It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.
The awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Beth Camp, Liza @ Middle Passages, and Natalie @ Literary Rambles!
January 8 question - Describe someone you admired when you were a child. Did your opinion of that person change when you grew up?
I’m going to go with a music answer and say the band Rush. When I was younger, they were infallible. Perfect. Almost god-like. But now that I am older, I realize the members are just people. Still great musicians, but I know they aren’t perfect and I don’t agree with them personally on some things. (Like soup. Geddy and Alex often have soup, and sometimes two soups. I don't like soup!)
Special opportunity from Reedsy and their Creative Writing Prompts contest – which we are hosting!
The theme is "Great Expectations," and the winner of this contest will not only be awarded $250 — they’ll also receive a special bonus prize from IWSG!
So, head on over as only a few days remain to enter this contest.
Review - Landman
Starring Billy Bob Thornton and set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs.
First off, Thornton is hilarious. He delivers his lines perfectly, with snark, anger, and annoyance. He is the light, however dark, in this heavy drama.
Many of the characters have hangups but they are just quirky and fun enough that you don’t dislike them.
There are some real shocks and working an oil field is not for the faint of heart.
Streaming on Paramount, I highly recommend it!
January Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for January. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
10 –
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
Director - Christian Gudegast
Stars - Gerard Butler, Jordan Bridges, O'Shea Jackson Jr.
Big Nick is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie, who is embroiled in the treacherous world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world's largest diamond exchange.
Den of Thieves 2: Electric Boogaloo!
13 –
Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare
Director – Scott Chambers
Stars - Jenny Miller, Chrissie Wunna, Kierston Wareing
Wendy Darling strikes out in an attempt to rescue her brother Michael from 'the clutches of the evil Peter Pan.' Along the way she meets Tinkerbell, who will be seen taking heroin, believing that it's pixie dust.
Disney’s licenses have expired – release the flood gates of crap.
17 –
Wolf Man
Director – Leigh Whannell
Stars - Julia Garner, Christopher Abbott, Matilda Firth
A family at a remote farmhouse is attacked by an unseen animal, but as the night stretches on, the father begins to transform into something unrecognizable.
The bar has been set way low – maybe they can trip over it.
24 –
Flight Risk
Director – Mel Gibson
Stars - Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, Topher Grace
A pilot transports an Air Marshal accompanying a fugitive to trial. As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested, as not everyone on board is who they seem.
The flight risk is that Wahlberg tried to give himself a haircut in turbulence.
Who did you admire as a youth? Entering Reedsy’s contest? Watching Landman? Any movies catch your attention this month?
Welcome to 2025!!
