Insecure Writer's Support Group by Ronel Janse van Vuuren

New Half of the Year, New Writerly Insecurities #IWSG #writerslife

Start of a new month, so it’s time for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Post.

Learn more here.

I would like to start of this post by thanking everyone who had signed up in May to help me to promote my books. In June, the first set of guest posts/reviews/interviews went live. The response has been amazing. Here are the links to the posts about “Dark Desires”:

I’ll be in touch soon with the next round of guest posts, etc. for July/August.

What’s driving my insecurity this month? Of all things, Arrow.

When this series started out, it was amazing. I even wrote about it. But after that post – and the end of season 4 – it has gotten progressively worse. I’ll go as far as saying that this last season was dreadful. I finished watching it, of course, because Stephen Amell.

Arrow is the reason I started watching The Flash, Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow. I gave up on The Flash seasons ago. I only watched the first three episodes of the newest season of Supergirl. Bleh! Only Legends of Tomorrow became better and better.

So why does this make me insecure as a writer? If great franchises of superheroes can become skippable, what makes me (my writing) unskippable?

I’ve tried out Kindle Unlimited for “Magic at Midnight”. Thus far: colour me confused. But it is enrolled in the StoryTeller competition, so maybe something good will come from it. I’m going to try out the free days, too – so check my social media (and newsletter!) for the dates.

Check it out on Amazon.

Oh, and the cover has made it through the preliminary rounds for the AllAuthor cover of the month contest! Please go and vote for it.

I’ve decided to add a new feature to my blog. On Mondays I’ll share bookish news. Cover reveals, reviews, bookblasts, etc. I’ve already done a couple in the last few weeks.

As for this month’s question: What personal traits have you written into your character(s)?

Traits? Mm. Compassion. Kindness. Honesty. That sort of thing? More would probably get too personal… But I do dare you to read my work and tell me if you can spot any personal traits in my characters from knowing me online. There’s the free “The Fae Realm” on all online retailers and you can always join my newsletter for another free book. Or get something for only 99c 😉

I know, very short this month. It takes a lot of effort to get anything written right now – probably because it’s winter and my body is telling me to hibernate.

Any suggestions about how to be unskippable? Any advice about using KDP Unlimited? Have you read my work and are you able to figure out some personal traits from my characters as they apply to me?

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26 thoughts on “New Half of the Year, New Writerly Insecurities #IWSG #writerslife”

  1. I totally get where you’re coming from with Arrow. I think I gave up mid season 6? (And Flash mid season 4) because it became too much like a soap opera and less like a superhero show! Legends is the only one I’ll still watch. (Despite still being miffed at the end of season 1!)

    Suggestions for being unskippable? Stick to what works. CW took Flash and Arrow too far from what they originally were and began to focus on too many characters. For me they worked far better when they were focused on Barry and Oliver!

    Good luck with the StoryTeller competition, and I’ve voted for your cover 😀

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  2. I couldn’t get through Arrow either and I do understand why that could make you insecure. Yet, your stories are yours and no one else can produce what you produce, so I’d just go with that and not add a worry to your day that won’t help anything! I wish I could listen to my own advice! LOL Happy 4th!

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  3. I think studying the craft of writing and making your stakes high and the pace fast can help keep readers’ attention. Your Monday feature sounds great.

    I hope you’ll take advantage of my Follower News for your book and if you do, I’ll add your book to my monthly giveaway hop choices. It reaches another 1000 followers.

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  4. I gave up on Arrow after two seasons. The first was spectacular. The second, I slogged my way through. I’m glad to hear I didn’t miss anything. I still miss Firefly. Love the latest season of Jessica Jones (though barely got through last year).

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  5. I’m not a superhero fan, but Hubs can’t get enough of those shows. Your cover for Magic at Midnight is just gorgeous!
    Do you find yourself writing more in winter when it’s too cold to enjoy being outside? I do.
    Happy writing in July.

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  6. It is a really cool cover – good luck.
    Arrow didn’t catch me, but like you, I watched a couple seasons of Flash and just a couple episodes of Supergirl before giving up. DC needs to give up series.

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  7. Happy New Half of the Year, Ronel! Congratulations on your new release. Is Wentworth Miller still in Legends? I’m a huge Prison Break fan and he is the reason I started watching, but it’s not my favorite genre of show, so I stopped. I feel the same way about Prison Break–season one is amazing but seasons three and four sucked. My aunt, who works in TV, said that it is very tough to maintain high quality in that medium for several reasons, so maybe it’s a different story when it comes to books.

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  8. Good luck with the Storyteller competition! I’m not in KU, but it seems to work well for people especially in certain genres. I’ll be interested in hearing how it works for you after you’ve been in it a while.

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  9. Voted! Good luck with the cover competition – yours is awesome. Looking forward to reading it.

    I think you’re right about some traditional favorites becoming skippable. I attribute that phenomenon to laziness and too much preaching/pc-ing. I’ve noticed several “best-selling” authors sure have a lot of parts in their books that I’m skipping. They’ve shifted to my ‘pick up at the library’ list.

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  11. I agree about the Arrow. I stuck with Flash as I thought that one got better, and I watched Supergirl despite disappointing some episode better than others, but could not stick with DC Legends I watch here and there.

    Voted.

    You go girl.

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  13. Used to watch Arrow and the Flash. For the Arrow I gave up after everyone knew Sarah was alive and the episode with the disastrous family dinner. Because Laura was peeved on seeing Sarah and Oliver together. Don’t what season that. As for the Flash I believed I stopped after Cisco helped Hawkgirl find her inner warrior hawk. Couldn’t get past episode 2 of the first season of Supergirl. The only superhero show I’ve kept up with is Legends of Tomorrow. Can’t wait for season 5.

    Reply

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