Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Plus Genre Smashing with Tara Tyler, Marvel Movie Trivia Answers, and Ninja and Alex 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.

My awesome co-hosts today are Sarah Foster, Joylene Nowell Butler, Lily Eva, and Rhonda Albom! Please stop by and thank them for helping today.

The IWSG admins will have a really cool surprise for you guys on the three year anniversary next month – don’t miss it!
And at the Facebook IWSG, we’re dropping Saturday and moving News and Promo Day to Friday.

As for my insecurity today…

I sent my latest manuscript to my critique partners Tuesday night!

After making all the adjustments suggested by my test readers and fine-tuning it a few more times, it was ready. I’m happy with the writing. (Yeah, after three books, I’m finally getting a handle on this grammar and structure thing.) Now, will the story be good enough? Was the original idea, sparked from a song’s storyline, really enough to sustain a novel length story?

All I can do is wait…

Be sure to visit others on the IWSG list!

Genre Smashing

I'm trying to keep this short - it is IWSG day after all. I'm very happy to be here at Captain Ninja Rockstar Alex's megablog talking about...

Sci Fi and Fantasy - Why are they smashed into one big genre?

The major genres in a bookstore are...

FICTION - - - MYSTERY - - - ROMANCE

THRILLER - - - SCI FI/FANTASY

How can they do that? Sci Fi makes me think of robots and space adventures, Star Wars or the Matrix! And Fantasy is totally about faeries, magic, and kingdoms, like the Hobbit! How can they callously throw Sci Fi and Fantasy into one genre??

Well, here's my theory. The biggest element that separates these two from the others is they are both out of this world! Literary fiction, mystery, romance, and thrillers are "realistic" fiction, usually based in a setting of the here and now (or historical). Sci Fi and Fantasy are prodigies of imagination, inspiring infinite possibilities, without the limitations of reality. Writers of Sci Fi and Fantasy stretch the minds of readers. And we usually incorporate pieces of the other genres, too. The fantastic magical or technological settings set them apart!

That and the fact that if they split them into two genres, the sections would be much smaller...

Do you all have any theories of why Sci Fi & Fantasy are grouped together? Out of the top five, which is your favorite genre?

Thank you so much for having me on this busy day, Alex!

NEW! Try this BEASTLY SURVEY and find out which beast you are!

(And don't forget to enter the new August giveaway!)

BROKEN BRANCH FALLS (MG Fantasy)
by Tara Tyler

Available at Barnes and Noble ~~~ Amazon
Add it to your GOODREADS list!

Find Tara -

Twitter ~~~ Facebook ~~~ Blog

Ninja News 

Melissa Bradley has been battling cancer and all the crappy stuff that goes with it for the past few months. The bills are huge and Melissa is struggling. A friend of hers set up an account at Go Fund Me for people to make donations. If you know Melissa and are able, she could really use some help.

Joy Campbell is hosting the Who’s Your Hero Blogfest on October 20. See her site for details.

Available now - Queen of Hastinapur by Jai Joshi





Book Trailer!
Induction Day ... Book 2 in the Butterman Time Travel series by PK Hrezo

Alex News

Voting is open for a few more weeks at the EFestival of Words Awards – CassaStorm is nominated for best science fiction, so if you enjoyed it, please register and vote HERE

Jeremy Hawkins is doing a Summer of T-Shirts series, and on Tuesday he featured my favorite t-shirt. Do you think you know what it is…?

And the awesome Stephanie Faris graced me with the Wonderful Team Member Award. Thanks, Stephanie!

The list of those who have worked hard to support this community is long, but I’m just going to focus on one person. Tina at Life is Good is the kick-butt heart and soul of the A to Z Challenge Team. She keeps the rest of us in line with tough love. And this past month, she was in the hospital for over two weeks and is still trying to recover. Plus Monday was her birthday. Tina, we love you, we miss you, and you are awesome.

Movie Trivia Answers

Marvel movies!
1 – Vampire trilogy - Blade
2 – Actor who started in one series and then hit it big with another series – Chris Evans (Fantastic Four-Avengers)
3 – Blind superhero - Daredevil
4 – In X-Men 3, Jean Grey becomes…Phoenix
5 – Worst rated film of the past twenty years – Elektra (10% on Rotten Tomatoes)

More trivia coming soon!
And movie reviews.
And maybe it’s time I announced another blogfest…

Do you know why the genres are smashed together? Signed up for Joy’s blogfest? Who do you think is a wonderful team member? Get any of the trivia right? And what is your writing insecurity today…?

Survivor: ParanormYA Island, New Thor: The Dark World Posters, IWSG Site, Ninja News and New Releases

The Storm continues! Today I have an interview with the awesome Belle Wong who runs My Bookish Ways. We cover everything from writing to my books to clones – check it out!

Today I welcome Gwen Gardner and Angela Brown, Partners in ParanormYA!

You are now tuning in to a special edition of Survivor: ParanormYA Island – Battle of the Sexes. The boys from They All Fall Down and A Guilty Ghost Surprised, against the girls…

*cue Survivor theme music*

Badger, Simon and Basil are gathered on the beach. Lips are moving and arms are waving about but nothing much appears to be happening.

On another part of the island, the girls are settling in. Riley has mysteriously located a cool cave to steal away in with a machete (where in the world did she get a huge blade like that?), several coconuts and bedding made of woven palm leaves and stems. Abby is just outside the cave with a warm fire stoked while performing an odd trick of warming a large blob of spinning water with a steady flame of holy fire. Indigo has a load of sticks stacked in her arms.

Franny pops onto the scene, inches from Indigo--.

--Indigo gasps, scattering the sticks in the air in her fright.

--Abby breaks concentration, spilling the water.

--Riley stumbles out of the cave.

Riley: What the – what happened?

Indigo: Franny? Can you please not scare me popping in like that? I think my heart just ran off the island.

Abby: Oh, hi Franny… *glances around* wherever you’re hovering.

Franny: Girls, the boys are getting nowhere.

Indigo: Franny…spying on them isn’t fair. But thanks. Wait, can we go to hell for cheating?

Franny: That’s not why I’m here. I spotted a few unseemly characters.

Simon slows his pace as he approaches: Like who?

Riley tucks her hands on her hips: What are you three doing here?

Badger: Franny told us to come here, er, rather, told Simon. He can’t see her but she scared the bloody dickens out of all of us when he heard her voice and screamed like a girl. Uh, no offense.

Abby: None taken. So can someone clue me in? I could see lost souls in the Withers, not on this earthly plane.

Basil: Same here. What’s going on?

Franny: They’re here, Q and SC.

Simon tosses his hands in the air, flustered: Just brilliant!

Indigo squares her shoulders, sighing: Now I see why Franny brought you guys here. The Devourer and Soul Collector are on the island. The only way we can defeat them is together.

Abby: You mean the way our authors Angela and Gwen are working together to tell the world about their, well, our new releases?

Riley: Good point. Abby, you and Basil have your elemental and shadow powers. Simon is pretty tough with those fists. Badger can scare with his scowl.

Badger scowls with emphasis.

Riley: See? *she turns to Indigo* Indigo, we can use your speed. We’ll try to keep your psychometry out of things this time.

Badger: Thanks.

Indigo gives a scowl of her own.

*cue fade-out music*

Angela and Gwen have all the confidence in the world that their characters can defeat their arch nemeses. Especially since they joined forces through book cross-over and combined some serious kick-arse talents.

But how do they fare in the novels?

Free of their duties as Cleanser and Harvestor, Abby and Basil try to move on with their lives. But some secrets remain. And what is done in the dark won’t be good when it comes to light.

Purchase They All Fall Down at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Indigo Eady and gang are back with a feather and a Chance setting off another twisting-turning investigation to bring a cold case, and loved ones, closure at last.

Purchase A Guilty Ghost Surprised at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

About Partners in ParanormYA:
Gwen Gardner and Angela Brown - YA paranormal authors embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Share with us as we take the Indie journey to bring our works to the world. Buckle up! There'll be mystery, mayhem, action and emotional roller coasters...oh, and a few things that go bump in the night.
Hauntings are scary but we love interaction:
Angela - Blog Facebook Twitter
Gwen - Blog Facebook Twitter

Available today!

Memories of Murder by Yolanda Renee

Decades ago, the seeds were planted …
Today, dark, fathomless eyes rake the image before him. One final task and the transformation is complete. Steady fingers screw intricately carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle suitable for Notre Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction.
A jagged smile rips through his smooth, hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body.
A laugh of hideous resonance emanates from his gut as the demons of hell welcome Lucifer into their fold.
In a dungeon-like chamber, his Lilith awaits. The kidnapped daughter of a nun, groomed to fit the final piece in the complex puzzle for world domination. Will Lucifer marry his bride, on the summer solstice?
Only two things stand in his way ...
His greed ...
And ...
Detective Steven Quaid.

Find Renee here - Blog Twitter Pinterest

The Vanished Knight by Misha Gericke

The Black Knight, Nordaine’s crown prince, has no legitimate blood heirs, meaning someone must be appointed to succeed him. With two of the candidates’ families willing to kill for the appointment and the third candidate being seen as a threat to all, peace is balanced on a sword’s edge.
But then the Black Knight vanishes.
Darrion and Gawain, two of his possible heirs, set out to find him, but after they rescue an earth-girl from Merithian soldiers, they discover she has possible ties to Nordaine. Not only that, but Callan Blair could be an Elvish princess. And war looms on the horizon…

Ninja News

Jai Joshi’s Day of Youth is now available. Congratulations, Jai!

Laura Pauling’s Vanishing Point, A Circle of Spies novella, is also available. Congratulations, Laura!

Coming November 13 – Moonless, Maiden of Time #1 by Crystal Collier

Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures…

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

What can I say but… wow! Thank you everyone. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group website was overwhelmed with followers and the Facebook Group doubled that following.

A schedule is already in place for the Facebook group – we’ll have Motivational Mondays, Wow! It’s Wednesday, and Fun Fridays.

I appreciate all of the words of thanks, but all I can claim is the idea and the basic site setup – the other admins took the idea and ran with it, filling the database and establishing the Facebook group. Those ladies did amazing things these past few weeks.

There is a lot I’d like to say about the group and what has happened in the past four years that I’ve been blogging. In the interest of time, I will save that for another day. For now, just thank you for the support of this group, and continue to spread the news. We want to build this database up big!

New Thor: The Dark World Posters

From Jo Blo’s site, we get a look at Volstagg and Fandral:

Would you want to be on Survivor: ParanormYA Island? Excited about the awesome new releases? Following the IWSG website and Facebook group? What did you like about the new site? Excited about Thor? And who’s seeing Gravity this weekend…?

Don’t forget to visit Belle at My Bookish Ways!

Special Thanks and News! Plus New Thor Poster, Comedy Movie Trivia, Ninja News, and Bizarre Photo

Today I am a guest of Mathew Bridle’s at The One Saga! Stop by to read my short interview.

Special Thanks and Fun News!

A big thanks to everyone who made the two-year anniversary of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group special! It was truly amazing and I’m glad everyone is excited about the upcoming website.
A big round of thanks to my co-hosts - Chemist Ken, SL Hennessy, Michelle Wallace, and Joylene Nowell Butler. You guys rocked it!
And special thanks to Elizabeth Seckman - her post was touching and funny. Elizabeth, honored to be your friend.

Sometime this week I slipped over 1900 followers through GFC. Whoa, thanks guys! I appreciate every single one of you. (There’s a slew of followers through Linky Followers, Google+, RSS Feed, and other readers like Feedly, so no idea just how many follow me now…)

I’m also now a Suvudu Preferred Poster, which is really cool

All in all, an awesome week!

Ninja News

Karen Lange’s book is now available – Homeschool Co-opts 101. If you homeschool your kids, check it out. Congratulations, Karen!

The first installment of A Shot in the Light, an Apocalypse Conspiracy Tale by Hart Johnson is available now! And there were some great entries in her blogfest yesterday. Congratulations, Hart!

Jai Joshi just released Bhishma, Son of Ganga. Congratulations, Jai!

Liesel Hill’s new book is out, Dark Remnants, and it’s 99 cents on Amazon for a limited time. Congratulations, Liesel!

Isis Rushdan revealed the cover for her next book – Protector of the Flame. Looks cool, Isis!



And Lynn Rush is running a marathon to raise money to fight cancer! Check her site for details on how you can help.

Movie Trivia

Comedy today! Name the movie from the quote:

1 – “When someone asks if you are a god, you say YES!”

2 – “You made a woman meow?”

3 – “What is the matter with you? I thought Mothers were sweet and nice a-a-and patient. I know loan sharks who are more forgiving than you. Your husband ain't dead, lady. He's hiding.”

4 – “He’s an angry elf.”

5 – “Eddie, Eddie, I swear to God, don't start with me or so help me, I will shoot him and dump him in a ___ swamp!”

6 – “I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster, drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters. *That* was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get *that* day over, and over, and over... “

Answers on Monday!

Cool New Movie Poster and Bizarre Image

Caught this over at JoBlo’s site - a new Thor: The Dark World poster featuring the villain, Malekith.

And from Blastr - this bizarre image of a Planet of the Apes float in the 1975 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

That’s right folks – you can’t make this stuff up!

Everyone enjoy the IWSG posts this week and the news of the website? Excited about the new books? Know any of the movie trivia? Excited about Thor: The Dark World? Anyone else seeing Riddick this weekend? Don’t forget to visit The One Saga!

Monday kicks off my official CassaStorm tour and it involves some snarky cats. Bet you’re intrigued now…