It is time once again for my monthly posting for The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG). This month I am also happy to be able to co-host. If you haven’t looked through the array of blogs that participate, rectify your oversight right now by clicking on the picture above and then surfing the links. Do it!
The awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Sandra Cox, and Kim Lajevardi (me)!
Optional monthly question – What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?
Good question! My new favorite is Story Genius by Lisa Kron. It is an amazing how-to on using your MC’s internal struggle as a third rail to build a story which invests readers and makes every page worth turning. It has been a game-changer in the drafting of my third book, increasing both character and story depth as well as the speed with which I write. I recommend it to anyone who wants to level up.
Time for some fun news.
The headline on this one is a bit misleading–there’s not really a visible dispute–but the owls are too cute to pass on.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/doorbell-camera-owls_n_61089abbe4b0e882ab620e0b
We’re not so different from our Neanderthal ancestors. I heart science! https://www.usnews.com/news/news/articles/2021-07-16/just-7-of-our-dna-is-unique-to-modern-humans-study-shows
I leave you with another type of inspiration. Music helps me in more than just my writing. Enjoy, and I’ll see you in seven. https://youtu.be/j5-yKhDd64s
kimlajevardi 
That’s a great recommendation! Thank you 🙂 And sorry for the tardy check-in, but thank you for co-hosting this month! 🙂
It is a worthwhile read. Thanks for stopping by!
Amazing that Story Genius by Lisa Kron helped you so much. Many people just read these craft books and then move on, but finding one that you can immediately put into practice is golden! Do you think Story Genius would help memoir authors as well? Thanks for co-hosting this month – enjoy your writing, music, and laughter. 🙂
It definitely might help. She actually had a writer who agreed to build out a story idea step-by-step alongside the advice, so you could how to implement what she discusses. It was important in seeing how to deepen and build a nugget into a story-worthy idea. It could absolutely help refine the direction of a memoir.
Thank you for the quick response, Kim! I’ll add this to my TBR list for a next book! 🙂
I loved your Owls – thanks for that link. Did you notice there was a third owl hopping around in the background? I’m going to check out Story Genius – looks good. Thanks for Co-hosting the IWSG this month.
I did notice the third owl. So cute!
Story Genius sounds like a treasure. I will check it out. Thank you for hosting this month. I’m a bit behind in my visits to blogs – where did July go? I liked the music that you linked to as well. Keep up the good work!
It is a worthwhile read for sure. Thanks for dropping by!
Loved the fun news! Story Genius definitely sounds useful.
Thank you for co-hosting!
I can’t recommend it enough. Very useful!
I’ve read Wired For Story, and although I don’t agree with everything she says, it’s still a good read. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
I have Wired For Story on my TBR pile.
Thanks for co-hosting, Kim! And for the must read selections. I, too, love to write with music in the background. Learned that during group write-ins as a way to block background noise and distractions.
I usually listen before. I actually need quiet while I write, but I know a bunch of other writers like you who can listen as they work. The process is so different for each of us. Happy writing!
I’ve tried to get through Story Genius by Lisa Kron twice now. It’s very different from my usual method. I’m sure I’ll give it another go eventually.
Thanks for cohosting.
Everybody has their way that works. Keep trucking down your road.
Thanks for Story Genius and the Neanderthal genome article. (What an unlikely combination in one sentence.) And thank you for landing on my very first blog post today! A year of Turtle Wax coming your way. 🙂
That is an awesome sentence! 😂
Thank you for the recommendation of Story Genius, Kim! I haven’t heard of that book before, but I’ll definitely check it out!
Also, thank you for co-hosting. This is my first #IWSG blog hop!
Glad you could join us!
Oo. That one sounds good.
Thanks for co-hosting.
It is a definite read.
Your reasons for choosing Story Genius as one of your favorites caught my attention. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for co-hosting this month.
It is a worthwhile read.
I’ve heard of that book! I think I might have to check it out.
It’s really good.
Thanks for cohosting this month. I’ve not heard of Story Genius. I’ll have to check it out.
It’s a worthwhile read.
Those little owls were so cute!
Right? 😍
Thanks for co-hosting. And thanks for recommending Story Genius. I’ll have to check it out.
It is a very worthwhile read.
Story Genius sounds interesting. Thank you for sharing, and co-hosting this month. Happy IWSG Day!
Definitely worth a read. 😊
I love fun news.
I didn’t read Story Genius but I should give it a try.
I highly recommend Story Genius. I actually base my plotting it now.
Thanks for co-hosting today, Kim! And thanks for the fun news. Enjoy your day!
My pleasure! I hope you have a great day as well.
I don’t understand why that Neanderthal statistic is so surprising. Don’t we share 98% of Great Ape (chimpanzee maybe) DNA? What am I missing?
We like to believe we are so different, from our ape ancestors as well. We’re not so different.
It’s that knowledge–that we aren’t so different–that years ago turned me against experimenting on our Great Ape cousins. That’s inhumane.
Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG blog hop today!
I’ve heard so much about Story Genius. I need to get my hands on the book.
It’s a definite read!
I’ve heard of that book, but haven’t read it yet.
Thanks for co-hosting!
And, my blog is actually here, not matter what Word Press says: https://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/
It’s a very worthwhile read. Thanks for dropping by!
That book is new to me.
Owls were certainly curious.
Thanks for co-hosting today!
It is a definite read. My pleasure!