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 6 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!
May 6 question - What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?
I’ve received feedback both positive and negative over the years and most of it has faded with time. Edi of Edi’s Book Lighthouse (no longer blogging) loved my Cassa series. And then there is Trudessa’s love of Dragon of the Stars - she has continued the story on her own. Plus countless others – Tyrean, Elizabeth, Rusty, etc. Sometimes the simplest line of praise is more than enough to keep us going.
We need a couple more co-hosts for July and three to four for August. Let me know if you can volunteer. You’ll have fun and receive a lot more visitors!
What to Watch
From
Season four just kicked off and just as weird as ever. Streaming on MGM+
Every answer gets ten more questions. Enjoy!
The Beauty
Streaming on FX. Some of it works well and some doesn’t.
Sometimes it feels like an excuse to show butts.
Science fiction/horror premise is interesting but wish they would stick to the FBI agents.
Very similar to The Substance.
Something Very Bad is Going to Happen
Every aspect is unsettling and meant to throw you off balance and question what is happening. If you enjoy having your brain messed with, go for it.
May Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for May. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
1 -
Deep Water
Director – Renny Harlin
Stars - Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Angus Sampson
A group of international passengers en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai are forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. Now they must work together in hopes to overcome the frenzy of sharks drawn to the wreckage.
Every 70’s disaster film rolled into one…
8 –
Mortal Combat II
Director – Simon McQuoid
Stars - Karl Urban, Ludi Lin, Jessica McNamee
The fan favorite champions -- now joined by Johnny Cage himself -- are pitted against one another in the ultimate battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders.
Having Urban as Cage is brilliant. I’ve already got my quarter up and waiting to play.
Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition
Director – David Teague
Stars – Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Nicko McBrain
Spanning five decades, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition charts their iconic rise to become one of the biggest bands in music history.
What band doesn’t have a documentary these days? I dig Iron Maiden but come on!
15 –
In the Grey
Director – Guy Ritchie
Stars – Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill, Eiza Gonzalez
A covert team of elite operatives are living in the shadows. When a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune, they're sent to take it back-an impossible heist that erupts into a deadly game of strategy, deception and survival.
It’s Guy Ritchie doing a Guy Ritchie film so you know you are going to get…Guy Ritchie.
22 –
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Director – Jon Favreau
Stars - Martin Scorsese, Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver
Once a lone bounty hunter, Mandalorian Din Djarin and his apprentice Grogu embark on an exciting new Star Wars adventure.
This is not tracking well – where’s the love for Baby Yoda?
What’s the most inspiring feedback you’ve ever received? Can you co-host? What are you watching these days? And what movie catches your attention in May?
49 comments:
Star Wars, definitely. Just watched The Devil Wears Prada II or that would've been on my list for sure. Have a great May.
Hi Alex. Hope you are well. I can cohost in August.
I can do August. Agree on The Beauty. I think I became nude-blind after a while. (Oh, is someone else naked?) But the concept is interesting.
I'm sticking to reading :-) If you need a co-host, you have my email.
Ronel visiting for IWSG day Time for a Pivot
You should be so proud of yourself for writing your books. I’m glad people have found me funny, informative and creative..on my blog. Martin Scorsese is in a Star Wars movie? Does it turn into an expletive bloodbath? Is Joe Pesci baby Yoda? Wouldn’t that be hilarious! I will see The Devil Wears Prada. I. Just have no idea what is coming to the movies…but I like Henry Cavill who should be the next Bond. I am watching Six Feet Under and it is great!
You're so right that sometimes one line of encouragement can inspire us on. I can co-host any months you need help.
Hi, Alex!
I watched The Beauty and enjoyed it. S-2 is still not confirmed, but I hope fans of the creepy series keep the pressure on. Evan Peters is a veteran of 100 episodes of American Horror Story and he was brilliantly repugnant in the lead role of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in Monster. Ashton Kutcher is a real S.O.B. in The Beauty, and Isabella Rossellini from David Lynch's Blue Velvet is also featured in the cast.
Thanks for the tips on Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen and Deep Water. I intend to watch both. See you later this month, good buddy Alex!
Star Wars fans are terrible. I don't read reviews or comments about Star Wars movies and shows online anymore. I'm looking forward to the Mandalorian - it will be fun for the family!
It's true, the smallest bit of encouragement can go a long way. That's why we need a community, eh? People who will support and encourage us from a place of sincerity.
It's awesome to get reviews from book bloggers (I miss them) and fellow authors!
I still love Baby Yoda!
Swapped, an animated film on Netflix, was good.
Send Help was a great movie.
I do want to see the Baby Yoda movie, eventually.
Thanks for having me as a cohost this month. Jamie of UniquelyMaladjustedButFun
I agree about encouraging words, they aid in supporting writers, lifting spirits so to say. I like Karl Urban, he's come a long way from LOTR. Have a great month, Alex. Oh, I can host whenever.
Happy IWSG Day! I'm not really watching anything right now, but I will. I think Disney dropped the ball on promoting The Mandalorian and Grogu but I still want to see it.
I can't wait to get back to watching From! I started the first season ages ago then stopped, wanting to make sure there would be other seasons. Now I have four! :)
I love your reviews. I am going back to the States and I always see movies when I'm there. I'm going to see The Devil Wears Prada. I know it's not on your list and I'm praying it's as good as the first one.
Count me in for July or August or both, Alex. You have such interesting participants.
Thanks, Liza!
Ronel, thanks.
Birgit, that made me chuckle!
Natalie, you rock.
Shady, there seems to be a big cry for creepy these days.
CD, it should be!
Jamie, thanks for volunteering.
Cathrina, thanks! And yes he has.
Jacqui, thanks.
That is so cool that someone continued your series!
The encouragement and support is one of the most important reasons for why I love the IWSG, Alex! You created something very special!
It's always nice to hear that someone likes your books enough to read more of them. Congrats on that great feedback!
The only movie on the list that catches my attention is the "Star Wars" one. And that's mostly because I'm a SW fan overall. The "Mandolorian" series never appealed to me, but since it may be the only big space opera movie between now and the end of summer, I may be willing to give it a try. It sounds like you have a good list of positive feedback for your work.
Even the smallest compliment helps us keep going! I believe I'm already on for July co-hosting, and I can do August as well if needed.
"Every 70’s disaster film rolled into one…" That made me laugh.
I'm working the first Wed. in July, but I might be available for August. I just have to wait for my work schedule to be finalized before committing (AI is involved now, so my requested workdays get moved around by a computer. Ugh.). If you can't get enough people for August, reach out to me closer to the date.
I do like a bit of Star Wars, so will defo watch The Mandalorian and In tbe Grey sounds good, anything Guy Ritchie is worth a watch!
I just can't get into movies lately. Nothing sounds interesting. And nothing is interesting on TV, either. Sigh.
Howdy Captain!
Great post! I'd watch "In the Grey", plan to see Prada II as well as Remarkably Bright Creatures. Watching Landman, trying to get into Marshalls and The Madison. I can help out in August ;-)
It's always great to get encouragement from readers. Cool about Mandalorian. I'm programming music for the Dragon Con concert this year, and we're including music from Mandalorian.
I might enjoy the Iron Maiden doc since that's the type of thing I watch much of the time. I've come to prefer true stories and documentaries these days. Truth is stranger than fiction!
Lee
Hi Alex,
That is so true. One simple line of praise can keep us going. I've experienced this in the last few months.
I can do August 2026 as a co-host.
Shalom shalom
I can co-host in August, if you still need one.
I recently watched Project Hail Mary. I didn't like it much - too many special effects and not enough character development - but it wasn't a bad movie. Just not to my taste.
Howdy, Captain!
Great post, as always. I'd probably watch "In The Grey" Prada II is definitely on my list, as well as "Remarkably
"Wearing a belt with suspenders is a fashion faux pas."
Probably not terribly inspiring, but true.
Oh, writing?
Don't use fancy words when simple ones will get your point across just as effectively.
Louise, thank you! That means as much as a reader review.
Rebecca, I believe you are!
Melissa, thanks. And that is so unnatural...
Diedre, thanks!
Sherry that is too cool!
Lee, you are so right!
Pat, thanks!
Olga, awesome! And didn't make it to the theater for that one due to its length.
Al, exactly!
I enjoyed all of your books but, DOTS stole my heart. I often add tidbits of the story into my poetry. You created something magical and the short story afterwards was appreciated. I guess I didn't want the story to end but, all stories have a beginning and end.
I am definitely going to see Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
The simplest thing can really pack a punch for giving us motivation.
More baby Yoda! Any time is a good time for Grogu in this house. I'm actually really looking forward to that one.
I'm able to co-host in August if you still need some hosts. Happy IWSG Wednesday!
Mandalorian and Grogu, Mortal Kombat 2, and The Sheep Detectives (humorous family movie) all sound like a lot of fun to me. Wednesdays are super tough for me these days... so I can't help, but I appreciate all that all the IWSG team does.
Yes, sometimes a simple praise is all that’s needed.
Another shark movie? I watched Thrashed on Netflix a while ago and it wasn’t too bad. Know my hubby interested in watching the new Mortal Kombat and Star Wars movie.
Have you seen the trailer for the upcoming Masters of the Universe/He-Man movie? Seems Hollywood been making nothing but movies adapted from our childhood TV shows. What’s next, Thunder Cats? Captain Planet? Or Pirates of Dark Water? Although, that one I can get behind.
You're exactly right, Alex, sometimes just a word of genuine appreciation is all we need. We authors get used to running on the smell of an oily rag! :-)
Never watched starwars but grew up loving Baby Yoda because he was so cute and he was everywhere---from t shirts to lunch boxes:)
Truedessa, and I see those bits in your poetry and am honored!
SE, thanks!
Lidy, we also watched Thrashed and I did see the trailer. And I remember the movie from the 80's which was not good.
I love Grogu and their relationship is a hoot. I'm hopeful.
This isn't the most inspiring feedback I've ever gotten, but it is my favorite: "There are published authors out there who write way worse that you."
I'd be up to co-host again at some point!
I'm afraid none of those movies really interests me. But, I'm a film snob, so there's that.... I'd be happy to host again whenever.
"The simplest line of praise is more than enough to keep us going." This is so true, Alex. And wow! Martin Scorsese is one of the staring actors in the Star Wars film?
Yes, true about praise. The simplest of it from someone I greatly respect (in my case, you, Bryan or a handful of others) - that's all we need to get back on track. But the critical feedback, even if disguised as praise - NEVER has this helped me. Never was it truly relevant when I ran it by someone I trust.
Kindness is always key.
Happy May to you.
I agree, Alex. Those that 'get' and enjoy our stories keep us going.
From looks good. I haven't watched it yet.
I like the look of Deep Water and might give it a go.
Post a Comment