IWSG: April 2023

Welcome to the Insecure Writer's Support Group. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: 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! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world.

The awesome co-hosts for the April 5 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Nancy Gideon, and Natalie Aguirre!

A thank you to whoever came up with an optional question each month. That really helps when I have difficulty thinking about what I should write. 

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 sure do remember, even though it was almost 30 years ago. Holy cow! I didn't realize it was that long ago. 

My thoughts as I wrote my first story was that I was going to treat this (writing) as a business. When I "went to work" (had a definite writing time), my writing increased. I even took a class for starting a small business. That's when I learned I should have a separate checking account and credit card, both dedicated for my business, keeping them separate from the family finances. I also learned about making long-term goals for the business. Although I learned about getting a tax ID for the business and how to report sales tax, I figured my books would be in bookstores, and they could take care of that. A few years ago, when I started selling my books at craft and vendor shows, I figured I'd better get that tax ID and report the sales tax I collected. 

After that class, I got my new checking account and credit card. I tried making long-term goals but never kept it up. I learned about writing query letters (thanks to Writer's Market) and a list of publishers and agents. Mind you, this was all before the internet really got big. Everything I learned then was from paper books, the library, and wonderful fellow writers who shared info. How much easier it is today with Google and the many online writers groups.

That first story had several rejections, some even with "send something else." I entered the first 3 chapters in contests. Boy, did I ever get some interesting comments from the judges. Learned a lot from that. Those early stories were practice and will never see the light of day again. 😀

Eventually, I sold my first book to a niche publisher. Since then, I've published fourteen more (one to another small publisher, the rest self-published). Even though I'm not making a lot of money, I'd say my plans have worked out.

Hope you have a great writing month.

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

#IWSG: Best & Worst Times

 First, Happy Star Wars Day! (May the 4th Be With You.)

Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: 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! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the IWSG are Kim Elliott, Melissa Maygrove, Chemist Ken, Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon!

Today's (always optional) question: It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?

Boy, oh boy, have I had lots of the latter. To be honest, I've had some good times, too. I'm going to start with the lows so I can end on the highs. 

The worse times were the countless rejections. Back in the day (1990s), you printed out your submission and mailed it to the publisher then haunted the mailbox for the reply (in the SASE you included with your submission). I never wanted to see those. Sometimes, they came with a real letter (not a poorly copied form) saying this isn't what they're looking for. Or, they just bought something too similar. The best part was when the editor added a little note of encouragement. Even better when she asked to see something else.

The worst times came when close relatives (my mother, MIL, and beloved aunt) became very ill, plus I worked in a hostile environment and couldn't quit because of the heath benefits. I stopped writing. That was in the mid-2000s, then repeated nearly 20 years later (except for the job situation) with Hubs. So, twice my life turned ugly and I couldn't write. Truly, the worst of times.

The best times overshadowed the worst.

First best time was when Switched was accepted by a publisher, who said she laughed so hard at certain places in the book she fell out of bed. 

Another best time was when I returned to writing (early 2010s). I decided to forget writing for a publisher and write for fun. How liberating! Then I discovered indie publishing. And saw actual money for my hard work.

Gradually, I'm finding my way back from the second cessation of writing. Thanks to the encouragement of so many friends--many of them right here at IWSG. Thanks, too, to the kick in the pants from real world friends, like Nancy Gideon, whose leg must be getting tired by now. (Keep on kicking, girl. I need it.)

Probably the very best is encountering so many writing friends here online and in the real world. It was with sadness this year that I left Romance Writers of America after nearly 30 years. Not because the national organization meant so much but because I had to leave our local chapter. Those wonderful people were my first cheering section, fellow writers who cared for and about each other. But thanks to the miracle of technology, I can keep in touch with them. This group has been like that in many ways. You share the good times and the bad ones, congratulating each other and offering support. Thank you!

Hope you have a great month!!! Ya think Spring is finally here?

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

#WeWriWa ~ SWITCHED: Beam Me Home, Scotty

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, where writers share snippets from their work-in-progress or new release. Thank you to everyone who stopped by last week. 

I'm sharing snippets from my science fiction romance, Switched. This was my first published book, so it has a special place in my heart. It's on sale for 99 cents until April 30th.

 Set up: Jessie Wyndom has been beamed aboard an alien spaceship, which she doesn't believe. I've skipped ahead and now Jessie and the Captain are in his quarters. The computer insists in identifying Jessie as Lieutenant Qilana, a crew member.

This snippet has been edited from the original.

Snippet:   

“Captain?” Communications Officer Cabbeferron announced, “I have a time-delayed communiqué from Lieutenant Qilana. I am transferring it to your vid unit.”

“On screen.” Marcus turned to the vid unit built into the wall above his desk. He glanced at Jessica whose eyes widened as she stared at the replication of her image on the vid screen.

“Captain, I have transported to Earth to find my biological parents and to meet my twin, Jessica Wyndom. She and I are victims of the Gemini Experiment.” Qilana spoke in typical Serenian tone, devoid of emotion. 

 

And a little more, if you're interested:  

“Thirty years ago, a scientist from Serenia transported fetuses from Earth into volunteer host mothers from our home planet. Doctor Cenamola, being compassionate, only removed one of a set of twins, leaving one child for the Earth mother.”

 Jessie shook her head. What a convoluted bunch of hooey. She wasn’t going to believe this…this story they were concocting. Yet, so many things seemed real. These people acted like they thought it was all real. Could it be… No, this is not happening. This is a dream. All because I fell asleep during a Star Trek movie.

“Great mask, sweetie. My brother has a lot to answer for. I’m royally ticked that he let a stranger into my house." Jessie took a deep breath. "Okay, folks. I’ve been a good sport, but I’ve had  enough of this game.” She raised her hands and head. “Beam me home, Scotty, there’s no intelligent life here. You guys have fun at someone else’s expense.”

“Jessica, please listen to me,” the woman on the screen said. “I must meet the family I never knew. While I didn’t mean to transport you aboard the ship, you can learn about my world as I learn about yours, my sister. We will meet as soon as—”

The screen went blank.

Blurb:

Kidnapped by aliens? By mistake?

Wise-cracking mechanic Jessie Wyndom gets the surprise of her life when she's accidentally transported aboard an Alliance of Planets starship. Then, she learns an identical twin who was raised on an alien planet has taken her place on Earth. They are victims of a scientific experiment that separated Terran twins before birth. Jessie doesn't believe it. This is all a gag perpetrated by her brother and his nerdy friends.

Years of discipline enables Captain Marcus Viator to maintain the austere, emotionless persona prized on his planet, Serenia. Until he meets the bold, impertinent Jessie. She must go back to Earth before she disrupts his well-organized life. When he tries to return his unwilling visitor, he discovers the ship has left Earth's orbit--supposedly at his command. When more sabotage crops up, Marcus and Jessie must work together to protect the crew and themselves. As their attraction grows, treachery and violence force them into decisions that could separate them forever.

Switched is available for 99 cents at: 

 Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ iTunes ~ Smashwords

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. Stay safe and have a great week.

#WeWriWa ~ SWITCHED: Where Are We?

This is an amazing weekend, one that rarely happens. Three major religions are celebrating a high holiday: Easter, Passover, and Ramadan. However you celebrate, if you do, I'm sending happy wishes.

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, where writers share snippets from their work-in-progress or new release. Thank you to everyone who stopped by last week. 

From now through the end of April, my science fiction romance, Switched, is on sale for 99 cents. This was my first published book, so it has a special place in my heart. 

 Set up: Jessie Wyndom has been beamed aboard an alien spaceship, which she doesn't believe. She and the Captain just arrived on the bridge. We pick up where we left off last week.

Snippet:

Slowly, Jessie turned toward a crew of four seated at different stations. One looked human, the others were outfitted to look like alien species. “Your costumer and make-up artist must be professionals. I can’t get over this--it’s like I’m on the bridge of a spaceship.”

“You are on the bridge of a spaceship,” the man calling himself ‘Captain’ said. “More accurately, this is the Alliance of Planets research starship, Freedom.”

His pompous tone was back. She couldn’t resist. “Whatever you say, big guy.” Then, she gave him a wink to let him know she was willing to play along with this fantasy.

And a little more, if you're interested:

He stiffened his already straight shoulders.

“Don’t get all huffy on me now, Captain. Are they supposed to be your officers?” She waved at those seated at computer consoles around the room. “Hi, guys.”

Nobody responded. They just looked at her as if she were the alien. Except for the Captain. He shot her another look before pointing to each person. “This is my crew. Navigation Officer Glaxpher, Science Officer Xaropa, Communications Officer Cabbeferron, and First Officer Klegznef.”

The last person eyed her like he was a vulture and she was roadkill. He made her shiver in a totally different way from the hunk. She looked away. “Like I’m going to remember all their names,” she muttered. She lifted her chin. “Okay, Captain. Where are we really? This place is big enough to be Cobo Hall.”

He looked puzzled before he tapped the keypad on his watch. “Cobo Hall. Ah, a large place of assembly in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Detroit, a city known for the manufacture of despoilers of your atmosphere. Primitive vehicles you call cars.”

Great. An environmental nut. “Yep, that’s the Motor City all right.”

Blurb:

Kidnapped by aliens? By mistake?

Wise-cracking mechanic Jessie Wyndom gets the surprise of her life when she's accidentally transported aboard an Alliance of Planets starship. Then, she learns an identical twin who was raised on an alien planet has taken her place on Earth. They are victims of a scientific experiment that separated Terran twins before birth. Jessie doesn't believe it. This is all a gag perpetrated by her brother and his nerdy friends.

Years of discipline enables Captain Marcus Viator to maintain the austere, emotionless persona prized on his planet, Serenia. Until he meets the bold, impertinent Jessie. She must go back to Earth before she disrupts his well-organized life. When he tries to return his unwilling visitor, he discovers the ship has left Earth's orbit--supposedly at his command. When more sabotage crops up, Marcus and Jessie must work together to protect the crew and themselves. As their attraction grows, treachery and violence force them into decisions that could separate them forever.

Switched is available for 99 cents at: 

 Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ iTunes ~ Smashwords

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. Stay safe and have a great week.

 

 

#WeWriWa ~ SWITCHED: Just Like In The Movies

 From now through the end of April, my science fiction romance, Switched, is on sale for 99 cents. I haven't shared snippets from it in a long time. This was my first published book, so it has a special place in my heart. 

Set up: Jessie Wyndom has been beamed aboard an alien spaceship, which she doesn't believe. She and the Captain are racing down the corridor to the bridge.

Blurb:

Kidnapped by aliens? By mistake?

Wise-cracking mechanic Jessie Wyndom gets the surprise of her life when she's accidentally transported aboard an Alliance of Planets starship. Then, she learns an identical twin who was raised on an alien planet has taken her place on Earth. They are victims of a scientific experiment that separated Terran twins before birth. Jessie doesn't believe it. This is all a gag perpetrated by her brother and his nerdy friends.

Years of discipline enables Captain Marcus Viator to maintain the austere, emotionless persona prized on his planet, Serenia. Until he meets the bold, impertinent Jessie. She must go back to Earth before she disrupts his well-organized life. When he tries to return his unwilling visitor, he discovers the ship has left Earth's orbit--supposedly at his command. When more sabotage crops up, Marcus and Jessie must work together to protect the crew and themselves. As their attraction grows, treachery and violence force them into decisions that could separate them forever.

Snippet:

“So, big guy, what is this? A Trekkie convention or something? Whoa.” Jessie swiveled around to gawk at a green-skinned, eight-foot tall character passing by. “Who did that guy’s make-up? I can’t get over the costumes here. No wonder the ceilings are so high. They’d have to be to—”

Still gawking over her shoulder, she ran right smack into the Captain who must have stopped and turned around. His strong arms encircled her, steadying her against his hard, muscular chest.

“Sorry.” Her face flamed at being held by this superb specimen of manhood.

Those spectacular silver eyes seemed to sear her soul. A tremor rippled through her. Her breath caught in her throat. Geez, I need to get out more.

 And a little more:

The Captain abruptly released her. He looked almost as discombobulated as she felt by their close encounter. He tapped the keypad on his wrist and a portion of the wall parted. She was about to ask how they concealed the doors when she was stunned by the large room. Eyes wide, she followed him in.

“Mr. Glaxpher, why have we left Earth’s orbit?” he demanded.

Earth’s orbit? Yeah, sure.

All the people in the room looked at him. A blue-skinned guy answered, “You ordered our departure, sir.”

Captain Viator’s mouth tightened, his silver eyes narrowed. “Belay that order and return.”

Blue Boy looked startled. “Aye, sir.”

Nobody else said anything. Jessie felt a subtle shift as if the room was turning. That was weird. Finally, she couldn’t stand the silence. “Hey, this room is marvelous. Your set designer did a fabulous job. Is that a rear-projection screen? Wow. Looks like we’re traveling through space. Just like in the movies.”

Switched is available at Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ iTunes ~ Smashwords

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. Stay safe and have a great week.

 

#IWSG: A Writer's Success

 

Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: 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! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the September 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie!

This month's question: How do you define success as a writer?

I think “success” is different for each writer, so I’m curious to read how others define it. For me, it was having my first book accepted for publication by a publisher recognized by Romance Writers of America. That was 20 years and 13 books ago. Since then, my success is defined by publishing a new book. Well, that hasn’t happened since March 2019, so I guess I’m not much of a success.

As regular readers of my blog, you know I’ve had other things on my mind besides writing. I’m happy to say the doctors have finally found a way to control Hubs’ hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) that has been the cause of his weakness and subsequent falls plus confusion (what appeared to be dementia). His attitude, strength, and improved health seems like a miracle. Of course, every medication has its side effects, the old risk vs benefit. At this point, I’m so happy to have back the man I married almost 50 years ago.

Because my life isn’t totally overwhelmed with caregiving duties now, I’m starting to think about writing again. A couple of weeks ago, one of my Mid-Michigan RWA chaptermates, an IWSG member, and good friend, Nancy Gideon gave a program on writing a series. That started me thinking about writing a sequel to two of my published stories, Mission to New Earth and Rescuing Mara’s Father, both science fiction. Just thinking about a story is success for me now. Even better, I’ve started writing again. It’s slow going, but I’m actually writing.

Yay, success.

It's rare when IWSG Day and my turn at Paranormal Romantics are on the same day. Since my first book was published 20 years ago last week, I wrote about its Book Birthday. If you're interested in more about my 1st book, here's the link. 

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

Happy Writing!

#IWSG:: Favorite Genre #sfr

Happy Insecure Writers Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: 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! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. 

I'm thrilled to join this month's awesome hosts: Kim Lajevardi, Sylvia Ney, Sarah Foster, Jennifer Hawes, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!

This month's optional question is one I'm happy to answer.

Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?

Science Fiction Romance. My first published novel was a sci-fi romance. After being rejected so many times for contemporary romances, I decided to write for fun and, amazingly, Switched was accepted by a niche publisher.

I read and write science fiction because it reinforces my belief in a future. That other sentients live in our universe. That faster-than-light (FTL) speed is/will be possible. That we (humans) will explore other planets, either by traveling through wormholes or developing engines with warp or FTL drive.

Relationships are important to stories. Without characters, the stories would be dry scientific texts. Characters who work together make the story more interesting. Even better, characters who fall in love reinforce my belief that happy ever after is possible. It's a belief in the future of humankind. 

Combining science fiction with a strong relationship (romance) is my favorite genre to write--both for adults and for middle school age children.

When wise-cracking Jessie Wyndom is beamed from her farmhouse in Ann Arbor, MI aboard an Alliance starship, she meets a regular Mr. Spock. Captain Marcus Viator's well-organized life is turned upside down by a free-spirited Terran. Fate brings them together. Treachery tears them apart.

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ iTunes ~ Smashwords

Her father is gone! Taken by the Queen of Compara’s agents. Fifteen-year-old Mara has to rescue him before the Queen tortures and kills him.

Instead of the kind, loving father she’s always known, he’s become demanding, critical, with impossible expectations—not just as Father but also as the only teacher in their frontier outpost. Mara would rather scoop zircan poop than listen to another boring lecture about governments on Central Planets. Give her a starship engine to take apart or, better yet, fly, and she’s happy. Now, he’s gone.

Never mind, they’ve had a rocky road lately.

Never mind, Father promised she could go off planet to Tech Institute next month when she turns fifteen, where she’ll learn to fly starships.

Never mind, she ran away because she’s furious with him because he reneged on that promise. Father is her only parent. She has to save him.

Ebooks:  Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Print:  Amazon

Check out the latest anthology contest.

Guidelines and rules: 
Word count: 3500-5000
Genre: Middle Grade Historical – Adventure/Fantasy
Theme: Voyagers
Submissions accepted: May 1 - September 4, 2019
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. 

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

#IWSG: Personal Info in Characters

It's the 1st Wednesday. Happy Insecure Writers Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: 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! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. And thanks to this month's awesome hosts:   Olga Godim, Chemist Ken, Jennifer Hawes, and Tamara Narayan!

This has been a productive month. I don't feel very insecure so this month's question provides my topic.

Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?

Sure. In my first published science fiction romance, Switched, Jessie (the main character) compares the stiff-backed hero to her teacher, Mr. Nutt. That was my second grade teacher's name. Actually, he taught kindergarten to eighth grade, in a one-room school. I don't recall what he looked like. But I do remember him being very stern. When some of the eighth graders were sixteen or older, he had to be strict.

In my PI mystery series, Alex O'Hara often repeats some of my opinions. In The Case of the Meddling Mama, Nick's (Alex's main squeeze) mother returns from Arizona without his father and moves in with Alex. Mama's reason (besides her husband ignoring her)? Everything out there is brown. No green. She wants four seasons. She misses her flowers and grass. For that character, I used my initial reaction to Arizona plus complaints from women I know whose husbands have retired.

I hope you've had a great month and that October is even better.

 Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today. 

Science Fiction Romance #SALE

www.smschmitz.com/promo

Ready to load up on Science Fiction Romance books? Big Sale. Some are free; others are 99 cents.

You can find two of my books there for 99 cents each.

The Pilot, a stand alone book, kicks off the Outer Rim series about strong women on the frontier of space.

Sparks fly around the Outer Rim when rule-bound Administrator Trevarr Jovano clashes with free-spirited space pilot Celara d'Enfaden. She must deliver her cargo or lose her ship to a loanshark. Having lost her last shipment to pirates masquerading as Coalition Inspectors, Celara refuses to be duped again. Determined to make an example of those who flaunt the law, Trevarr seizes her ship. Yet, they must work together to rescue her brother and find his wife's murderer.

Kidnapped by aliens? By mistake?

When wise-cracking Jessie Wyndom is beamed from her farmhouse in Ann Arbor, MI aboard an Alliance starship, she meets a regular Mr. Spock. Captain Marcus Viator's well-organized life is turned upside down by a free-spirited Terran. Fate brings them together. Treachery tears them apart.

Switched was my first published novel. Because of that, it has a special place in my heart.

Many of my favorite authors also have books in the sale. Now's a great time to load up your e-reader with stories that are out of this world.

http://smschmitz.com/promo