Insecure Writer's Support Group and Ninja News

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 very first posting of the IWSG was September 6, 2011. While I do cull the list now and then for non-participants, the group is now three hundred strong.

First, I’d like to thank Christine Danek, Rusty Webb, L. Diane Wolfe, Robyn Alana Engel, Marta Szemik, Siv Maria, Jamie Gibbs, and Annalisa Crawford- these awesome bloggers have posted every single month for the IWSG. (And if I missed someone, let me know.) Thanks for your dedication, guys!

Second, the list is so big, there is no way I can visit everyone. Those from the middle of the list to the end seem to receive less comments, so if you guys could pop in and visit a couple new bloggers, I would appreciate it!

My post today is a good one! With BuNoWriMo motivating me, I’m making good progress on CassaStorm. It helps that I spent over four months on the outline, adjusting and adding, to the point I told Rusty I needed to stop before the outline became my novel. I’m not the fastest typist, especially as the perfectionist in me ponders every word and line as I write. My pace is about 350 words an hour. Go ahead and laugh – I know some of you can type that in five minutes! It takes me longer, but I am making good progress.

Now this is something that might help other writers. When planning CassaFire, I relied on reviews to tell me where I needed to improve. Some people don’t read reviews, but I like to know what I can do better and what fans want, so I look for common themes. Usually I look at Goodreads and Amazon. Well, since I discovered my books were bouncing around on the Amazon UK bestseller charts, I noticed something else – many of those reviews were different (As in, new to me.) So, if you do look at your reviews for input, be sure to check all sites!

Click on the tabbed page above for a list of all IWSG participants!

Ninja News!

Michelle Gregory at Beautiful Chaos has something special today just for IWSG participants! She is giving away nine paperback and ten eBooks of her novel, Eldala. Thanks, Michelle – that is really awesome!

Several blogger buddies of mine, Helen Ginger, Stephen Tremp, and Mary Montague Sikes, have contributed to a short story anthology from the BBT Café called Corner Café – and it’s available now! Congratulations, guys.

Jennifer Hillier’s Freak comes out soon! And she’s holding a contest – write a story using the word freak. Signed copies of Freak and an Amazon gift card are at stake. That rocks, Jennifer!

And I just purchased the 3D BluRay of John Carter. I’m going to be busy watching movies this weekend!

What are your insecurities today? Do you read your reviews to improve? Ready to take advantage of the cool offers above? Want to come watch John Carter in 3D? We have extra glasses!

Ninja News, BuMoWriMo, Movie Reviews, and Epic June Movie Releases!

Ninja News!

Thanks to everyone who left encouraging comments Wednesday for my online mom, Yvonne Lewis. And just to clarify, the man in the photo with her was Danny, not ME!

Cate Masters just released a new book, Orion Rising. Congratulations, Cate!

Helen Ginger at Straight From Hel announced a contest for unpublished science fiction and fantasy writers – Writer’s Toybox and Netherworld Books are looking for the next best selling author. Check it out!

It's June First, which means the next posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is next Wednesday. Mark your calendars.

I’m participating in BuNoWriMo in June. (Thanks Hart for making me an unofficial member due to my lack of a Facebook account.) I have my badge ready and plan to knock out most of CassaStorm this month.

CassaStorm
is 13% complete

6589 / 50000 words written

Hatfields and McCoys
This was the highest rated regular cable show ever (outside of sporting events) and safe to say the History Channel is on to something. Good director and top-notch actors really made the difference. Sad how such bitterness led to so much bloodshed. One of the best mini-series I’ve ever seen.

The Woman in Black
Effectively creepy ghost story – and no one does anything incredibly STUPID. (Although I wouldn’t stay overnight in that house for anything!) While not really original, it has some genuine chills and tense moments. Refreshing to see Radcliffe in a different role. Throw it in your NetFlix queue – worth a watch!

June Movies!

As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.


1 –

Snow White and the Huntsman
In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.
Director: Rupert Sanders
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Sam Claflin

This one looks wicked cool. Hemsworth is becoming a star.

Piranha 3DD
After the events at Lake Victoria, the pre-historic school of blood-thirsty piranhas make their way into a newly opened waterpark.
Director: John Gulager
Stars: Danielle Panabaker, Ving Rhames, David Hasselhoff, Matt Bush

No, I have no desire to see this in the theater, but I just HAD to mention it since Piranha 3D was one of the goriest films I’ve ever watched. (And I have watched some gorefests.)

8 -

Prometheus
A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
Director: Ridley Scott
Stars: Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron

Ridley Scott is due for another epic masterpiece and this could be it! The child of Alien and Aliens on steroids…

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent - Madagascar style.
Directors: Eric Darnell | Tom McGrath | Conrad Vernon
Stars: Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer

I was informed by my wife that we ARE seeing this movie when it comes out, so this will be a double feature weekend for me. Sigh. Help me!

15 -

Rock of Ages
Set in 1987 Los Angeles, Drew and Sherrie are two young people chasing their dreams in the big city. When they meet, it's love at first sight, though their romance will face a series of challenges.
Director: Adam Shankman
Stars: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin

Despite the title, they didn’t have permission to use Def Leppard’s Rock of Ages until this movie. Hey, I know all the music – why not?

22 -

Brave
Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.
Directors: Mark Andrews | Brenda Chapman | Steve Purcell
Stars: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters
Pixar is also due for a comeback film and this looks amazing. The voices alone sell it for me.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them.
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Stars: Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell, Dominic Cooper, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

I’m reading the book right now. This will be one weird and twisted movie!

Anyone else doing BuMoWriMo? Or Camp NaNo? Think you might enter that contest? Did you watch Hatfield and McCoys? Any movies strike your fancy for June?