Wednesday, October 1, 2025

IWSG Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

 

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.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 


Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!


Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

 

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

 

October 1 question - What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

As far as readership, Silverhills.  As far as my personal favorite, Keeper Tyree. I like the character. He’s middle-aged, flawed, rough around the edges and a hard man. But he’s fair and he’ll go to the wall, and beyond, for anyone he cares about.

September/October Reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.

 

MIRACLES AND GHOSTS PAST by D. L. Finn

This is a delightful collection of Christmas shorts with a twist. In each story there’s a ghost to lend a helping hand.

In THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN MYSTERY a woman’s first step to a new beginning is a murder/mystery dinner train trip.

CHRISTMAS RESCUE~*~ If you read many D.L. Finn stories, you know that somewhere in the book you are going to encounter an animal rescue. This is the story😊

IS THERE A SANTA?~*~ To my mind, of all the wonderful stories, this is the best. The characters are extraordinarily  developed and their emotions pour off the pages as a widower tries to hold his family together at Christmas.

SHE’S HOME ALONE~*~ A young girl must outwit an intruder.

AFTER A WAR COMES CHRISTMAS ~*~ This story centers on civil unrest and is timely considering the unease in America right now.

A GIFT FOR KATIE~*~A woman in need gets an unexpected inheritance and  is unsure whether she should accept it.

CHRISTMAS AFTER LOSS~*~A mysterious soldier throws light on Sheila’s  husband’s unexpected death.

ELEVATOR SANTA~*~Mindy gets stuck on the elevator with an unexpected passenger.

I highly recommend this book of shorts. It’s perfect for the Christmas season. So, grab your cocoa and cookies, put up your feet and enjoy the read.

Available at Amazon 

 

GUARDIANS OF MOTHER EARTH by Zea Perez

These are such sweet stories. And more importantly they impart information to our young people about ecology, and the importance of being a caretaker of the earth. Each story centers around a plant or tree or other forms of nature learning how important they are to the universe and that no matter how small, they can play a large part in saving their own personal piece of the universe. Among the cast of characters are Bon, the bonsai tree, Pitchy the pitcher plant and Venus the flytrap plant. All on a mission to save their homes.

A fun read and a lovely teaching tool with entertaining illustrations.

Available at Amazon 

 

FIRST FROST by Craig Johnson. Book 20 in the Longmire Series.

I love Craig Johnson's writing.  The Longmire Series is outstanding. This story for me was entertaining and had plenty of twists and turns, but it just wasn't quite as good as some of his others. Though, not quite as good, is still heads above many other reads that are out there:)

Available at Amazon 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND

 

Did you know, the author of  Rip Van Winkle--and The Legend oSleepy Hollow--Washington Irving, suffered from insomnia? 

 

Sources: 

100 Interesting Facts about Famous Authors – Interesting Literature 

Washington Irving, New York Writer, Sleepy Hollow | Literary Traveler 

 


 

 


45 comments:

Janie Junebug said...

I did not know that about Washington Irving, but I have visited his home. It was interesting. The guide showed us the outhouse and seemed to think it was very unusual because it was a two-holer. I was the only person there who had seen a two-holer before. It was a very nice outhouse--much nicer than any I've ever used. Of course it hasn't been used in a very long time and was kept in perfect condition. But enough about Irving's outhouse.

Love,
Janie

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I look forward to getting my copy of D. L. Finn's Miracles and Ghosts Past. I also didn't know that about Washington Irving. Nice to learn new trivia.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Of Washington Irving I knew nothing at all. And other than that he was an insomniac I still know nothing!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Creating a character you really like can make a story your favorite. It's too bad you didn't like First Frost as much as other books by Craig Johnson. I've had that happen too with authors I follow.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Irving had a lot of time to come up with those stories then.

Jamie Ghione said...

I ddi not know that about Irving. Fun to know.

CJ Kennedy said...

I did not know that about Washington Irving.

Crystal Collier said...

Doesn't every good writer suffer from insomnia?

A good character always makes for the best story. Keepr Tyree sounds fun.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Our favorite isn't always the reader's favorite.

cleemckenzie said...

What's not to love about a middle-aged, flawed man? Great character!
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

That was a good way to answer that question--fan favorite and yours. And both were intriguing.

Beth Camp said...

Looking forward to reading Keeper Tyree, and I enjoyed reading through your Sept/Oct reviews, especially that note that you don't discriminate because of an occasional typo! Haven't we all spotted one in our own writing??? And thank you for ending with that lovely image: Write on!

D.L. Finn said...

Keeper is a favorite of mine too. Thank you for including Miracles here today and your input too. As for favorite book, Elizabeth's War or This Second Chance would have to be it. Xo

D.L. Finn said...

I hope you enjoy it when you read it, Elizabeth:)

Christine said...

Thanks for sharing

Truedessa said...

Strange that he suffered insomnia. Yet, wrote a short story about Rip Van Winkle who falls into a magical sleep in the Catskill Mountains for 20 years. Maybe, that is where the inspiration came from, his own lack of sleep.

J.P. Alexander said...

Gracias por la reseña. te mando un beso.

Sandra Cox said...

My reading pleasure, Christine;)

Sandra Cox said...

CJ, I thought it was pretty funny. He must have been fantasizing about a good night's sleep when he wrote it, don't ya think? Heh.

Birgit said...

Congrats to how prolific you are in your writing. I wrote a short story based on a story my dad often told about a woman who dies at a dance after dancing with the devil. Witnessed by his dad, it was a popular story my dad loved to tell. When I read the story to my dad, as he lay in a hospital bed, in our livingroom, after his brain operation(cancer), he was weeping. He was so touched that he wept and then proceeded to critique what I needed to improve…lol. This is my favourite.
I didn’t know that about the novelist but he, obviously, was trying to understand his insomnia and dreamed of sleeping. Poor guy.

Jeanie said...

My favorite is my family history book. I researched, wrote, and designed it myself, collecting stories and history from many people, hundreds of photos and secondary genealogy and history publications. Research took me to to different countries and states. It was a wonderful experience and I was thrilled with the result.

Liza said...

I didn't realize, although I should have I suppose, that the Longmire TV series was based on books. Now I will have to investigate that.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

I like the cover for Keeper Tyree.

Ronel visiting for IWSG day Spring Cleaning: Composting Old Manuscripts

Sandra Cox said...

Great job, Jeanie. A lot of work and love went into that history book.

Adam said...

The insomnia does make sense ☕

Sandra Cox said...

Hey True, I thought the same thing. He was probably fantasizing about getting some sleep:)

Sandra Cox said...

My reading pleasure, JP. Sending you hugs

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Janie, My grandparents had a two seater:)

Sandra Cox said...

Hi David, He was an American writer, historian and diplomat. Quite a talented man. I just found it ironic that the author of Rip Van Winkle was an insomniac:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, dear Elizabeth. I'm sure Denise is thrilled. Enjoy the stories:)

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Natalie, Agreed on liking the characters.
There's bound to be some in a series that we're lukewarm about, isn't there?
YOU take care.

Sandra Cox said...

Alex, Good point:)

Sandra Cox said...

Jamie, I'm with you. I get a kick out of that.

Sandra Cox said...

True that.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Lee:)

Sandra Cox said...

Crystal, LOL. Indeed.
It's just funny that one of his classics is about a man taking an extensive sleep:)
Glad you like the sound of Keeper.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Jacqui. Appreciate that:)

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Beth, So glad you stopped by. You put a smile on my face with your 'Looking forward to reading Keeper'. And innit the truth about the typos. Sigh.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for hosting;)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for hosting;)

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Denise, Elizabeth and Second are both good choices;) Keeper sends his regards:) xo

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Birgit, That is lovely that you wrote that story for your dad. And cute that he critiqued you.
Did you read Rip Van Winkle or Sleepy Hollow? I just assumed everyone was familiar with these stories, but maybe they're just popular in America, since they were written by an American author.

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Liza, I loved the first 19. Very well written. And I'm sure we'll give #21 a go:) Thanks for stopping by.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Ronel. Heading over to check on composting old manuscripts:)

Sandra Cox said...

Adam, Heh. Love the coffee cup.