IWSG, Washington Irving, Being Thankful

Posting the First Wednesday of every month, the Insecure Writer's Support Group, is the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. YOU can sign up HERE to participate.

Every month a question will be posed that may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Remember, the question is optional. You can write about anything that relates to your writing journey.

Let's give a warm welcome to our co-hosts:  J.H. Moncrieff, Natalie Aguirre, Patsy Collins, and Chemist Ken!

This month's question is:  If you could use a wish to help you write just ONE scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be? (examples: fight scene / first kiss scene / death scene / chase scene / first chapter / middle chapter / end chapter, etc.)

I'm late to the party today. The first Wednesday snuck up on me unawares. At least, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. So... This post is a bit of a cop-out.

To answer the question, I would probably wish for help with a fight scene. I'm basically such a peaceful, non-violent person I have trouble writing arguments!

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Today is Washington Irving's birthday. Who doesn't know about Rip Van Winkle or The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? Did you know he had a long and deep friendship with Sir Walter Scott, that he was born in New York City the week the British surrendered at York Town, and was named after George Washington?

To honor him and give him a little love, here are a few quotes.

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.

Jealous people poison their own banquet and then eat it.

One of the greatest and simplest tools for learning more and growing is doing more.

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

Some minds seem almost to create themselves, springing up under every disadvantage and working their solitary but irresistible way through a thousand obstacles.

I have never found, in anything outside of the four walls of my study, an enjoyment equal to sitting at my writing desk with a clean page, a new theme, and a mind awake.

I am always at a loss at how much to believe of my own stories.

I can relate to this last one.

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Being Thankful

Today I'm thankful for Spring which seems to have finally, and firmly, planted her feet in the soil and wrapped her arms around the trees causing them to celebrate by getting dressed in their beautiful new green gowns.

Here are a few pictures of the bees in our bluebonnets, their pollen sacs filled with red pollen.

What are you thankful for? Do any of Irving's quotes resonate with you? What scene or chapter would wish for help with? Is Spring showing up where you live?