May IWSG Post and what Inspires me?

 Its horribly hot here in Bangalore. I think I will start melting soon. All I want to do is sit under the fan and read. Sadly, deadlines are staring at me from all sides.

The 30 days of April flew by with several rounds of edits for a new book, some short stories, my columns and research for another book. Before I realized it, we had stepped into May and into another IWSG. Started by author Alex J Cavanaugh, IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is a buzzing group of global writers. Alex is a best-selling author, a musician and everyone’s favourite Santa, he is always trying to help writers.

The awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse vanVuuren, Meka James, Victoria Marie Lees and M Louise Barbour!

May 3 question - When you are working on a story, what inspires you?

When I am working on a story, the story and the characters inspire me. At that time, I am obsessed with getting all the words out, into a word document. Once I get an idea, the characters start stalking me. They catch hold of me and start blabbering. They don’t leave me unless and until I tell their story. Once I get into the flow, then I just need to write that first draft. The faster I write that first draft, the better I feel.

What about you all? What inspires you when you are working on a story?

April IWSG Post and My Writing Career

 

From 1st January 2023 to 31^st March, I wrote 50,000 words of my second adult novel. I had given myself a strict deadline and luckily with all kinds of obstacles tumbling my way, I still managed 50k words. Every few days I had to move away from my book to write stories for the newspapers and complete my review columns.

Though I wish I had written more, I’m still quite pleased with what I managed to write. I also had several family functions to attend in the past 3 months. I have reserved April for revising a middle grade novel and a chapter book.

I was well prepared for the IWSG this time. IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) post happen on the first Wednesday of the month. Started by Alex J Cavanaugh, a bestselling author, IWSG is a buzzing place. Do visit the website and read the other IWSG posts.

The awesome co-hosts for the April 5 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Nancy Gideon and Natalie Aquirre!

 April 5 question – Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you are at the start of the journey, what are your goals?

Yes, I remember my first book. It was a stupid book about a small boy’s trip to fairyland. Though it didn’t make it as a book, it was published in the newspapers as short stories, as each chapter worked well as a short story by itself. When I started writing, I did think getting published was easy, but I soon changed my mind. But now it’s working well for me. I am at a good place in my writing career, signing deals with most of the major publishing houses in India. My books are all going for multiple reprints, two of them are inching towards the 10k mark. And I signed a contract for my debut adult novel with a big publisher last year. It will be out by the end of this year.

What about you all?

P.S. I am so happy that my book Buddy the Scavage if available on

Barnes and Noble

and

Walmart

 

March IWSG Post and Author Envy

 

I started my second adult novel on 1^st January 2023. So far, I have written just 21,011 words in two months. Not much, but I’m consoling myself that I had several functions to attend in the past two months. I was also invited to be the Chief Guest for the Annual Primary Day Celebrations of New Horizon Public School. What had made me anxious was that I had to give a speech to 1000 parents and 500 students who would be performing in the various acts. I managed to give my speech. Once I started talking, my nervousness went out of the window. The show was spectacular, the dances wonderful and the costumes beautiful. I felt so pampered with all the attention showered on me.

The third IWSG of the year has rolled into view. IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) writers post on the first Wednesday of every month. IWSG is the brainchild of Amazon best-selling author Alex J Cavanaugh. Do drop in to the IWSG website to read some amazing posts.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 1 posting of IWSG are Dierdre Knight, Tonya Drecker, Bish Denham, Olga Godim and JQ Rose!

 

March 1 question - Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?

In fact every time I read an award winning book, I have a serious case of author envy. Quite a few books I read in the last few months have made me sigh at the clever plot twists. Last week I read Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas. I loved the book, especially Maverick Carter’s character. I hope someday someone will envy me for my writing and books.

Do you all have author envy?