It’s time once again for my monthly posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. If you haven’t clicked on the image and traveled to their site yet, do it. This group is a must for us shaking bundles of caffeine-driven writers who sit with one twittering eye trained on the screen and the other rolled somewhere in the back of our skulls. Consider it your monthly group. Your tribe of other weirdos in whom you can connect via this roller coaster journey we call writing.
Today’s co-hosts are Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott!
IWSG is trying something new beginning this month: a question. Consider it a focal point for the above-mentioned writers to train themselves on instead of going down the rabbit hole. Not a bad idea.
This month’s question is: What’s the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?
Hmm…
I think the best thing someone ever said wasn’t focused on a particular aspect of technique or a story element. Instead, it was a complement from a beta read. One of my fabulous critique partners had offered to beta my manuscript, and in among the threads that she mentioned needed tweaking was an ego-stroking compliment. She said: The last quarter of this novel is brilliant.
Well, I can tell you that the birds sang. The clouds parted, and the rays of sunlight streamed forth, striking every available surface imaginable. It was the best thing I’ve heard regarding my writing, and it was from someone I respect which makes it even better. Anytime the word brilliant can make an appearance in any mention of my writing, I will do somersaults and back handsprings. Well… I would if I was still twelve. But I’ll definitely jump. High. Really, really high.
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Time for some news.
This first story is incredible. When I opened the link, I thought the two men would have faceless office jobs which could go unnoticed for upwards of fifteen years, but a gardener and a driver? Someone should have noticed that the car never moved and the grounds were in bad shape. Seriously. The topper is the mention of the guy at the end of the story getting an award for his contribution to the job after not showing up for six years.
I’m thinking that they need to change the title of this story to the state with the most drunk arrests. Who is happy when they’re arrested? And the people who actually spent any time analyzing mugshots even though the methodology is suspect, wow.
Growing your own protective armor is beyond a cool adaptation. These little fleas are rock stars, and my writer brain is working on overdrive thinking how this could make its way into a story. Definitely coolest link of the day!
http://www.livescience.com/55297-how-water-fleas-grow-body-armor.html
That’s it for the first work in July. See you back here in seven.
kimlajevardi 
I wouldn’t be anywhere in my writing without my awesome CPs and beta readers.. they’ve taught me so much:) Wink Wink!!
Back at you. 🙂
You described the emotions perfectly. If only that could happen on a daily basis, how much different our writing lives would be! Congratulations!
That story of the 15 years of getting paid for not working – AMAZING! Why don’t things like that happen to me. 🙂
Thank you!
I was also both stunned and jealous about the story of getting paid for fifteen years for not showing up for work.
I agree with Lexa, Yeah for beta readers. Their scrutiny of our manuscript, taking it seriously when reading is worth gold.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
Agreed. Critique partners and betas are definitely worth at least gold.
Yay for betas and CPs and all the help and encouragement they give us! I guess Spain is the place to be if you want to work for the gov’t and get paid for doing nothing… There is something very wrong with you if you’re arrested for something serious and you’re smiling in your mugshot. Fleas growing armor appropriate to the insects they’re fighting. I can die a happy woman now because I’ve seen everything. 😉
Definitely don’t die. What would I do without my fantastic CP?
Awesome links – I like the idea of growing with armor, too. 🙂
And, yes, I can see the clouds parting and I can imagine those handsprings (if I were 12 again).
Loved your answer!
That armor one is my favorite today, too.
Thanks!
Yeah, I get the somersaults. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Those and flips too. 😉
Wonderful compliment! And I love your description of how you felt. That’s just perfect.
No one noticed those employees weren’t there all that time? That’s unbelievable!
I loved it!
I know, right? How is it that they went unnoticed for fifteen years?
The birds sand, the clouds parted… I can just see that!
Those guys skipped work for fifteen years and no one noticed? Wish I could get away with that.
Me too. I’d love to get paid to stay home and not do my job. 😮