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 May 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn, Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!
May 7 question - Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them?
I guess lack of talent weighs on my most. For those who don’t know, I am the author of five books, a short story, contributor to numerous anthologies, and several magazine articles. And while I was really nervous the first couple of books, the last ones weigh on me the most. For better or for worse, my first two books sold huge. Four digits worth for many months. The others have not lived up to that success. Which bums me out as the next books were far better. So, I wonder if I was ever a decent writer.
And if you are curious, these are my books:
CassaDawn (free short story)
CassaStar
CassaFire
CassaStorm
CassaDark
Dragon of the Stars
We need co-hosts for July 2, August 6, and September 3. Anywhere from three to five co-hosts for each month. If you can help out, leave a comment or shoot me an email. Remember, it’s a ton of fun on the host side!
Movie Reviews
Companion
Directed by Drew Hancock and starring Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, and Harvey Guillen..
Begins with a group of friends gathering at a remote luxury cabin, and when one of them accidentally kill another, things get interesting.
I can’t give away too much and the less you know about it going in, the better the experience. What sets this apart from the obvious is the unique direction the film takes. It’s a mix of mystery and thriller, with a dose of drama and a dash of horror. Who is really more human and decent?
This one surprised me. I definitely recommend watching it.
Havoc
On Netflix, directed by Gareth Evans (who also wrote it) and staring Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Justin Cornwell, Quelin Sepulveda, Timothy Olyphant, and Forest Whitaker.
A messed-up detective, in a messed-up web of corruption, has to rescue a politician’s messed-up son.
I used messed-up a lot because that pretty much defines this film.
The action scenes are great. They really kick in during the second half of the film and are very impressive.
The problem lies with the writing. It’s a good story idea, just not well executed. (And since the writer was also the director, you would think he would’ve looked around and asked the actors if any of it made sense. I guarantee they would’ve said no.) So the story line is convoluted and challenging to follow.
If you like action films, give it a shot and keep your expectations very low.
May Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for May. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
2 –
Thunderbolts
Director: Jake Schreier
Stars: Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
Thunderbolts are go!
9 –
Clown in a Cornfield
Director: Eli Craig
Stars: Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac
A fading midwestern town in which Frendo the clown, a symbol of bygone success, reemerges as a terrifying scourge.
All I can think about is MST3K…Kitten with a Whip! Puppy with Nunchucks! Dik-dik with Brass Knuckles!
15 –
The Lost Princess
Director Hicham Hajji
Stars: Eric Roberts, Robert Knepper, Cillian O'Sullivan
A Billionaire discovers his true destiny after stumbling upon a haunted castle and fights to protect the castle's legacy.
I watched the trailer and just like the princess, I am lost…
23 –
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Stars: Tom Cruise, Vanessa Kirby, Janet McTeer
Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.
At this point, the tagline should be Ethan Hunt has fallen and he can’t get up.
30 –
Karate Kid Legends
Director: Jonathan Entwistle
Stars: Joshua Jackson, Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio
After kung fu prodigy Li Fong relocates to New York City, he attracts unwanted attention from a local karate champion and embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition with the help of Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso.
Kid moves to new city, is bullied, and competes in a Karate tournament. Sound familiar?
What are some of your fears as a writer? Have you seen either movie? What movies might you go see this month?
And can you co-host this summer?
And can you co-host this summer?
63 comments:
You are certainly a writer and it horrifies me that you too get hit with the insecurities. Kick them to the curb. Please.
Your talent isn't in doubt as many will attest. Unfortunately we're not in control of sales, feedback, and things like that, but they don't define you.
I saw Thunderbolts yesterday. It was fun. Not as great as I would have hoped, but still pretty good. David Harbor was the best part, as always.
The Tom Hardy movie you mentioned reminded me - I saw a David Bowie "tribute artist" a couple of weeks ago, and the base player looked EXACTLY like Tom Hardy. Even had similar mannerisms. It was freaky.
My fears would be rejection. I think that has haunted me since I was a kid. Don’t despair, you are a good writer. I find that some famous writers are truly not that good but they probably know someone…think the shades of grey crap novels..horrible.
That first film taking place in the cabin sounds good. I’ll skip the clown and most anything starring Eric Roberts. I do want to see Mission Impossible…he’s close to getting his old age pension but he can still run like nobody’s business.
I've read your writing and I think it's very good.
Gosh is Tom Cruise still doing this?
If you don't have a rule about co-hosting two months in a row, I'll sign up for July 2nd.
You're a good writer, Alex. Some books just resonate more with readers. That said, consider running some Amazon ads if you aren't already, and make sure each book links to the others in the backmatter. I've started putting QR codes in the back matter of my paperbacks, too.
You're definitely a talented writer, but I understand your fear. It's awesome that your first books were successful. Many authors, even those traditionally published, don't see much success from their writing. It's an up-and-down profession, one of its many downsides.
I'd be glad to co-host all three months if you need me too. I enjoy it!
I have read all of you books! As you know Dragon of the Stars is my favorite. I think there is a bit of synchronicity going on today. I posted something special just for you today before reading your post. The universe is an amazing place and you are a talented writer remember that always!
Alex, you ARE a talented writer! All writer's feel that way, well, at least I do.... It's that darn marketing, we're competing with millions of books. With influencers bombarding the market. LOL.
I just watched Havoc because I love Tom Hardy. Oh my! Your critique is right on! Crazy! The title suits it. The series, Mobland with Tom Hardy is excellent BTW.
I can co-host on July 2nd. Have a great month!
Thunderbolts aren't available nowhere near me- tragic. I've been waiting for it ever since they announced it and now I guess I'll have to keep waiting:)
I think all of your books were excellent and they are still selling to this day.
Trends come and go, one season everyone loves vampires and the next they're lame -- and then they're awesome again. Just because sales are down now, doesn't mean you're not a good writer.
I can help co-host whenever you need. Shoot me an email.
Ronel visiting for IWSG day A Refresher on Book Marketing
Elephant's Child, thank you.
Nick, no they don't.
CD, that is freaky.
Birgit, since it's almost three hours long, will probably wait for streaming for the next MI movie.
Thanks, Elizabeth, and I think this is his last MI movie.
Melissa, you rock! And I will look into that.
Natalie, you rock!
Truedessa, and I greatly appreciated it!
Cathrina, thanks.
Thanks, Diane.
I understand we so often judge success by sales. Could the science of marketing have more to do with sales than your talent?
You are a terrific writer and support other writers with all your heart.
Totally agree about The Companion!
And now I want to go back and watch the original The Karate Kid. I wonder if it holds up....
Companion is on my watchlist. I might even watch it today!
I can co-host in August!
You ARE talented. Every creative person questions their talent. It's in our nature. Failure is when we let those doubts stop us. Thank you, Alex for all you do for writers.
Love your movie reviews. Havoc--I got about 30% through and gave up. I liked the action, but it's dark with a challenging hero. Hmm... Love the tagline for Ethan Hunt!
Numbers can be so brutal! And I hear you about subsequent books. From what I understand, book #11 is where things really take off. LOL. I suppose that's why everyone tells us to just keep writing, eh?
Happy IWSG Day! I've enjoyed all your books and hope more people discover how great they are. Thanks for the reviews. Companion sounds interesting. I wanted to be excited about Thunderbolts but I'm not. Still, I'll see it eventually. Love your snark for MI.
I feel your pain, Alex. I've read your books, so talent is not in question. But what the writing masses want to read changes. Sales can't always be equated to success or talent.
Howdy, Captain! Loved your movie reviews (as usual) - I think I'd see Companion, maybe even Karate Kid Legends. I can't imagine why you'd ever doubt your outstanding talent but I do understand that we have those feelings for any number of reasons. Good thing there are folks like you providing beneficial platforms like IWSG where sharing the journey keeps us on it ;-)
I can host in September. Have a wonderful May!
Sales are not always a measure of writerly talent. Sometimes I swear it comes down to releasing a book when the moon is in alignment with Venus or some other crazy coincidence.
Thunderbolts sounds fun. I'll have to watch for that one.
I think most of us have that same "success/not so much" story. We're competing with millions of books, some with a lot of marketing money behind them. Pat yourself on the back for actually writing and publishing and getting well reviewed. https://substack.com/@cleemckenzie/p-162835681
I resonate with your frustration/fear, Alex. I believe my recent novels were better than my earlier ones, but they didn't sell as well. Probably one shallow reason was they didn't have a shirtless man on the cover! Too bad Havoc's writing was less than stellar, because it sounds like an interesting plot.
Don't beat yourself up, Alex. April and June are sloooow months for reading because of school stuff and spring fever, etc. Books, unlike films, will always be available. As for Tom Hardy, I'd watch him reading cereal boxes! I never go to movies with high expectations. I'm in it for the popcorn bucket. I'm available in September if you still need a co-host! Let me know.
That sales curve seems to be pretty common--mine look like that, too. My latest books are much better, but not only did the early books sell better on release (I think it was a better world then for selling indie books, or maybe any books), but they still do. I want to get people to read my new work and see how I've improved!
Oh, and I'm available for June and July co-hosting for sure, maybe August.
You are a great writer, Alex! I've loved each or your books, and the Cassa series got better and better as it progressed. I am embarrassed to admit this, but I can't remember the title of a short story you wrote that I thought was amazing, the one where a woman choses to remain with the man she loves after he is downloaded into a starship. The story resonated with me deeply, because I chose to marry a quadriplegic for love to the consternation of many. I tried to find your story, but couldn't, so I decided to just admit that I couldn't. I did discover a guest post though: "Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Ten Sexy and Smart Science-Fiction Women." (at the Geek Twins). That was fun. Do you see my ADHD shining through? 😂 I have to get back on task! Have a great day!
PS, I think I'm home on July 2nd, because it's surrounded by a number of "must do" medical appointments, so I can co-host. 😂
I'm looking forward to Mission Impossible, but I loved your new tagline for the movie. :) And the Lost Princess does look a little bizarre.
There are so many books released all the time so it can be easy to see how a book might get lost and never reach the hoped for audience. I don't know that much since I've never released a book and tried to market it. You did pretty well I think compared to most authors.
Lee
I keep waiting for a good movie to hit the box offices, Alex. Karate Kid Legends - Seriously?
I don't have writing fears. I've over them. Any of my writing related "fears" or resistance has to do with technology. No more book publishing for this gal. That's too much headache, even when I pay someone. Seems Amazon-Kindle has made it nearly impossible.
Cheers and happy everything.
"I'm over them." Typos - not a fear, just an expectation. Good editors help.
Clown in a Cornfield really does sound like a low-budget horror movie! I'm curious if it's genuinely bad or more in the so bad it's good category.
Ah, imposters syndrome. Of course you're a decent writer. I don't believe in "talent". I believe those who are considered "talented" just put in the work. It may have felt like fun because they enjoyed it. It may have come easier. But you have books that were published and sold. What catches on and what doesn't has more to do with luck than anything else.
Another Karate Kid movie? I liked the first two but after that why bother, they weren't that good.
I'm watching Havoc right now, it's ok so far.
Alex, your stories connect with readers. Honestly, I don't know why your first books brought in such mega numbers. That may be more a reflection of marketing strategies than writing, though. What brings you joy in writing? Persevere. Tell more of your stories. Please know your leadership with IWSG helps so many writers, including me, by creating a community without which we just might be isolated, mired down with doubt. Thank you.
Just a side note, perhaps your first very successful books coincided with the impact of Star Wars books/movies. Also, that first short story is not free on Amazon . . . . and, yes, I'm volunteering to co-host for June, if still needed.
I don't think we can ever really predict which of our stories would be more successful than others. The readers' choices are a mystery to me.
I can co-host, if you need it, any month.
Take note of the number of writers who've joined in to pump you up! You are a terrific writer, steadfast group leader, and all-around great person! While doubts are allowed, don't let them prevail - you are wonderful, wise, and worthy! That's my mantra and it works well if/when my soul threatens to fall into a pity pit.
I remember reading something about even though you make more sales the more books you have out, each sequel will have less sales than the previous book due to drop out. :/
Alex, on the writing spectrum you did far better and away than most of us.
Lynn, thank you!
Sarah, thanks!
Liza, appreciate that.
Crystal, I may never reach that number...
Diedre, thanks!
Nancy, thanks!
Rebecca, yes! You get it. And thanks.
Fundy, that's funny you found that post. And the book was Dragon of the Stars. And thanks.
Carrie-Anne, might be the latter...
Beth, thank you! I needed to hear that. And appreciate the offer.
Olga, thanks!
PJ, appreciate that!
Holly, maybe that's what happened...
Sandra, thanks!
I’ve talked to writers from newbies all the way to NYT bestsellers, and the fear you expressed seems to be the biggest commonalty. I think that insecurity may actually be crucial to creativity. Keep writing!
I can co-host in September.
Insecurity is annoying ... I think all writers suffer with it. You're a great writer, don't forget that. I have the imposter syndrome. I didn't go to college and this plagues me.
A few good films, I wanna see Thunderbolts, that looks great and of course Mission Impossible!! Not heard anything about The Clown in the Cornfield, looks like it could be one to watch.
Hi Alex - I agree with the others ... you are an author and a writer: see how much you do for us (IWSG and the blogging community - as far as I'm concerned from day one ... whenever that was: back in the dark ages!). I think it's great if you've got a book in you - that everyone writes and gets the first one out there, then two and three, then perhaps onwards and upwards with a series - as Elizabeth has done ... different styles I know.
Companion does sound intriguing ... I doubt I'll catch all the films I've missed over the years ... but I am seeing a few! Also there are few fellow bloggers who keep me informed about films from the past and today's offerings. Keep writing ... cheers Hilary
I love your snark. lol
As for your books, we loved all of them. Hubby still asks if you've written more.
Kim, that's good to know and thanks.
Thanks, Hilary.
Donna, thanks - that makes me feel good.
"Clown in a Cornfield" seems to have a clever plot, but it strikes me as exploitive. I could be wrong about the latter though. "Lost Princess" sounds intriguing, but the archetypal storyline makes it seem like it will be cheesy. If it is, I'm okay with it as long as it's a good kind of cheesy.
I don't know that sales and quality necessarily correlate. There are many fine books that struggle to find audience and many mediocre ones that hit a zeitgeist and sell millions. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
I feel you, I'm the same. And your publication history is longer than my own. But still, fear is fear, no matter where you are in your writing journey.
A bit iffy about Thunderbolts but still looking forward to eventually watching it. Seen Havoc and enjoyed the action. Another Mission Impossible? Another Karate Kid?
PS Saw Death of a Unicorn last week and both my hubby and I enjoyed it.
As a reader, I can say yes, you are always a decent writer. And as misery loves company, it gives me a bit of both confusion and relief that you doubt you skills too.
I'm sorry the others didn't sell as well. I get that though when they are better and don't sell. Frustrating. Tim talked about going to the movies but we haven't in ages. Thank you for the comment about Bug. We miss her bunches.
Good question about fear. Maybe lack of ability? Since I write pretty much as a hobby, I'm not sure fear of success would apply. After all, not gonna be a millionaire with the crap I write.
Lidy, good to know about Death of a Unicorn.
Ivy, very sorry about Bug.
Al, you would make a great news commentator though!
Ugh, I wish Hollywood would stop remaking everything and running old franchises into the ground.
I'm sorry you saw such a dropoff in sales. Looking at the pub dates, I wonder if it's because the small/indie press market has gotten so crowded. A lot of people did well with e-publishing in the early 2010s, because they got in on the ground floor, before there were millions and millions of titles. Now really great books go unnoticed because the market is so swamped. It's almost impossible to stand out, no matter how good your book is.
I can help host in July or September, if you'd like, Alex. I try to take August off for blogs. I'm just so burned out.
Alex, you are an amazing writer and person. Look what you have accomplished and built. We are ALL insecure writers, and you have gathered us together to help each other and to lean on each other.
With my debut release Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College, I have no idea if it will sell and do well. I just know that I did my best in writing it, and will try my best to market it.
We need to remain strong and believe in ourselves and help others to believe in themselves as well. Stay strong, sir!
September, please. I left my volunteering desire on my post because I knew it'd be awhile before I'd get to comment here.
For what it's worth, I enjoyed the book of yours that I read.
I did see Locked. It reminded me of a less-violent Saw. Similar vibes.
(Locked is a 2025 American thriller film directed by David Yarovesky and starring Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins.)
My greatest fear as a writer is that blank page and not being able to fill it. So far I've been lucky (although I did have a 4-year period between books 8 & 9).
None of the movies listed here interested me. And when my daughter and I were at the theatre for Sinners (good movie, by the way), we saw the previews for that clown one. I just laughed. My daughter HATES clowns (and blames Stephen King for it, too).
I think you just have to remind yourself that selling books is unpredictable and you never really know how one book will do. Just celebrate the fact you've got an entire series out there in the world.
My greatest fear is to lose the spark, and have a dry period. I love writing every day, I don't want to lose that!
Post a Comment