IWSG 139: Passing Strangers Inspire My Writing

Posted on June 3, 2026 | 48 comments

question

Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

Some answers

When I did an internet search, it listed things like observation, ‘what-if’ scenarios, life experience, reading and art, new items, and the unconscious.

My answer

As I scanned the few pages, I noticed the word inspiration and that hit home with me. I’m inspired by weirdest things. Like a lone dog trucking down the side of a road, a kid dragging their feet as they follow an adult, the face on a person enjoying ice cream or watching the river…

I guess I get inspired by other people.

As a young woman I would watch cars go by and wonder where they were going or what they were leaving behind. I’d make up little stories about them.

Keep in mind my stories (like my daily life) seemed to look for death, lost and the huge gaps left behind. I lost a sibling when I was younger and it proved to me that not everyone is there forever. Another lesson is to watch my mouth, the last thing you said to them may hang in the air and haunt you for many years to come.

Inspiration comes from being curious and grows from there. My handle ‘emaginette’ evolved from imagine-it. Every time I forgot my password I made up another handle.

Imagine it or the what-if scenario is where I live when I want to grow a story into something more.

Question for you

When you were a kid, did you ever wonder about the people passing you on the street, sitting on a bus, or drinking coffee with a newspaper? How did it start for you?

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

Victoria Marie Lees | Sarah Foster | Natalie Aguirre | C. Lee McKenzie

 

~~~oOo~~~

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.

~~~oOo~~~

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IWSG 138: The Power of Feedback

Posted on May 6, 2026 | 28 comments

Question

What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

My answer

Immediate reactions like laughing or cringing. Knowing I connected through emotion is golden to me. I’ll sigh with happiness.

Moments in the mss that make a reader want to put the work down—even for five minutes.

Things that don’t work and a few suggestions on what I could do differently. As long as it’s honest and constructive, I’ll treasure it.

the actual answer they were looking for

A critter remarked about a description of stairs leading to a basement where a vampire was sleeping. And all the feedback said was, ‘I can see this’.

Another was how they loved the forensic details when I was describing a high-tech sci-fi autopsy. It wasn’t graphic; a machine was doing most of the heavy lifting. Hehehe

Some suggestions for the new critter

  • Start with a disclaimer that whatever you share is just one person’s opinion and you want the writer to only use the feedback that helps them meet their goals.
  • When do they need it back?
  • Before writing a word, think about the stage of the piece. Is it a first draft, or have they been working on it for years? What does the writer need from you?
  • Possible elements to consider: from big-picture items like too much telling (exposition), plot holes, character arcs, pacing, structure, clarity, flow and theme to small but just as important scene/chapter issues like the protagonist’s goals, obstacles, tension + rising action, concrete details, characterization, point of view, descriptions, dialogue. The last thing is typos, punctuation, and grammatical mistakes, but only—and I mean only, if they ask you.
  • Note the positive as well as where they lost you.
  • It’s not what you say but how you say it: Be specific: give details on how it went wrong for you. Offer some brainstorming that is a quick fix in your opinion that might help solve the issue.
  • Remember to ask questions if something is unclear. I usually tell my victims that if it is not on the page, it doesn’t exist. Writers see the world they are writing about much more clearly than the reader, so help them get it down. hehehe
  • Be supportive because it takes a lot of exhaustive work and commitment to complete any story. Never mind how vulnerable anyone is when they ask for an honest opinion.
  • It’s a delicate and fragile moment in their life, so be constructive and encouraging every chance you get.

Last thing you need to know:

Reading the whole piece without sharing a single comment is not okay. Even one or two vague comments are not okay. It leaves the writer hanging and wondering what you thought. The goal of anyone offering feedback is to state clearly and gently what works for them and what doesn’t. You’ll very likely feel vulnerable too. As if anything that is semi-negative is bad. It isn’t. The writer needs to know before they send it out into the world.

Think of the rejection process and help them succeed.

Question for you.

Has anyone ever offered to read for you and not left much feedback? What did you walk away thinking?

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

Jenni Enzor | Jemima Pett | Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun | Kim Lajevardi

 

 

~~~oOo~~~

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.

~~~oOo~~~

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IWSG 137: My Carnival Playlist

Posted on April 1, 2026 | 22 comments

THE OPTIONAL IWSG QUESTION THIS MONTH

If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs?

My Answer

I took some advice from an author that posted she used playlists to put her back in her story immediately. Apparently, she had many interruptions and wrote when she could.

It was the fastest way for her to jump back in.

It sounded good, so I tried it when I was writing a short. The theme was carnivals; I found about 10 songs and played them as I wrote.

It did work.

Because I’m not an audiophile, it took hours to find the right songs to set the mood, and it didn’t seem worth it in the long run. I suppose if I had a 100k ahead of me and my time broken up among many commitments it may have been more helpful.

Link to Carnival Playlist

NOW YOUR QUESTION

Have you found any playlists on Spotify that any of us might like? What was their tone?

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

Melissa Maygrove | Cathrina Constantine | Kate Larkinsdale | Rebecca Douglass

 

~~~oOo~~~

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.

~~~oOo~~~

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IWSG 136: Book Marketing with Cover Reveals and Virtual Blog Tours

Posted on March 4, 2026 | 36 comments

THE OPTIONAL IWSG QUESTION THIS MONTH

What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?

My Answer

A long time ago there were two things that we did to promote our releases.

To start with you’ll need to collect volunteers, so post a Cover Reveal Google Form or something similar, and gather names, blogs, email addresses of the people who want to help.

Cover Reveal

Once settled on a cover, pick a day. All the volunteers post simultaneously to build momentum for the release.

The post should consist of cover art, book details (title, by line, release date, book blurb), author image, bio and social media links. This evolves into your marketing package.

Virtual Blog Tour

You’ll have to post for a second collection of volunteers. The form will look the same as the cover reveal, but will also ask for more information. Things like available dates during the tour and what type of post they’d like: guest post, interview, excerpt, or playlist.

If you’ve designed your marketing package, all you need to add are the purchasing links, and giveaway information.

Some hints for success

Your hosts are doing you a huge favour so make it as easy on them as possible. Supply the marketing package so they can copy and paste the parts they want use into their post. Also forward a list all the blog stops with their dates as soon as it’s complete. They may want to post this as well.

Remember to make all posts as upbeat and fun as possible. Hint that they can go to other sites and enter the contests again if they like.

The giveaway I organized mine through Rafflecopter. It worked really well to collect the contestants and randomly select the winners. Besides signed cover art, bookmarks and the actual book, I included some zipper pulls and bracelets I made myself to the prizes.

Seek several guest post suggestions from your host before setting a date for your appearance. Remember to visit the blog once the post is up and respond to all the comments. Don’t leave your host hanging; it could cost you next time.

Guest Post Ideas

A Fab Five or Top Ten also needs a suggestion on what to write. It could be your five favourite foods or you top ten vacation spots. It just a simple way for the reader to get to know the person behind the book.

Some authors have shared playslist of what they listened to while they wrote and what inspired their imaginations.

And finally, there is the excerpt. Just a clip of what the reader can expect when they purchase the book.

Quotable Quotes

While you revise, choose some lines that you feel would promote the book and post them in social media to tease your readers. Be sure to share as much about yourself as you do about your upcoming release.

No one enjoys a salesman in their face 24/7.

Publishing has a lot of ups and downs. This is an up that cannot be truly described until you get there. While riding this wonderful wave of excitement, enjoy yourself.

 

Its all about Marketing

I have the old blog posts under my Marketing tab above for anyone that wants to take a look for more. But be warned, they are from a long time ago, so expect missing images and dated info.

NOW YOUR QUESTION

Ever hosted a virtual tour. What worked and what didn’t?

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

PJ Colando | Ronel Janse van Vuuren | Natalie Aguirre

~~~oOo~~~

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.

~~~oOo~~~

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IWSG 135: What Have I Done?

Posted on February 4, 2026 | 33 comments

THE OPTIONAL IWSG QUESTION THIS MONTH

Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you?

Handwritten, I don’t have any of my poems or work from my teenage years. Mostly because I was focused on death and the fact my young mind couldn’t let go of losing a sibling.

Typewritten, I have a folder full of pages that I don’t look at much. I know me and I’d want to enter it all into my computer—not that anything would happen after that.

Out into the world (and gotten my rights back), have been visited regularly; however, I find myself in revision hell—yes, please slap my hand. It’s hard to say when it’s done. I had to make a decision between leaving it, and not looking back, or revising it into garbage.

I never stop thinking I might submit, but I’m good with leaving my work on my computer, so it may never go further.

Lets face it writing is emotional. Most often personal. It takes a lot to write the truth and share it with the page—never mind anyone else. It’s not for everyone even if they can write beautifully.

 My Answer

So yes, I’ve re-read my work and have amazed myself. Put myself in a story I had long forgotten and enjoyed it deeply. That doesn’t mean it should be out there for public consumption.

But don’t we all write as if no one with read it.

NOW YOUR QUESTION

Who do you write for? Are they they your alpha reader?

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

J Lenni Dorner | Victoria Marie Lees | Sandra Cox

~~~oOo~~~

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.

~~~oOo~~~

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