IWSG - To Run & Fly - New Short Story Release!
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 used to have. Being a cheetah or some other type of feline would mean I could run like that again, lounge in the sun, play and frolic. Sounds fun. I'm purposely not going to think about the drawbacks.
And, of course, a bird. What could be better than running? The freedom of flight. Doesn't that sound amazing?
My short story Horsewomen of the Apocalypse came out in Hellbound Books' anthology Satan Rides Your Daughter Again. Horsewomen follows a woman fleeing the horsewomen of the apocalypse as they rain their brand of violence down on everyone who crosses their path. She ends up making her final stand in a house full of...very interesting people.
Fun fact: one of my previous publishers is in this book with his own short story!
Not much else to update, so on to submission stats!
February stats:
4 rejections
0 submissions
0 acceptances
1 short list notification
19 stories currently on submission
What animal would you be if you could be an animal? What are your current insecurities? Any publication news?
May you find your Muse.
Sorry you can't run anymore. A cheetah's speed would be hard to beat.
ReplyDeleteA big cat sounds like a cool form for a day :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for IWSG day Tips For Author Success in 2025
I'd love to be a cheetah! I can't run like I used to due to a back that can't handle the pavement anymore.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your newest publication! And I like the idea of taking on a feline perspective. I'd love to know what's behind that insouciant expression.
ReplyDeletehttps://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/p/short-story-wednesday-5b4
Each decade that passes brings new challenges . . . and so we persevere, celebrating what we can achieve. That new published short story of yours? Congratulations! I can see you running free and as beautiful as a cheetah!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Shannon! Hmm...Given the title, I guess I wouldn't leave the book on the coffee table ;-) In terms of achievements, you must have an entire library under your literary belt by now - so very, very cool!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to run like a cheetah or galumph like a giraffe! Getting older is definitely a challenge. That's quite a title for a book! But congratulations for having a short story published in it. Lee said she wouldn't leave the book on the coffee table. I'm betting if you did, people would be sneaking peeks. Happy IWSG Day!
ReplyDeleteAlex, it really would!
ReplyDeleteRonel, I think I'd enjoy it!
Diane, the pavement definitely makes it untenable at this point!
Lee, I have to wonder what they think about.
Beth, I love that, thank you!
diedre, no doubt! HA! I definitely have my vanity shelves.
Fundy, oh galumphing like a giraffe would also be so fun! Except I was super tall and skinny for my age, so I feel like a galumphed plenty, haha!
Being a cat for a day sounds ... interesting. If I were to select an animal to be I'd probably choose to be a dog. To love someone unconditionally and uncritically, as dogs do.
ReplyDeleteNow that you mention it, I think there was a time that I wanted to be a bird, or maybe it was a bat since I've always been a fan of Dracula, because I wanted to fly.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the publishing of your short story in the anthology! Sounds like a neat plot. The Apocalypse can always provide a lot of great ideas for horror, sci fi and fantasy. Look what it did for zombie stories!
A lot of us thinking in similar ways this month. I have problems running because of a heart thing. I sometimes dream about running and it feels so good.
ReplyDeleteLee