IWSG: AI and Writing and Winter Blues

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.

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG

The awesome co-hosts for the March 6 posting of the IWSG are Kristina Kelly, Miffie Seideman, Jean Davis, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. 

March 6th question: Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?

I've never heard of playing with an AI. That's what happens when you don't keep up with changes in the writing biz. As far as AI's impact on creative writing, I'm not sure. My first thought is nothing can create as well as a human mind. Then, I recall books and movies that take place in the future where AIs can think and come up with new ideas. Star Trek's Data, 2001's HAL. I'm still unsure about that impact. Would it have an emotion chip? What about the experience to know how emotion factors in a story. I'm curious what you all think about this.

If you missed me last month, I apologize. For some weird reason (winter blues, depression, meltdown), I stopped reading email in January. Information overload? Winter in the Great Lakes region means gray skies. Even though we've had a mild winter snow and temperature wise, I've still been affected by the weather. Or, I've let the weather influence my mood. Depression doesn't make sense. I hope you've had a better winter. 

The next #IWSGPit will be in March 27, 2024, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Tweet your pitch using #IWSGPit. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query. Many writers have seen their books published from a Twitter pitch - it’s a quick and easy way to put your manuscript in front of publishers and agents. CLICK HERE FOR THE RULES AND HOW TO PARTICIPATE

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. 

Winter Doldrums

Does this time of year get to you? Are you suffering from letdown after the holidays? If you live anywhere near the Great Lakes, you know all about gray skies from November through March. Does that affect your mood?

I crave the sunshine. Those surprisingly bright days almost made up for the bitter cold temperatures we experienced last week. When the sun is bright and the sky blue, I feel more energized. But when the clouds roll in, I want to hibernate—burrow under the covers or play a lot of solitaire. My energy level diminishes in proportion to the amount of sunshine.

So how do you overcome the weariness created by the weather? Necessity—like a job outside the home. Discipline—forcing oneself into accomplishing what needs to be done. Some people are so affected by winter’s gloom that they suffer from a condition called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Although we grouse about winter weather—blizzards, ice storms, gloomy gray skies—we do have our breaks of brilliant sunshine. I cannot imagine how people who live in northern Canada or Alaska where their day is so short or nonexistent manage.

Celebrations go a long way to make up for dismal weather. The days my son and grandson were born, for instance. Birthday parties are a great way to perk up January. February never seems so gloomy when celebrating Hubs’ birthday. Good news also helps. Those of you who follow me on Facebook know about the good news I received last week—the sale of a romantic suspense book to The Wild Rose Press. I have loved One Red Shoe ever since its first incarnation as a writing exercise during a Mid-Michigan RWA chapter meeting. From that first paragraph, the story grew and changed and grew and changed more. I am so happy it has finally found a good home. You can be sure when I know the publication date I’ll post it here.

That good news will probably hold off the winter doldrums for me for a while. Meanwhile, stay warm and safe. 

What helps you get through winter?