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 February 5 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Louise Barbour, and Tyrean Martinson!
February 5 question - Is there a story or book you've written you want to/wish you could go back and change?
I might go back and do some fine-tuning edits on my first three Cassa books, but there is nothing major I would change about any of them. I’m very proud of that four-book (and one short story) series. It’s received great reviews and a ton of sales. Paid my mortgage on several occasions.
I don’t think there are many edits I would do, but I'd like to change the amount of readers of my solo book, Dragon of the Stars. I recently went back through it (something I rarely do) and I think I created a fun and adventurous story based on an almost mythical war ship. Truedessa, you are the biggest fan of Dragon and I thank you for that. For anyone who reads it, there is a short story sequel, Dragon’s Destiny, available for free – and written for Truedessa as she didn’t want the adventure to end.
We need co-hosts for April, May, and June! And one more for March wouldn't hurt. It's a lot of fun and you get new visitors that day. Let me know when you can co-host.
We are going to be trying some new things over in the IWSG Facebook group, so be watching for that.
We’d also like to formally extend an invitation to our members to write an article for the IWSG site – something beneficial to the group about writing, publishing, marketing, etc. You’d get a chance to feature your latest book! Contact me or email the IWSG email if interested.
For Your Viewing Pleasure
Season two of The Rig recently dropped. Looking forward to more weirdness.
Season two of Squid Game is also available. Taking a little different direction this time.
Part one of the six hour movie Horizon is out. Western set in the Wild West after the Civil War and starring Kevin Costner. It's okay - would've been better as a series, especially with the huge cast of characters.
Alice in Borderland recently became available. A Japanese series, it follows a gamer guy who finds himself in an alternate dimension Tokyo playing games for his life. Twisted but fun.
Watched The Cursed, a 2021 movie set in the 1800's. A land owner massacres a Gypsy village on his land and they place a curse on his family. Really good and a really unique take on the werewolf legend.
Also watched Howl, a 2015 film set in Britain. A train breaks down in the woods and the passengers are hunted by a pack of creatures. Also good and another unique take on werewolves.
February Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for January. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
7 –
Love Hurts
Director: Jonathan Eusebio
Stars: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Mustafa Shakir
A realtor is pulled back into the life he left behind after his former partner-in-crime resurfaces with an ominous message. With his crime-lord brother also on his trail, he must confront his past and the history he never fully buried.
I watched the trailer and now I think I’ve seen the movie…
14 –
Captain America: Brave New World
Director: Julius Onah
Stars: Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Rosa Salazar, Liv Tyler
Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, finds himself in the middle of an international incident and must discover the motive behind a nefarious global plan.
Love Anthony as Falcon, but Captain America is supposed to have super powers. It should’ve been Bucky.
21 –
The Monkey
Director: Osgood Perkins
Writers: Osgood Perkins and Stephen King
Stars: Adam Scott, Theo James Osgood Perkins
When twin brothers Bill and Hal find their father's old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths start. The siblings decide to throw the toy away and move on with their lives, growing apart over the years.
I prefer my monkeys playing symbols but one playing drums is okay…
28 –
Last Breath
Director: Alex Parkinson
Stars: Woody Harrelson, MyAnna Buring, Simu Lui, Finn Cole
A true story that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crew mate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface.
It’s like Deep Water Horizon, The Poseidon Adventure, The Abyss, and Cheers all had a baby…
What story or stories would you like to go back and change? What are you watching this month on television? Any movies catch your eye?