IWSG - Travel Writing & Future Retreats

It's the first Wednesday of May, which means it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group!


The IWSG was created to bring writers together to share their insecurities and lend each other support. Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, anyone can join. Simply click on his name and add your name to the linky list, then post the first Wednesday of each month.

The co-hosts this month are Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi.

The optional question this month is: What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

While I've had some really nice things said about my writing, in general, one of my favorite things is when I'm in an anthology with other authors and stories and my story gets called out as a favorite in reviews. To know one of my stories stuck out to someone feels great.

I had a great time in the UK last month and fell even more deeply in love with the little harbor town of Whitby. Happily, my husband enjoyed it there, too. We did a little pre-planning to eventually, hopefully, host a week-long writing retreat out there. I've got the venue and various details planned out already, but have a lot of other things (like working out pricing and transportation) to work on. This is an in-the-future kind of thing, but I'd love to run writing retreats in places I know and enjoy, such as Whitby (England), Estes Park (CO), and Playa del Carmen (Mexico), as examples. Of course, I fear they won't get proper attendance or that no one would be interested, so it's an appropriate thing to bring up today.

Speaking of which, I really want to get into some travel writing, so looking at that. If you've got tips or resources for travel writing, I'd love to hear them! I've been interested in this for some time, but want to get a feel for what would make it stand out. I've tentatively started a new blog to deal with travel with autism and physical disabilities, which had its first post today. (Some of you may have ended up there first via my profile if you're visiting from a comment.)

I'm also seriously considering a dive into a true crime novel concerning a serial killer my family has personal ties to (no, we're not related--he came after my mom). But I'm trying to step back and make sure I plan things in the right order. I need to consider the impacts on family, as well.

If you have knowledge/information/resources/tips on any of the above (planning group retreats, travel writing, in-depth true crime), please share!

My insecurities? Well, can I make these things happen and would people be interested? I'd rather not fall flat on my face. But I do believe in taking risks with my writing and in the writing world.


Some news! I'll have a table at Mountain of Authors on Saturday, May 16, from noon to five, at Library 21c.

A couple trip pics:

Whitby Abbey with some spring flowers


Big Ben


Spring buds with York Minster in the distance

We ate some fantastic food, found the most amazing bakery, visited three bookstores, went to the York Prison Museum, enjoyed the fresh coastal air, viewed ruins, saw teeny lambs, and got to experience a strike of Underground drivers that stranded us in London and had us riding three different buses to get to our AirBnB.

It's been a while since I had any submission stats, because I wasn't submitting, but I submitted this past week, so next month I should be able to return to my stats! I was supposed to have a story come out this month, but haven't heard any word on it, so not sure what's going on with that. Ah, the joys of publishing.

Where have you visited that you loved and would return to? Would you go to a writing retreat in Whitby, Playa del Carmen, or Estes Park? Do you know anything about planning retreats, travel writing, or writing true crime novels? What are your insecurities?

May you find your Muse.

Comments

  1. Ronel Janse van VuurenMay 6, 2026 at 3:09 AM

    Great photos! It's always great when it's your story that stands out in an anthology for a reviewer/reader.

    Ronel visiting for IWSG day Time for a Pivot

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alex J. CavanaughMay 6, 2026 at 4:26 AM

    England is such a cool place to visit. You should do a writing retreat there.
    What constitutes travel writing? I know an author who published a book about her travels living on a boat for several years.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Natalie AguirreMay 6, 2026 at 4:41 AM

    It's great that you had such a good trip. It's awesome that you're considering a writing retreat. Sorry that I can't help you with your questions.

    ReplyDelete

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