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. To change things up a bit, every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Let's give our co-hosts a warm welcome!
Yolanda Renee,
Tyrean Martinson,
Madeline Mora-Summonte,
LK Hill,
Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott!
This month's question is:
What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?
I love this idea! After all, how many inspiring quotes can a person share? Oh they'll probably continue to show up, but a shared question binds us even closer together as a family, as a group.
Aside from my mother, who was first person to recognize I might have authorial leanings and was always encouraging, I have to say that the best thing anyone has said about my writing came from Clara Gillow Clark, who was my instructor when I took the novel writing course through the Institute of Children's Literature.
Her final letter to me pretty much blew me away.
"The emotional story is powerful. ...There are so many poignant moments that touch the soul. You’ve
captured something special in this story, Bish, something that resonates and
feels right and good and true even as it breaks the heart and heals it at the
same time. What also struck me again and again is how finely and carefully and
thoughtfully crafted each part of the story is developed, revealed, and
satisfied. I love the way you handle time and connect all time in a way that
affirms and uplifts the reader. Spiritually, it was truly refreshing
Once again, I need to gush about your story, Bish! Your
book, A Piece of the Sky, is a
powerful and resonating story that has life changing qualities. I can’t tell
you how much I hope to see this book in print."
Of course, it isn't in print yet, but after THE BOWL AND THE STONE is published, my next task will revising, editing and finishing A PIECE OF THE SKY. And, it'll be a big one as it's a young adult novel that doesn't take place anywhere near the Caribbean and took years to research. However, Clara's words give me the courage to move forward with the project.
You can find Clara's books, HERE.
Her Goodreads page is HERE.
She is also on Facebook
And Twitter: @ClaraGillow
She is also on Facebook
And Twitter: @ClaraGillow
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So, taking a deep breath here. If you feel inclined to help me out with The Bowl and The Stone, fill out this long complicated form! I'll be reposting it periodically in the coming months. A big THANKS each and everyone of you who has been so very supportive and generous with your time and help.
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So, what's the bestest, nicest thing someone has said about your writing? Have you been inspired to start or finish a project because of someone's pat on the back?
