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 July 2 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Natalie Aguirre, Cathrina Constantine, and Louise Barbour!
July 2 question - Is there a genre you haven't tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?
I love science fiction and fantasy. While almost everything I have written has been science fiction, I tend to read more fantasy. Would I try writing it? I would like to, but at this point, I am not compelled to write anything. To me, fantasy is even more world-building intense and I don’t think I am up to it.
In the future? Who knows!
Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College
The college dynamic clashed with motherhood. I oversaw the home, five young children, and their education. This was important as my oldest child is learning-disabled.
I hadn’t been in an academic setting in over twenty years. A collegiate classroom was alien to me.
Three courses. Professors thought I had unlimited time to read and complete assignments. I was a concrete thinker, couldn’t figure out theories, had no college preparatory courses, and developed an aversion to the blank page. I pushed myself, recorded my subject notes, and studied constantly, reaching for that degree one college course at a time.
Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College
By Victoria Marie Lees
Universal Buy Link
July Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for July. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
2 –
Jurassic World: Rebirth
Director: Gareth Edwards
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend
Five years post-Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), an expedition braves isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough.
The last few have been so subpar – Edwards can only improve it!
11 –
Superman
Director: James Gunn
Stars: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult
Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.
Tenth reboot’s the charm? (No idea how many reboots. A lot. And I am excited for this one.)
18 –
Eddington
Director: Ari Aster
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Deirdre O'Connell, Emma Stone
In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico.
From the director of Midsommar and Hereditary – the weirdness factor will be multiplied by a thousand.
25 –
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.
Director: Matt Shakman
Stars: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn
Third reboot’s a charm! (And it really is three.)
What genre would you like to try? Gone back to college after having kids? And what movie catches your eye this month?
Happy Fourth of July! Almost two hundred and fifty years. Yes, all of Europe, Africa, and Asia is laughing at that number…
Enjoy your July. I will be a little scarce this month…catch you on August 6 for the next IWSG day!
37 comments:
All looks great films, I'm looking forward to 28 Years Later....I know it's not on your list, but can't help myself!
I've liked most of the Jurassic movies, looking forward to this one. Happy 4th of July. Have a great month!
I finished nursing school while I was still single and childless. I don't know how moms do it. Kudos to anyone who can get a degree while caring for a family.
Fantasy was my answer too, and I was also daunted by the worldbuilding. However, some of it has snuck into my WIP almost by stealth. A fantasy garnish, perhaps. Inspired by Victoria's story and her book.
Yes, the world-building in a fantasy can be intense. I'm not feeling very inspired to write these days either. I'm okay with it.
Fantasy is a lot of fun to write! World building can be daunting but you also have a lot of freedom with what you want to write.
World building while writing fantasy does seem like heavy lifting. I'm excited for Jurassic Park and Superman! Happy Independence Day.
Yup. I've done the fantasy thing -- with a world in my head for 30+ years, but I understand the hesitation. Especially when there are so many other exciting things to be mentally focused on. LOL.
Congrats to Victoria!
Definitely some interesting movies coming out this summer.
I can't imagine going back to college now. LOL!
Sadly the reviews of JW:Rebirth are not good.
Looks like good films Alex, I'm attempting slowly to get back to the real world of blogging after a very long time off the scene.
Hope all is well with you.
Double Congratulations to Victoria! College and a new book! Way to go!
As always, I love the snarky movie descriptions. I'm looking forward to Jurassic World and after seeing the trailer several times, I'm looking forward to Superman, too.
Happy Independence Day!
I'm going to check out Eddington. I didn't care for Midsommar, but I did like Hereditary.
Happy 4th!
Enjoy your month, Alex! Hope you have some lovely summer plans.
I would love to see what you do with a fantasy story. Not really looking forward to any of those movies. I was happy with Henry Cavill as Superman. July is heavily scheduled for me. I'm going to try to enjoy all the social stuff I usually avoid.
Jurassic World's got my attention. But it got bad reviews? I'll still see it anyway. Have a great fourth of July!!!!
Good summaries, Alex. Victoria's book is on my list. I would have said attending college with 5 kids is impossible. Yet, she does! I've given up on the superhero movies I used to love, but these don't sound too bad. Will they make Superman the good guy again? Hmm...
You're very creative and I'm positive you will be compelled to write. Fiction or fantasy, who knows? The Shadow knows.
With all you have accomplished, Alex, I think you'd do well with anything you put your mind to, even world-building. for a fantasy. Thank for all you do!
Fantasy world-building is as bit daunting, but also seems like a lot of fun. My daughter has a fantasy series she's been writing and rewriting with a friend since they were in middle school (she's going on 28). I think they mostly just love making the world with all the geography and history!
I'm impressed with anyone that juggles family and education. My mom went to nursing school when she was in her fifties and had three kids at home.
I've been waiting for Jurassic Rebirth and will definitely see it in the theatre. It always looks best on the big screen. Although the sequels don't match up to the 1990s original Jurassic Park, and many are just b-rated cheesy, I still find them a joy ride and they go well with summer viewing.
I've never felt impressed by any of the Super Man movies after Christopher Reeves first three and so havent botheredwith them. But this one coming out sounds like it has a good plot that's needed for these times. So, I'm willing to give it a chance. Plus there's a scene in there where he battles a giant monster which I can really go for!
And this is the third attempt at a Fantastic Four film. I'm considering seeing it if it gets at least an okay rating.
I remember my college days enough. That author's totally right about professors thinking students have unlimited time to read. As glad as I am that I went to college and as good of moments I had there, I don't miss it. And I had a learning disability like her son.
Happy Fourth of July to you too, Alex! Let's remember and be grateful for our freedom to read and write in this country!
Hi,
I picked up a copy of Determination by Victoria and Season One by Pat Watt.
Shalom shalom
Ray, it came out last month and I covered it then.
Fantasy garnish - I like that, Nick.
Yvonne! Good to hear from you.
Susan, I guess the rest of the cast was not as happy with Cavill as Superman...
Rebecca, that's the part I dread...
Steven, the ones with Cavill were good, especially the extended Justice League. We just watched it again a couple weeks ago.
I'm really interested in Superman. Ten reboots! I think fantasy would be a great genre to try for you, but I do agree that the worldbuilding, especially for high fantasy, seems pretty intense. Happy Fourth! Enjoy your lighter month!
I'm looking forward to The Fantastic Four. Here's hoping they make a good film this attempt! @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
I think you should be good at fantasy, Alex. When I started writing, I only had ideas for fantasy stories. Never thought I would try writing sci-fi. Now, I write exclusively sci-fi. Strange reverse, that, but I learned to never say 'never.'
The only genres I'd be interesting in writing are Sci-Fi and fantasy. Thing is, everything I'd want to do in a fantasy novel, Tolkien already did, and he did it way better than I ever could. So that leaves me with Sci-Fi.
Canada is 158 years young as of yesterday. Just a neonate. We had a great birthday celebration. I'm wishing all my American friends at great 4th of July party. Stay safe. Blessings
I'm looking forward to Jurassic World and Superman. I just write on my blog, maybe one day I will write a book. Maybe.
I seem to be stuck in the one fantasy land and cant imagine another. but hey... Pern. It could keep me going for a whole new series, shouldn't it. Although I'm having an argument with Amazon at present as apparently a book can't be tagged as both adult fantasy and child fantasy. Sigh. Personally, I can't imagine writing a murder or a thriller. Too scary for me, and too much planning before writing!
very much looking forward to Eddington. Ari Aster is such an interesting filmmaker.
I don't watch a ton of movies but I enjoy your commentary. :)
Don't forget, fantasy used to be considered a sub-genre of science fiction!
Ray mentioned 28 Years Later--I'm looking forward to that too.
Almost all of my college years took place after my son’s birth. I ended up completing a bachelor’s and master’s.
Funny enough, I don’t think I can write science fiction. Like how math from a certain point too much for me to grasp, so is the science jargon and terminology for science fiction. Nor do I read or watch much of it. But I do write fantasy.
I’m unsure of the new Jurassic Park, Superman and Fantastic Four movies. But I’m willing to give them a try.
Another dino movie? I'm in. I love them! However, I also live under a really big rock in the woods so I didn't know a new one was due out. How cool.
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