Focused on Story

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

IWSG Blog Hop: A Writer's Surprises Along the Path to Becoming an Author, #IWSGbloghop

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

To find out more, click here.

The purpose of the group is

* 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!

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group.

Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!

Happy November 2025!

Thank you to our awesome co-hosts for the November 5 posting of the IWSG Blog Hop: Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!

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November 5 Question

When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

When I began writing in the second grade, I wrote for the joy of dreaming up stories and sharing them with classmates. I was rewarded with watching my friends smile as they read.

Fast forward to when we sold our business, and I finally had the opportunity to write the stories I had waited 40 years to share. I always knew I was meant to be a writer.

After selling our flower shop, I put on my writer's hat and boldly visited the editor of my local newspaper to offer ideas for articles I could submit to the paper. To my surprise, he actually published my first submission and then many more. I was thrilled when I saw my first byline. I learned so much from Richard. He was a great editor. I did get a bit miffed when he cut a portion of my article to make space for an ad. But that's the business end of it. He needed ads to keep the paper going.

When we decided to RV full-time, I began penning travel stories for RV magazines. I was surprised when the magazines published my photos that accompanied my articles. Plus, I was paid to visit places I enjoyed!

After eight years of writing nonfiction, I returned to fiction, hoping to rediscover the joy I felt as a seven-year-old. Stories that had lived in my mind for years poured onto the page—short stories, cozy mysteries. I was thrilled to be part of a supportive group of writers who encouraged me along the way. We met every Friday at the Koffee Kuppe in our hometown, sharing ideas and laughter. The best part? All four of us eventually became published authors.

When my first book was accepted and published, I was surprised not to receive a royalty check for nearly a year. I believe it was an oversight on the publisher’s part—she paid me promptly when I brought it up. Looking back, I realize I was too inexperienced to speak up sooner. I’ve since learned how many dishonest people prey on writers, promising to make their books #1 bestsellers on Amazon, only to take their money and disappear. Be aware.

I believe the biggest surprise I had in this writing business was the generosity and support of fellow authors. I was in the retail business for 19+ years. We had competitors, but we didn't help each other out like authors did. I wrote cozy mysteries, and fellow mystery writers would give advice to this newbie. Just like the amazing members of IWSG offer their wisdom and support to fellow writers.

As an author, the last and best surprise is how I have made friends throughout the world. This could never have happened if I hadn't put myself out there as an author. I haven't met all the authors/writers face-to-face, and yet, they are some of my best friends.

Writing has enriched my life, offering experiences I never expected. I am grateful that I can claim authorship at this time in my life, allowing me to have connections with writers, to have a purpose for my life, and to learn something new every day.

A heartfelt thank-you to all the volunteers at IWSG who keep this incredible community thriving!

🍁🍁🍁🍁

Click here to sign up and to visit amazing bloggers this week.

Thank you for stopping in.

Please leave a comment below about the surprises you have had during your writing career.

J.Q. Rose, Author

Connect online with JQ Rose:

Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

IWSG Blog Hop: My Favorite Writing and New Book Release by Dr. Bob Rich

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

To find out more, click here.

The purpose of the group is

* 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!

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group.

Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!

Happy October

The awesome co-hosts for the October 1 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!

Hello and Welcome to the Focus on Story blog and to the IWSG Blog Hop!

Before I answer the Blog Hop question of the month, it is my honor to introduce you to an outstanding author and friend from Australia, Dr Bob Rich. He just released his new book, The Hole in Your Life: Grief and Bereavement.

The Hole in Your Life
Bob Rich, PhD

Dr. Bob emailed me this message. "My daughter died in December, and to honour her memory, I had my 20th book published, The Hole in Your Life: Grief and Bereavement. As part of healing from my loss, I want to reduce the suffering of others insofar as it is within my power, and this book is my tool."

This is a timely book as the holiday season approaches. For those who have lost loved ones, the holidays are difficult times when we face the empty seat at the table. The book guides you when your world falls apart, whether because of the loss of a loved person, other disasters like bankruptcy, divorce or natural disaster, or “merely” experiencing second-hand grief at all the suffering we see on the news.

Dr. Bob has decades of experience in providing counseling and psychological services. This little book, written with humor, uses stories to teach the ways of thinking and acting that help resolve grief. You can read a little about it at http://grief.lhpress.com

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About Dr. Bob:

Bob Rich, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in psychology in 1972. He worked as an academic, researcher and applied scientist until "retiring" the first time at 36 years of age. Later, he returned to psychology and qualified in Counseling Psychology and ran a private practice for over 20 years. During this time, he was on the national executive of the College of Counselling Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), then spent three years as a Director of the APS. He was the therapist referrers sent their most difficult cases to.

As you can see from his picture, tiny kids laugh at Bob, perhaps because they think he looks funny. When he walks down the street, strangers smile at him. This comes with the territory of being a Professional Grandfather. Since

Dr. Bob
Author and Grandpa

all sentient beings (on earth and elsewhere) are his family, his joy is to spread smiles, which act as boomerangs. That is very appropriate for an Australian storyteller.

One of Bob’s personal cliches is, “Writing is the chocolate icing on the cake of life,” even when it concerns topics like grief and depression. Click here to sample a few of his short stories and essays at his blog, Bobbing Around.

His long term policy is to offer a free e-book to any new subscriber to Bobbing Around, and anyone who sends him proof of purchase of one of his books. What have you got to lose but boredom?

* * * *

October 1 Question

What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

This is an easy question to answer. I enjoyed writing a romantic suspense novel, Dangerous Sanctuary. The characters are funny and quirky, and so were the situations they faced. The scenes and conversations about who killed the choir director were not funny. I giggled as I wrote the scene where Pastor Christine is

Dangerous Sanctuary

left with the responsibility of taking care of a kangaroo and a pig.

Why did I write this story about a woman who is the pastor of a small church in a small town in West Michigan? The spark was ignited by a challenge from our pastor (who was a woman) to explain why we were followers of Jesus. She only asked for a short, 3-minute elevator pitch. But instead, I wrote an entire book! As one reviewer said, "There's no preaching."

Back of the Book:

Pastor Christine Hobbs has been in the pulpit business for over five years. She never imagined herself caring for a flock that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer.

Detective Cole Stephens doesn't want the pretty pastor to get away with murdering the church music director. His investigative methods infuriate Christine as much as his deep brown eyes attract her.

Can they find the real killer and build a loving relationship based on trust?

* * * *

Please leave your thoughts below on how you choose your favorite writing project.

Thanks for stopping in today!!

Click here to visit more participants in the IWSG Blog Hop!!

Watercolor painting is by me! I've been playing with watercolor this summer and loving it. You too?

Connect online with JQ Rose:

Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

IWSG Blog Hop: AI for Writers and Broken Laptops #IWSGbloghop

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

To find out more, click here.

The purpose of the group is

* 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!

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group.

Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!

Happy September!

The awesome co-hosts for the September 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight!

September 3 question - What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others, with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or creating outlines\beats?

I do not use AI when working on a creative writing project because a story comes from my heart. I don't believe AI can replicate human emotions....yet.

Yes, I use it for research, similar to using plain old Google or reference books in the library in the pre-AI age. I use AI to brainstorm ideas just like we did in our writers' groups, meeting at the Koffee Kuppe. Although writers come up with more creative and fun discussions!

Talk About Insecure!

When my laptop broke, about a week into August 2025, I felt insecure or perhaps uncomfortable without it. A lot of my day depends on being at the desk with that little machine.

My broken laptop

My laptop's plastic border around the front of the screen came unglued. I took it to Luke, my computer guy, who knows all about computers and can fix anything at his shop, Fremont Computer, in Fremont, Michigan.

He was honest and said there was no way to fix it. But, being the sweet guy he is, he taped the border onto the screen. Yes, taped it. Alas, by the next morning, the tape had lost the battle.

Okay, so Gardener Ted, also known as Handyman Ted, my hubby, took the screen out to his shop and screwed it down. I thought it was a brilliant idea, but that lasted a couple of days until the plastic around the screen cracked, resulting in broken plastic shards. It was a wreck.

We called Dell for help. They said to mail it to them for $59. so they could diagnose the damage. Three days later, they reported the laptop was at their warehouse in California and they would soon diagnose the problem. To make a long story short, they would not work on the laptop because it was a biohazard. A what?

Needless to say I had to depend on Professor Google to explain biohazard in a computer. The AI Overview explained--In the context of a laptop, "biohazard" is not a formal or universally used technical term. Instead, it is an informal label used by repair technicians to describe a device that poses a biological or health risk due to extreme filth or unsanitary conditions.

Say what??? Yes, they mailed it back to us tightly wrapped in two layers of plastic, so

the creatures or environmental dangers would not escape.

When I picked up my new laptop, I asked Luke if he had ever heard of a biohazard in a computer. He was not familiar with that term. He immediately brought my old laptop out from his workroom. He took off the back and searched around in it. I held my breath waiting for a bug to crawl out, a worm to wiggle its way between the widgets on the board, or to discover nasty, dirty junk that would make me throw up. But, no, it was clean. Thank goodness.

He said he had an experience with a laptop that came in for repair. When he checked it out, the outside of the laptop had a gooey substance in the openings. When he opened it, the entire inside was loaded with dead Japanese Beetles. He said he hightailed it out of there to throw it in the trash barrel in back of the store!

The writer part of my brain brightened. "I bet you have a lot of stories to tell about experiences as a computer guy." I can assure you I will be back to Luke's shop, but not for a repair or a new machine. I'll be back asking questions about running a computer store and listening to all his stories!!

Have you heard of a biohazard in a laptop? Any fun story about your life with a laptop?? Please leave your thoughts below.

Thanks for stopping in today!!

Click here to visit more participants in the IWSG Blog Hop!!

Author J.Q. Rose and Handyman Ted

Connect online with JQ Rose:

Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

IWSG Blog Hop: Writers Beware!

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

To find out more, click here.

The purpose of the group is

* 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!

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group.

Click here to sign up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!

Happy August!

The awesome co-hosts for the August 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim!

Smiley is wishing you a fantastic day with the IWSG bloggers!

August 6 question

What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Nothing is more unethical in the publishing industry than vanity publishers. In so many Facebook groups, I meet a new writer who was caught in the web of these deceitful publishers. The vanity publisher takes advantage of unknowing writers, convincing them that he can make the writer's book a bestseller on amazon and earn thousands of dollars in book sales, promising he will never take a percentage of the royalties when the writer signs the contract . Then the unscrupulous publisher snickers when he sees the $ 4,000 payment for his services show up in his bank account, so pleased knowing he doesn't have to sell one book for the novice writer because he has made his money up front. I have met folks who have been drawn into the wicked scheme.

Picture the steam swirling around my head when I hear how someone has been taken in by a smooth talker. I have the same reaction when a little old lady has been swindled by a scammer who promises to roof her house, or install new windows, or paint the driveway. He asks for 50% of the overblown payment in advance, but he never shows up at the lady's house to do any work.

Writers beware. Research your publisher before signing a contract.

Please leave a comment below on how you check the reputation of publishing houses. Have you been caught by a vanity publisher?

Thanks for stopping in today!!

Click here to visit more participants in the IWSG Blog Hop!!

Connect online with JQ Rose:

Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com