IWSG Blog Hop: What Inspired Me to Write a Story, #World Read Aloud Day

IWSG Blog Hop---the first Wednesday of every month.

Hello and welcome to the Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog Hop! 

Always on the first Wednesday of the month.

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. To find out more, click this link:  Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The purpose of the group 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. Click here to sign-up to join.

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Happy IWSG Day!

Add caption

Question for February 5

February Question 

February 5 question - 

Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? 

What was it and did you finish it?

Dangerous Sanctuary by J.Q. Rose
Romantic suspense

I'm sorry to say I have not been inspired by a photo or artwork to write a story. However, story ideas come from the stories in the news. I wrote an entire romantic suspense novel based on a newspaper article about a motorcoach exploding at a campground. Everyone got out alright with no injuries, including their service animals--a pig, a kangaroo, and a goat. Yes! That's a true story. Of course, my version in the novel, Dangerous Sanctuary, is not true. But so fun to write!

CELEBRATE WORLD READ ALOUD DAY 

ON FEBRUARY 5!

2 Boys Reading to Each Other

Image by Виктория Бородинова from Pixabay 

The World Read Aloud Celebration is a new one for me. However, LitWorld and Scholastic have promoted this special day for 11 years. Now, according to the Scholastic site, 173 countries celebrate the occasion! 

Join in. Here are the rules! 

1.Select a book 

2. Find a buddy 

3. Read aloud 

4. Share your favorite read-aloud moments on social media with #WorldReadAloudDay and be sure to tag @Scholastic, @LitWorldSays and 3 friends so they can join, too!

Click here to go to the Scholastic site.

I know when I read to my kids, my grandkids, my third-grade students, I felt all warm and fuzzy inside to share a quiet, special time with them. No matter what your age, reading a story or hearing a story read aloud is appreciated. 

I'll be presenting a workshop in Telling Life Stories this week, and I plan to read a few stories to the participants. Every time I've done this, they always listen intently and enjoy the time. It works both ways. I love hearing them share their life stories with the class.

Author and teacher Jacqui Murray is the one who brought attention to this day on her blog, Word Dreams. Click here to link to her informative post about why writers should celebrate the day and the importance of reading aloud.

GOOD NEWS! 99 Cent eBook February 4-February 7

Your Words, Your Life Story: A Guide to Sharing Memories

The content in this eBook is what I use to present Life Storytelling workshops. 

Easy to read and understand for those who want to learn how 
to share their life stories with family, friends and the world! 
Get your eBook copy now for 99 cents!

Click here to download the digital copy from your favorite online bookseller.
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A Rich Life

Seventy-two year old Mary Maxwell gave the invocation at a gathering of caregivers to seniors. She said, "This is the first time I've ever been old.... It just kind of crept up on me." I laughed at her wise and witty speech.


I turned this over in my mind. Life is all about first times isn't it? First time you were a kid, a gawky middle schooler, a teen-ager, and on and on with stages of life. What if you hadn't experienced those stages? Don't you wonder sometimes how you ever made it through those times? And why?


As I get older, I realize that each stage of my life built on to the next. Things I learned as a sixteen year old help me now at this age. Oh I don't mean book learning, I mean lessons in dealing with life e.g. joy, love, sorrow, passion, patience, faith, honesty and so many more that enrich one's life.


The best thing about working through these life lessons is sharing what you've learned. No, I don't mean preaching to a teen about the horrors of smoking or lecturing on not texting while driving. (Heck, there were no cell phones when I was a teen.!) 


I am talking about being able to be a good example to others going through stages in their lives. They can see I made it and they can too. With my past experience in life, I can be empathetic, listen, and understand what someone else is feeling.


I want to remember every single part of my life and, when asked, to use my experience to help others. Writing your life story is a wonderful way to share your life with others and to let them know the trauma and triumphs you faced. Your life story is a gift to family and friends. It's easy to start. Write down that story that is told at every family gathering. I'm sure it will spark many more for you. Enjoy the writing and re-visiting of your life.