Wednesday, May 4, 2016

IWSG & Sign of the Green Dragon


The first thing I thought when I realized it was time for the May meeting of The Insecure Writer's Support Group was how is it May already? I can't believe a third of 2016 is already in the books. 2015 was not a productive writing year for me and I started this year determined that 2016 would be different.

So far it hasn't been! But I am confident that will change because I finally have a solid story mapped out for another Polar Night book and I am excited about writing it. Last year I tried to force an idea that just didn't work and I knew it wasn't working all the while I writing it, so the whole thing became a chore. I know it's different now because I actually look forward to writing again and we all know what a great feeling that is.

Originally I planned to post about my insecurity that the year was already getting away from me. But as I sat down to write that post I realized I don't feel bad about that because I am excited and enthusiastic about writing my new story. I know the rest of the year won't be a waste. So I'm kicking the insecurity to the curb and focusing on that enthusiasm instead.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh and meets the first Wednesday of every month. Visit Alex's site to join in and view a list of members.


I'm also excited to share the awesome cover for Sign of the Green Dragon, the latest great book from the talented mind of C. Lee McKenzie. The book will be available in August of this year.

Book Summary: When a wall of their cave hideout crumbles, three boys discover a skeleton, clutching a treasure map. They set off to trace the story of an old murder, but stumble into a modern crime, and confront ancient Chinese dragons. 

Want to Read Link: Goodreads 

Author Bio: C. Lee McKenzie is a 4 & 5 star reviewed author. Her greatest passion is writing for young readers. Sign of the Green Dragon is her third Middle Grade novel. Alligators Overhead and the sequel, The Great Time Lock Disaster were her first two. She has traditionally published four young adult novels: Sliding on the Edge, The Princess of Las Pulgas, Double Negative and Sudden Secrets.

Congratulations, C. Lee!! And Happy May, all! :)


36 comments:

  1. Let's hear it for enthusiasm! Best wishes on there remaining two-thirds!

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  2. I am just in love with C.Lee's latest! The cover is awesome. I hear you on falling short of my self-induced expectations for this year. Time seems to be slipping away... So wonderful you've mapped out another book in this series. I've been struggling (for about three months, which has put me wayyyy behind) with mapping out book II in my MG series. I think I figured out what my problem is: I need to decide what the series arc is. Have you found that an issue or are you just planning each book as it comes?

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  3. Congratulations, Lee! I have my copy and I love the cover!
    And good on you, kicking the insecurity to the curb, taking the bull by the horns and writing your story. Can't wait to read it!

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  4. I can't believe it's May already either. I have got to get moving! :o

    Good luck with the new story!

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  5. If you're excited about the story, then that's an awesome thing.
    Great cover, Lee!

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  6. Great to see Lee's book getting out there. She had me at dragons! I'm pleased to hear that things seem to be falling into place for you and you're excited about writing again. It's the best feeling. I had a slow start to the year too, but I'm trying to put that behind me.

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  7. All I can say about 2016 is that it isn't going the way I thought. Congrats to Lee!

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  8. Goodness, I hear you there. I had one book that I hated. Completely hated. BUT, it was high concept and I had interest from agents on it, so I HAD to work on it. Ugh. Big mistake. If you don't love something, it will only get worse. Wish we could learn that lesson the easy way, eh?

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  9. Hi Julie - it must be so easy to bogged down, desperately trying to get over the hump of the bog - then realising another story is needed - so pleased Polar Night is going to be on the cards now ...

    I love Lee's Green Dragon cover ... good luck to you both - cheers Hilary

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  10. I've been feeling like this year's been getting away from me. When it started out, I had a much different path planned out, and now I'm nowhere near that plan, and every month I just get a little further away from it.

    It's really great that you have a story idea you're excited about. Writers can never have too many of those. :)

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  11. I know it is hard to believe it's May already! Yay for enthusiasm and kicking the insecurities into touch. Good luck with the new book.

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  12. Yay! good for you Julie! It is a wonderful thing to feel the excitement of writing again. I'm hoping it will find me soon. Good luck with this new story.

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  13. Congrats to Lee and to you, Julie!!! I look forward to reading more about Danny!!!

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  14. Kids, Chinese Dragon and crime. Will the wonders of Lee's imagination ever cease? Let's hope not! Congrats. Glad to see you are all bright and positive Julia. Keep it up.

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  15. Woot for excitement, but I do admit, I flinched when you brought that so much of the year has already gone by. EGADS!!!! WHERE IS THE TIME GOING???

    Here's to a productive rest of the year!

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  16. That's a great attitude, Julie! I can't wait for another Polar Night book. :) Yay for Lee!

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  17. I love Lee's cover and I applauding the kicking insecurity--for this month anyway. I hope things keep looking up. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  18. You are so smart to recognize a wrong direction. I have the hardest time doing that and finding a different route.

    Thanks tons for helping me with this Cover Reveal. I'm always surprised and excited by the writers I connect with because they're so supportive.

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  19. Congratulations C. Lee. Great cover. I also like the blurb.

    Congratulations on starting on a new story Julie. I know you've been looking forward to writing again. I feel bad about it being May already and not having anything to show for it. But, I need to get over that. Wishing you all the best.

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  20. Cool cover. I always feeling like the year is getting away from me. Good for you for staying positive! Cheers, A

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  21. Good for you! I love when I know something will be good before I even get started.

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  22. There's nothing better than being excited about a new project! And yes, where has the year gone already? Time, that baffling mistress. =)

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  23. Best wishes to Cheryl and her latest and greatest! Cool cover art too.

    May 2016 IWSG Co-Host
    May the 4th Be With You
    Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs

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  24. That's so cool that you're feeling good about your current WiP. I have one that I'm just not feeling. Oh well, maybe I'll figure out what I don't like about it.

    Congrats to Lee!

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  25. Hurray for enthusiasm! Glad to hear you feel so excited about writing again. Hope this feeling lasts for a long, long time!

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  26. Yes, focus on that enthusiasm! I didn't get a lot done between fall of 2015 and April of 2016 due to a couple volunteer jobs and my taking on the first day job I'd had in a decade. But I'm back in it now, and need to get going!

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  27. You shouldn't feel bad about it. Life is short enjoy it. :)

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  28. Last year wasn't very productive for me too, but this year my writing is going pretty well. Lee's book sounds like my kind of a book. Adding it to my TBR list.

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  29. I wasn't prepared to face the fact that May 2015 came. And left. Imagine how I feel with it being May 2016. I can't even breathe lol. I'm definitely not hitting any writing goals. So you're not alone! lol

    You'll do great. Being excited and enthusiastic for a new story is exactly the key!!! You got this, Julie!!! :)

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  30. I love Lee's latest cover! And I'm so happy to hear your enthusiasm for your new Polar Night series project! Don't feel bad about putting aside a novel. I've done that twice, both reached 30k and took months of effort before I realized they just weren't working. I went on to Bloodwalker, which worked out great! I can't wait to see what you do with your new novel!

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  31. Enthusiasm is great. We should all take lessons.

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  32. Kick insecurity to the curb - that's the spirit!
    I'm hoping some of it will rub off onto me.

    Lee's cover is fabulous!
    Writer In Transit

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  33. I'm glad to hear you're back in the groove. I admire your wisdom to put aside that other project and move on with another. I can never tell if I should push through a rough patch or abandon a project.

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  34. How great that you got back your enthusiasm for writing. I can hear it in your post. Best wishes, Julie.

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  35. I'm excited that you're working on another edition to the Polar series, Julie!
    Glad you got your mojo back, and a new mystery is just around the corner!
    Congrats to Lee on her latest release! Love the captivating cover!

    Julie

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  36. I sometimes think time will always get away from us, but at least we do have good things to be excited about and writing is one of them. Good luck with the new novel!

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