Wednesday, May 6, 2020

May IWSG & Dark Wisdom

It's the first Wednesday of May, which means it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.


Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG exists for writers to seek and lend support once per month. Anyone can join. Just click on Alex's name and put your name on the rolls, then post the first Wednesday of each month and jump around to visit other participants.

The co-hosts this month are:

The optional question this month: Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE?

I used to have rituals, but at some point I stopped using them. Now I just sit down to write where it's going to happen!

I'm happy to say that this past month things picked up a bit, and I got lots of writing done, as well as edits. It feels good to have enough energy to get things done again. I hope others are finding their creative energies building back up, even if it's slowly.

I'll be doing a Dark Wisdom Webinar for Denver Horror Collective on May 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM MT. What Lies Beneath: Redefining Horror will be about what makes something horror. Some of it may surprise you. Anyone's welcome to attend, but there is a $5 registration cost. I'm hoping to have a good dialogue with folks about the definitions of horror and how far I think they stretch.



I like to do my stats for submissions each month to keep myself accountable. April's numbers:

3 submitted
3 rejected
0 acceptances
5 currently on submission (I'm about to pull one since they haven't responded to my query)

Media Update

BOOKS

Wandering Star, by Steven J. Anderson (the e-book is currently $.99 on Amazon!)


Science fiction. Ted Holloman heads into space for the reunification project, only to find things are worse than they've been presented. He falls in love, stops an assassin, aids a rebellion, and explores new planets.



With essays from horror greats such as Clive Barker, Ramsey Campbell, Mercedes M. Yardley, Mort Castle, and Elizabeth Massie, this book covers everything from defining horror to writing horror screenplays and more. My favorite essay was by Stephanie M. Wytovich, entitled How I Spent My Childhood Looking for Monsters and Found Poetry.



As always, a collection of talented horror authors, such as lair Barron, Gemma Files, Stephen Graham Jones, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Steve Rasnic Tem, and many more.

Current Reading: Hiding in the Bathroom: An Introvert's Roadmap to Getting Out There (When You'd Rather Stay Home)

TELEVISION SHOWS

After several false starts, I finally got sucked into the Hulu show Castle Rock, based on the fictional city created by Stephen King. There are so many easter eggs for King fans mixed in that I'm sure I missed half of them, but the ones I did see were such a pleasure. Dark and twisty, I enjoyed the second season more than the first.


We've been watching the old Fear Factor show with the kids. I could do without the "eating freaky things" portion of the show, but it's fun watching the rest of the stunts again.


What have you been reading, watching, and listening to? What are your insecurities this month? How are you holding up? Getting any writing done? Have you submitted anything?

May you find your Muse.



33 comments:

mshatch said...

I've been writing and reading ( I read 4 more books since my last post!) and gardening and walking. That pretty much sums it up. And my excellent sis just made me a pretty mask to wear so I don't have to sweat beneath my scarf. I'll be glad when we don't need to wear them.

Bish Denham said...

Hubby and I just finished watching and excellent British mystery series (3 seasons) called Hinterland. Now we're watching a British comedy mystery series call Vexed. It's hysterical!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You're the perfect person to teach that Dark Wisdom session.
I'm happy What We Do in the Shadows has started back up! Love that show.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

The webinar sounds interesting! I'm glad you've found your writing groove, again. I'm getting there. Just trying to balance all this strangeness with normal life and writing. ;)

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Well done on all the writing!

I started Castle Rock awhile back but for some reason that i can't remember now, I stopped watching it. Might pick it back up again though.

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

I'd say I've gotten back into the writng mood since the last two or three weeks; I actually made a deadline schedule for each phase of revising my novella and so far have been sticking with it! I'm glad to hear you'really back in the routine too!

Chrys Fey said...

I'm glad you got a lot of writing and editing done. i hope that continues for you. Stay safe and healthy!

Yolanda Renée said...

I managed to write 5000 words yesterday. A complete escape, but can I do it today? that is the question!

Computer Tutor said...

Good luck with the webinar! I'd add it to my calendar but I'm horror-averse. Yikes! Congrats on a busy month.

cleemckenzie said...

Your log of submissions etc always inspire me. Thanks for posting them.

Liza said...

Good luck on your webinar. I have a list of places to submit to beside my computer. Hoping the inspiration to do so hits soon.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I hope you get a great turnout for your webinar. I'm doing some, too.

Olga Godim said...

Good luck with your webinar. Hopefully, you'll get many attendees.

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

It's good to see someone who's managed to get some momentum back! I hope it's catching :) Good luck with the webinar!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shannon - good luck with the webinar ... sounds fun - a subject to appreciate the 'bones' involved in it. Im just not fond of horror! Also keep going with the writing - and yes this strange life ... take care and look after you and yours - Hilary

Diane Burton said...

Your webinar sounds great. Good luck with that. Glad your energy is back. Keep it up and stay safe.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Wow, good for you on the reading! I need to step it up. Sounds like you're able to get some relaxing in.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I think I've heard of both of those! I'll have to check them out. Especially Vexed. I'm all in for some laughs.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thank you! And yes, What We Do in the Shadows is such fun.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I've gone back and forth. I'd gotten my groove back, but then I lost it again. Hoping to find it again this week. Everything changes so frequently, and it's all so new that it's hard to keep up.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I found with Castle Rock that I had to be able to focus on it more than whatever else I was doing or I just missed too much. Since most of the TV/movies I watch are intended to be background to whatever I'm doing, that didn't work for me.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I hope your routine is still working for you!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I hope you also stay safe and healthy!

Shannon Lawrence said...

No defense needed! I hope you're doing better now.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Nice! I hope you've done it many times since.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thanks! It went well.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I'm happy to hear it!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I hope you've found that inspiration since then!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Good luck with yours! I'm thinking of doing some on my own.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thank you! I had a good turnout.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Up and down, up and down. It came and went, and is hopefully coming again.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thank you! Take care of yourself, as well.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thank you! Stay safe, yourself.