Welcome to our FIFTH IWSG Day of the year 2025.
IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh.
At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!
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’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htm
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the May 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn,Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!
NOT BRAVE, BUT SOMETIMES CONFUSED, AND FEARFUL
Born and raised in the Deep South, I've constantly confronted situations that have forever changed my life.
I don't consider myself a brave person, and have stopped comparing myself to others when I write but having been told a writer's career was something I shouldn't strive for because of the color of my skin, caused me to experience times when I first started on my journey that confused me, and everything about living was scary. The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost and Don't Quit by an unknown poet kept my vision alive.
Although I didn't recognize the important people in my life as angels walking beside me back then, I had two English teachers who stood out, and a Pastor who gave me a priceless treasure that keeps me going even today. They taught me to treasure books and lose myself within the written pages.
Revered Murphy, whom I have mentioned in a previous IWSG article, taught me how to read the Bible. I would slip into the world of First and Second Samuel and kill a lion or a bear like David.
After he died, two English teachers opened the eyes of my heart to how reading books would expand my mind and tease my imagination regardless of whether they were fiction or non-fiction.
Books became my hideaway. I would slip into the pages, dream of what I wanted to become, and write about those things in my homemade journals. Even today, when I enter the door of any book, I sneak and peep through the chapters before I begin reading it. I let the words stir my soul, and if I am fearful or confused, I find peace and receive whatever I need to refresh me so I can write my books.
On another topic, I received my book trailer for THE POWER OF TOUCH, which is fantastic. I am immensely grateful for the book cover designed by artist & Author Olga Godim, and therefore, I am so happy to have a book trailer that 4WILLS PUB developed, which highlights the beauty of the book cover. I am sharing the link here. Please take the time to look at it if you have time.
Have a lovely month of May, and take care.
Shalom shalom
Pat Garcia
It's terrible people or society told you that you couldn't be a writer because of the color of your skin. I'm glad you ultimately didn't listen to this. Congrats on your trailer and book cover! Have a productive writing month.
ReplyDeleteYou were blessed to have those three people in your life.
ReplyDeleteTrailer was very cool! Like how the text segments represented the underwater explosion mentioned.
And thanks for co-hosting today!
ReplyDeleteFantastic trailer!
ReplyDeleteKeep writing. Now that authors aren't forced to pass through the traditional pub gatekeepers, there's nothing to hold us back.
Yes, I believe: Angels walk among us!! Awesome Trailer for The Power of Touch! Thank you for co-hosting Pat.
ReplyDeleteYour trailer is haunting and ethereal. Well done. Thank you for co-hosting IWSG today.
ReplyDeleteOooh! Book trailer... Pat, I'm so grateful you had supportive mentors along the way. It makes me want to get back out there and teach more kids/run more writing contests for them...but time. Off to check out the trailer!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful book trailer for your short story. Makes me want to read it!
ReplyDeleteSo many varied reasons why we-all took up the pen. Thanks, Pat.
ReplyDeleteVery sweet story, Pat. Thanks for it and thanks so much for co-hosting today. Congrats on the book and the fab book trailer, too. https://substack.com/@cleemckenzie/p-162835681
ReplyDeleteBooks were my escape when I was a kid and over time I've lived in so many wonderful stories that I often go back again, and again. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Thank you for co-hosting, Pat. Thanks for sharing. It's a good thing that Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and Alice Walker (to name a few) weren't silenced by the colour of their skin. Talent knows no limits.
ReplyDeleteWow! I really enjoyed your book trailer! I'm so glad you were not deterred by those terrible remarks and that God brought you mentors--both in people and books--to encourage you on the journey. Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteBooks have always been my escape, as well. And people who tell others that they "can't" do something because of the color of their skin, their gender, their age... make me really mad! What a stupid reason to think someone can't do something. But it's a poison that can creep into our minds even when we know it's bull.
ReplyDeleteComparing ourselves to others can be a recipe for heartache, but it's hard not to do! I'm glad you've found your path forward. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
I can relate to much about what you said. Especially confused. I hadn't heard anyone use that word today yet and it works for me. I'm always trying to figure things out and don't know that I ever will.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today.
Lee
I was well into my adult life before I encountered writing guides and mentors who were actually interested in listening rather than simply waiting for their turns to speak. The right person saying the right thing at the right time can change a life. Thanks for hosting, Pat!
ReplyDeleteAs I came from a ragged blue-collar family, I've often felt discrimination -- even today. I'm hoping such prejudice has eased today -- for us all, even if we cannot wholly erase the impact such treatment has. Your new trailer is simply lovely. Keep writing! And thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful trailer, Pat! I have angels in my past too, and books have always been a haven for me. Thanks for sharing and co-hosting! ❤️
ReplyDeleteGreat trailer, Pat. Thank you for mentioning my name.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting and sharing your inner thoughts, drives, and fears. I can align with your 'hideaway' into reading because I had two younger, difficult siblings and my mother allowed me to escape their tantrums and extravagant demands on her time. My imagined world was safe and sublime.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, Pat. I'm glad you chose words in books over those spewed by fools. You are so much better for it - as are we for the good fortune of knowing you. Thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you kept writing! Thanks for co-hosting.
ReplyDelete