The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.
The
awesome co-hosts for the April 5 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Nancy Gideon, and Natalie Aguirre!
Every month, we announce a question that members
can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice,
insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in
your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something
to say.
Remember,
the question is optional!
April 5 question - Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you're at the start of the journey, what are your goals?
I do indeed. Unfortunately, it never saw the light of day. I started writing in the dark ages. Back then, it was trad or die. Mine died😊 But I’ve been writing ever since. My writing goal was to be successful enough to support myself with my writing. Unfortunately, that never materialized. But that’s okay. Mind you, I’d click my heels in the air then come down and do a tap dance, if I ever got a movie contract or hit Amazon’s number one bestseller😊 but for right now I just keep fighting the good fight or more like writing a good fight😊 What about you?
March/April Reviews in no particular order.
* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.
A delightful short
Piper, a young female reporter, loses her job at the same time she loses her good luck charm—a dried red carnation from a high school crush—and blames her misfortunes on the loss of her charm. Between jobs, she heads back home where she reunites with her best friend Jack and begins to reevaluate where her luck really lies.
I really enjoy the author’s writing style. Her stories flow smoothly and are well-developed. Her characters are fleshed-out and relatable, and her world building is seamless. Everything I’ve read by Ms. Troilo has held my interest. If you’re looking for a fun read that will leave you with a smile on your face when you finish it, I highly recommend this story and this series😉
Available at Amazon
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and finished it in one sitting. The writing sparkled, funny in parts, suspenseful in others. The descriptive visuals flowed like poetry. The characters were down to earth, likeable and relatable. AND the story has a cat in it😊Definitely one of my favorites by this author. Highly recommended to Biggar fans—of which I am one—and anyone just looking for a feel-good tale.
AND Don't ya just love this cover? It had me at the cat:)
Available at Amazon
A gem of a collection.
These captivating shorts were all written by young people. Their narratives range from paranormal, horror and suspense to relationship abuse. Every story well told.
As fascinating as I found the stories and they were all exceptionally well written, I found the brief bios at the end of the stories even more so. For example: “As a critter lover, Ashlyn wants to assure readers that no animals are ever harmed in the making of any of her stories.” 😊 FYI: Ashlyn is an 8th grade honor student.
Another writer is an ‘advocate for teen dating violence victims’.
Another is in the 4th grade.
One is a teen bakery owner.
One is a member of an improv troupe. And the list goes on.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and think you will to. There’s something for everyone. Kudos to the writers. Their author-mentor and their publisher, both of whom, made this book possible.
Available at Amazon
This nonfiction is geared toward the teaching profession and those interested in joining the profession. I’m not a teacher, but my husband was, and my son and daughter are, so I read the book with great interest.
Mr. Springer touches all bases. He delves into working with co-workers, the administrators, students and their parents.
He shares the frustrations that teachers encounter in their chosen profession along with special students he’s had and moments he’s shared with them. He even touches on setting up the classroom.
And though, as mentioned previously, I’m not an instructor, I thoroughly enjoyed the read and appreciate how much of himself the author shared with the reader.
My take away: We need more folks like this talented man teaching our children. Recommended for the professionals, parents and those that just enjoy a feel-good read.
Available at Amazon
FYI: Scammers have moved into the writing world. Natalie Acquire had an excellent article on literary agent scammers you might want to check out.
http://www.literaryrambles.com/2023/03/agent-scam-alert-how-to-protect.html
31 comments:
Hi Sandra - you seem to have unlocked a good series of books and won some awards for them ... you're a stalwart in our world! Congratulations to all who continue on their journey. Happy Easter and cheers - Hilary
Ah yes, the publishing dark ages - I remember them well. When self-publishing meant paying £££s for 10 boxes of books which would get stored in dusty corners of your house without anyway to sell them to readers. Luckily, the industry is so much more accessible now so we get to read much more widely - as your reviews indicate!
That's so sweet you read Tales From the Valley. Yes, the kids themselves are really impressive. And you'd never know those stories were written by people under 20.
My first book went on submission but never got published either. I'm still writing like you are. And thanks so much for the shout-out about my blog post. I really appreciate it.
I have some books that were on an external hard drive that died, so they'll never see the light of day. Probably a good thing...
Ronel visiting for IWSG day If The Author’s Life Were a Fairy Tale
Keep up the good work, I'm so glad we've moved towards other publishing methods now. And yes, scam alert, writers. They've been around a while but are MUCH more sophisticated now. I suppose they'll be written by AI next.
Thanks for joining in the IWSG today.
Jemima
I love your books, Sandra, you have a great style, and describe things so well that I can picture them! Hugs, Valerie
That's all we can do - just keep fighting.
It amazes me how some people that are so young can write a book, whereas for me, I have never written a book. It is not that I would not like to, but I have no idea as to how I would go about it.
I started writing a mystery about 15 years ago and never finished it. I applaud you and your timeless work in the writing industry. And thanks for letting us know about scammers. I learned a LOT from her article and what to look for if I ever finish my mystery.
YOU brought me back to loving Westerns again. Thank you. I gobble up every Western you write and am shouting for more! I'm going to check out those feel-good books you reviewed. We need more of them at this moment.
Thanks for sharing. Writing sounds like art in terms of supporting onself.
Some books need to stay in the drawer or on your C Drive!. I have some of those, which reminds me that I have to get rid of them so nobody except me ever sees them.
Thanks, Hils. I appreciate that AND Happy Easter to you too;)
Annalisa, Yeah, been there. Done that;)
Di, I'm just blown away by the talent AND kudos to you for publishing it.
My pleasure, Natalie. That was an awesome article. Very helpful.
Ronel, I hate when that happens.
I think we all have that first book in the back drawer story! I know I do! The key is to keep writing and seek out the right platform for you and your story. And than you for spreading the word about the scamming. Ugh. So frustrating!
Same. Writing is what I do. Along with breathing, eating and sleeping. Where it lands is fine. I'm already the star in my life. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
Jemima, AI is a little scary....Thanks for co-hosting.
Thank you, Val. I so appreciate hearing that.
Lon, I'm sure you have a book in you.
Alex, We keep on, keeping on, don't we?
Elizabeth, When you finish;)
Aww. Thanks, Cuz. Glad to hear it. Yup, we can't get too much feel good right now, for sure.
Christine, It is indeed:)
Lee, I'm betting your drawer WIPS are worth bringing into the light;)
Jen, Scamming is just wrong, isn't it?
Anna, Yup, writing is right up there with eating and breathing:)
Mi primer libro fue una historia de fantasía y como tu una parte si desea ser publicada Pero ahora me alegro de escribir y terminar mis proyectos. Te mando un beso.
It's a good thing you kept going! Congratulations on your new release.
Great reviews, Sandra :) I've read and loved all but one of them. I've been writing since typewriters and carbon paper. Glad we have the different options now. Hugs xo
Wonderful reviews, Sandra. I've read several of them and concur with your sentiments. Great writers all. Thank you for sharing! ❤️
Fantastic reviews, Sandra! Of these, I've only read Staci Troilo's short story, but loved it. I have some of the others waiting for me on my TBR list. In answer to your question, YES, I definitely remember my first book and the joy of holding a physical copy in my hands. It started a whole entire new path in life for me. Thanks for sharing!
You might be a " starving artist" but so was Van Gogh and look at his works now! You love what you do and you have the privilege of doing it which is great. You gave a nice spotlight to these authors...very nice.
I'm still writing the first so how can I forget?! Actually a bit of re-writing/editing. But the beat goes on.
Three cheers to you!
Keep writing, J.P.:) Hugs
Thanks, Shannon, and right back at ya.
Denise, Just the word typewriter makes me cringe. It belongs with curse words:)
Hugs
Gwen, Thanks so much for stopping by.
Thanks, Jan. And yes, there's no feeling like that first physical copy held in your hands, is there?
Thanks, Birgit:)
Jeanie, Write on;)
Write on, Sandra. Our work most likely won't make us rich, but we have to do it anyway. It's like breathing. Great reviews too!
I don’t think many of us are making a living at this, but we keep forging ahead. I’ve only read Staci’s book, but it was wonderful.
Super reviews, Sandra. Congratulations to the authors.
Wonderful reviews, Sandra. I loved No Such Luck from Staci and have also enjoyed books from Jacquie. I need to look at the others here. Congratulations to the authors! Thanks for sharing 💕🙂
First off, thanks so much for your review. I'm happy to learn that your husband teaches. Most people don't get into education for the money, and I'm frequently inspired by those whose hearts are all about children.
Do I remember my first book? Haha—that's easy since I only have one. I do have a couple others I'm working on. My heart will always be with children and literacy, so I must write for that audience. (upper middle grade—such an impressionable age) Having never written much fiction before, I love the challenge. My wife and I did well planning for retirement, and writing has never been about making money for me. Finding purpose in life and contributing something meaningful to the world is where my head is at.
Diana, We do have to write, don't we? Happy Easter.
Craig, Well said. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks so much for stopping by, John.
Hi Harmony, No Such Luck was a great read wasn't it and Jacquie hits them out of the ballpark. All the books were well written and great reads.
You're certainly right, Pete. If you're after the money, teaching and/or writing isn't the place to be:) Happy Easter.
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