Hello Everyone,
It is IWSG Time!
IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by Alex 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, our successes, or giving encouragement and support to others.
So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us:
The Insecure Writer's Support Group
The awesome co-hosts for the April 7 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Pat Garcia, SE White,Lisa Buie Collard, and Diane Burton!
Submissions: Entered Turn The Light On into the KCT International Literary "TREAT" Award Contest
Risk Taker
I take risks in that I blend what is going on in the world and give my perspective to my characters to find out what they think. The engagement from my character's point of view is always engaging. I also grab situations that bother me within that viewpoint. Even in writing Romance, you can't bury your head in the sand. I like romance stories that weave the reality of death into their plots. These kinds of stories don't always end with the heroine and hero walking to the altar, but sometimes into eternity, and these are the kind of stories that I write. Within me is a strand that wants to present life as it is, and I do my best to give my readers a realistic view of love and trust that blends with taking responsibility for one's decisions and loving at the same time.
Wishing all of you a lovely month of April.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
Hi Pat. Thank you for co-hosting this month. Taking risks is rewarding, and quite satisfying I would say. While I've chosen to answer this question by talking about taking risks in terms of genre and experimentation, let me add here that like you I too like to keep my stories real and present what is as it is!
ReplyDeleteRealistic view is that love is often messy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
Love is messy. I think I'm the poster child for that!
DeleteThanks for co-hosting. I so agree with you on not burying your head when writing romances. It sounds like you have a great perspective on taking risks to make your stories and characters more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love your viewpoint, Pat! Writing always contains a piece of the writer's soul, expressing our fears, our hopes, our dreams in a way others can relate to. Putting ourselves out there is and always has been a risk worth taking. Thanks for hosting this month!!
ReplyDeleteLife is complex and messy - love that include that in your works!
ReplyDeleteLife isn't a cozy, nicely wrapped-up tale. Romance is even worse. It sounds like a wonderful direction to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for co-hosting, Pat! A realistic view of love is important even if the story is fun and lighthearted.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting, Pat. And thanks for always sharing your viewpoint, your wisdom, and your creativity.
ReplyDeleteI like that. You're bold in your presentation of story and how it represents life. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG today!
ReplyDeleteMary at Play off the Page
Thanks so much for co-hosting this month! Yes, have a touch of reality is grounding.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your perspective. Thanks for cohosting this month.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting, Pat! I wish you happy writing in April. Keep writing those complex stories--because life IS complicated.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month and for visiting my blog. I admire the realism in your work and appreciate seeing things from your characters points of view.
ReplyDeleteA lot of wisdom in your post. These words spoke to me, "..a realistic view of love and trust that blends with taking responsibility for one's decisions..."
ReplyDeleteThat certainly applies to me. I made what I thought was a realistic request. I invited someone to "fix" my blog. Now the links on my site are broken and I get to live with the results while I ask myself "How do I solve this problem?"
Here a temporary link to my blog: http://la-vita.us/write/
Comment link broken. If wish to comment, please email me at: sv.lavita@gmail.com
Thank you for co-hosting this month.
Since you wrote, "I take risks in that I blend what is going on in the world and give my perspective to my characters to find out what they think." I think you might like to read Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver if you haven't already, Pat. That's exactly what she's done. Happy co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Pat! I'm so glad there are those who can mix it up. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
ReplyDeleteI like that you want to add realism to your stories. Not all lollipops and rainbows, but real life thrown in too.
ReplyDeleteJQ Rose
Thank you Pat for this insight into character building and point of view. So true, and I can quite see the dilemma when writing romance novels.
ReplyDeleteReal life isn't always neat and tidy and sometimes we have to take risks as writers to reflect this.
ReplyDeleteI'm the opposite, both as a reader and a writer. I shy away from reality and seek my solace in imagination. That's why I read and write speculative fiction. It takes me away from the real world and its real problems.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Writing pushes us to question ourselves. Great post. Thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat! Thanks for co-hosting with me today! I love that you weave mortality into your stories. I think that's so important--in how, as humans, we grasp death and eternity. Sometimes it feels like a topic we gloss over or shy away from when in fact it happens to all of us.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Olga. I avoid as much of the real world as I can by hiding in my fantasy one. Seems to be working well!
ReplyDeleteI tend to avoid reality in my novels, too. But embedding them in the real world is still a possibility. Just doing something less realistic with the characters :)
ReplyDeleteJemima
Thank you for hosting and wishing YOU a month full of lovely April!
ReplyDeletetaking risks is what life is all about -- and I especially liked your goal: to provide a "realistic view of love and trust that blends with taking responsibility for one's decisions and loving at the same time." excellent!
ReplyDeleteand thanks for visiting me!
Tara Tyler Talks
Because I mostly write historical fiction, the realities of the past shape my story in unexpected ways. Perhaps that's similar to your comment, "I take risks in that I blend what is going on in the world and give my perspective to my characters to find out what they think." I do appreciate that journey to find out what my characters think and love digging into their inner lives, not always an easy process! May the coming month bring you more creativity and joy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting, Pat! I usually write about life grounded in reality. It's difficult for me to write romance ~ Now that is risk-taking.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like realistic effects even in fiction. That’s how we can relate to those characters and that’s probably why I’m not a fan of fantasy, sci-if, and such. Of course, writing memoir myself might have to do with that too. :-) I like how you weave death into your stories. That sounds a tad controversial. Thanks for co-hosting this month, Pat!
ReplyDeleteI like stories that have a strong element of reality to them, especially if it's romance. To me, even fantasy needs to be grounded in what really could happen, but then I tend to read "light" fantasy or magic realism. I like open endings as long as it fits with the story.
ReplyDeleteNovels can be so helpful as a guide through tough times. Life hurts at times, so I don't see why some novels are super sweet and perfect.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're a true romantic. We need more you around. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
You are very brave, Pat, to allow your characters to play out the problems in the world. Bravo! Thanks so much for co-hosting IWSG's question for April. All best to you!
ReplyDeleteI think the realism is what draws readers into a story and opens their emotions to the characters.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month, Pat.
ReplyDeleteI do believe in trying new things and moving beyond one's comfort zone; but I don't think that I'm a "real" risk-taker.
"walking to eternity" is such a pretty turn of phrase! And it can mean so many things (if you write fantasy)... Mm, giving me ideas!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
I like you aim to put realism into your romance stories. Certainly better than the Mill and Boon books that are little too whimisical and unrealistic.
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping it real.