Shannon Lawrence

Hello! It's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group and I'm sending this greeting from York, England! I'm on a writing excursion, so I wrote this post ahead of time. I'll be traveling around to Whitby and Harrogate, as well. I'll be seeing dales, a waterfall, a beach, an abbey, and so many other cool things. And there WILL be writing. Something I've not been doing lately. Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh , the IWSG exists so writers can get together once a month on the first Wednesday to discuss their insecurities and find out they're not alone! Anyone can join. Simply, click on Alex's name and put your blog on the linky list, then post.  The co-hosts this month are: PJ Colando , Pat Garcia , Kim Lajevardi , Melissa Maygrove , and Jean Davis .  The optional question this month is: What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult? I loved The Secret Garden , and it's one I've read multiple times. It was a beautifully written b...

It's time for the May Insecure Writer's Support Group! Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh , the IWSG is a virtual gathering of writers sharing their insecurities and seeking and giving support. Anyone can sign up. Simply click on Alex's name and put your blog on the linky list. The co-hosts this month are Feather Stone , Janet Alcorn , Rebecca Douglass , Jemima Pett , and Pat Garcia . Be sure to drop by and thank them for helping out! The optional question this month is: Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack or talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them? Well, I don't fear rejection! Rejection is never easy, but it's part of the business, and I've dealt with enough of it to stop fearing it. That doesn't mean there aren't rejections I regret more than others, though. I even pitched at Pikes Peak Writers Conference this past weekend. While I did not get a "send it," the agent ...

It's time for the March Insecure Writer's Support Group! Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh , the IWSG is a support group for writers and a place to air our insecurities. Anyone can join. simply click on Alex's name and add your blog to the list. This month's co-hosts are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren , Pat Garcia , and Liza @ Middle Passages . The optional question this month is: If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you. Honestly, I can't think of a person I'd want to be for a day. If I want to change my life, I'll change my life, you know? As for a thing, there are a handful of animals I probably wouldn't mind being for a day. A jungle cat, a house cat, a bird. I used to love running so much. I set records in two different schools. But my knees and spine are destroyed these days, and running is a rarity that brings pain instead of that amazing freedom I ...

It's time for the February Insecure Writer's Support Group! Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh , the IWSG occurs the first Wednesday of each month and serves to provide a space for writers to exchange insecurities and seek support. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and put your blog on the linky list. This month's co-hosts are: Joylene Nowell Butler , Louise Barbour , and Tyrean Martinson . The optional question this month is: Is there a story or book you've written you want to/wish you could go back and change? Short answer is no. They're written. They exist as they are. I'd rather move forward and write new stories! My insecurity this month is how deeply burned out I am and how it feels like I'll never dig out. I know I will eventually, and I'm trying not to push it. In the meantime, I've been enjoying changing things up and writing nonfiction for Rocky Mountain Reader. One of my pieces just came out this week and is free to read: Why YA i...

It's time for the first Insecure Writer's Support Group posting of 2025! Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh , the IWSG provides a space for writers to share their insecurities and provide support to each other. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and put your name on the link list. (We typically post the first Wednesday of the month unless, like in this case, it falls on a holiday). The co-hosts this month are Rebecca Douglass , Beth Camp , Liza at Middle Passages , and Natalie Aguirre . It's always nice to drop by and thank the co-hosts for their help! The optional question this month is:  Describe someone you admired when you were a child. Did your opinion of that person change when you grew up? I'm skipping the optional question this month. I don't have any December submissions stats, as I never had any time to make submissions! I also had zero rejections or acceptances. Funny how that works when you don't submit something. ;) However, I did get my fir...

I almost forgot! And then I was sitting in a meeting and remembered. So late, but here.  It's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh , the IWSG serves to create a community where writers lend each other support.  The optional question: Do you write cliffhangers at the end of your stories? Are they a turn-off to you as a reader and/or writer? I don't really do cliffhangers, no. However, in horror things can be left open to translation or hinting at something, so I might do that at times. In novel/urban fantasy form, I wrap up the big things and present something at the end that leads into the next story, so that may be considered a bit of a cliffhanger, but I do think it's important to wrap up the main threads of that novel by the end. Without further ado (because I'm totally still in my meeting and writing this, lol), my stats for the month of November: 0 new submissions (no tiiiiiiime) 1 rejection (Note I got an acceptance TODAY,...