IWSG DAY, JULY 3, 2024, MY FAVORITE APPS FOR WRITING By Pat Garcia

Welcome to our seventh IWSG Day of the year for 2024. 

 

IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by 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 haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us.

 

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Submissions: THE ALPHA/OMEGA CONTEST sponsored by RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB (RRBC)

This is my first competition in this short story event, which is required to be up on Amazon.com by July 4, 2024. My story, THE POWER OF TOUCH, is up on Amazon for pre-order across all Amazon stores until July 5. 

This story is unique because of its collaboration with others who helped me get it published during a time of tremendous stress. One of the people who helped me was our Olga Godim. Many thanks, Olga, for a cover that perfectly befits the main character. 

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

The awesome co-hosts for the July 3 posting of the IWSG are JS Pailly, Rebecca Douglass, Pat Garcia, Louise-Fundy Blue, and Natalie Aguirre!

My FAVORITE APPS FOR WRITING

In the past, I have used Microsoft Word. It has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and it is still my go-to for writing my articles, but I am switching to Scrivener to write my short stories and novels. I've had Scrivener for the longest time but have yet to use it. The learning curve was too steep for me. I've changed my mind since I formatted my first story in Vellum. I will return to Scrivener and try it with my mind open to learn the new changes. 

Other than that, I used DAY ONE, similar to Evernote, which I stopped using because the price was too high. In DAY ONE, I put all my research, pictures, and timelines for whatever story I write.

Finally, I use the Agenda calendar to keep track of time. I usually write four hours daily, except on my Sabbath, when I don't work.  

My all-time favorite App is DAY ONE. I've had it since DAY ONE began. It carries my journal, shopping lists, and everything else I take notes on or pictures I notice while walking. 

Have a lovely month and Happy Fourth of July to all Americans. 

Shalom shalom,

Pat Garcia

IWSG DAY, JUNE 5, 2024, DO WE REALLY NEED TO OFFER MORE? By Pat Garcia @TheIWSG #IWSG #amwriting @pat_garcia

Welcome to our sixth IWSG Day of the year for 2024. 

 

IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by 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 haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us.

 

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Submissions: None

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

The awesome co-hosts for the June 5 posting of the IWSG are Liza at Middle Passages, Shannon Lawrence, Melissa Maygrove, and Olga Godim!

DO WE REALLY NEED TO OFFER MORE?

The IWSG offers a lot already. However, I would like to see us continue to provide writers with the opportunity to be a part of an IWSG Anthology. Outside of that, we have partners listed on our website that cover most areas of writing that an author needs.  

Have a lovely month of June, everyone.

Take care. 

Shalom shalom

 

Pat Garcia

IWSG DAY, MAY 1, 2024, INTERRUPTIONS AND DISTRACTIONS By Pat Garcia @TheIWSG #IWSG, #amwriting

Welcome to our fifth IWSG Day of the year for 2024. 

 

IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by 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!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us.

 

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Submissions: None

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

The awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

INTERRUPTIONS AND DISTRACTIONS

Fifteen years ago, I realized that I would have to make a significant change in my life if I wanted to take my writing seriously. At that time, I was constantly interrupted by the telephone, friends, and neighbors. I also was distracted by text messages and emails because I had chosen to be notified whenever I got an email or a text message. It was horrible. Each time I would get in my flow, something would interrupt it.

I decided to do something dramatic and stopped all notifications, turned off my landline and mobile, planned certain days to go shopping, stopped using television to eliminate my dull moments, and developed a few other rules I won't mention here. It was challenging to adjust my life around what was important, but I knew I had to do it. Amazingly, these rules have become habits, and I still do them. For example, I go on my landline and mobile at noon. 

My family and friends know if they need to reach me, they can text me and will hear from me after twelve PM.

Since then, I have written six days a week and had writing experiences where I am highly satisfied.

Have a lovely month of May.

Shalom shalom 

Pat Garcia 

IWSG DAY, APRIL 3, 2024, BLOGGING By Pat Garcia

Welcome to our fourth IWSG Day of the year for 2024. 

 

IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by 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!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us.

 

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

 

 

Submissions: None

 

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

The awesome co-hosts for the April 3 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin,Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia!

BLOGGING

I started blogging with a writer group on Linked In. Since then, I have blogged sporadically. I blog consistently with IWSG once a month. I have just come off the RRBC 30-Day Blogging Challenge that ended March 30. 

My blog posts go over Instagram, Facebook, and X. 

Now that the challenge has ended, I have dropped back to being a sporadic blogger, except for blogging once a month with the IWSG.

IWSG DAY, MARCH 6, 2024, NOT GOING THAT ROUTE, By Pat Garcia @pat_garcia @TheIWSG #IWSG

Welcome to our third IWSG Day of the year for 2024. 

 

IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by 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!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us.

 

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

 

 

Submissions: None

 

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the 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!

 

 

 Not Going That Route

 

I haven't played with AI nor plan to do any of what I consider the actual work of a writer with AI. Writing a synopsis is a part of my duty as a writer. I said in another blog post last year that the impact of AI  on creative writing could be tremendous because not every writer is honest. I don't think writers plan or intend to be dishonest, but after struggling for years and still not getting a publishing contract, AI could persuade many to go that route.

 

There are too many ramifications to using AI. Therefore, I am sticking to putting my creative thoughts together and doing whatever is necessary to learn what I don't know about writing one step at a time. 

 

Have a lovely month of March, everyone, and take care.

 

Shalom shalom

 

 

Pat Garcia

IWSG DAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2024, VISITING BLOGS By Pat Garcia n@pat_garcia @TheIWSG #IWSG

Welcome to our second IWSG Day of the year for 2024. 

 

IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by 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!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us.

 

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

 

 

Submissions: None

 

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

 

 

The awesome co-hosts for the February 7 posting of the IWSG are SE White,Janet Alcorn, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine! 

 

 

 

 

VISITING BLOGS

Visiting blogs these days is a test of anyone's patience.

What bothers me most is trying to find the IWSG post.

I like to find the posting facing me when I open the person's blog. 

 

I wish everyone a lovely February. 

 

Shalom shalom

Pat Garcia

IWSG DAY, January 3, 2024, My Rule for Gaining Followers and Following Back By Pat Garcia, @pat_garcia, @TheIWSG, #IWSG, #WritingJourney

Welcome to our first IWSG Day of the year for 2024. 

 

IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by 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!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us.

 

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

 

 

Submissions: Submitted to the WEP Anthology

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

 

 

The awesome co-hosts for the January 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Olga Godim, Diedre Knight, and Natalie Aguirre!

My Rule for Gaining Followers and Following Back

 

 

I have begun to look at Mastodon. I am still with X, but I want other options. 

I am on Book Bud, but I haven’t taken the time to get involved with it to say that I follow readers who follow me on Book Bud only. I can say that I follow readers who follow me consistently and put out the word about what I write as long as they are on social media that I am comfortable with. 

 

Wishing all of you a successful 2024. 

 

 

Shalom shalom

 

 

Pat Garcia