Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.
Optional Monthly Question: If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?
It’s not so much where in the world would I write, but how much time do I have to write? Wherever I am, if I could clear my schedule and just write and breathe fresh air, I’d need about a month. But, for the sake of this question, I’d like to spend a month either on a temperate island or a temperate forest, in the Fall or Spring.
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Newsletter Member Spotlight.
Congratulations to Cathrina Constantin on her September spotlight. She’s also a co-host this month.
Today is the last day for IWSG Anthology submissions.
Click here for details.
IWSG Book Club News
Our August/September book is Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice by Betsy Lerner. Discussion Fun Day will be September 25, 2019. Until then, enjoy this freebie created by one of our book club moderators, Juneta Key: Story Study Checklist Click on the link to open and then save the PDF to your computer. Join Us.
WEP-IWSG
I didn’t submit this time around, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the stories. If you have the time before the submission date, please check these stories out. The next sign up begins October 1.
Today I’m sharing a book review.
Micah dreams of someday being a famous explorer who discovers hidden treasure all around the world. But there’s one major problem: he’s afraid of the Unknown.
One day he discovers a mysterious door that reads “Treasure Inside!” He reluctantly opens the door and is whisked away to a strange new land. Once there, he learns of a lost treasure that is his and his alone — but first, he must make his way through the Unknown.
Join Micah as he travels into the Unknown and learns that what you find isn’t always what you’re looking for… sometimes it’s even better.
My 5-star review:
A little boy afraid of the unknown is willing to risk it all to go in search of treasure and finds the greatest treasure of all. The story begins and ends at the boy’s home, but the places he travels in between are quite an adventure.
This is such a cute and impactful book. It seems simple, at first, but upon a second reading, all the layers are revealed. The illustration is calming and inviting, with colors that aren’t too bright but still warm and comforting. The characters are wonderous and cuddly. I love the facial expressions of the main character.
The message is astounding. Aside from the overall lesson being taught, there are several other messages to discover when reading between the lines, and they are all good. I can’t wait to share it with my students.
Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Now, on to the personal updates.
So, my day job is good. Even when it’s not good, it’s still 10 times better than my last job. I really like what I’m doing. But, as much as I like what I’m doing, I still have other goals, dreams, and interests to pursue. My current challenge is just finding the time to pursue it all.
Margie the Scaredydog is getting older, but she’s more well-adjusted than she’s ever been. Still, she struggles with anxiety. Considering she’s a rescue who’s scared of her own shadow, I feel confident and proud that my husband and I have given Margie a good life. She now sits for treats, plays with us when there’s food around, and runs to us (instead of away from us) when she’s scared…Unless there’s thunder, to which she wraps herself around one of my old skirts that now belongs to her. I do feel bad that I haven’t illustrated the stories I’ve written about her or tried to publish them. I’m sure I’ll get to it one day.
I’ve been reading a lot and have been trying new or less preferred genres to expand my horizons. I recently read a contemporary book by an author I already adore, but never picked up this title before. I haven’t written my review yet, but FYI- Better Than Perfect by Tricia Drammeh is a wonderful 5-star read.
Lastly, I’ve been writing a lot. I mean, a lot, but I haven’t finished anything. I’d like to start sending out some of my short stories for critique and perhaps publish an anthology, but who knows when that will happen.
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So, if you could, where would you go to write your next story?
Thanks for stopping by.
It may take some time, but I will stop by your blog too.
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Gwen Gardner,
Doreen McGettigan,
Tyrean Martinson,
Chemist Ken, and
Cathrina Constantiner!!
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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #44).
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
