IWSG 60: Sticks + Stones

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This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

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Co-Hosts:

Lee Lowery | Juneta Key | Yvonne Ventresca | T. Powell Coltrin

“Sticks and stones break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”

From: The Christian Recorder of March 1862 (according to wiki)

OPTIONAL Question:

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

I hate to admit this but I’ve never been perfect.

*snort* I KNOW! Shocker.

Sometimes I made others angry. Some of their words left scars. Deep scars I carried with me for years. Logically, the source was angry, and I knew it. I understood it. But I also believed what they said. Their words were vicious and cruel. I still think they meant them.

I’d get sad. It haunted me. Time doesn’t heal everything. Sometimes it makes it worse. I’d hear those words over and over again.

It took time, but I learned from this.

To prevent harm:

I understand feeling anger and being cruel are two different things. When I’m angry—still not perfect—I watch my mouth.

I found a solution (for me at any rate).

And to protect myself:

I remember that I’m the one that gives those words power over me. To take the power away, I must not believe them. Sure, everyone has a right to an opinion.

It doesn’t mean it’s true—period. Or that everyone agrees with them. Or that I should accept their opinion as a fact.

I refuse. I’m in control.

With that simple opinion—my opinion which is just as valid as theirs—I take the power of hurtful, thoughtless words and make them disappear.

Behind our good manners and overall respect for others, we don’t know what we do. We all have history. Nics and cuts from long ago. So does everyone else.

One small comment. A teasing joke meant as acceptance. A thought said aloud, normally harmless, can cut to the core. We can’t prevent it. We’re not psychics.

Know this. Feel this.

Be honest if you can and gentle if you can’t.

That said, each reader has a choice to suspend disbelief and dive into a story. I hope each time they do, they have a hell of a ride.

Words are power.

Please add your thoughts on how words work for you. 😉

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IWSG 59: Quotes To Keep Me Going

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This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

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Co-Hosts: J.H. Moncrieff | Natalie Aguirre | Patsy Collins | Chemist Ken

OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: If you could use a wish to help you write just one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?

If I could wish for anything it would be to trust myself enough to believe that anything I write is worth reading. The only solace I found is I’m not the only one who faced doubt in their career.

I don’t have your quotes, but I did find some others.

Quotes when searching for the right word:

“I am irritated by my own writing. I am like a violinist whose ear is true, but whose fingers refuse to reproduce precisely the sound he hears within.”—Gustave Flaubert

“One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.”–Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”–Benjamin Franklin

Quotes driven by emotion:

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”–Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”–Anne Frank

about Imagination:

“You can make anything by writing.”–C.S. Lewis

Judgement vs understanding:

“As a writer, you should not judge, you should understand.”― Ernest Hemingway

To help find joy:

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”

― William W. Purkey

I always add : “Write like no one will read it,”

Feel free to add your favorite quotes in the comments. I’d love to read them.  🙂

IWSG 58: Villian’s Motivation

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This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

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This month’s co-hosts:

Fundy Blue | Beverly Stowe McClure | Erika Beebe | Lisa Buie-Collard

Before I begin, I’d like to include a disclaimer: I may understand and share many concepts on the art/craft of writing. Unfortunately for me, I find the execution of some of these ideas very challenging.

Anything I share comes from my deep curiosity and willingness to learn more about the craft. This does not mean I’m able to use what I share with proficient skill. Like everyone else I must practice and make it my own.

‘Nough said. 🙂

Optional Question: Whose perspective do you like to write from best—the hero or villain’s—and why?

Lately I’ve been writing in first person and sticking to the hero’s point of view. As my son would say, “It’s a form of wish fulfillment.”

He’s not wrong when it comes to me. Like many, I do dream of being brave, righteous. Following clues, and proving my great mind (which is not all that) is sharp enough to solve the most confusing of crimes.

Evil act by an evil doer

In reality I find villains especially hard to write. Not so much wish fulfillment there. It turns out I don’t have an intentional mean bone in my body. That causes a problem the moment I try to write some evil act from the point of view of any villain.

I learned to approach the problem from the villains-are-the-hero-of-their-own-story angle. They don’t believe for one minute that anything they do is wrong.

Villainous motivation are based on:

• The protection/defense of self and/or their loved ones.
• Grief. The loss of a loved one that may lead to revenge or warped justice.
• Unresolved family issues and a desperate need for their acceptance. To prove their worth or to earn the love of a family member.
• Facing a rival and proving they are the best.
• Greed comes in many forms. A deep need for more. More love, more property, more power. But if the need is only about money, the motive comes across weak to me.
• Fear. Two ideas are prominent here. (1) The villain’s concern for the future and is willing to do anything (no matter how evil) to change it. (2) Or they see the hero as a threat to humanity because absolute power leads to absolute corruption.
• The search of knowledge, Which raises the question if they can physically do something (change genetic code, create a cleaner power source, etc), should they? The most innocent creations have been weaponized.
• Ultimate power over a person, place or nation.
• Jealousy or envy is also a great motivator.
• Escaping/achieving their destiny. Think superheroes/villains.
• In some cases they don’t have motives. I’m thinking of the Joker in the Dark Knight.

Almost all these motivations come from the past. Check out my previous post on timelines if you want to read more.

It’s amazing how much a person can gain over time: a good job, spouse, children, and position in community. Turns out it is a lot to lose.

Add a vile act (best) forgotten and left in the past.

But someone (the antagonist) has a long memory. This memory has been festering and eventually must be acted upon.

The rest evolves into a story.

Where do your antagonist’s motivations come from? In your case, maybe the villain is a rival or an eventual lover; tell us about it.

Gleaned from:

• https://filmschoolrejects.com/villain-motivations/
• http://www.superheronation.com/2010/08/17/15-interesting-motivations-for-villains-and-heroes/
• https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-better-characters/writing-villains-reasons-motives-evildoers-antagonists-antiheroes

IWSG #57: DIY Book Covers

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This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

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Co-Hosts: Raimey Gallant, | Natalie Aguirre, | CV Grehan, | Michelle Wallace!

OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: Besides writing, what other creative outlets do you have?

I’ve messed around with covers. What do you think?

It’s amazing what a person can find online these days.

Here’s the YouTube that started it all:

It’s a how-to series. I followed the advice and my heart and this is where I landed. Didn’t hurt that I got Photoshop (not the subscription but the disc) for Xmas in 2018. I’ve played. I’ve had fun. Learned a lot. A LOT!

Graphic design is nothing like drawing (I only dabbled in sketching, etc.). Some say I have the eye. I know what I like. It’s all subjective like choosing the perfect read.

On another note: still in a funk. Will it ever end?

Have a great month! This time you’ll need to do it for both of us. 🙂

IWSG #56: Just Trudging Along

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This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

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Co-Hosts:

Patricia Lynne | Lisa Buie-Collard | Kim Lajevardi | Fundy Blue

OPTIONAL Question: What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?

My favorite question: Can I read your work?

It’s exciting and frightening (even now) and a leap of faith into the abyss. I get mixed reactions which can be hurtful, helpful and depend completely on the reader’s ability to share their thoughts constructively.

Wattpad has helped with this—a lot.

Worst question: Why do you keep going?

The answer is I don’t know.

I’m in the dumps when it comes to my writing. It’s hard to stay positive when the rejections keep coming. All my fault. I’m the one submitting. Anyway, so things have been tough. I keep writing though and that is good.

I’m struggling with my next project big time and don’t expect what I’m working on to go anywhere, but still keep going.

I’m like the mule that sees the carrot and knows it’s a trick. I don’t have the heart to stop. It would make it all too real. And the worst part is then I won’t move forward.

Sorry for being a downer this round. I just can’t help it.