​IWSG Blog Hop:
Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s helpful blog hop co-hosts: Erika Beebe, Pat Garcia, Tonja Drecker, Sadira Stone, and Cathrina Constantine.

This month is the anniversary of Pandemic's publication in 2014! One surprise, I suppose, is that people have continued to enjoy reading about a fictional pandemic even as we actually lived through one.

In honor of my debut novel's anniversary, I'm sharing a deleted scene. ​At one point in my writing process, this was Pandemic’s opening. It shows a glimpse of Lil’s friendships before the outbreak.

Five months earlier:
Lockers slammed as the usual Friday afternoon joy filled the school. Kayla and Megs walked down the hallway in front of me. I caught up, slipped between them, and linked my arms through theirs.
“Hey, Lil,” Kayla said.
The loudspeaker interrupted with Mr. Fryman’s last announcements of the week. “Don’t forget that Monday is Spirit Day, so please show your school pride by wearing red and white,” he said. “Congratulations on donating over 200 pounds of non-perishable food for the Thanksgiving drive! This season, I’m thankful for all of you! Don’t forget, charity begins at home. And success is a journey, not a destination!”
“Principal Cliché is at it again,” Megs said. “Will he ever stop?”
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” I said.
Megs laughed, but Kayla moved away from us and stood straighter, head up, chest out. At first I thought we’d annoyed her again. Then she did the head tilt, which meant an attractive guy had entered her orbit. As I glanced around for the usual suspects, I almost walked straight into the English teacher who helped me coordinate the food drive in between his debate team coaching.
“Hey, Mr. B,” Kayla said, all white-teeth smile.
“Happy Friday, ladies,” he said. “Liliana, let’s meet in the parking lot in five minutes. I have directions to the food pantry and—”
“Debate team practice on Tuesday?” Kayla interrupted. “I’ve been working on a new speech for Original Oratory, Myths about Love.”
“Sounds good. I can’t wait to hear it.”
She beamed after him as he continued toward his classroom, greeting students and making small talk as he went. Mr. B had convinced the other English teachers to exchange homework passes for food donations, which greatly increased our collection size.
“He’s like the school mayor,” I said.
“The mayor of hotness,” Kayla said. “That dark wavy hair, those brown eyes. Mr. B is bee-you-ti-ful.”
“Oh stop,” I said. “He’s at least thirty.”
“So?” Kayla said. “I’m mature for my age.” She’d spent all of last year crushing on him. It looked like our sophomore year would be more of the same.
“Gross.” Megs scowled. “And illegal.”
Kayla flipped her hair back, ready to argue. 
“Are you nervous about the next debate?” I asked, hoping to derail their fight.
“No,” Kayla said. “I just envision people naked. I have a vivid imagination.”
I shook my head, leaving Megs to deal with her as I left to meet Mr. B.
Later, I would face evil in the form of a deadly virus. But I didn’t know then that evil could come in many forms. It could even masquerade as a caring teacher.
That afternoon would change everything.

This week's links:

An older post, but a good one about writer's envy. The Writer's Poison by Joelle Fraser. 

A Word tech hack that I love: Create your own Text Expander. 

Productivity and the art of doing nothing but thinking: How to boost your creativity with a 'non-time' secret used by Steve Jobs, Einstein, and other neuroscientists

 According to Francine Jay, "Surfaces are not for storage. Rather, surfaces are for activity, and should be kept clear at all other times."
​What do you think?

As Covid-19 continues to affect us in various ways, I wanted to share these interesting articles about mental health:

• If You're Already Dreading Winter, Here Are Some Small Ways to Prepare Now
• How the Brain Handles the Unknown​
• An Antidote for the Pandemic-related Mental Exhaustion You’re Feeling

Previously on my blog, in case you missed it...
I wrote about some techniques to increase suspense in your writing in a previous blog post, and interviewed an editor about a teen writing publication.

​IWSG Monthly Blog Hop

Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s helpful blog hop co-hosts: Jemima Pett, Beth Camp, Beverly Stowe McClure, and Gwen Gardner.

One way to consider the term “working writer” is to consider whether we are working to improve at our craft. That's something all writers, no matter where they are in their careers, can embrace. We can improve by reading and analyzing what works (or what doesn't) in published stories. We can improve through a critique group or online workshops. We can improve through continuing to write, doing the work, showing up at the page.

Chinua Achebe said, " . . . a budding writer wants to be encouraged. But I believe myself that a good writer doesn’t really need to be told anything except to keep at it."

Now through August 8th, Voyager: The Third Ghost ebook is on sale for $2.99.

Some Amazon review excerpts:

"It's been a long time since I've read a collection of various genre stories that had me so overwhelmed with emotion at the end, and the fact that it's a middle-grade collection still boggles my mind."

"By turns intriguing, gripping, funny, and poignant--these are masterfully told stories by a first-rate group of writers. Their imaginative powers put me through the whole spectrum of emotions."
​
​"The amazing thing about themed anthologies is that, while there's a single theme, the stories are incredibly varied. In the case of Voyagers: The Third Ghost, not only are the stories varied, but each is well-crafted and engaging."

Grab a copy at the discounted price and leave your own review!

Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s helpful blog hop co-hosts: Susan Baury Rouchard, Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jennifer Hawes, Chemist Ken, and Chrys Fey.

As we begin writing, it's great to be open-minded about how a piece can transform. I don't have any interesting anecdotes (A poem that became an exciting novel! A novel that became beautiful picture book!), but I think we should always stay receptive to exciting creative possibilities.

Happy Summer! Since I'm currently in between semesters of my MFA program, I'm catching up on various tasks, including updating my website. I realized my previous dowloadable bio was several years old. Learn from my mistakes--check and update your website on a regular basis.

I've also added new content to my collection of writing resources for teens. (Some of it's beneficial to adults, too!) In case you missed it, I recently interviewed the editor-in-chief of The Weight Journal, a literary blog that publishes a wide range of teen writing. I also came across a library-sponsored Fractured Fairy Tale contest (see image, left, for details). And don't forget about IWSG's annual anthology contest, open to writers of all ages. This year's genre is science fiction.

Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s helpful blog hop co-hosts: Jenni Enzor, Beth Camp, Liesbet, Tyrean Martinson, and Sandra Cox!

This month's blog question:
There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade? ​

The children's publishing industry continues to struggle with diversity. It would be great to see improvement over the coming years. If this is a topic of interest, I would recommend visiting the We Need Diverse Books website. They feature many resources, including some for writers and for readers.

I like to share interesting links, and recently came across Dan Blank's exercise for Finding Creative Clarity. All you need is some spare time and index cards to give it a try. I didn't follow the rules exactly, but it gave me insight into creative areas I'm neglecting. How do you prioritize creative products?

Here are some pandemic-related links I hope you'll find helpful. (For a more complete list, see my latest newsletter.)

For pandemic data: Check CovidTracking.com for US testing data and Worldmeter for worldwide information that can also be viewed by country. Axios is currently providing a daily dashboard of stats and related news.

For writers: SCBWI is offering free digital workshops for members and the Highlights Foundation has sessions, too. Camp NaNoWriMo begins April 1st.

For productivity (or not!): Why You Should Ignore All That Coronavirus-Inspired Productivity Pressure

For authors, booksellers, publishers educators, and parents: a collection of links from We Need Diverse Books

​For everyone: Consider documenting history. We are living in unprecedented times. Whether you journal, blog, or take photos, think about keeping your own personal record.

Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s helpful blog hop co-hosts: Diane Burton, JH Moncrieff, Anna @ Emaginette, Karen @ Reprobate Typewriter, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard!

This month's blog topic: The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in this time when our world is in crisis with the Covid-19 pandemic, our optional question this month is: 
​
​How are things in your world?

My family is currently self-quarantined, working from home, and staying in touch through social media and virtual visits. ​

​For my fellow creatives, you might enjoy this uplifting piece by Kendra Levin: My Wishes for Your Quarantine.

Reading-related: Tsundoku: The practice of buying more books than you can read 
​Writing-related: 24 Themed Calls for Submissions for March 2020 and Apostrophe society shuts down because 'ignorance and laziness have won'
Productivity-related: How to Start an Ambitious Personal Project (A good read when that New Year's resolve starts to wane.)

Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s helpful blog hop co-hosts: Jacqui Murray, Lisa Buie-Collard, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence.

We have a fun family tradition that combines Thanksgiving with a large family reunion in July, but I have yet to work that into a story.
​
In other IWSG news, visit the anthology blog to read about featured authors Sherry Ellis, Louise MacBeath Barbour, Charles Kowalski, and Bish Denham.

Last week, I hosted a NJ SCBWI social where about twenty local NJ writers and illustrators could chat over scissors, glue sticks, and magazines that we used to create vision board collages. If you’re interested in making your own boards, here are some resources:
* Vision Boards for Authors by Shelley Wilson
* Create Your Writing Year With A Vision Board Or Map by Nina Amir
* 26 Vision Board Ideas for Your Important Goals in 2020

Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s helpful blog hop co-hosts  Lee Lowery, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Jennifer Hawes, Cathrina Constantine, and Tyrean Martinson.

​Not really. I’m usually inspired by a few things that combine to influence plot and character, so I’ll have to pass on this month’s question. Instead I’ll give a shout out to my anthology coauthors, Katharina Gerlach and Roland Clarke, who are profiled on the IWSG blog. 

Check out Is Your Planning Procrastination in Disguise? by Madeleine Dore. "There can be nothing more satisfying than writing a list—but sometimes this becomes more of a crutch based in procrastination, fear of uncertainty, and perfectionism. Creatives share their strategies for recognizing and overcoming the block of over-planning.”

Happy New Year! This month's helpful links revolve around making 2020 a productive year.

For readers:  How to Keep Your Reading Resolutions for 2020

For writers:  A general philosophy you can apply to writing--Seven Steps to Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

Productivity: This is meant for entrepreneurs but includes some good tips (except I'm skipping #9)--Time Management Hacks That Very Successful People Practice Daily

And just for fun: The Man Cold vs the Mom Cold 

Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s awesome blog hop co-hosts T. Powell Coltrin, Victoria Marie Lees, Stephen Tremp, Renee Scattergood, and J.H. Moncrieff.

As a kid, I loved the magic of being transported by a book, and I realized early on that I wanted to create that magic for others. My journey took some twists and turns, with a corporate detour along the way, but writing was always an interest.

In 2020, I’m thrilled that my middle grade story "The Third Ghost" is part of the new IWSG Voyagers anthology. You can learn more on the blog devoted to IWSG anthologies.

Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s helpful blog hop co-hosts: Tonja Drecker, Beverly Stowe McClure, Nicki Elson, Fundy Blue, and Tyrean Martinson!

One aspect of the writing life is enjoying the creative process. Another part of the dream is having your writing accepted for publication. I’m thrilled to announce that my middle grade short story “The Third Ghost” was chosen as the title story for the upcoming IWSG Anthology.

Voyagers: The Third Ghost will be available from Dancing Lemur Press in May 2020. Congratulations to my fellow anthology authors and to everyone who entered—completing and submitting a story is a great accomplishment.

Here is a list of the anthology stories:
​
The Third Ghost – Yvonne Ventresca 
A World of Trouble – Rebecca M. Douglass 
Winter Days – Katharina Gerlach 
Feathered Fire – Roland Clarke 
The Ghosts of Pompeii – Sherry Ellis 
The Blind Ship – Bish Denham 
Return to Cahokia – L.T. Ward
Dare Double Dare – Louise M. Barbour 
Simon Grey and the Yamamba – Charles Kowalski 
The Orchard – Beth Anderson Schuck 

For readers:  22 Great Quotes About Reading and the Reading Life, including this one from Anna Quindlen: "Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home."

For writers:  Find a Room of Your Own: Top 10 Tips for Women Who Want to Write

Productivity: Increase Your Productivity by Saying Goodbye to Drains and Incompletions
​
Just for fun: Artist Pokes Fun At Literature Classics In 30 Cartoons

Helpful Links

Each month, I like to share writing, reading, and productivity resources. 
​
​About productivity: What productivity style are you? Here are descriptions of four types along with the tools that might best help you: The Four Types of Productivity Styles. (I'm a "planner.")
​
For writers: Why try NaNoWriMo? Some thoughts from a few years ago that still hold true.

For readers: Why You Should Surround Yourself With More Books Than You'll Ever Have Time to Read (As if I need this encouragement....)

IWSG Blog Hop

Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group poses an optional question that members can answer in their blog posts. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding IWSG, and to this month’s helpful blog hop co-hosts: Sadira Stone, Patricia Josephine, Lisa Buie-Collard, Erika Beebe, and C. Lee McKenzie!

This month's question:
​ What's the strangest thing you've ever googled in researching a story?

In the past few months, my research has led me to search about various types of ghosts, an American castle as a possible setting, and decades-old arson fires in Hoboken. I’m not sure any of that counts as “strange,” but it does make for an interesting browser history.

One of my favorite tools to store research images, by the way, is the “secret” board option on Pinterest. If I look for castle photos, for example, I save them on a hidden board until the story makes it out into the world. (I don’t share research as I go along because of too many false starts and changes as the work progresses.) Here’s an example of a board that was initially secret for Black Flowers, White Lies that I made public and added to over time.

Writer friends, are you participating in NaNoWriMo19?
Why or why not?