Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog Hop: Google Calendar, Apology, FREE PDF Copy

Hello and welcome to  the IWSG blog hop. 

What is IWSG? Founder of the Insecure Writers Support Group and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose is "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!" You're invited to become a member of this supportive group.

The group blogs the first Wednesday of every month.  The list of bloggers is always available so you can hop around to the author blogs filled with humor, advice, and thought-provoking topics on writing and publishing. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page. 

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Embarrassed
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net by Salvatore Vuono

Ummm, the first Wednesday of the month has passed. Somehow it slid into Thursday overnight. In fact at 4:00 a.m. today, I realized I had forgotten all about the IWSG hop on Wednesday. But, hey, I figure it is still Wednesday someplace in the world. Right?

I apologize for missing THE blog hop day in my corner of the world, but I have a gift for you along with my apology.

So sorry!
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos,net by Stuart Miles

One of the reasons I didn't get the blog done was I didn't check the dang calendar. Whether you schedule something on a physical calendar hanging on the bulletin board in plain sight and never look at it OR add the event to your Google calendar and don't open your email, there is no guarantee you will actually show up at the appointed time. I am at that stage where I am dealing with ICRS disease (I Can't Remember Stuff (well you know what goes in the S but this is a PG rated blog.)

Last week I learned there are a lot of ways to use the Google Calendar and there are tutorials on Video Tube or information for Google calendar tips and tricks to make it a real tool for marketing and business use. I hope to check this out and vow to actually look at it every day!

The other reason I never thought about the blog hop is because this is the week for the book launch for the writing tips eBook, Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing: Tips on the Writing Process, Publishing, and Marketing. I chose this week especially so I could let you all know about it and give you a FREE PDF copy of the eBook. But since that offer ended at 12:30 this morning, I'm going to extend it for you. 

Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing
Now Available
***If you would like a free PDF copy of the 40 page book, please contact me at jqrose02 at gmail dot com.Tell your friends and, if you have time, leave a review. Thank you.Deadline for receiving this freebie is Saturday, May 9,2015 at 9:00 pm EDST.

In August, I invited romance and mystery authors to send me writing tips to share on this blog during October through February. I compiled tips from the fifteen participating authors with new material to make up the book. Yes, when I sent them the letter of invitation in August, they knew their tips would be included in a book. So the intention was to turn the blog posts into a book known as "blogging a book." 

I enjoyed meeting new authors and working again with author friends on the project. And oh my, what great tips and information are included in the eBook. 

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Worrying about missing an event or appointment can make me insecure. How do you keep track of your schedule? Please leave a comment below to join in the discussion. Thank you!

I hope you will accept my apology for being tardy on posting for the monthly ISWG blog hop and the offer to receive the FREE PDF copy. 

For more information about the book, go to Amazon. All royalties go to public libraries.

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Money or Recognition as a Writer, Shhhh--New Book Release

As a writer, do you want money or recognition?
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.com byFeelart

Good Thursday to you! (Okay, if you are reading this on a different day, sub that day for Thursday, We are flexible here.)

Money or Recognition? by J.Q. Rose

I read an article last night on the On the Premises website. The post was in their writing tips section and of course I had to check it out since Thursdays were dedicated to guest authors sharing their writing tips on this blog from October-February.

Rather than a tip, it was more of a thought-provoking piece on what writers want when they decide on a career in writing. The blog post author (he/she never credited herself in penning this article) wrote, "Publishing an on-line magazine with the goal to make published stories available indefinitely has brought an interesting philosophical battle to my attention. There can be a struggle between the desire to make money from your work and the desire to have your work witnessed, appreciated, and/or recognized by others." Find the essay titled Two Kinds of Writers in the Writing Tips section and check out their contests. No fee to enter.

Did you decide to become a writer because you're interested in making lots of money by writing fiction? 

OR

Did you decide to become a writer to be famous and appreciated through your writing? Do you want to develop memorable characters who will leave a lasting message on our society for years to come e.g. Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird.

I must remind you that this is a philosophical discussion because I imagine if you become recognized (think Stephen King or J.K. Rowling) for your effort, you will be richly compensated. In this world of technology your books will available as digital files in cyberspace for infinity, so you could be famous now and into the future.

The article's author asks, "What’s more important to you, money or recognition?"

How would you answer that? Please leave a comment below to join in the discussion.

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This article was a timely one for me, because today is no ordinary Thursday. I am bursting to tell you, but I don't want to "let the cat out of the bag" and blow the whole surprise. Well, maybe it isn't a surprise so much, as news.

I'm sitting on my hands so-to-speak, trying not to say anything. Zipped my lips shut. But then again, this news adds to this discussion of fame or fortune in a different way.

I am going to explode though if I just don't just come out and say it!

Ta-dah!!! The Writing Tips book is published on Amazon and ready for you! 

Squeeeeeeeeeeee.. Dancin' around the chair. Breathless.

Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing
Available NOW at Amazon.com

There! My original plan was to have a quiet launch on Amazon, gather all those fifteen authors who contributed to the book, and really have a blow-out book launch all at once. But---

I've had so much feedback from the authors who are ready to shout about the book, I decided to go with that program too.

If you would like a free PDF copy of the 40 page book, please contact me at jqrose02 at gmail dot com. Hopefully you'll be able to leave a review and recommend it to your friends.

So you're wondering why does this book launch have anything to do with the philosophical discussion on fame or fortune as a writer? 

For awhile now I have been questioning if the world really needs anymore mysteries, fantasies, horror stories in this already mixed up world of terror and unimaginable crimes. As I see that I have more years behind me than ahead of me, I want to offer, in my writing, information that will help society. I think this writing tips book will definitely offer eye-opening tips to new writers. In our gardening book, released in February, my DH, Gardener Ted, and I shared lots of valuable quick tips for new vegetable gardeners. And it feels good!

Quick Tips on Vegetable Gardening
Available at Amazon.com

It feels even better when I know I'll be donating the royalties from the writing tips book to public libraries and royalties from the gardening book to local food banks.

I'm not saying there is no place for good escape reading to help get us through some of these worrisome times. In fact, as a writer, you know those stories just wind through your brain and you have to get them out on the page. But I'm not looking for fame or fortune when writing fiction. I am looking to get a message out to the world through characters and settings, etc. to bring awareness, start discussions, and to find solutions to problems in our society, as well as entertain readers with a great story. When it's all said, in order to get my message out, I have to become recognized. 

How do you view your writing career? Take a few minutes to leave a comment, please. We'd love to enjoy a rich discussion from all sides. Thanks!

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