IWSG DAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2020, IF I COULD CHOOSE ONE AUTHOR TO BE MY BETA PARTNER, IT WOULD BE CATHERINE ANDERSON BY Pat Garcia

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 August 5 posting of the IWSG are  PJ Colando, J Lenni Dorner,Deniz Bevan, Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, and Louise - Fundy Blue! 

 

 

Submission: The Writer Magazine – Non-Fiction Challenge (Results Still Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I Could Choose One Author To Be My Beta Partner, It Would be Catherine Anderson.  

 

The first time I became acquainted with her writing was when I read Keegan's Lady. I fell in love with the book on the first page. By page fifteen, I was hooked, and I read through the night. 

 

Anything she writes I buy, and I believe I have every one of her books. 

 

Her characters fascinate me because they are not perfect. She shows the other side of life where, for example, a woman in a wheelchair meets the love of her life.

 

I am often saddened because of what I call the perfect world romance writers develop where everybody is beautiful and has never had a severe problem. The characters are borne perfect without flaws or deep wounds. However, this is not the case in Anderson's books. She writes stories that I can relate to that deal with real people and real-life situations. 

I have never met her personally, but I feel as if I know her, and if I could have her as my beta partner, I would shout for joy because it would be a dream come true. 

 

Shalom aleichem,

 

 

Pat Garcia

 

IWSG DAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017, COMPARING MY WRITING JOURNEY to the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES WINNING SUPER BOWL LII

Hello Everyone,

It is the first Wednesday of the month, and IWSG Time. 

IWSG is a writer support group created and led by Alex Cavanaugh. It is a big help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help 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 

My report:

Submissions –   None for February 2018

COMPARING WRITING JOURNEY to the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES WINNING SUPER BOWL LII

Sunday, the fourth of February displayed the faith, the resiliency, and the relentlessness of the Philadelphia Eagles. Who would have thought that a team hit with so many setbacks during the season and the years behind them would become Super Bowl Champions? 

As I watched them play, I compared my writing journey to becoming a Champion in the Super Bowl.  To reach your goal, you have to turn yourself into a relentless writer, reading those books, writing as much as you can, every time you can, attending those classes and implementing what you learn into your book regardless of whether it is poetry, fiction or non-fiction. You're not cocky; you're not out there doing a hip-hop dance, and you don't examine your competition and measure what their chances are because you don't want to waste your time.

No, you have got your eyes on your goal, and you're looking at your writing.  For example, at the moment, my knees are knocking, slightly trembling, wanting to buckle under, as I complete this final revision of my manuscript so that I can submit it to the RNA, (Romantic Novelist's Association) in the United Kingdom. That’s right.  January 2nd ushered in a new epoch in my life. I was one of the 300 people chosen for the New Writer’s Scheme. We have a deadline of August 31, but as usual, I have set myself a deadline for May 31st. I don’t want to wait around until the last minute. So, my Facebook Reader’s Group is busy reading my manuscript. A small group of seven, mixed with writers and readers from all over the western world, I am happy to have them. 

  

So why the shakes? It is like the Philadelphia Eagles and their appearance in the Super Bowl. It takes a quarter portion of resiliency, a quarter portion of relentlessness, a quarter portion of faith, as you learn how to work your vocabulary to create your story, and a quarter portion of joy as you write it from your heart. And, it is that beautiful purple bow of perseverance  wrapped around those ingredients I mentioned above that hold you together and keep you from falling apart.  

  

So, here I am getting ready to catch my first touchdown.  Like the Philadelphia Eagles before Super Bowl LII, I am swamped doing revisions, receiving critiques from different writers and editors, and looking patiently for the right words to give expression to what is in my heart and will paint pictures  through the words I use. I am at the fourth and on the one yard line and  have decided  to  go for what my heart desires, a touch down in traditional publishing. I hope I score and shock the world just like Nick Foles did when he caught that touchdown before the second quarter ended.  People, I was jumping for joy. I believe I woke the neighbourhood here in my German Village, when I shouted, "Oh my gosh," and started dancing. As for me, I’ll let you know what happens when I catch my first touchdown at the end of the year.  

Have a lovely February and be safe as you walk through the month. 

Shalom aleichem,

Pat Garcia 

IWSG Day, September 6, 2017, Have I Ever Surprised Myself In My Own Writing?

Hello Everyone,

It is the first Wednesday of the month, and IWSG Time. 

IWSG is a writer support group created and led by Alex Cavanaugh. It is a big help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help 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 

My report:

Submission August 2017

Three poems to the Lascaux Review

Outstanding Submissions

Lascaux Review – The Woman and Her Dream - Rejection

The Wigleaf - The Box in the Loft - Rejection

 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Anthology – Turn the Lights On – Still Outstanding

Death – a poem in the Rattle Poetry Contest – Still Outstanding

 Have I Ever Surprised Myself  In My Own Writing?

Yes, and a triple yes, yes, yes!  In fact, I find myself being continually amazed when I allow myself to remain open to the voice whispering inside me.

I have never thought of myself as a poet. Poetry is one of those avenues of writing where I sit and read and marvel at the viewpoints some poets in the past saw happening around them. Or, I am astonished at what some poets see taking place in our world today. However, participating in the April WEP Challenge changed my mind about my writing poetry.  I am no longer a lover of poetry but also a writer who also writes poetry.

There are hidden emotions deep within me that react to how humans are treating each other, and I release these emotions by writing poetry.

Change means surprise,

Sometimes shock,

Sometimes, it makes your temper rise,

Or your knees knocked against each other,

Forcing you to step up to  the challenge.

And like David facing Goliath,

You pick up your five stones;

You run toward your mountain,

And slowly you whittle it down to size.

You surprise yourself.

What you’ve discovered,

Has melted away a portion of the iceberg

That lies within you,

And moved you toward your dream.

Have a lovely month of September and walk peaceably through life if you can. 

Shalom aleichem,

Pat G