A New Book and New Goals! and Insecure Writer's Support Group Day
appy New Year!A new book by Ryan Bevan!
Tales From The Shaking Hand by Ryan Bevan, a compilation of 16 horror and suspense tales
illustrations by Simla Barki
Welcome to the Shaking Hand Tavern. First time here? That's fine. Oh, we get a lot of strangers stopping by for a pint or two. Most of them on their way to somewhere better from somewhere worse, some the other way round.
Terrible weather, eh? But we do get a lot of thunderstorms around here. We like it that way. Especially at night. Nothing like sitting by the fire with a drink in hand while the rain is pouring outside and the thunder cracking. Sometimes it feels like the end of the world.
Would you like a drink? Cold beer? I'll get you one.
I hope you plan on staying for a bit. The locals are settling in by the fire and you're welcome to join them.
It's getting near story hour, and there's always a good tale going around.
Oh, you'll hear about all sorts of things tonight. Horrible deformities, disembowelments, haunted pubs, killer piles, witchboards, alligator people, and even a vampire or two.
Stay as long as you like. You're free to leave any time, of course. But if I were you, I'd wait until dawn. Hear the wind howling? Well, it ain't always the wind.
But you'll be safe here. At least for tonight. Come with me, they're starting on the first tale. It's a good one. Have you ever been to New York City?
Let's go together. It's a good enough place to start.
And who knows where we'll go from there?
I'll start a tab.
A new year, a new set of goals for A Round of Words in 80 Days!
- Find a home for the following short stories: A House Is Not A Home, Blackbird’s Song, Summer Blaze, The Tattoo
- Finish editing Larksong
- Start editing A Stitch in Time
- Find a home for The Flight of Time
- Finish drafting and start editing "Amelie and Angus watch Our Flag Means Death and read piƱa coladas by faeeebaeee" (and find a proper title!); this story has an ever-growing playlist
- Start plotting for NaNoWriMo!
Today is Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns
without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire
can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of
all kinds!
Posting:
The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group
day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the
fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of
encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and
connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and
return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Be sure to link to this page and display the badge
in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is
#IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the January 4 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Debs Carey, Kim Lajevardi, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and T. Powell Coltrin!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG 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.
Remember, the question is optional!
January 4 question - Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? For instance, in 2021 my word of the year was Finish. I was determined to finish my first draft by the end of the year. In 2022, my word of the year was Ease. I want to get my process, systems, finances, and routines where life flows with ease and less chaos. What is your word for 2023?
You ready?
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Ooh, good question! My word, based on words suggested by editor Angela James, is Trust. Trusting processes that have worked to date, trusting in new methods, trusting others when I need help. Trust that my writing journey is headed in a good direction!
Comments
My word was close - faith.
I wish I had been able to keep up with a daily word count since NaNo. Unfortunately, that was not in my cards. I hope you continue your daily word count, even if that count is 10 words. :)
Trust is a good word! I don't know what my word is yet, maybe health as I entered the year with COVID.
Congrats to Ryan - the blurb is wonderful.