Insecure Writers Support Group 3 July 2024

 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

July 3 question - What are your favorite writing processing (e.g. Word, Scrivener, yWriter, Dabble), writing apps, software, and tools? Why do you recommend them? And, which one is your all-time favorite that you cannot live without and use daily or at least whenever you write?

This post contains affiliate links for products I use and recommend. 

Finding a productivity program that didn't require me to change my writing style has been a hero's journey. The other programs I tried were not bad; they were just not the right fit for me.

I attempted to use Novel Factory, but it did not align with how I write, so I canceled my membership. There's nothing wrong with Novel Factory; we just weren't on the same page. For another type of writer, it may be ideal.

I enjoy using Dabble for weekly writing sprints. A pro membership is in my future, primarily to take advantage of the workshops available only to pro members. 

I have Scrivener. It's a quality program, but I find it difficult to use. There's a similar learning curve to Photoshop. A productivity solution where I feel like I need to work through a certification program to use it isn't for me. 

As it happens, I obtained a certification in Photoshop in 2012. These days, I prefer Pixlr. But this post isn't about graphic design software.

I'd pretty much given up on finding my dream productivity program. I went back to writing my story in Word while making notes in Notepad or Libre Office. Then, I found the Holy Grail of writing programs when a member of the Passionate Ink community mentioned AutoCrit during a weekday morning writing sprint.

AutoCrit's ability to analyze my documents impressed me. My plan was to use it in conjunction with WordTune for editing. However, I soon realized a pro AutoCrit membership offered so much more. 

I discovered the benefits of AutoCrit's many free workshops and pro member clubs before it finally hit me that the all-in-one writing productivity program I didn't think existed was right there alongside the analysis and editing software I was so impressed with.

I can't imagine going back to my old writing method now that I have AutoCrit. It allows me to have a handy all-in-one outline and planning sheet just a toggle away while working on my draft. It also has an additional notes feature.

After I finish my document, I don't even need another program to start analyzing and editing. WordTune is still my second-pass copy editor after running the document through AutoCrit, but that's just me. 

Follow my link to take AutoCrit for a test drive.

https://bit.ly/SelfEditEasier

QuickWrite isn't productivity software, but I use it often as an adjunct tool. I mostly use it for tasks such as generating title ideas (for some reason, I suck at this) or creating a story prompt for me to hone down all the wild ideas that start circulating in my head when the time comes to write a new story. You can check it out here and see if it can help you too.

https://bit.ly/ChooseQuick

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Free use image by Jim Cooper on Pixabay

"Follow my method, and you'll be a published author in no time, Space Jockey. I guarantee your fellow Bluesians will devour your advice on the creation of the perfect crop circle."

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Apparently, I'm a glutton for punishment.

I'm doing the July iteration of Camp NaNoWriMo AND the Scribbling Through Summer Challenge.

https://scribblingthroughsummer.com/

I'm completely knackered just thinking about it.

The Big O: Overwhelmed, That Is

 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

What did you think I was going to say with that title? Get your mind out of the gutter! That sort of thing is Lil DeVille's territory, not Ornery Owl's. If you'd like to get your mind in the gutter, head over to Lil DeVille's Amazon author page.

https://bit.ly/LilDeVilleAmazonAuthor

A wise soul once noted that people are overwhelmed or underwhelmed. Nobody is ever just the right amount of whelmed. Why is that?

Anyway...

When I began writing this post, I had in mind to share some sort of philosophical treasure with the world. Instead, I will perform one of my idiotic ADHD tricks, which is what often happens when I attempt to write an admission of vulnerability or advice post. Oh, look, a 

VORPAL RABBIT!

You thought I was going to say squirrel, didn't you? Silly you!

Yeah, I already lost interest and/or thought twice about admitting vulnerability.

It isn't that I don't think people can tell I'm a hot mess—that's pretty obvious, at least if you ever set eyes on me or read anything I've written. My reluctance to share my vulnerabilities stems from the many times I have been victimized for such decisions. 

In any case, I'm feeling overwhelmed. We have a new (as of last September) refrigerator that isn't working and a 25-ish-year-old dryer that went kaput. I'm not as upset about the dryer. It functioned well over the years, with a technician being called in only once to repair the door. Since it's warm weather, I can hang clothes over the banister, and they'll dry. Before the weather turns cold, we will purchase a new dryer.

I currently cannot prepare foods such as yogurt or dishes with significant leftovers. I like to make large portions of chicken or roast and use them in recipes over the course of a few days. We've had to cram the essentials into a mini-fridge because, like I said, our new refrigerator already went belly up. Before I continue, heed my words.

Never, and I mean do not ever, buy an appliance from Hisense or Mora. They are the same company. They make subpar equipment. Their support line is abysmal. The actual people I've spoken to are fine, but their system sucks. There is no way to bypass the automated support robot at the beginning of the call. This means you're sitting there for at least five minutes with that stupid thing. 

Then, who knows how long it will take them to get the part and have the technician out here? I have to have my phone at my side like a lovesick teenager, hoping my crush will call. At almost 60 years old, I need that shit like I need catastrophic organ failure. I just want the damn appliances I purchase to fucking WORK for more than a few months. Of all the one-star experiences I've had, this one is the one-starriest.

I can't forget about you, Colorado Department of Revenue.

My tax refund check was cut in mid-May. I anticipated its arrival at the end of May. However, it may not arrive until the middle of June. Now I have to haunt the post office like a lonely kid waiting for a letter from a pen pal who may have stopped writing. Yes, I'm dating myself. I always date myself because nobody else will go out with me! Ha!

Let's not leave you out of the mix, AmeriGas. There is one drawback to living in a rural area: propane is a suckass, expensive fuel. We have weatherization people coming in next week. I hope they can help us insulate this building so that we can lower the thermostat in the coming winter. 

Grocery prices are ridiculously high, and I get $1600 per month from Uncle Sam. If I don't do some kind of work, Medicaid will only pay for my Medicare B premiums but no medical services. I've opted to perform my own podiatry because, without Medicaid, it costs me $50 a pop to see a podiatrist. If I had to return to the ear doctor, I'd have to pay out of pocket. 

Not sorry, but fuck everyone who doesn't think we need a universal healthcare system in the US. Yes, I know countries with universal healthcare systems have problems too. That doesn't mean the US doesn't need a universal healthcare system.

I had a horrible night last night. I kept waking up screaming, "NO!" I can't even remember what I was dreaming about, but evidently, I'd had enough of whatever it was. 

It was probably a non-functioning refrigerator, a busted dryer, or a tax refund check standing in the distance, mocking me like some asshole leprechaun thumbing his nose while gesturing to his pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Ornery Owl Has Howled Into the Void

So I'm gonna let Bartok take this one.

Insecure Writers Support Group 5 June 2024

 

Image by Werner Moser from Pixabay

June 5 question - In this constantly evolving industry, what kind of offering/service do you think the IWSG should consider offering to members?

Why are you asking me to do this "thinking" stuff so early in the day? It's still three minutes before the crack of noon! 😉

Anyway, I've narrowed it down to a list of ten items.

1. Book marketing and promotional services

2. Author branding and platform building

3. Manuscript editing and proofreading

4. Publishing consultation and guidance

5. Industry networking opportunities

6. Book cover design and formatting services

7. Distribution and sales support

8. Author website and social media management

9. Reader engagement strategies

10. Book launch event planning

11. Copyright and legal assistance for authors

12. Self-publishing support and resources

13. Author workshops and training programs

14. Translation and foreign rights representation

15. Author mentorship programs

You could compile a bank of volunteers and also a directory listing professionals who specialize in the above services. For instance, I am a line and copy editor who is a member of ACES. Volunteering my services would help me connect with potential repeat clients, so it would be a win-win situation.

https://aceseditors.org/about

In the meantime, anyone who is interested can check out my services and prices through the following link. 

https://ornerybookemporium.blogspot.com/p/ornery-literary-services.html

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Insecure Writers Support Group 1 May 2024

 

Image by Chen from Pixabay

May 1 question - How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

I'll just answer this with brevity in a way that explains everything.

I have ADHD. 

Distraction is my middle name.

However, I can also be hyperfocused. 

So, to sum things up, the answer is yes and no. 

It's the story of my life.

Oh look, a squirrel!

Anyway, sorry I'm late with this. I had a bad reaction to the latest COVID shot, was running a high fever, and was so weak I needed help to put laundry into the machine and to make some Jello for my woozy stomach. 

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors

How bad did I feel, you ask?

It was like I went on a week-long bender drinking every bum wine on the shelf.

http://bumwine.com/

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

A to Z Challenge 2024: Day 26: Zeroing In

 

Image by hopid permana from Pixabay

This character's name is Zero Two Darling. She's what came up when I did a search for zeroing in on Pixabay. She's a human klaxo sapien hybrid, and you can read more about her here. 

https://darling-in-the-franxx.fandom.com/wiki/Zero_Two

We’re zipping to the end of this challenge and also to the end of the month. I need to zero in on not being a slavedriver with myself because it zaps the zest from activities I have a zeal for.

I’m also sticking a fork in the Camp NaNoWriMo challenge for April 2024. There will be another Camp NaNoWriMo in June, and I’ll do that one too because I’m a masochist.

It’s 10:30 and I need to get my Zs.

I hope I sleep better tonight than last night.

It seems sleep and I are seldom on the same page.

~Ornery Owl Has Zpoken~

Image by thank_you from Pixabay

A to Z Challenge 2024: Day 25: Youth

 

Image by 3005398 from Pixabay

The days of my youth are long behind me, but the things that happened then still affect my life. I suppose this must be true for everybody. While reading William Shatner’s autobiography, I noticed that he and I have something in common: difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships.

Like me, Bill (I think he’d be all right with me calling him Bill) had a difficult childhood, always having to defend himself from bullies. Unlike me, he has been very successful in other areas of his life. He never seems to have slid into self-loathing as I did. Is this the difference?

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Image by Jim Cooper on Pixabay

"You've never done anything to aggravate Captain Kirk have you, Space Jockey?"

https://odysee.com/@deepprogresivehouse:4/AIR.--Moon-Safari.-Full-Album:e?r=GTwnGJ4fFBQfzuJgpHVpfKBKaC9b8B16

Cool and beautiful electronic music from French band AIR.

A to Z Challenge 2024: Day 24: Xenomorphs Forever

 

Image by Wolfgang Eckert on Pixabay

I stopped writing in 2007 due to fallout from my disastrous first attempt at becoming a published author. When I started writing again in 2012, I only intended to write Aliens fan fiction for myself because people suck and Xenomorphs are wicked cool.

Fan fiction is real writing. Even the cringeworthy self-insert fics I wrote as a young teenager and would have to kill you if you discovered them.

Writing fan fiction saved my life more than once, no joke.

Much of what I write these days could be classified as Cthulhu Mythos fan fiction.

I’m absolutely okay with that.

~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~

Image by Márta Valentínyi from Pixabay