Insecure Writer’s Support Group, September 2021 Movie Preview, #IWSGPit, Defining Success, and New Book Releases

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 for the September 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie!

September 1 question - How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?

Success to me was just having a book published. Holding it in my hands and watching people read and enjoy it was success.
Since that first book, there have been several others (and audio books), some hitting the top of the charts on Amazon, and providing royalty checks that did indeed pay the mortgage. Plus the reviews and readers reaching out for more. Opportunities to be in multiple anthologies. Not to mention being able to start the IWSG!
But it all comes back to that first book. That was success. All else has been bonus!

Today is the deadline for the IWSG Anthology Contest! Sweet romance – first love. Get your entries in by midnight EST tonight!

The next #IWSGPit Twitter pitch event is January 26, 2022!
See the IWSG site for details, hashtags, and more.

New Releases!

Small Forgotten Moments by Annalisa Crawford
Is Zenna a muse, a sleep-deprived apparition, or something much more sinister?
Suffering long-term amnesia, artist Jo Mckye is ready to start a fresh, new project after the success of her debut exhibition. But the fictional subject of the collection, Zenna, won’t let go so easily. Infiltrating Jo’s dreams—and increasingly, her waking hours—Zenna is fast becoming a dangerous obsession.
Jo is confident the answers lie at her childhood home, an idyllic Cornish village on the south-east coast; she just doesn’t know why. Only when she walks into the sea and almost drowns does the past start to unravel.
Universal purchase links HERE

One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea by Kathryn McKendry
A true story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go
How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning?
At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.
And yet something in our hearts led us back to the Island.
Having no idea where it would lead, my husband and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of Once On This Island, the musical that had given us so much.
Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell.
We ended up with so much more.
Find it on Amazon

The Cure by Patricia Josephine aka Patricia Lynne
Every human in the world becomes a zombie when they die. But Erin refuses to accept the world as it is now. She’s heard about a cure locked away in a lab in Upper Michigan, and she plans on retrieving it. To do so, she needs a zombie. Not just any zombie, though.
Zee is Erin’s link to the lab. His connection to the living world is her bargaining chip. But only if she can teach him to control his mindless impulses.
Can a zombie be trained? Or will Erin be Zee’s next meal and become a zombie herself? The fate of humanity rests in her hands.
Universal purchase link HERE 

Add on Goodreads

Fractured Princess by Debra Renee Byrd
Jonnie is the last princess of the Crystal Bearers, once a powerful people. When she was a baby, the metal army destroyed what was left of them, and now it is hunting her. Her watchmen keep her just out of the metal army’s reach, but she has spent her seventeen years running and hiding. Instead of standing by while her watchmen keep risking their lives for her, she decides to learn how to fight alongside them.
On the journey to hone her skills, long hidden secrets about her people reveal a connection between the Crystal Bearers and the metal army that only fuels Jonnie's will to defeat it. But the more she learns about her own powers, the more she realizes she may be responsible for the metal army – and the destruction of her people.
Find it on Amazon

September Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for September. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

3 –

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Shang-Chi, the master of unarmed weaponry based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Stars: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Michelle Yeoh
When One Ring isn’t enough to rule them all...

17 –

Cry Macho
A one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder takes a job to bring a man's young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. On their journey, the horseman finds redemption through teaching the boy what it means to be a good man.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam, Fernanda Urrejola, Brytnee Ratledge
Finally - a movie where Eastwood teaches Millennials how to be men…

What is success to you as a writer? Will you have something ready for #IWSGPit? Picking up more books? Either movie catch your eye? Don’t forget – last day to enter the IWSG Anthology Contest!
Next Monday is Labor Day and I will be offline. Come back the following Monday for a slew of movie reviews and more!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, August Movie Preview, Laws of Nature by Jacqui Murrary, IWSG Anthology Contest, CassaDark Tour & Reviewers, and More!

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 for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!


August 4 question - What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it, you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

Save the Cat by Blake Snyder.
Despite it being a book for screenwriters, it has so much valuable information. I first read it after drafting CassaFire and the fifteen beats really struck me especially as I could see those beats in my story. I continue to pick it up and learn something new each time.


The IWSG Anthology Contest is open until September 1, so check out the details. Sweet romance – first love!!!!

It’s also the month the domain for the IWSG is renewed. I am happy to cover this, however – any purchase of IWSG swag goes to cover this expense. (Diane was nice enough to set this up for us.) Some cool stuff – please consider making a purchase this month.


Please welcome Toi Thomas as she takes over the IWSG Goodreads Book Club!
We’ve got some changes in the works and Toi will taking those head-on next month. Juneta and Ronell will continue to assist as moderators.

And finally – we need co-hosts for the rest of the year! Leave a comment or send an email if you can help one of the four months.

Jacqui Murray and Laws of Nature

The famous Lucy skeleton (found by Donald Johanson) was a 3.2 million year old Australopithecine, 1.5 million years older than this story. Why use that name?

Congratulations—you know your paleoanthropology! This story’s Lucy is more evolved than her namesake, I chose a name often associated with prehistoric man to make the story familiar to readers.

Laws of Nature by Jacqui Murray
Book 2 in the Dawn of Humanity series
Prehistoric fiction
A boy blinded by fire. A woman raised by wolves. An avowed enemy offers help.
Find on Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon AU, and Amazon IN 

Find Jacqui website, blog, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Amazon

August Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for August. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

6 –

The Suicide Squad
Supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.
Director: James Gunn
Stars: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Mikaela Hoover
Anything with Starro in it is cool with me.
*And saw the movie tonight - hilarious! One of the best films I've seen this year.

13 –

Free Guy
A bank teller discovers that he's actually an NPC inside a brutal, open world video game.
Director: Shawn Levy
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi, Utkarsh Ambudkar
Reynolds is not the best when it comes to picking movies…

17 –

RiffTrax – Hobgoblins
At an abandoned old movie studio, security guards keep getting mysteriously murdered. The mystery: Why are there so many security guards for an abandoned old movie studio?! But forget that; the real secret is Hobgoblins! Cheap rubber puppets from outer space! Who vaguely resemble Gremlins! But not enough to bring on a lawsuit! Their power: they’ll make your wildest fantasies come true, and then you die, laughingly and embarrassingly.
Get your tickets at Fathom Events
The world needs laughter right now – go see it!

20 –

Reminiscence
A scientist discovers a way to relive your past and uses the technology to search for his long lost love.
Director: Lisa Joy
Stars: Natalie Martinez, Rebecca Ferguson, Hugh Jackman, Thandiwe Newton
My wife saw that Jackman was in it, so I’m committed now…

And I’m excited to finally have a new book coming out!
Looking for tour dates next April and reviewers now.
Pre-order links: iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Scribed, and Dancing Lemur Press
Add it on Goodreads

What’s your favorite writing craft book? Entering IWSG Anthology Contest? (One month to go!) Into prehistoric fiction? Ready for some movies this month? And can you help with a tour date or a review for CassaDark?
I will take most of August off but watch for my thoughts on RiffTrax: Hobgoblins on Twitter.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Damien Larkin and War Movies, and July Movie Preview

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 7 posting of the IWSG are Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, Chemist Ken, and Louise – Fundy Blue!

July 7 question - What would make you quit writing?
I have an awesome guest today, so skipping the question. Damien Larkin's next Mars book just came out, Blood Red Sand, (reading it now!) and his first book was what I'd call bat-crap crazy! (Big Red)

Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology Contest is now open! Genre – sweet romance, theme – first love. See the site for details.
And please note this definition of romance from RWA:
Definition: Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending. A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the main focus of the novel. An Emotionally Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.

Damien Larkin, War Movies, and Blood Red Sand’s Release

Being a military sci-fi writer, it’s probably no surprise that I’m a big fan of war movies. With so many fantastic movies out there, it’s been a challenge to narrow it down and pick out my favourites. Hopefully, you’ll find something here that catches your eye and brings you a few hours of entertainment!

Full Metal Jacket (1987): This classic film was written, produced and directed by legendary director Stanley Kubrick. Following a group of Marines from their brutal basic training to the Vietnam meatgrinder, this movie is filled with shocking and vicious scenes. Even decades later this is a powerful and moving classic film.

Letters From Iwo Jima (2006): Directed by Clint Eastwood, this movie is the companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers. Told from the Japanese point of view, we witness their grim acceptance of the fate that awaits them in the face of American military power. With virtually no hope of victory, Japanese soldiers dream of returning home to their loved ones yet are determined to defend their territory at all costs. Mr. Eastwood does a fantastic job of exploring the humanity of some of these soldiers, while not glossing over the savagery that awaited the American invasion force.

Platoon (1986): Directed and based partially on Oliver Stone’s experiences, this Vietnam war movie is packed with an all-star cast. Told from the POV of new recruit Charlie Sheen, we witness his struggles in a world completely alien to anything he’s ever experienced before. Rising tensions between feuding NCO’s culminate in one of the most recognisable scenes in modern cinema – with an epic battle scene towards the end to enjoy (look out for a brief cameo from Mr. Stone himself)!

Starship Troopers (1997): Not exactly a traditional war movie (but hey, I’m a military sci-fi writer)! This incredible science fiction movie covers the Terran Federation’s war against the insidious Arachnids. Based on Robert Heinlein’s book of the same name, we follow reluctant soldier Johnny Rico’s progression from a raw recruit into a battle-hardened officer. Although criticised for its tongue-in-cheek jabs at fascism and excessive gore, this is a highly entertaining romp not to be missed.

The Siege of Jadotville (2016): This movie explores an event that, up until recently, has been airbrushed from Irish military history. In 1961, in the middle of the Congo Crisis, 120 Irish soldiers on UN duty were attacked and surrounded by a force ten times their size. For five days, they held out, inflicting casualties many times their number, without a single Irish soldier losing his life. Abandoned by the corrupt and incompetent upper echelons, they surrendered after running out of ammunition and were subsequently held hostage for a month.

Damien Larkin is an Irish science fiction author and co-founder of the British and Irish Writing Community. His debut novel Big Red was longlisted for the BSFA award for Best Novel. He currently lives in Dublin, Ireland. Visit his website.

Blood Red Sand
By Damien Larkin

Mars will run red with Nazi blood…
After World War Two, Sergeant McCabe knew the British army could send him anywhere. He never imagined facing down another Nazi threat on Mars.
In New Berlin colony, rivalry between Generalfeldmarschall Seidel’s Wehrmacht and Reichsführer Wagner’s SS threatens bloodshed. The Reichsführer will sacrifice everything to initiate the secretive Hollow Programme and realise his nightmarish future for humanity.
McCabe, Private Jenkins, and the Mars Expeditionary Force must overcome bullet, bomb, and bayonet to destroy the Third Reich. While Jenkins fights to stay alive, McCabe forms an uneasy alliance with MAJESTIC-12 operatives known as the Black Visors. Will this be the final battle of World War Two or the first confrontation in an interstellar war?

Science Fiction - Military FIC028050/Alternative History FIC040000/War & Military FIC32000
Print ISBN 9781939844781 / EBook ISBN 9781939844798

Find Blood Red Sand at Amazon, Amazon UK, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Goodreads

July Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for July. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

9 –

Black Widow
A film about Natasha Romanoff in her quests between the films Civil War and Infinity War.
Director: Cate Shortland
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz
About time, Marvel. We’ve already had two Wonder Woman movies.

23 –

Old
A thriller about a family on a tropical holiday who discover that the secluded beach where they are relaxing for a few hours is somehow causing them to age rapidly reducing their entire lives into a single day.
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Stars: Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Embeth Davidtz, Thomasin McKenzie
The phrase never gets old does not apply to Shyamalan movies…

30 –

Jungle Cruise
Based on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles but with a supernatural element.
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramírez, Jesse Plemons
Unlike the ride, you’ll be amazed by the realistic animatronic Dwayne Johnson.

And in case you missed it last week, here is the cover for CassaDark, which comes out April 5, 2022!

Pre-order links: iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Scribed, and Dancing Lemur Press
Add it on Goodreads

What would make you quit writing? Favorite war movie? Entering the IWSG Anthology Contest? What movies catch your eye this month?

Breaking News!

This couldn’t wait until IWSG day. Cover reveal and CassaDark will be available for preorder this week!

CassaDark
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
Print - 9781939844842
EBook – 9781939844859
Science Fiction – Adventure/Space Opera/Space Exploration
Coming April 5, 2022

His world is unraveling…

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prison planet.

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each truth reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

Movie Reviews

A Quiet Place Part 2
Just as good as the first one, this movie picks up exactly where the other one left off, with a quick flashback to show the invasion of the aliens. Many tense moments, made more intense as the characters split up and face new challenges. Couple times I wondered why the person was doing that, but overall an excellent film that is worth seeing in the theater.

F9
Dumb and over the top, just as expected. The scene in the previews with Dom and Letty’s car catching the rope and swinging wide over a large canyon? Nowhere near the craziest stunt in the film. They bring back many characters from the past, which is fun.
If you are a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy it.

The Conjuring III: The Devil Made Me Do It
The least of the three films so far. Not bad, but they pose a question throughout the film and then never resolve it! Frustrating. Glad I saw this at home and didn’t pay money for it.




I have an awesome guest next weeks, so be sure to stop by.

Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology Contest is now open! Genre – sweet romance, theme – first love. See the site for details.

See you next Wednesday for Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day!



What do you think of CassaDark’s cover? Seen any of the movies? Ready for IWSG day? Happy July Fourth to my American friends!