IWSG - I'm FREE!

It's time for the September Insecure Writer's Support Group.


The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh so we writers can share our insecurities and support each other through them. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and add your blog to the list.

Our co-hosts this month are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight.

The optional question this month is: What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or for creating outlines/beats?

I have zero interest in using AI for any aspect of my writing or research. Aside from my personal feelings about using AI for writing, it's notoriously unreliable for information, so even for research I feel it's pointless. Plus, I love research and compiling information, in addition to writing. What I *want* is for AI to clean my house. Where's Rosie the Robot? I'd rather that over having my work stolen to feed AI. (And, yes, my books were on the list of those found to have been stolen to train AI in the recent class action lawsuit).

I have good news! I am officially done at the old job. I'm catching up on the new job this week, and next week I intend to get to putting together my next horror collection for release in October. Hopefully, I'll have news on that for the October IWSG.

While I was not able to spend time on writing stuff for the last few months, I've been slowly arranging my office and adding some little elements (a new keyboard, a mug warmer for my tea, a curtain for the French doors, a foot rest, etc.) so that when I was able to jump back in, I had the inspirations to do so. I'm excited to get started! After the collection is finished, I have a book to edit, then it's on to Myth Stalker II for release next spring. And I have an exciting project I've been thinking about that I want to start after that. 

Submission Stats for August: 

8 submissions

2 rejections

3 withdrawals for publications that seem to have gone under

0 acceptances

6 currently on submission

What are your insecurities? How do you feel about AI? Have you been submitting? What's one special thing you'd love to add to your workspace?

May you find your Muse.


Comments

  1. Alex J. CavanaughSeptember 3, 2025 at 4:59 AM

    Glad you are finally free of the soul-sucking job! Hope the changes in your office kick-start your productivity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shannon LawrenceSeptember 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM

      Me, too! I'm excited about it all, so that's a good sign.

      Delete
  2. Ronel Janse van VuurenSeptember 3, 2025 at 5:38 AM

    Sounds like you're excited to get back to writing -- yay!

    Ronel visiting for IWSG day Seasonal Creativity For Authors

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shannon LawrenceSeptember 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM

      Yes, which makes me so happy! I've been a bit emotionally dulled and tired about it all up to now.

      Delete
  3. L. Diane WolfeSeptember 3, 2025 at 8:06 AM

    I've had jobs like that - it did feel like freedom to leave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shannon LawrenceSeptember 3, 2025 at 5:45 PM

      Definitely! I'm not sure my brain fully understands we're out yet, but looking forward to that feeling when it hits.

      Delete
  4. Crystal CollierSeptember 3, 2025 at 8:18 AM

    Yay for the new job! I'm so happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. cleemckenzieSeptember 3, 2025 at 9:25 AM

    Congratulations! If you have a job you love, you never have to work.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rebecca M. DouglassSeptember 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM

    Hooray on the job change! And I totally agree with you on AI

    ReplyDelete
  7. LizaSeptember 4, 2025 at 5:27 AM

    I'll take that housekeeping robot too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Steven Arellano Rose Jr.September 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM

    I won't use AI for any of the creative aspects of the writing process, not even for outlining. I'll use it to assist with my research because for me researching seems to take too futiley long. But I will verify the sources it comes with and will do further research on my own.

    Good luck with your upcoming horror collection. Im looking forward to hear more about it!

    ReplyDelete

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