Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog
AND the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop
Always on the first Wednesday of the month.
#IWSGbloghop
What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. To find out more, click this link: Insecure Writer’s Support Group
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 to join.
✰✰✰✰
Thank you to the co-hosts for the December 2 posting of the IWSG--Pat Garcia, Sylvia Ney, Liesbet @ Roaming About Cathrina Constantine, and Natalie Aguirre!
 |
| Question of the Month |
Are there months or times of the year that you are more productive
with your writing than other months, and why?
My usual writing time splintered when COVID hit. I could not focus on anything for a couple of months. Trying to wring out a sentence, let alone, a whole story or blog post was similar to me throwing a wad of words in the air. When they landed on the paper, they made a jumbled mess.
Usually, I am more productive during the winter months when we are in Florida. The family is in Michigan so there is no babysitting or family dinners. I don't attend any writers' meetings or Bible studies. Those are all available in our area, however, getting away for the winter is similar to the way I felt when going to church camp as a kid. No responsibility. And I like to keep it that way, so I can concentrate on writing, reading and playing.
BIG NEWS!
 |
| Arranging a Dream: A Memoir Winter Book Tour kicks off this Friday, December 4. |
I am so excited to hit the road and visit bloggers and readers during the Virtual Book Tour for my new release from BWL Publishing, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir.
December 4--Multigenre author Sandra Cox will be my first host on the tour on Friday, December 4 at Sandra's Place. Click here to join us for a lesson on fresh flower arranging. A lucky commenter will receive a free copy of the memoir too. You could be the one!
I could not have taught anyone how to arrange flowers when we purchased the flower shop and greenhouse operation in 1976. I knew nothing about flowers and GT (who now can be known as Greenhouse Ted as well as Gardener Ted) grew flats of flowers and veggies in his own little hobby house attached to the back of the garage. Why would the owners of the floral shop even consider selling the place to us? I don't know, but I do know they probably regretted it. Talk about conflict in a story. There's plenty in this one.
December 16--I'll be popping in for a Question and Answer session with my friend and memoirist Nan Sanders Pokerwinski. In fact, her award-winning memoir, Mango Rash, inspired me to publish my memoir. When you stop by, be sure to take some time to browse through her blog for amazing photos and interviews. Click here to find us at her home in the northwoods of Michigan on December 16.
 |
| The December edition of The Rose Courier will be delivered next week. Click here to keep up-to-date with JQ Rose, read articles, meet new authors, get freebies and more. |
Happy December!
Happy IWSG Day!
23 comments:
I live in Michigan too. I am looking forward to winter with no yard work to get more writing down. It sounds like you will have a much warmer experience in Florida. Congrats on your new book release!
Another Michigander here. I totally get why you're so productive in the winter. "At home" we always find things we should do instead of writing. Being unfocused during the pandemic hit me, too. Only mine has gone on almost all year. Congrats on your newest release!
Thank you, Natalie. Yes, a lot warmer here in FL. And no snow. You'll be warm in your cozy home curled up under an afghan and reading. That sounds good to me.
Thanks, Diane. You are so right! And my home here has a lot less housekeeping. I hope you are able to focus now on your writing.
My writing took a plunge when COVID first hit, too.
I'm sorry I wasn't around to sign up for your blog tour. If you'd like a spot on my blog, please email me. I can fit you in some time in January or February. Let me know. Congratulations on your new release!
congratulations on your book launch. It sounds wonderful. If you'd like to guest on my blog, I'd be thrilled to host you!
Huge congrats, JQ. If I can lend a hand, let me know. I've been buried in family issues, so I haven't had much time online for a few weeks. Hope that will change soon.
Congrats on the tour. Enjoy the ride. ;-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
Hey, JQ. Looks like you're going to have a few more places to visit. I'll email you and we'll set up a date. Let's make it chatty they way Helena does hers. So fun, like we're really together. Fortunately, I didn't get hit by the Covid writing blahs as with so many of us. I 've read of lots of folks hit by this. Maybe because most of the time I was editing my recent release, but now I'm working on next year's book and so far (knocking loudly on wood), words are flowing. Fingers crossed this continues. I'll share. :)
Sometime it seems like a bad dream. The strangest part is every other person in the entire world feels a sense of what I'm feeling. That's bizarre. No other time in my history can I remember everyone relating on some level.
It's funny, for me when the lockdowns hit, I was more productive than ever... writing unpublishable content. I couldn't post half of what I was writing because I knew no one wanted to read or think about COVID right now. So I've got several posts that may never get posted. When this is over, I think we all want to put it behind us - just like people wanted to 100 years ago, masks and all.
Congratulations on publishing your memoir. What an accomplishment! I do agree with you about the pandemic affecting how we feel about writing -- and our productivity. And yet, somehow, each day brings that opportunity to create. Celebrate the gifts of discipline and insight!
Hi JQ, I'm sorry to hear how covid affected your writing. I've heard so many people say the same. Many congratulations again on your release, and I'm glad you were able to write your way through it. I hope your winter in Florida is productive!
Throwing a wad of words in the air. I love it!
Thrilled to have you on the blog.
Suerte en tu libro te mando un beso
Thank you. I'm having a great time with it.
Yay--words are flowing. Always good news!
I agree with you-- a world-wide community going through this crisis. Now if we can hold onto hope, we can encourage others and lift them up with our strong hope and faith this menace of an illness will be gone and life will resume to normal.
I know writing can be comforting to get all the thoughts out on a page, jumbled or not. A real release. I bet you'll find some gems for future release.
Thanks, Beth for reminding us to celebrate our gifts. So many things to be thankful for if we just stop and look.
Thank you, Helena.
Thrilled to be there! Thank you.
Gracias, J.P.
Post a Comment