Jones right now!) An idea for an adventure for Bassan (Byron’s son) hit me and I decided that was the next logical step in the stories—move on to the next generation. I only jumped ahead fifteen years for this one, though…

 

K: I agree! I'm all for staying active late in life, but I don't really want to see an 80 year old Harrison Ford in an action movie! 😬😳 How much growth can an 80 year old experience throughout a story arc any way? The growth and progression of Bassan's character and how he learns to trust himself as well as those around him was one of the things I loved most about this book. Can you talk about how you crafted Bassan into a well-rounded character?

 

A: Sheer luck? Just kidding! Bassan was a bit shy as a child and always following his older friend’s lead, and I figured that carried over into adulthood. Add the fact that he feels his greatest achievement was saving the races when he was ten and it’s now fifteen years later. He’s aware that’s mostly what he’s known for. He doesn’t like change, but he wants his life to mean more. It fed into his insecurity. Dump on the concerns of choosing a life mate, of disappointing people, and fear of new things, and I think I gave him a lot of qualities many people deal with in real life.

 

K: Yes, you did! And I think there are so many people who have early success in something whether it's school, sports, or music and then all of a sudden as they age, they struggle with the fact that maybe they have already had their moment of greatness and wonder where to turn. I'm so glad Bassan learned to trust in the fact that his greatness was his courage to do the right thing and risk his own life to help others.

 

K: Let's talk a little bit about world building--the Cassa world is huge!! What is your process to keep all the details straight?

And how do you go about coming up with new species for your worlds? My favorite in this one was the xert!

 

A: I wish I could tell you I keep everything organized on a spreadsheet or something, but I really don’t. I do have the basics for each race and the planets encountered in the series written down, although when writing this, I had to refer to CassaStorm, the previous book, more than once. I guess I have lived with this world so long, it’s ingrained in me.

Glad you liked the xert! He was a last minute addition. I tend to focus so much on people that I forget critters. But on a planet with few people, those critters would be all over the place.

 

K: About how long does it take you to write a new book?

 

A: Depends on the book. This one took almost two years, because I’d taken a long, long break and was quite rusty once I began writing again. The first one was about a year. The next three took around two to four months, so that’s probably closer to my average. 

 

K: Two to four months on average! That's awesome! I hope some day I can write that proficiently. What is coming next in the CassaWorld? Or are you planning something totally different?

 

A: I have no idea. I may have thrown everything at Byron’s family that I can. As for my standalone, outside of death, I can’t think of anything else to throw at that main character. Might have to come up with something new.

 

K: I can't wait to see what you conjure up! Which sci-fi books or movies have had the biggest influence on your writing?

 

A: I read a lot of Arthur C. Clarke, Alan Dean Foster, Robert L Heinlein, and Terry Brooks when I was younger. More recently, Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars books have been a big influence. (The man knows how to keep things brief and moving!) As for movies, of course Battlestar Galactica and Star Wars influenced me when I was younger, and the slew of new science fiction movies keep the ideas flowing.

 

K: Those are the giants of sci-fi!

As the Ninja captain of IWSG, I know you're super busy! Do you do speaking engagements, book fairs, or writers conferences? What do you feel has been the best way to get your book in front of readers?

 

A: I’m not much for in-person events. Most of what I’ve done in the past has been through my connections online and blogging. Times have changed, so we’ll see how well that does for this book. Thankfully my publisher does a lot of marketing and comic con appearances to make up for what I lack.

 

K: Is there anything else you would like to share? 

 

A: Buy the book!

Just kidding.

CassaDark may be the fourth in a series, but it can be read alone, especially as it follows a different character than the other three. 

 

Thanks for letting me ramble, Kathy!

K: You're welcome! And yes, everyone go out and buy the book! It's a great read!

And here's a cool graphic of all of Alex's books, go read them all! 😀

Alex J. Cavanaugh works in web design and graphics, and he plays guitar in a Christian band. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is known as Ninja Captain Alex and he’s the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. 
http://alexjcavanaugh.com  

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

https://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

 

When I first started blogging over 12 years ago, Alex was there to be a voice of encouragement and support. He brought so many of us together, sponsoring fun contests, bloghops and finally creating the Insecure Writer's Support Group, now a site recognized as one of the top Writer's sites by Writer's Digest. Without Alex, I most likely would have quit blogging a very long time ago. Thanks Alex for creating this wonderful writing family!!!

And now for April's IWSG post!

 

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!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from IWSG website

Find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG #IWSG

The awesome co-hosts for this month are: Joylene Nowell Butler,  Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!

Question of the Month: Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook? 

I haven't made my book into an audio book yet, though I am thinking about doing that eventually. So I welcome any suggestions or ideas on this topic.

My insecurity for this month is that I have a few library/bookstore talks coming up this spring and I'm a little nervous about them. I actually don't mind public speaking too much but in the past I have always spoken about my other career: the sport of figure skating. I've spent over thirty years teaching beginner to advanced skaters so I'm super comfortable speaking about it.  Talking about my memoir, One Year on Broadway seems like a much more daunting task.

Are you excited to read CassaDark? What are your tips on audiobook creation or speaking events?

Have a lovely April! We're finally seeing a little bit of sun here in Ohio!

Love, 

Kathy :)

Writing From the Heart #IWSG

 

The first Wednesday of every month is the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) Day! The IWSG is an amazing community of writers brought together by Alex J. Cavanaugh. It is a place where we can share our fears, successes, thoughts, and expert tips about writing in a safe space without the fear of feeling foolish. Sign up here to join!

Today our fabulous hosts are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lejevardi, and Sandra Cox. Please stop by to tell them thanks for hosting!

This month's optional question is:

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?

I started writing my first stories in elementary school. Our teacher assigned us a story a week using as many spelling words as possible. Even though it was assignment, I wrote for me, crafting the silliest, craziest stories that made me laugh. I had no idea about any of the actual techniques of writing other than basic English grammar that we had learned up to that point. 

They probably weren't good stories, but every week I got my paper back with a big red "A" on it and that made me want to write as much as I had time for. 

As soon as I could I signed up for creative writing courses in high school. I was lucky enough to have a mother who was also interested in writing stories so we both attended several writing conferences together to learn all we could.

Most of the books I read about writing were during that time, pre-Goodreads. Either they weren't very good books or I have a terrible memory because I can't think of a single title.

I'm not sure why I didn't take creative writing in college. Probably because my parents kept encouraging me to major in something I would make money in and for some reason, though I was a passionate writer, I didn't think of it as a profession. I changed majors five times trying to find what I wanted to study that could be a career. I started with engineering but there's so much math!

As a professional figure skating coach, I haven't used my degree in linguistics once. Oh well.

Finally, I came back to writing and started reading about the techniques of writing and that's when I found,

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

It has everything. He gives us an up close and personal master class filled with tips on writing a better story and things to watch out for as well as when to not worry about all the rules, and advice to trust yourself. Every time I read it, I want to grab my notebook or computer and write for hours. My biggest take away from it brings me back to my elementary classroom--write what you want to write and write it from the heart.

It also made me start reading his other books, which, because I'm not really a fan of scary things, I had never read. I'm still not a fan of scary things but I do love his writing. 

What is your favorite book on writing?

*****

In other news, I will have a release date for my debut non-fiction book, One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea, very soon! Stay tuned! 

A true story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go

How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning?

At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.

And yet something in our hearts led us back to the Island.

Having no idea where it would lead, my husband and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of Once On This Island, the musical that had given us so much. 

Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell.

We ended up with so much more.

I'm still looking for a few more people who would be willing to help with the launch! Anything you can do helps: a blog post, a review, a social media shout-out, anything that fits your schedule!

Thank you to all the wonderful people who have already contacted me about helping!

Hope you all have a wonderful August! 

Kathy :)

Writing Is My Sanctuary--#IWSG post

 

We have made it through half of 2021 already which seems impossible, but here we are and now it is the first Wednesday in July!

The first Wednesday of every month is the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) Day! The IWSG is an amazing community of writers brought together by Alex J. Cavanaugh. It is a place where we can share our fears, successes, thoughts, and expert tips about writing in a safe space without the fear of feeling foolish. Sign up here to join!

Our awesome co-hosts for this month are:  Pat Garcia, Victoria Mare Lees, Chemist Ken, and Louise–Fundy Blue

Every month an optional question is asked. July's question is: 

What would make you quit writing?

Writing is my sanctuary, my release, my meditation. Every since my hand could physically hold a pencil I wrote. There was magic in putting a mark on a blank paper that other people could understand. Before I understood how to form my own sentences on paper, I would copy down every word of my favorite books. 

In fifth grade, I couldn't wait until Thursday--the day our teacher instructed us to use our spelling words to create a story.

I have never stopped writing. It's not always stories, sometimes it's poems, sometimes it's detailed journaling to remember trips, special occasions, or the daily simple details of life. Sometimes it's just putting thoughts down as a way to figure out this crazy journey of life.

Writing is always there for me.

There are only two things that could make me stop writing: 

1. Advanced dementia to the point that I can't form sentences--which is an actual possibility for me since my dad recently passed from Parkinson's with severe dementia

2. Death

Until either of those occur, I will always turn to writing in some form. I still believe their is magic in words. After all, where else can we travel through time and experience the past except in reading the words of Shakespeare, Cervantes, or Alexander Dumas; or begin to understand what others around us in our own times have experienced without reading Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry or countless others.

Whether or not anyone else reads my words, for me, writing is as integral to my being as breath.

Is there anything that would make you stop writing? Has it been a part of you for a long time or did you recently discover the magic of writing? 

*On a side note, I'm still looking for anyone who would like to help out with my upcoming book launch. If you're interested in giving it a review or being a part of my blog hop team email me at kjmckendry@yahoo.com 

One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea by Kathryn McKendry

A true story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go

How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning?

At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.

And yet something in our hearts led us back to the Island.

Having no idea where it would lead, my husband and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of Once On This Island, the musical that had given us so much. 

Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell.

We ended up with so much more.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Kathy

Releasing a Book is Like Buying a House #IWSG

 

The Insecure Writer's Support Group posts the first Wednesday of every month. The purpose of this group is to express your doubts and fears as a writer without feeling foolish. It's a place where we writers can come together to offer support and advice to one another and share our triumphs.

Thank you to our fearless leader Alex J. Cavanaugh for creating the IWSG and to all of this month's co-hosts! J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowry, and Rachna Chhabria.

Every month, IWSG gives an optional prompt question. For June the question is: How long do you shelve a manuscript before editing it. Does experience writing make a difference in the time you take?

I have only completed two book-length manuscripts. The first one I put away for several years and I've never really finished editing it. 

My most recent I put away for about a week after completing the first draft. What about you? How long do you wait between drafting and editing? 

 

I have several insecurities this month. 

One Year On Broadway:
Finding Ourselves
Between the Sand and the Sea
My Debut Book!

I'm both thrilled and sort of terrified that my debut non-fiction book, One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea, is set to come out this summer!

 It is a story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go.

I'm a bit overwhelmed with everything I still have to do before launch day. But I also want to enjoy this whole crazy process. After all you only release your first book once in your life!

All the anxiety around releasing a book feels a bit like buying a house. There are so many pieces that have to fall into place and deadlines that need to be met and sometimes they just don't work out. What's most frustrating is that often they are out of your control, like when the house inspector finds radon gas and black mold in your dream house or the book cover designer needs to start over on your cover because his computer crashed and totally stopped working. 

Once the cover was completed I had a licensing issue with the subtitle (my fault), I had to come up with a new title and then we had to go back for another cover re-design. I still don't have the final cover.

Each time it happens, I'm disappointed, realizing I have to change the book's release date yet again. Though after missing my first two dates, I let it go. The only thing that really matters is that my story eventually makes it out into the world. 

So I'm tentatively saying my book will release this summer, though I keep wondering if some other unforeseen issue will pop up and delay it further.

I'm also insecure about the fact that I haven't blogged regularly in a few years and all my old bloggie buddies probably think I dropped off the planet. I've let my platform that I worked for several years to build up, slide into obscurity.  It has taken me quite a while to even relearn how to use Blogger, it seems it has changed a bit since I last used it and I kind of feel like the old lady who needs help from a kid to figure it all out again! 

And because I've been absent from the blogosphere for so long, I'm insecure about asking for help getting the word out about my book once the release date is set in stone.

But I am here now and ready to again be an active part of supporting everyone in this community. I can't wait to see what you have all been up to. Thank you all for being part of this amazing group!

I'd love to hear your book release stories.

What kinds of things do you do to prepare for your book launches? Do you hold physical launch parties and if so where? or do you just do virtual launches, blog hops and tours etc? What have been the most effective things you've done to get your book into the world on schedule? and what things have gone wrong?

Kathy

IWSG-- Treat it Like A Job

It's the first week of the month again so it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group!  It's a wonderful group where writers get together and talk about their fears, insecurities, and successes.  It was the brain child of Alex J Cavanaugh, created to give us a place of encouragement and support on this long and sometimes lonely journey of writing.  It has been truly inspiring to be a member.  Check us out and join here.  

The question of the month is: How do you find the time to write in your busy day?

Squeezing time out of my day to write has always been my biggest struggle.  Writing feels like a guilty pleasure sometimes when there is always something else that needs to be done.  From going to work, to housework, to simply having time to read and hang out with the kids and my husband days seem to slip away without much being written. Then on the days that I do take the time to sit and write, I often spend the time blogging or writing a quasi-journal of thoughts from the day instead of working on crafting stories or editing what I've already done.  

Maybe I'm hiding behind the idea that I'm still writing without having to actually dig into the hard and often frustrating work of perfecting my ideas and creations.  It's kind of a safety net I guess.

A safety net that I'm in the process of cutting away.  With both my daughters, Jess and Alyss, going to college this year and my son in middle school, I have no more excuses.  I now have a plethora of time during the day to work on writing.

Afraid that I might fall into the trap of spending lazy mornings drinking coffee on the deck and then getting stuck doing dishes and other housework, I decided to get out of the house as everyone else is leaving and head to the local libraries and coffee shops to spend the mornings writing.  I'm finally treating my writing like a job, a job that I love.     

I've always loved writing, constantly filling scraps of paper with bits of poetry I've scribbled down or amazing thoughts that have popped into my head that I'll use someday.  

Today is that someday!  As proof, I'm actually writing this post 6 days in advance!  I've never done that before!! :)

Kathy 

IWSG! Post A-Z Goals

It's the first Wednesday of the month, so that means it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group!  The IWSG is a place where we as writer's can express our joys, hopes, fears and most importantly lend encouragement to each other!  This great group was started by Alex J. Cavanaugh, come join us if you haven't already!


This month, I don't have too many insecurities.  The A-Z Challenge, though difficult, is always inspiring.  I've spent the month focused on writing and by the time "Z" rolls around I feel great!  The trick is to stay inspired the rest of the year and continue spending focused time on writing instead of letting too many other things get in the way!  

The A-Z Challenge for me is always a little bit like New Year's Resolutions.  It makes me think of what I want to accomplish in writing the rest of the year and encourages me to set new goals.  Every April, I learn that I really can spend time every day writing and not have my house fall apart, but by June somehow I seem to forget that!

So this year, I'm hoping to change that.  I've already taken some steps in the right direction.  This Monday, in the time I had been working on my Challenge posts, I took the final steps to send out one of my manuscripts.  And then...I actually hit "send"!  I don't know what will come of it, but at least I took the leap and I'm super excited about it! :)


Hope you all are having an inspired day!


Kathy :)

Insecure Writers Support Group

It's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post, hosted and created by Alex J. Cavanaugh!  This is where we come together to post our fears, insecurities, and successes.  If you'd like to join us sign up here, and then go visit others on the list to give your encouraging words to someone in need.

My big insecurity this month is that I have a really hard time with consistency in both blogging and writing in general.  I know it is ultimately up to me to carve out the time in the day to get to my writing/blogging, but somehow other things always seem to get in the way.  I'm working really hard this year to change that because I've loved writing and creating stories ever since I could read.    

Honestly another big part of my inconsistency, especially in blogging, is that sometimes I feel like I don't really have anything to write that would be useful to people.  I don't want to just write a bunch of nothing that fills up the blogosphere and isn't helpful.  I did a lot of thinking this last year during all my time off and I'm hoping I've come up with a solution and a bunch of topics that I can blog about.  I guess you guys will be the judge of whether or not it's interesting and useful! :)

What are your insecurities or fears this month? or do you have some great news to share?

Hope you're having a great week!

Kathy

A-Z Challenge is Almost Here!

The A-Z Challenge is almost here!  If you've never participated in it, it's a wonderful way to meet lots of new blogger friends!  Every day except Sundays, in the month of April, post something that corresponds to each letter of the alphabet from A-Z.  It seems to work best if you have an overall theme to tie all your posts together and write at least some of them in advance, but you can choose to do it randomly as well and as creativity strikes you (it's just a lot harder that way!).  

It all started back in 2010, when Arlee Bird decided to start the challenge to celebrate his 200th follower!  Since 2010 it has grown exponentially in participants.  This year there are already 940 blogs signed up to participate!

I think this will be my 6th year doing the challenge.  I'm excited this year because I'm actually a little more organized!  I have planned to pre-write most of my posts so that I'm not scrambling around each day!  And even though I haven't been blogging much lately, I think it's a great way for me to get back into the swing of things.  After all The A-Z is one of the most fun and challenging blog hops I've ever participated in!  Check out all the details here and add your blog to the list!  March 21st is A-Z Blog Theme Reveal Day, so sign up for that too! And don't forget to read yesterday's post on the A-Z blog for great tips on how to get your blog ready for the Challenge.


Have you signed up yet?

Hope you're having a great week so far!

Kathy