IWSG: Blogging

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. 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. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

FEBRUARY QUESTION -  Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?

MY ANSWER - I have made a lot of friends through blogging. I wouldn't consider any of them my best friends, or inner circle, but I have greatly enjoyed several connections. There are support systems, and inspiring individuals that I have met through this craft, and I am so very thankful for each of them. 

How about you? Have you made any special friends, or connections, through blogging?

2020 A to Z Challenge

It's time to share your 2020 vision and sign up for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge!

I participated in this blog hop for seven years (2011 - 2017) and I enjoyed it very much. I learned so much and met some amazing individuals in the blogosphere. Unfortunately, I've become a workaholic (luckily I mostly love my job), and it has left me little time to commit to regular posting and commenting. I still highly recommend this endeavor to anyone who CAN commit the time and who wants to grow their online support system, or just enjoy a month of contribution.

The 2020 A to Z Challenge starts on April 1 (which is also April Fool’s Day and the next IWSG post). To sign up to participate, or to learn more, be sure to visit the official site: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

Have you ever participated in this blogfest? Will you be participating this year?

Spring Writers and Readers

This is the time of year when work picks up for me. I have many projects under way at once, and I'm enjoying the flow. However, it means I have to cut back on some of my more social endeavors. 

So, in an effort to keep this brief, I wanted to mention a new blog I learned about at the conference last week.

The Ruby Slippered Sisterhood may have been created from the 2009 RWA Golden Heart Finalists, but it's open to and helpful to any genre. I urge you to check it out.

Other Websites or Blogs Worth Frequenting:

Anne R Allen and Ruth Harris
Goins, Writer
Positive Writer
Tara Lazar: Writing for Kids
Helping Writers Become Authors
The Write Practice
 Live Write Thrive
Rachelle Gardner
Terrible Minds 
Jennifer Blanchard
Fiction Notes
Writers Digest
Nathan Bransford
Jody Hedlund
Hope Clark
Mysterious Matters
Kill Zone
Alex J Cavanaugh
Jane Friedman
Southern Writers Magazine 

At first glance, most of these are genre specific, but the truth is, each offers great information for any style of writing. I'm also attempting to get through my TBR pile and finish promised reviews.

What about you? Is this a particularly busy time for you? Are there any blogs you recommend? Any great books we should read?