IWSG for February 2020 - Art, Anyone?

Checkout IWSG Blog Here!

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!

 February 5 question - Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it?

NOSEY: *puff, puff, puff* Greetings, cypernuts! *bursts into room and pants* This is - I.B. Nosey, your - *swallows* your official unofficial reporter! *slumps against wall* Whew! Being a Pukelitzer award winning journalist-celebrity keeps a guy athletic, uh huh. Fans are after me, Alex. Whoa, I barely got here in time to answer this month's question.

*Turns around to stare up at cinema-sized blog* Oh, yeah, there it is! A photo, huh? Hm, it maybe wasn't a work of art, but it sure inspired Miss Mae. Yep. Click link. See, in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo whacked the funny bones of folks in South Carolina, Miss Mae watched what was going on at her residence in Savannah. So she saw photos, news clips, bunches and bunches and bunches of stuff. Yeah!

*Shudders* That event left an impression, all right. Inspired her to write a mystery set in her own made-up island in South Carolina during a cat 4 hurricane. 

More information here

And the fantastic audio -complete with scary a-and real-like if you're there in the middle of it all...*gives wary glance around* produced by Roger Rittner -well, um- you guys can get a free listen to the first two chapters at SoundCloud. Ya know, it starts off with thunder and lightning and creepy music and--

*Loud bang sounds on door* Open up, Nosey, we know you're in there!

NOSEY: *shrieks* My fans! They won't leave me alone! I gotta - I gotta - *flees as door breaks down*

CROWD SHOUTS: Catch him if you can!

WOMAN: Yeah, he's my idol!

NOSEY: Aaiii, get away from me, lady! Alex, help! Save me 'cause love hurts!

*********

IWSG for January 2020 - Inspiration

IWSG BLOG HERE

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!

January 8 question - What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just "know" suddenly you wanted to write?

NOSEY: Greetings, cybernuts! This is I.B.Nosey, the official unofficial reporter! It's a new month and a new Insecure Writer question - and I have absolutely no idea what Miss Mae - she's my author, ya know, heh heh - and as I was about to say... *hesitates* Er, um, hmm... *brightens* Oh yeah! I wonder what her answer might be?

*And just like that, dear reader, Nosey's cell buzzed. Now, don't you wonder who it might be calling?*

NOSEY: Greetings, caller! This is I.B. Nosey, your official--

MISS MAE: Oh, Nosey, it's me. Hello.

NOSEY: Miss Mae? Yeah? Funny, I was just talking about you.

MISS MAE: Of course you were, Nosey. I have a million things to do so let me answer this month's IWSG's question and--

NOSEY: Hey, that's cool 'cause, like, I was just in the middle of hosting that because Feeling Nosey? is my blog and--

MISS MAE: Yes, we all know! Now, hush for a minute, will ya?

NOSEY: But--

MISS MAE: Let me answer the question, Nosey. To all of the ISWG folks out there, let me say that I grew up on the Nancy Drew mysteries so if a certain series, etc., inspired me to try my hand at writing, blame it on Nancy.

NOSEY: Did you saw Nancy Drew? But what did she draw?

MISS MAE: Uh, come again?

NOSEY: If Nancy drew - what? Miss Mae? Miss Mae! Hello - you there?

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July 2019 IWSG

First Wednesday of the Month - Visit IWSG Here

Greetings, cybernuts! This is I.B. Nosey, your official unofficial reporter! And if it's the first Wednesday of the month, then it's IWSG Wednesday.

Yeah. You might be wondering what IWSG means, what it is, what it does, what - what - what - er, um, where was I? Heh. Heh. Lemme check my notes. *flips through notepad*

Oh, yeah! I'm a Pukelitzer Award winning journalist and I always report the news newer than any newbie, so here ya go, cyber-readers:

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.

And big Nosey thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for the heavy work of his light-bulb moment to get this group rolling. Whoa. 

The question this month -which sounds like a nosey question, I gotta tell ya- is: What personal traits have you written into your character(s)?

So on my little slip of paper that Miss Mae has shared of her answer, it says: I write my heroines, certainly, to reflect aspects of my own character such as they are most likely 'nobodies', meaning they aren't celebrities of any sort - sports/career/what-have-you. They are ordinary bake cookies/crochet doilies type of gals who (because I do have a sneaky imagination) are thrown into extraordinary events. And in such circumstances how can a Betty Crocker personality overcome and conquer?  

And, well, I'd like to add...heh heh...I can answer of why she put similar traits of herself into me. Should be obvious, right? I mean, we're fine looking, snappy dressers and, uh..oh yeah, I'm a professional. That means I know how to do my job.

*steps back to smirk into mirror, trips over microphone cord and lands flat on floor*

NOSEY: *screams* Ai, ai! Miss Mae! Gimme a band-aid, quick, my famous nose that's autographed by Bob Hope has got a splinter! Ooh, ouch, heeelllpppp! 

********

(P.S. from Miss Mae: - one of my character traits is that I have a weird sense of humor) 

  

February 2018 Insecure Writers Support Group Posting...Yeah

Go to this link --> : IWSG

NOSEY: Greetings, cybernuts! It's another month for...*checks calendar*...holy Cockroach Day, it's February already!

COCKROACH: You called?

NOSEY: *jumps* Aiii, what're ya doing here?

COCKROACH: Did you mean to say 'GroundHog Day'? Cause, like, honker dude, Chuckee G. Hog, is sleeping in today.

NOSEY: Yeah? He's taking a day off?

COCKROACH: Well...he's feeling kinda insecure, ya know. *looks gloomy* I know the feeling.

NOSEY: Aw, listen, roachie fella, you don't gotta feel so insecure around me, 'cause I like roaches! Yeah.

COCKROACH: *brightens* You don't say?

NOSEY: *reconsiders* Er, well, um....*clears throat* Maybe we can discuss this a little later, pal? I was kinda busy with introducing Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group blog post, ya know.

C. R. (short for Cockroach, dear readers): *grinds roachy teeth - yep, they've got 'em, all right* That Alex J. Cavanugh guy. D'ya know he ran my whole family outta one of his spaceship tales?

NOSEY: Is that right? *gives nervous laugh* Well...hm, that is...*inhales* As I was saying, Alex's purpose for the ISWG is:

C.R. *yawns*

NOSEY: *glances at C.R., and tries to speak again* Yeah, as I was saying, the purpose is:

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!

C.R. *cleans antennae* I've crawled all over his computer screen, ya know.

NOSEY: Whose?

C.R.: Cavanaugh's. He always asks a question of the month too, don't he?

NOSEY: Don't horn in, roachy. I was getting to that...

C.R.: So what's the question?

NOSEY: Uhhh...

C.R.: I have it right here, Mr. Inept Reporter. *withdraws phone from cockroach vest pocket*

NOSEY: Watch it. *snarls* Nobody can call me inept. Call me when I'm in hot water, maybe.

C.R.: *glances up from where he's scrolling through phone* That don't make no kind of sense.

NOSEY: *blinks* Isn't that what I just said?

C.R.: Nosey, I -- oh, hey! Here it is: That ol' Alex who ran screaming off the ship when he saw me on the starboard control lever asks this month's question of 'What do you love about the genre you write in most often?'

NOSEY: *scratches head in puzzlement* Yeah, that's a -- I mean, um, Miss Mae, she -- well, she's writing all kinds of  stuff in her 'Ahoy, Mischaps!' series lately, so....

Series:
1) Ahoy, Gum Drop!
2) Ahoy, Out There!
3) Ahoy, Mummy Mia!

C.R.: So? Ain't she loving it?

NOSEY: Of course she's loving it. I'm in the stories!

C.R.: You are? Why?

NOSEY: Why? Cause I make the stories fun, el roachie-o. Yeah, 'cause Sir O. Yuri Wiseguy-eh, The Narrator, Heathcliff the Private Detective Possum, Dr. Ag O. Nee the 'Mad Scientist Extraordinaire', Spit the Stuttering Snake, Moose--

C.R.: *interrupts* Okay, okay, shut your wide-of-mouth already.  

NOSEY:  But I'm not finished, see. Miss Mae is enjoying writing the silliness of our tales because they're imaginative, creative, and original.

(let's hear it for originality, folks)

C.R.: *eyes Nosey's attire* Like your tweedy-weedy blazer, huh?

NOSEY: *puffs out chest* One of a kind, my little crawling insect friend. Heh heh. What'd ya think of that?

C.R.: I think it's missing one thing.

NOSEY: What'd ya mean? This blazer ain't missin' nuthin'! *hesitates* Uh, what's it need?

C.R.: Me! *leaps onto Nosey and his hairy, creepy, unshaved legs runs and zigs and zags and scurries and hurries...*

(what a tweedy-weedy blazer looks like from deep inside its tweedy-weedy threads)

NOSEY: Ack, ack! *whacks at C.R.* Don't tickle, don't tickle! Ooh, ooh, oh oh oh ohhhhhh.....*releases whoops of Nosey guffaws* Help! Help! Alex! Get this crazy bug off'n me! Aiiii....

Alex: *hiding in corner, whispers* Huh uh, Nosey. Not me! *runs, trips, runs, trips and speeds over to next blog....*  

             ROACHES!!!!

************************

*******

Hey, yo, readers! Be nosey, and sign up for Miss Mae's --> newsletter! Why not? It's FREE!

***********

And, did you also know that a short tale about me, I.B. Nosey, your favorite intrepid internet reporter is FREE for you to simply download? Yes, come meet your Fated Destiny...Oh,Yeah! 

   

October 2017 Insecure Writers Support Group

Run for your Sanity! It's a Brand New I.B. Nosey Posting for the Insecure Writer's Support Group!

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Go to IWSG Page Here

NOSEY: Greetings, cybernuts! This is I.B. Nosey, your official unofficial reporter with this month's -which happens to be October, in case you haven't been keeping up with me (and shamey if you aren't!)- IWSG's posting.

NOSEY: Yes, once again, you'll have your new monthly answer. But first, 'cause I know you're wondering this, what is the purpose of the ISWG? Glad you asked, 'cause, like, ya know, I can handle that. Heh heh. Sure I can 'cause I have what I'm supposed to say right here on my cheat sheet.

NOSEY: *flips open paper and reads* : 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!

NOSEY: Hey, that's a great purpose, right? Miss Mae, who happens to be my author, thinks so and she's eager to answer this question for you --

*Feminine voice interrupts* Excuse me, hello! I'll answer for Miss Mae.

NOSEY: Huh? *twirls around* Who said that?

MQ: It's me, Ms. Quotes. Gosh, you haven't forgotten me, have you, Nosey? *looks all innocent*

NOSEY: *grinds teeth* I haven't forgot how you horned in on my last posting.

MQ: Goody, you do remember. Right, and so I'm here to--

NOSEY: Oh no, you don't, girlie. Can't ya read? This blog ain't named 'Feeling Blond?' It's 'Feeling Nosey?' which means it's my blog.

MQ: But--

NOSEY: Nope. Nothing doing. Shoo, scram, kiddo. You're bugging me. *pushes her behind stage-left's curtain*

MQ: *peeks around* Gosh, Nosey, can't you - ?

NOSEY: Hey. *scowls* Listen. You need a beauty makeover. One of those wide eyelashes you're so fond of fluttering is hanging by a - well, by a hair.

MQ: It is? *gasps* Oh no! *sounds of staccato heels racing off stage* 

NOSEY: *mutters* Sheesh. Some reporters just love to cram their pesky microphones in people's faces. *clears throat* As I was saying...*hesitates* Hm. What was I saying? *brightens* Oh yeah. This month's question for you IWSG fans:

"Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?"

NOSEY: And so now, take it away, Miss Mae! *graciously hands over mic to MM - although maybe not quite so graciously, as begrudingly, but anyhoo -*

MISS MAE: Thank you, my official unofficial reporter. Well, how do I answer this month's question? *brow puckers in thought* Let's see. I guess I could start by saying that though it might not be information exactly, I think I've unwittingly slipped somewhat of a window into revealing bits of my own personality. By that, I mean if anyone reads my romantic mysteries, you'll find it challenging to deduce the answers. That's because I love puzzles - puzzling puzzles with twisty, unforeseen, intricate plots. However, when it comes to my characters I.B. Nosey, Ms. Quotes, Sir O. Yuri Wiseguy-eh, The Narrator, Heathcliff the private detective possum and the other 'mischaps' from my Gum Drop Island series of children's/kid-at-heart/humorous adventure tales, readers learn that I'm quirky, have a dry wit, adore puns, and enjoy a side of slapstick. And...uhhh.... *gives inquiring glance at Nosey* Think that's enough?

NOSEY: Yeah, yeah. *dismisses MM with a bored grimace* That's plenty of information that you couldn't decide if it was information or not.

MISS MAE: *sighs with relief* Good! You know how I hate speaking in public. *hands over microphone, pecks Nosey's cheek, straightens his tie, fluffs his hair, and then rushes to back office where she keeps her Acer laptop with the dusty keyboard*

NOSEY: And there, cybernuts, you have your answer straight from Miss Mae's own - er, um - fingertips. Heh heh. So, until next month - oh, wait! *starts with remembrance* Yeah. Okay. Can't forget this. Huh uh, nope. Too important. And what is it? Why, just that you'll be happy to know I'm participating in ISWG's 'Show Us Your Writer's Insecurity' photo swag contest. Yeah, that's right. Cool, Pukelitzer Award winning journalist, me! You don't wanna miss that photo, Nosey fans. It's sure to be a collector's item!

********

 NOSEY: Folks, the blog hop is still leaping, so get on over to the IWSG and read some other terrific authors' posts. And tell 'em... that Nosey sent ya.

"Nosey sent me - Nosey sent me - Nosey sent me -"

*******

Hey, yo, readers! Be nosey, and sign up for Miss Mae's newsletter! Why not? It's FREE!

***********

And, did you also know that a short tale about me, I.B. Nosey, your intrepid internet reporter is FREE for you to simply download? Yes, come meet your Fated Destiny...Oh, Yeah! 

September 2017 IWSG Wednesday!

Go here

Annddddd, the one, the only, official unofficial Pukelitzer award winning cyberspace reporter....Duh, duh! None other thannnnnn.....

I.B. Nosey! De man, folks!

NOSEY: Greetings, cybernuts! This is I.B. Nosey, your official unofficial reporter reporting to you that it's that time again. What time? No, not Howdy Doody time, but the fun time of hop, hop, hop. Yep, it's the IWSG blog hop with the official unofficial reason for said hop:

 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!

I mean, how cool is that, right? And the cool question that's being asked this month is....

MQ: *coughs* Um, excuse me, I need to interrupt for a moment.

NOSEY: Huh? *blinks* Who are you?

MQ: I'm Ms. Quotes. I'm taking over for Miss Mae today, so I'll answer the question.

NOSEY: *snarls* Yeah? Who sez so?

MQ: She does, so if you don't mind squeezing over just a teensy...

NOSEY: Of course I mind! I'm the official unofficial spokesman for...!

MQ: Yes, for everything Gum Drop Island, but I'm for Miss Mae.

NOSEY: Uhhh...what?

MQ: *giggles* Don't worry. She still loves you, Nosey-Posey.

NOSEY: *makes face* Ugh!

MQ: *clears throat* Hi, everyone. This is Ms. Quotes. And a special 'hello' to you, Alex J. Cavanaugh. *flutters lashes* As I was saying, here is this month's ISWG question:

'Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in?'

And Miss Mae says: "I sure have! I am truly a romantic mystery author, emphasis on mystery with a sprinkle of romance. All my books are award winners. (Yay!) But especially with 'It's Elementary, My Dear Winifred', I was peppered with urges from readers to make that into a series. Um, a series? No, thanks. I'm not a series sort of writer. I mean, my stories are complete in themselves. However, after time, with five of these romantic mystery books under my belt, when I was a little burned out with the complexities of such plots, I dabbled in something I never thought I would - a children's humor/fantasy story. Not so sure this would be accepted, I even used not Miss Mae, but M.M., and I kept it short - just in case, you know, it was a complete flop. Imagine my shock when readers actually liked it! And grumbled because it was too short! And, once again, I was pressed to "continue the story."

Well. So rather I was a series kind of writer or not, here was something I needed to consider. Could I do it? Could I actually do it?

Again, much to my surprise, I did. As a matter-of-fact, the third book in the series 'Ahoy, Mischaps!' (with I.B. Nosey included, of course) is for sale. Wow. Major accomplishment. How many books will there be? At this point, I'm not sure. But I took the plunge and I've even changed the M.M. to Miss Mae. Ha! How about that?" 

NOSEY: So. *glares* Are you quite finished with stealing my spotlight, Miss Quotes?

MQ: That's Ms. Quotes, Nosey. *jabs his tweedy-weedy jacket with a shapely finger* And for your information-- *gasps* Oh, no!

NOSEY: *rolls eyes* What now?

MQ: I broke a nail! *sobs* Quick! Call an ambulance! 

*********

NOSEY: Folks, the blog hop is still leaping, so get on over to the IWSG and read some other terrific authors' posts. And tell 'em...*winks* Nosey sent ya.

*******

Hey, yo, readers! Be nosey, and sign up for Miss Mae's newsletter! Why not? It's FREE!

***********

And, did you also know that a short tale about me, I.B. Nosey, your intrepid internet reporter is FREE for you to simply download? Yes, come meet your Fated Destiny...Oh, Yeah! heh heh