Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Spring Book Events and IWSG

It's winter here in West Michigan. Lots of snow, temps in the teens during the day, and snow plows galore. This is grey and white, our official winter color pallet.

Winter means we're not spending much time outside. I'm not a snow loving person other than to sit inside and look out at it. Ah yes, pretty. Now, back under my blanket with a warm computer on my lap. During nature's break from yard work, I'm busy booking events, sewing, and working on edits for Seeker. 

You can find me in Michigan and Indiana this Spring:

Feb 5 Byron Rec Comic con

Feb 11-13 Lansing Women's Expo

March 5-6 Hall of Heroes Con 

March 18-20 Grand Rapids Women's Expo

April 8-10 Grand Rapids Comic Con Spring Fling

April 24 Tulip City Comic Con

April 29 - May 1 Whitestown Viking Festival


What have I been sewing? Well, I'm doing five Ren Faire events this year and all are multi-day, so I decided to make a new set of clothes with options. Also, the first event is a Viking Festival, which I simply don't have anything to wear for (dramatic sigh) so a new outfit was in order. Being in April means it could be cold. Could be warm. One never knows. An outfit with options was needed. Layers!

This is layer one. It's super soft and comfy. I do have one ren faire dress that's form fitting and let me tell you, it takes two people to get into and laced up. I'm often without a maid at these things so I'm favoring comfort and ease these days. I'll leave the sexy wench and corset garb to the younger people. Ideally, I need to get a long leather belt for the waist but that's later add-on right now.

This is layer two. Or layer one if its a nice day. Its lighter weight. There are two more layers that I've yet to sew. Or cut the patterns for, actually. Lots of projects going on here. Then I'm going to attempt some weaving for more traditional trim, which I haven't done since high school. As you may gather, that was a while ago.

You may remember from last month that I was attempting to finish a cross stich project from fifteen years ago. Well, I did it! I don't recommend letting your project sit around for fifteen years as the colors fade, you discover that you weren't paying very close attention to the pattern fifteen years ago, and the cloth isn't actually as cream-colored (it was dirty and a bit stained on the edges) as you thought it was. But it's done and I'm happy with how it turned out (mostly that its done). 

And this brings us to February's Insecure Writer's Support Group part of my month's post. Do I intend to write more than a monthly post? Sure. Do I actually do it?  Uhhh,.. Is it next month already? 

This month's question is: Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? 

If you're not familiar with 
and find links to all the other 
participating writers.

This is kind of a sore spot for me. Support wasn't something I had much of early on. I had a few teachers in elementary school that encouraged me to write. One high school creative writing teacher did her fair share of encouraging too. She passed away years ago. However, when it came to friends and family, there were a lot of crickets. 

When my first short stories were published twelve years ago, I had a family member buy a copy. I thought I was onto something, but even when my first couple books were published, its was crickets in the support gang. I wasn't until I'd been published for ten years (no, seriously) that family and friends really started catching on and actively supporting, encouraging, and buying. 

So for those of you who feel lonely out there in the book-filled world, your time will also come. As with all aspects of writing, patience is key. And hey, support is what this group is all about, right? 

10 comments:

  1. I live in Michigan too and have been staying in more due to the bitter cold. Definitely will be doing that tomorrow and Thursday with the snow. Sorry you didn't get the support you needed until you became more successful as an author. That must have been hard.

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    1. It's been pretty tame as far as winters go. But I'm happy for the excuse to stay inside a take a break from all the running around. :)

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  2. I can't believe the costumes you've sewn. Wow! If you need a maid, you can "drag" me along. LOL Yes, winter is here. I do love looking out the windows at the white powdery stuff in the backyard and on the pond. I'm sorry you haven't gotten much support. I was lucky that my family was supportive at the beginning. Now, it's sort of old hat to them. Not being supported isn't fun at all. So you have to look to your writer friends to offer congrats and atta girl.

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  3. Hi Jean - talented ... as when not writing you're happily sewing, or even gardening! Congratulations and enjoy life ahead - cheers Hilary

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  4. Well, I got you beat in the family crickets category. I actually spent a lot of time with my brother researching anti-submarine warfare helos (he flew these for the Navy). When I asked him if he'd read the book--could I send him a free copy--he demurred saying he doesn't read much.

    Beat that! It did kind of hurt, too.

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  5. You can keep busy during the cold Michigan winters. Love the gowns. I'm glad you have the kind of personality to push through to your goals even if noone seems to appreciate your effort--except all of us here at IWSG! Keep goin', GRRL!

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    1. I have support now, but thanks! Fellow authors are great for that. :)

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