The Insecure Writer's Support Group

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 insecurity today stems from a date that is approaching fast –
February 28, 2012.

The release date for CassaFire, my second book.

What’s going to happen that day?

I’m throwing a big Catch Fire! Blog Party that day and participants have a chance to win one of five copies of CassaFire.

But you know how the saying goes – what if you threw a party and no one attended?

I’m not a big name author and I’m uncomfortable with promotions. So it’s likely to be a small party.


In fact, I never even planned on a second book, let alone a party for it.

Some days, I still have no idea what I am doing. All of my efforts might be for nothing. And that’s a scary feeling.

I appreciate all of my blogger friends and hope I’ve been able to return the support you’ve shown to me.This stuff isn't easy and some days we wonder if our voice will even be heard.

So, I will extend the invitation to join the party one more time. (Full details HERE.)

Are you ready for your big release day? Ever throw a party and no one showed up? Maybe if I served Hot Tamales…?

Please visit other members of the Insecure Writer's Support Group today-

A to Z Challenge Sign-ups Open and The Grey Review

Some quick news before we dive into the A to Z Challenge sign-ups.

You guys performed a miracle on Saturday! The book trailer for CassaFire had been trailing in fifth place all week - but managed to place third and was featured Sunday at You Gotta Read Videos. Thanks so much to everyone who voted and sent out messages about it – I really appreciate it!

I also saw The Grey this weekend – excellent film. Much more somber than I expected – it’s more of a drama than an action film. The story focuses on the characters and Liam Neeson and cast did a great job. I liked how key character points were revealed slowly through the film. It is very intense with a slight art-house feel to it. A winner!

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for!! Sign-ups are now open for the A to Z Challenge.

Description:
The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting the letter of the alphabet every day during the month of April, with Sundays off for good behavior. Since April 1 falls on a Sunday, that will be the day we start with A. Whether you go with a theme or freestyle, your post must match the letter of the alphabet for that day. Add your name to the list and when the Challenge begins, start by visiting the blog immediately after your own. Set a goal – we recommend five blogs a day, more if you are able.

For more information and to stay on top of developments, we recommend you follow the A to Z Challenge Blog and the hosts: Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs, Jenny Pearson at Pearson Report, Matthew McNish at The QQQE, Tina Downey at Life is Good, Jeremy Hawkins at Retro-Zombie, DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude, Shannon Lawrence at The Warrior Muse, Elizabeth Mueller, Damyanti Biswas at Amlokiblogs, Karen Gowen at Coming Down the Mountain, and Konstanz Silverbow at No Thought 2 Small. We also have a Facebook page,, email address 2012azinfo@gmail.com, and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge.

This is a great opportunity to discipline yourself, grow as a blogger, and make new friends – come join us!

Any questions about the Challenge? Any concerns? Do you have a theme in mind? Let's hear it!


Please go HERE to sign up for the Challenge.

February Movies, Results, and Challenge News

It’s almost February, so time for next month’s movies. Monday is the BIG announcement for the A to Z Challenge - signups begin! And I have a guest post today at the A to Z Blog about that signup list. So if you have concerns, be sure to read it.

Voting ends Saturday at noon for my CassaFire trailer at You Gotta Read Videos. Last I looked I was trailing in fifth place, which is disappointing as the trailer for CassaStar took second place last year. I think I’ve posted about this everywhere possible, so one last round of groveling. If there’s anything you can do to help, this Ninja would appreciate it…

Great discussion Wednesday regarding authors reading their own reviews. Most of you said yes – as long as the author doesn’t respond or have a meltdown. A couple sharp ladies suggested having a family member screen out the junky ones first – excellent idea! (Because reading “This book sucked!” isn’t good for the ego.).

And for those of you who want to know what happens when one becomes a BLOG OF NOTE - a ton of new followers (over 1200 now - whoa!) and thousands of visits per day! Yeah, it’s been a wild week. Thanks again for all the kind words. I'm still stunned.

And now, on to our show! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

February Movies:

3 –

The Woman in Black
Drama | Horror | Thriller
A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.
Director: James Watkins
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciarán Hinds, Emma Shorey

Previews for this one look promising!

Chronicle
Action | Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.
Director: Josh Trank
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly, Alex Russell, Dane DeHaan

Could go either way. Heard it’s told in reverse like Memento. (Not that it has a chance of living up to that awesome movie.)

10 –

Safe House
Action | Crime | Mystery | Thriller
A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge.
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Robert Patrick, Vera Farmiga

Promising cast and Denzel IS the man.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi
Sean Anderson partners with his mom's boyfriend on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island.
Director: Brad Peyton
Stars: Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens
I know it’s geared towards kids, but how on earth did they con Michael Caine into this movie?


17 –

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Action | Fantasy | Thriller
As Johnny Blaze hides out in Eastern Europe, he is called upon to stop the devil, who is trying to take human form.
Directors: Mark Neveldine | Brian Taylor
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Ciarán Hinds, Idris Elba, Christopher Lambert

Dumb, over-the-top sequel with violence and special effects. Sure, why not?

Any of those movies strike your fancy? Ready to sign up for the A to Z Challenge on Monday? (Don't forget to visit the A to Z Blog today.) Any other opinions on reviews? Wonder if I ever sleep...?

Honors and Controversy

Today I have the honor of an interview with Charity Bradford. She asked some questions about writing, my books, and a little about me. So, for your amusement, I invite you to visit her SITE.

I had a huge surprise Monday night when Jennifer Hillier notified me via Twitter that my blog was an official BLOG OF NOTE! That really blows me away. I am really humbled.

I was also really honored when this book came in the mail on Tuesday - Yvonne Lewis’s new book, Written From the Heart. It’s finally available for purchase here in the USA and I’d ordered it last week. Yvonne is such a sweet person, a really giving and loving spirit, and I’ve often referred to her as my online Mom. And here’s another reason why I was so stoked to get her book:

Yes, that is my name on the back of her book, like it means something! I was just as excited to see it on her book as I have been on my own. Yvonne, thank you for this gift – you are truly an amazing person.

Before you go, I’d like to toss a couple controversial and hot topics at you. Feel free to chime in with your opinion.

Should an author read reviews of his own book?

Elana Johnson posted about this last week. Her view was that reviews are for readers not authors and we shouldn’t ever read them. (Because at that point, we can’t change the book anyway.)

I think we should read them. Sure, we’ll be bummed by negative reviews, but we can learn from those - they can reveal where we lacked and what we need to work on in the next book. They can also guide us as we write the next book – what do the fans want? And of course, the good ones just plain make us feel good!

If I hadn’t read reviews for CassaStar, I wouldn’t have known I needed more detail, depth, and world-building. I also wouldn’t have known how much fans wanted a female character!

What do you think?

Now for the other tough subject. This one is huge:

Patriots or Giants – who do you have winning the Super Bowl?

I am still groveling for votes for CassaFire’s book trailer at You Gotta Read Videos. (And the groveling isn’t a pretty sight.)

And don’t forget to visit the awesome Charity Bradford.

You are now free to leave your opinion and move about the Internet!