IWSG - What Kind Of Writer Are You?

Hey gang! Thanks so much for all of the kind words and messages of support left on my Overcoming Adversity contribution on Monday. I know Nick had to feel uplifted by all of the fabulous entries I read.

I'm actually going to talk about my blog hop piece, Just In Time, for my IWSG post today, but some housecleaning first...

Those Damned Share Buttons Are Gone

NA Lit Chat

As many of you know, I'm an instigator (host) of the #NALitChat conversation every Thursday night, 9 PM EST, on the Twitters (use #NALitChat in your tweets to join in). It's basically a discussion of all things in New Adult literature. If you're intrigued, check out the Chat Blog for details and a calendar of upcoming chat topics.

Speaking of which, this week kicks off our 'Reader Love Month' series of chats. Each chat in February, we'll talk about reading NA (like why you'd want to, and what to expect, and how to find it). We have some awesome guest hosts lined up as well, and will be giving away some NA reads during the chats.

If you've been curious about New Adult, this might be a good place to start.

Blog Tour Update

I've survived to day 3! Actually, it's been a lot of fun so far. I did a guest post on the Books & Things blog on Monday. I talk about the Texas setting in the Moonsongs books, as well as some of the Native American influences on the stories. 

There was more awesomeness that day, but I think I'll talk about that in another post for the sake of space/time...

Day 2 offered some amazing reviews of the Moonsongs books. Seriously, give me a half-bottle of wine and a couple of Prozac (don't do this, I haven't), and I STILL couldn't say nicer things about the stories myself--they're that good. You can check them out HERE (Books & Things) and HERE (Missy's Reads & Reviews), plus there are excerpts. 

Both are incredible blogs to follow for readers who want to discover new books.

If you care to follow along with the tour (there'll be chances to win copies of my books at some of the stops, and you can enter the big giveaway as well), just click the tour banner wherever you see it. (Like up there on the right.)

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Click the pic to join IWSG!

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.

What Kind of Writer Are You?

I had a brief Twitter exchange with a blog buddy (most of you know LG) last week that got me to thinking: What kind of writer am I?

I'd been working on my Overcoming Adversity story, wanting to do a good job for Nick, and I saw a tweet from LG saying she was doing the same. I basically mentioned how I was a bit nervous about sharing it, because it's not my typical brand of fiction.

For me, Just In Time, is fairly literary--which is perfect for a 500 word restriction, by the way, because I've decided you aren't really obligated to resolve a damned thing in literary fiction--with nary a werwolf or witch to be found.

Yeah, don't ask me how to make a story interesting when you can't fling a tomahawk or have a monster trying to eat someone, but I tried nonetheless...

In the end, I really enjoyed writing it, which was something of a surprise. I got to explore some themes (aging, having a twin, and death) that really fascinate me. The piece also challenged me to find beauty in the struggle, something I think we all fail to do at times.

More than anything, it helped me face a small complex I suffer from. I like to call it the: You're Not Good Enough To Be That Kind Of Writer Syndrome (YNGETBTKOWS ... I have no idea either, but we could probably fit it on a coffee cup.).

I think we all believe, on some level, that we have a storytelling and writing style we're best suited for. And I believe it's mostly true. In fact, discovering what my writing comfort zone really was helped me take the next step in my writing career (being confident enough to publish my work). 

I had to know I was doing something well. Not that I was the best ever, but just that I was capable of writing in a style that was consistently decent.The story and the characters would be the stars, I reasoned. 

Besides, I wasn't the kind of writer capable of spinning golden words, or conjuring mystical imagery. That stuff was for the learned writers, not for folks like me who cut their storytelling teeth on cinema and comic books. YNGETBTKOWS

No, I was meant to be a roller coaster writer. My stories wouldn't be complex or artistic, just a hell of a lot of fun.

But something has occurred to me of late: Maybe I can be more than one type of writer. Maybe I can write stories that have vampires, explosions, and badass tomahawks AND move readers to a deeper emotional place than, "Pleasure! Afraid... Anger!" 

Heck, I might even be able to write a decent story WITHOUT vampires, explosions, and badass tomahawks.

Perhaps I've undercut myself with my YNGETBTKOWS.

So I ask: What kind of writer are you?

~EJW~