IWSG: Scary Stories and Proud Moments

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  October 2 posting of the IWSG are Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jacqui Murray, and Natalie Aguirre!

October 2 question - Ghost stories fit right in during this month. What's your favorite classic ghostly tale? Tell us about it and why it sends chills up your spine.

Since I don't read scary stories (or watch scary movies), I don't have a favorite. One movie sticks with me from my twenties. You know, back in the Stone Age. I was at a friend's house on Halloween and we watched a movie called "The Hand." Black and white and a corny story. One scene creeped me out--the disembodied hand crawled up the back of the driver's seat while the car was in motion and strangled the driver. Doesn't sound that scary, right? I had to drive home afterward. Now, that was creepy.

I want to share a recent surprise. Hubs has been in an assisted living facility for almost a year now. He's made quite a few friends that he eats meals with. Apparently, he talks about my writing. I guess I knew that he was proud of my work, even though he never said as much to me. He showed it by supporting me. To have others tell me that he talks about my writing was such a welcome surprise.

Now for an even better surprise. One of the residents asked him if she could read one of my books. When she finished the first in my cozy mystery series, he told her to pass it on. Since then, several residents have stopped me and said how much they enjoyed my book. Or they ask questions about the writing process. My book is really making the rounds. I've had such a difficult time getting back to writing, so their encouragement really means a lot. Letting an author know you enjoyed his/her book is such a wonderful gift. We don't often meet up with the author, so the next best thing is to leave a review on BookBub, Amazon, Goodreads, etc. You never know that's just what a writer needs to keep going.

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. 

Nancy Gideon's Haunted Open House Blog Hop

http://nancygideon.blogspot.com/p/haunted-open-house.html

Congratulations to Tricia D. for winning a copy of THE PILOT.

Welcome to my friend Nancy Gideon's 5th annual Haunted Open House. Have you gone before? If so, you know it's 5 days of chills, thrills, and treats.

SCARY STUFF

I've made no secret that I do not like scary books, movies, creepy crawlies, and roller coasters. I don't like being scared. If I wanted to be frightened, I'd watch the news. But for Nancy, I'll swallow my fear and talk about scary movies.

I don't seek out scary movies, but sometimes I'll get caught unawares. Like the movie Wait Until Dark. Suzy (Audrey Hepburn) is blind. Three guys are trying to find a heroin-filled doll given to Suzy's husband. If you've seen the movie, you'll understand why the guy opening the refrigerator made me jump out of my skin.

Talk about jumping out of my skin . . . When my kids were 8 and 9, my sister insisted we see the movie Gremlins. She thought it sounded like fun. Hah! That was back in the day before PG-13. My kids spend most of the movie huddled against me or on my lap. That night they asked to sleep in my bed. It sounds silly now, but I was so glad because I knew I'd have nightmares of those creatures jumping out of Christmas trees and from under the bed.

When I tell people I write science fiction, they give me that look, like "you've got to be kidding, I hate sci-fi." So I tell them no creepy aliens. I'd rather write adventure, romance, and humor. No scary stuff. And that's what I call fun.

THE PROTECTOR is the 3rd book in my Outer Rim series. Like the first two, it's about a strong woman on the frontier of space. Also like the other two, THE PROTECTOR is a standalone book. There are recurring characters, but any of the books can be enjoyed without reading the others--although I hope you will.

Blurb:

After tavern owner Rissa Dix rescues two girls from a slave ship, she must rally the townsfolk to prevent traffickers from returning. Mining heir Dillan Rusteran has loved her for years. Little do they know that by rescuing more children they're tangling with a trafficking ring that puts Rissa in danger.

Excerpt:

“To what do I owe this honor?” The pleasure house owner laughed. “Finally going to take me up on my offer to sample my newest provider? He’s absolutely delish. And what stamina.”

Though her cheeks flamed, Rissa brushed aside the offer then quickly explained her need for small clothing.

“Slavers?” Fortuna screwed up her face in disgust. “I heard rumors of disappearances in cities like Rhadaman but not in the colonies.”

“About the clothes?” Rissa needed to return before the girls decided to explore. Or, worse, leave.

Fortuna led her up the back stairs to the sleeping quarters. “SeeMee isn’t working right now. She’s the smallest.”

A few mins later, Rissa had a bundle of clothing from the generous SeeMee who was only too happy to help the escapees. “I chose this life,” the tiny pleasure worker explained. “Nobody should be forced into it.”

And that, Rissa thought, made the difference between pleasure houses and prostis. Choice. She had to make sure those girls bathing in her sanitary could make their own choices.

“The other girl is taller than you,” Rissa said to Fortuna. “About this high.” She leveled her hand near her own shoulder.

Fortuna nodded. “Wait here. Don’t want to interrupt anything.” She grinned.

When she returned to the tavern with the clothes, Rissa found the girls wearing what she’d left them. Her shirt hung almost to Anaris’ ankles. On Pela, it reached her knees. They’d been sitting on her settee, Pela brushing Anaris’ hair. They jumped up when Rissa came in.

Both eyed her warily.

Pela broke the silence. “What are you going to do with us?”

Rissa sat on the end of her bed across from them. “I can find transport so you can return home.”

“No.” Pela’s sharp response surprised her. “I won’t go back.”

Anaris looked even more frightened. “Please don’t,” she whimpered.

With delicate probing, Rissa got their stories. Both girls had been sold by their fathers to the traffickers. Her heart twisted for them. How could a parent not appreciate the gift of life given to them? To sell their flesh and blood was unconscionable.

Rissa reined in her anger. “You have a choice where to go, what to do. Nobody will force you. Now try on these clothes, and when you’re ready come down to the kitchen.”

Pela stood in front of Rissa. “Why are you helping us? What’s in it for you?”

“Repentance.”

The Protector  is available at: Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords ~ B&N ~ iTunes

Now for the treat. You don't have to do any tricks, just leave a comment.

 What is the scariest movie you've ever seen?

A lucky commentor will win an e-copy of THE PILOT, the first book in my Outer Rim series.

http://amzn.com/B00AE6OH4K

Enter the Rafflecopter for multiple ways to win.

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After you've left a comment and entered the Rafflecopter, it's time to visit the other participants. Have fun and good luck!

1. Nancy Gideon. . . Romance by Any Other Name (INT) 2. Cross My Heart Writings & Reviews (INT) 3. Diane Burton - Adventure and Romance 4. Rohn Federbush 5. Patricia Kiyono: Creative Hodgepodge (US Only) 6. A Blue Million Books 7. Romance that's 'Out Of This World' 8. M. J. Schiller, Romance Author 9. 3Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! 10. Deal Sharing Aunt 11. Live To Read ~Krystal (USA/CAN) 12. Leigh Anderson Romance 13. Lora Lee (INT) 14. Tricia Drammeh's Blog