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 March 5 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages!
March 5 question - If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.
Honestly, I just want to be me. That’s enough. Sure, I could be John Petrucci for a day – I’m the greatest guitarist in the world. And then it would be – Hey, I’m back to sucking again. Too disappointing!
We are saying goodbye to Michelle Wallace who has been an IWSG admin since the beginning. We will really miss her and appreciate all the years of dedication she has given us.
Diane has stepped up to take over the IWSG Facebook group and introduced several new weekly prompts, so be sure to check them out this month.
We do need another admin who is also on Facebook to help with the group. If you are interested in becoming a part of the awesome IWSG team, working behind the scenes, send me an email or leave a comment!
And finally, special mention to the awesome Truedessa who wrote a poem that ties in with my book, Dragon of the Stars - Somewhere Beyond the Stars
Irascible Immortals Jams!
I enjoy listening to music while writing. Because the Irascible Immortals series needed a bit of crazy, I added some songs that aren’t my usual style (think Vengaboys and Wham!), but I had a lot of rock songs to keep me company, too. I listen to my playlist on repeat – something which I’ve heard can drive others crazy – to keep me in the right headspace while writing. This playlist helps to keep the tone, themes and characters consistent throughout the series.
My favourite rock songs for this series:
• Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park
• Supremacy by Muse
• How You Remind Me by Nickelback
• Blaze of Glory by Bon Jovi
• Symphony of Destruction by Nightwish
• Zombie by The Cranberries
• Tom Sawyer by Rush
• In the End by Linkin Park
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Rock is the music of the universe… It certainly created the rich world my characters inhabit.
Award-winning Dark Fantasy author Ronel Janse van Vuuren writes about kick-ass heroines, the duality of being human and loves to use folklore to underscore her point. She’s a Rottweiler pack leader, chicken wrangler and horse servant.
All of her books are available for purchase from major online retailers.
Find Smoke on the Water:
Links: Universal, series page, and website
The playlist for this series is here.
And the first book is free until March 8 here.
• Supremacy by Muse
• How You Remind Me by Nickelback
• Blaze of Glory by Bon Jovi
• Symphony of Destruction by Nightwish
• Zombie by The Cranberries
• Tom Sawyer by Rush
• In the End by Linkin Park
.jpg)
Rock is the music of the universe… It certainly created the rich world my characters inhabit.
Award-winning Dark Fantasy author Ronel Janse van Vuuren writes about kick-ass heroines, the duality of being human and loves to use folklore to underscore her point. She’s a Rottweiler pack leader, chicken wrangler and horse servant.
All of her books are available for purchase from major online retailers.
Links: Universal, series page, and website
The playlist for this series is here.
And the first book is free until March 8 here.
March Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for March. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
7 –
Mickey 17
Director - Bong Joon Ho
Stars - Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Michael Monroe
Mickey 17, known as an "expendable," goes on a dangerous journey to colonize an ice planet.
Watching the sparkly vampire die over and over might be entertaining.
21 –
Snow White
Director - Marc Webb
Stars - Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Tituss Burgess
Live-action adaptation of the 1937 Disney animated film 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'.
With so many production issues, this movie has disaster written all over it. Besides, Gal Gadot (playing the evil queen) is the fairest of them all!
28 –
Death of a Unicorn
Director - Alex Scharfman
Stars - Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Téa Leoni
Father-Daughter duo Elliott and Ridley hit a unicorn with their car and bring it to the wilderness retreat of a mega-wealthy pharmaceutical CEO.
Be prepared because this is not a sweet unicorn. Think Cabin in the Woods. Those who love unicorns – this is going to give you nightmares!
Director - Alex Scharfman
Stars - Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Téa Leoni
Father-Daughter duo Elliott and Ridley hit a unicorn with their car and bring it to the wilderness retreat of a mega-wealthy pharmaceutical CEO.
Be prepared because this is not a sweet unicorn. Think Cabin in the Woods. Those who love unicorns – this is going to give you nightmares!
Who would you be for a day? Interested in joining the IWSG Admin team? What’s on your book’s playlist? And what movies are you watching this month?
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68 comments:
Hi,
Being me is fine because it is still becoming. We stretched as we reached toward authenticity, and that is a good feeling.
Shalom shalom
Ha, your answer was funny, but you've got a point.
A scary unicorn? Now that's an original screenplay!
Thank you, Michelle, for helping all these years!
I'm good just being me. Honestly, it's a lot of work being me.
I've seen a few clips of Mickey 17 and it looks like it could be a fun film, Death of a Unicorn sounds good though?
That poem was wonderful. What a tribute.
I wouldn't want to be anyone else either. Thanks to Michelle for all her work as an administrator.
Scary unicorns are so on point!
Ronel visiting for IWSG day Tips For Author Success in 2025
Not a great month for movies.
I hope we get more writing prompts over on Facebook for the new feature next month.
Good point, the come down from a day as our hero would be big. Better to admire them from afar!
Ronel's series sounds fun. I like the idea of book playlists, although more for offering to readers, since I need silence to actually write.
Hi, Alex!
Throughout my youth, I played rock music while I did my homework. In recent years, I have found that I need silence or, at most, white noise in order to concentrate and write creatively. Music and other sounds distract me and derail the process. As much as I have liked Jenna Ortega ever since her role in You, it nevertheless seems like she is becoming overexposed lately. That said, if her Unicorn feature is anything like Cabin in the Woods, I'm interested.
I'm returning with a new post this Sunday and invite you to drop by Shady's Place. Until then, enjoy the rest of your week, good buddy Alex!
Thank you, Michelle for all your endless assistance through the years. Your efforts are very appreciated. Happy retirement. And thanks once again for your insight into movies, Alex, plus everything else you do. I haven't seen Snow White, and yes because of the momentum around the changes I probably won't. Happy IWSG Day to you and all the volunteers.
I don't think I would've thought of being another person! But I'm sure you don't suck as a guitarist.
Tituss Burgess is in Snow White? Maybe I will see it then. Still going to suck, though.
My husband and I watched a few newer movies in a row that we did not like then found two semi recent ones we enjoyed overall - Adopt a Highway (Ethan Hawke) and Captain Fantastic (Viggo Mortensen.)
I like your answer as the world needs a unique, creative person like YOU in it, Alex!
Great music choices, Ronel.
Liza, I was honored by the tribute.
Shady, I will be there!
Thanks, Joylene!
Loni, I have my moments...
Thanks, Jennifer!
Happy Wednesday! Not much out at the theater that interests me. Who would I want to be for a day? I am not sure I'd want to be someone else but, there are a few people I'd like to spend a day with.
Thanks for the shout out! What character from one of your books would you most like to be for a day?
Interesting comment, I hadn't considered the downside of being someone else for a day. I'm sure you're a great guitarist.
Michelle, thank you for your fine service and dedication over the years.
Sigh--not drawn to any of the movies. Dang!
I chuckled after reading your answer! :D I am also not drawn to any of those movies mentioned. Alex, have a great month! If you need any co-hosts in the coming month's I should be available.
Nothing in March to pique my interest. I guess, I'll have to wait for the usual summer blockbusters.
Hit a unicorn and took it with them to get treated? 🤔
Happy IWSG Day! I like your answer to the QOTM. I appreciate your honesty and sense of humor. I'm excited to read the poem about Dragon of the Stars. I also enjoyed Ronel's rock list. As always I enjoy your movie previews. I have no idea how Snow White even made it to post production. Death of a Unicorn looks like something I could only watch in the middle of the day while hugging a plushy.
If I could be something for a day but still have my mind and be able to remember my time as something else I would be a Hawk. I want to fly around and surf the wind currents. I think that would be fun.
Yes, being me (mabye with a little more adventure) is what I want to be for today and every day. Thanks for those great movie previews. :)
I agree with you about Gal Gadot as the evil queen. I think the next movie I’ll see is the Minecraft movie. It’s the only upcoming release my kids are interested in. Jack Black is usually reliable, so I’m looking forward to it.
It's wonderful to be content with being yourself.
Congrats to Ronel. My book doesn't have a playlist. I have to write in silence. Music throws my concentration.
None of those movies sound the least bit interesting. There's a reason I haven't been in a movie theater in, like, forever.
Good point about being the greatest of something for a day and going back to subpar playing. But maybe one could get a few tips by living in greatness for a day.
Lee
What a good reason to be ourselves, Alex. Like you said, it would be too disappointing if we were someone perfect for only one day. Besides, if everyone were perfect, just think how boring the world would be. We need people like us in the world to make life interesting. Stay strong!
I'll probably watch Death of a Unicorn at some point. Sounds like something my daughter and her wife will insist I watch with them. I recently watched the animated Lord of the Rings prequel on Prime. It was okay. I agree with what you said about Snow White.
Howdy, Captain!
Love the reviews - Death of a Unicorn sounds fantastic! If we actually got to be who or what has always intrigued us, one day doesn't seem like enough time ;-)
Thanks, Michelle for helping all these years! You've done a terrific job!
Snow White should be interesting.
Alex, that's a good thought on not being someone else! I'm finding it's enough of a challenge to deal with the ways being myself changes constantly, so I'm another who doesn't really want to be anyone else. That seems to be the way answers are trending on the blogs!
Definitely would rather just be myself. I don't really do a playlist but I listen to the LaLa Land soundtrack if I need inspiration to keep going
I don't think I want to be anyone else for a day. I like being who I am. But if I considered a total change for life, I would become one who could draw and paint, an artist.
Yeah, I like me. A lot. I'd stay me and continue to work on becoming a better me every day.
Michelle is awesome. Thanks, Michelle. I hope you can enjoy a bit of reprieve now.
Thanks, Alex. Carry on.
Truedessa, I don't think any of them! Too many hangups.
Cathrina, thank you! I will check the schedule.
Toi, and not a unicorn plushy!
Mary, a bird is a popular choice today.
Lee, good point.
Victoria, exactly!
Rebecca, exactly!
Olga, you are already a good artist.
I LOLed when I read your answer to this month's question. Going back to suckage again would be rough (though I doubt you rise to that degree of suckage ;).
Glad to see Diane coming on board. I wish IWSG would pair an introspective / random question with a call for best advice on a writing / publishing topic that changes every month. Regardless, looking forward to what's to come!
Michelle, Diane and Alex, Thank you for all you have done and do. Much appreciated.
That's a pretty good playlist. :D
I'm very down for watching the sparkly vampire die over and over and the dark unicorn movie sounds interesting.
No movies populated our social life this past month. I'd love to support theaters, but nothing intrigued. Not even Netflix or Apple+ at home. Lots of music played on the stereo - the oldies we love still rock!
You interest me in Death of a Unicorn. I just watched up the trailer. I'm in.
I loved Truedessa's poem, Alex! Thanks for featuring Ronel! I need music when I write too. Enjoy your day!
I can't listen to music and write at the same time, but I still love this playlist. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Choosing yourself is a good answer.
The first thing I'd watch in this list is snow white- only for the pleasure of roasting it
An evil unicorn? I like the 2 leads but I don’t think I’ll see it. Gal Gadot is stunning while Snow White is just a cute kid. Hmmmm… I’d like to be Jimmy Stewart, back in the 1930s going to the Oscars.
Hi Alex - yes thank you to Michele for all she's done over the years - I've enjoyed connecting with her. Then - this group and the admin over time has been a fascinating look at others' live - I love being here ... and thank you for continuing on with all your oversight and help with this group - I don't fall into compliance slots - just farrowing my own path. I have been to see a few South African very short animated political history films - incredible creativity - while also a very modern contemporary arts scene exhibition - I need to post about them.
I'd love to know what happened in the past, and what will happen in the near future - so I learn what's developing now ... ie 100 years forward. Cheers Hilary
I just saw the preview for Death of a Unicorn the other day, and I'm looking forward to this one. Admittedly, the evil unicorn trope is one that amuses me (despite one of my favorite movies being The Last Unicorn). I hope you guys find a great new IWSG admin!
Thanks Michelle for your good work and dedication to IWSG as administrator, and thanks to you Diane for taking over for the FB group and keeping it going!
I'm looking forward to Mickey 17 and would eventually like to read the novel it's based on.
The only music playlists I do is for when I'm driving. Otherwise, I'm a vinyl and CD guy. I like to collect my music in the physical when I can. While i do believe it inspires my writing I mostly listen to it outside my writing sessions. Some of what's on my assumed "playlist" are mostly old school songs ranging from Beatles to 70s BeeGees, George Benson (Jazz) and one of the few artists I listen to from after 1984 is Daft Punk (1990s to 2000s).
I don't always have music I listen to when I write. Some books have a distinct playlist, but others demand to be written without music. I often find music with lyrics distracting when writing, so listen to classical music or music in foreign languages. Sigur Ros is great writing music because any lyrics are in a made-up language that's always incomprehensible.
Snow White. I can't. I just can't.
For those who say, "How can you know it's a steaming pile of crap when you won't watch it?" To them I say, "I know that jumping in front of a train is bad without actually...jumping in front of a train."
Direct to cable: within a month.
I'd rather be me, but I hit on a twist...
Thanks to Michelle for all her hard work over the years. But no, I'm past being on admin teams, too. And I love your descriptions of thos movies. I won't be watching any of them. "D
Haha Good point about Gal Gadot.
I'll admit to shallowness, and being Gal Gadot for a day and looking into a mirror of beauty, just has to be glorious. Or I'd love to be Ruth Ware and write a perfect mystery, or Margaret Atwood and just be an amazing author, or a John Lennon who writes "Imagine" one of the most beautiful songs (in my opinion).
Flights of fancy.....
Thank you, Michelle, and welcome, Diane!
Yesss, Rush is the best :-)
Not sure who I would have picked before reading your answer, but you make a good point. I would just want to be me.
Being me is what I want to do all the other days. If I really were given the chance to be anybody - anything - else I would jump at it with enthusiasm.
Thanks for inventing this fun!
Melissa, we'll work on that.
Jean, knew there was a reason I liked you!
Anastasia, funny!
Steven, some bands I still get the CD. What happens if iTunes dies?
Al, exactly!
Deniz, you rock!
Even with all the chaos in my life right now, I'm still okay with being me. Plus, I don't have the extra brain power to really ponder the question. The closest is a cat or a dog and I don't think I really need to explain why. LOL
I doubt that I'll be watching any of the movies. None of them seem especially interesting, but I enjoyed reading your comments on each one. The unicorn movie sounds like my childhood self's worst nightmare! On another note, thank you to Michelle for being such an incredible admin and inspiration!
I think you playlist is awesome! Happy IWSG day!
Tom Sawyer! xoxo Takes me way back. As for the movies, I can't imagine Gal Gadot being an evil queen either, but wouldn't mind seeing it because she's in it!
I'm not sure I can wrap my head around Wonder Woman playing an evil role;)
Thanks for the shout out offer. Much appreciated.
Well done to all of you who have kept this group going for so long. I think you're amazing. I have never seen a remake that improved on the original. Pretty sure Snow White won't be the one to break that curse.
Bamboo flutes and yoga music when I write or classical music or just plain quiet. Love all of that. If I could be anyone, I'd still be me only holding my newly published bake book with my photography and bakes. I look forward to being that person.
No, Alex, no. No evil unicorns....
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