IWSG 134: The Chief Inspector Gamache Series

Posted on January 7, 2026 | 30 comments

The OPTIONAL IWSG QUESTION THIS MONTH

Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn’t get done in 2025?

My answer

Nope, nada, not a thing. hehehe

Now I have to come up with a post of my own

Do you remember the Mummy from 1999. How about when Rachel Weisz playing Evelyn says:

“I’m a librarian.”

Imagine me using that tone while I’m saying:

“I’m a Canadian.”

LouIse Penny

Now that you’re in the right mindset, imagine how proud I am to be a countryman of  Margaret Atwood and Louise Penny.

Atwood I’ve read for years, but I just discovered Penny.

She opened my eyes to the French Canadian culture and I’m very glad of it. Since I’m from British Columbia, I have only met a few people from Quebec and when our paths crossed, it was in my neck of the woods.

She brought back all those long lost encounters by writing the Chief Inspector Gamache series.

Characters

The star of my first Armand Gamache novel was, of course, Armand Gamache.

He could have been David Suchet, playing Poirot. But gently reformed into a more modern man. Gamache is a loveable character that brought coziness to a police procedural. Armand is a francophone, that speaks English with a British accent. Québécois to the bone. A thinker that likes to walk with his hand clasped behind his back. His love of family includes the people he works with.

setting

The fictional village of Three Pines is located amid the Eastern Townships in Quebec and shares a lifestyle that I hope truly exists. The village is an out of the way place that is not on any map and it’s purpose when it was founded was to offer sanctuary to any and all in need of it.

But there is a hitch, they have to be willing to give up the internet (dial-up only) and their cell phones. Cut off from most of Canada, it allows the author to blend a police procedural with coziness. There is some violence–most of it off the stage and downplayed.

My personal bonus

It was the first time I’ve been introduced to such a heartwarming mix. It inspired me to write and its been a very long time since I thought I could write a book. I did it—the first draft anyway—during November and December.

It may end there but I did it and I’m pretty pleased with myself.

And I blame Louise Penny and her skill as a storyteller.

NOW YOUR QUESTION

What’s the best book you read in 2025?

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

Shannon Lawrence |Olga Godim |Jean Davis |Jacqui Murray

~~~oOo~~~

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

~~~oOo~~~

30 Comments

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IWSG 133: A Gift List for Writers

Posted on December 3, 2025 | 34 comments

The OPTIONAL IWSG QUESTION THIS MONTH

As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

 But first,

Best of the season to all of you!

NOW, MY ANSWER

I’ve had this “hobby” for over fifty years and I’ve been published three times. Two short stories and a book, and that was a long, long time ago. After that I lost my mojo, so there was that.

My family and friends don’t think of me as a writer which I hope answers what question.

WHAT TO BUY A WRITER

The AI suggests—and we all know what we think about that, hehehe—is a high-quality notebook, a fountain pen + purple ink, subscription to their favourite literary magazine, cozy blanket for their writing space.

What humans know—

  • Shower Notepad
  • Headphones or earbuds
  • Books on Writing
  • Bookstore Gift Card
  • Blank Journal
  • Fountain Pen (with ink)
  • Package of Post-It Notes
  • 15-Minute Sand Timer
  • Stress Ball
  • Fidget Ring
  • Mini Zen Garden

NOW YOUR QUESTION

What did gifts did I miss?

WEBSITES TO DEFINITELY CHECK OUT

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

Tara Tyler | Ronel Janse van Vuuren | Pat Garcia | Liza | Natalie Aguirre

 

~~~oOo~~~

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

~~~oOo~~~

34 Comments

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IWSG 132: TECH AND THE INTERNET ENCOURAGED ME TO WRITE

Posted on November 5, 2025 | 36 comments

The OPTIONAL IWSG QUESTION THIS MONTH

 When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

 MY ANSWER

I never thought I’d be here. Way back when there was no internet, or blogging. Writing poetry and letters to burned served their purpose. I enjoyed the venting and the creativity, but it was just a hobby and a place to stow my emotional baggage.

None of my work was for  public consumption. It was a guilty pleasure that stuck with me through maiden, mother and crone.

Then I tried out Scribophile and found my first online writing group: the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pens. That moment changed my life. It taught me what a writing group was and I’ll be forever grateful for tech that lead me to them and to you.

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

Jennifer Lane | Jenni Enzor | Renee Scattergood | Rebecca Douglass

Lynn Bradshaw | Melissa Maygrove

~~~oOo~~~

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

~~~oOo~~~

36 Comments

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IWSG 131: Not All Favourite Things Get Published

Posted on October 1, 2025 | 31 comments

The OPTIONAL IWSG QUESTION THIS MONTH

What is the most favourite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

My Answer

My favourite thing might not be someone else’s favourite thing, but I’m pretty proud of my work.

I know why I haven’t been published lately. I live somewhere between impostor syndrome and bravery and too thin a skin. So instead of focusing on my psychology, let’s look at something else.

AI

If you ask an AI why we get rejected you’ll love some of the answers. Rejection isn’t always about you or your work. Sometimes it’s something else: timing, it’s good but they just doesn’t like it—personal tastes are so subjective, already have something similar contracted.

What Agents and Chuck Wendig say

I did an internet search for more advice. Here’s what the majority said about not hearing back:

  • Project needs more polish
  • Polished, but someone’s not listening or they have terrible critters or beta readers
  • Idea has been done (to death)
  • They can’t sell it
  • Bad, very bad, query letter or pitch

Maybe tracking it’s the issue:

Depending on your needs, you could try these:

  • QueryTracker is just like it sounds. It helps you track your queries and has lists of agents and publishers. You can use it for free or pay for the premium package.
  • AgentQuery.com offers some background on the agents as well as how they are doing in the industry and what they may be looking for.

Both help manage queries and timelines so you don’t drive yourself mad wondering if you should keep waiting, poke the bear or get back to your submission list.

NOW YOUR QUESTION

Anything you do when you submit that you think would help the rest of us?

WEBSITES TO DEFINITELY CHECK OUT

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

Beth Camp | Crystal Collier | Cathrina Constantine

~~~oOo~~~

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

~~~oOo~~~

31 Comments

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IWSG 130: Examining The Grey Line of Generative AI

Posted on September 3, 2025 | 28 comments

The OPTIONAL IWSG QUESTION THIS MONTH

 What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, story bible, or creating outlines\beats?

Not to repeat myself, but I probably am

IWSG 108: Using AI to Write is Grounds for Being Banned from Submitting

IWSG 117: AI Rocks my World–Sometimes

Googled It!

If you incorporate AI-generated text, characters, or plot in your manuscript, you must disclose it to your publisher as publishing contracts require the authors to represent and warrant that the manuscript is original to the author. AI-generated material is not considered “original” to you and it is not copyrightable. 

Quoted from: Author’s Guild

The Author’s Guild’s thoughts are pretty clear: we must tell all and accept the consequences.

More from my search:

Artificial intelligence (AI) content (text, images, or translations)

We require you to inform us of AI-generated content (text, images, or translations) when you publish a new book or make edits to and republish an existing book through KDP. AI-generated images include cover and interior images and artwork. You are not required to disclose AI-assisted content. We distinguish between AI-generated and AI-assisted content as follows:

AI-generated: We define AI-generated content as text, images, or translations created by an AI-based tool. If you used an AI-based tool to create the actual content (whether text, images, or translations), it is considered “AI-generated,” even if you applied substantial edits afterwards.

AI-assisted: If you created the content yourself, and used AI-based tools to edit, refine, error-check, or otherwise improve that content (whether text or images), then it is considered “AI-assisted” and not “AI-generated.” Similarly, if you used an AI-based tool to brainstorm and generate ideas, but ultimately created the text or images yourself, this is also considered “AI-assisted” and not “AI-generated.” It is not necessary to inform us of the use of such tools or processes.

Quoted from: Amazon KDP

But there are several out there that feel differently:

Statement on the Use of “AI” writing tools such as ChatGPT

We will not consider any submissions translated, written, developed, or assisted by these tools. Attempting to submit these works may result in being banned from submitting works in the future.

Quoted from Clarkesworld Magazine submission page

My answer:

I don’t want to be banned.

Bible, tagline, logline, book blurb are worked on as I write. Character sheets are a cut and paste situation to track what everyone looks like and any other traits. I use the same tactic for settings and objects/clues.

Because I make an index card for each scene it is pretty easy to summarize and create a synopsis of my project.

Creating outlines\beats—never. I use  my projected word count to select important plot points and let the beats organically appear, and I tend to hit Tropes and my writing group to help brainstorm if I need an injection of creativity.

Research—occasionally. Only to help me find the websites or books I need to read. The thing is I’d find them eventually anyway. This just saves time.

The biggest problem I have with AI is after all the work I’d put into my projects and the tears I shed over non-assisted work, I really, really don’t need to set myself up for failure. I do fine without it. hehehe

Bottom line: I chase my joy; this you know. It takes work and yeah, there are easier ways. After hours of commitment and effort, would anyone ruin it knowingly?

NOW YOUR QUESTION

How has your writing changed since Generative AI raised it’s head out of the mire?

A special thank you to our CO-HOSTS

Kim Lajevardi | Natalie Aguirre | Nancy Gideon | Diedre Knight

~~~oOo~~~

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

~~~oOo~~~

28 Comments

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