IWSG DAY, MAY 7, 2025, NOT BRAVE, BUT SOMETIMES CONFUSED, AND FEARFUL By Pat Garcia

Welcome to our FIFTH IWSG Day of the year 2025. 

 

IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

 

At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support.

 

So, if you’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htm

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the May 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn,Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!

NOT BRAVE, BUT SOMETIMES CONFUSED, AND FEARFUL

Born and raised in the Deep South, I've constantly confronted situations that have forever changed my life. 

I don't consider myself a brave person, and have stopped comparing myself to others when I write but having been told a writer's career was something I shouldn't strive for because of the color of my skin, caused me to experience times when I first started on my journey that confused me, and everything about living was scary. The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost and Don't Quit by an unknown poet kept my vision alive. 

Although I didn't recognize the important people in my life as angels walking beside me back then, I had two English teachers who stood out, and a Pastor who gave me a priceless treasure that keeps me going even today. They taught me to treasure books and lose myself within the written pages. 

Revered Murphy, whom I have mentioned in a previous IWSG article, taught me how to read the Bible. I would slip into the world of First and Second Samuel and kill a lion or a bear like David. 

After he died, two English teachers opened the eyes of my heart to how reading books would expand my mind and tease my imagination regardless of whether they were fiction or non-fiction. 

Books became my hideaway. I would slip into the pages, dream of what I wanted to become, and write about those things in my homemade journals. Even today, when I enter the door of any book, I sneak and peep through the chapters before I begin reading it. I let the words stir my soul, and if I am fearful or confused, I find peace and receive whatever I need to refresh me so I can write my books.

On another topic, I received my book trailer for THE POWER OF TOUCH, which is fantastic. I am immensely grateful for the book cover designed by artist & Author Olga Godim, and therefore, I am so happy to have a book trailer that 4WILLS PUB developed, which highlights the beauty of the book cover. I am sharing the link here. Please take the time to look at it if you have time. 

THE POWER OF TOUCH  

Have a lovely month of  May, and take care.

Shalom shalom

Pat Garcia

IWSG DAY, APRIL 2, 2025, WISHING UPON A STAR, By Pat Garcia

Welcome to our Fourth IWSG Day of the year 2025. 

 

IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

 

At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support.

 

So, if you’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htm

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the April 2 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, L Diane Wolfe, Jenni Enzor, and Natalie Aguirre!

Wishing Upon A Star

Pinocchio is one of my favorite fantasy characters. There was something magical about listening to him sing When You Wish Upon A Star; it gave me courage to dream, hope, and realize the dreams in my heart. Cliff Edwards's voice interpretation of the song was the best, and it still rings in my heart.

I wish all of you a wonderful April and a lovely Easter.

Take care. 

Shalom shalom

Pat Garcia

IWSG DAY, MARCH 5, 2025 , PASS IT ALONG By Pat Garcia

Welcome to our THIRD IWSG Day of the year 2025. 

 

IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

 

At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support.

 

So, if you’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htm

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 5 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

PASS IT ALONG

If I could be one thing for one day, I would be an influencer with a podcast or podcaster. I learn a lot every day of my life, and what I don’t want to do is take my knowledge and experience to my grave. I once heard a preacher say that the graveyard is the wealthiest place in the world because people die not sharing what they have learned while walking on the earth. I want to share what I know and what I have experienced. It doesn’t help me to take it to my grave, and the best way to do it is by becoming a podcaster or, as others say, an influencer. 

I wish all of you a beautiful March. 

Take care and be safe. 

Shalom shalom

Pat Garcia

IWSG DAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025, YES, INDEED, By Pat Garcia @The IWSG #IWSG @patgarcia.bsky.social @RRBC-Org.bsky.social @pat_garcia

Welcome to our Second IWSG Day of the year 2025. 

 

IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

 

At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support.

 

So, if you’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htm

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.

 Joylene Nowell Butler,Louise Barbour, and Tyrean Martinson are the awesome co-hosts for the IWSG's February 5 posting!

Submissions: None

YES, INDEED

Yes, Indeed, I have a story that I want to rewrite. It was my first publication from a Canadian Publisher who had just started publishing. I love that story. It was my first baby, but it needs lots of doctoring, and I don't have the time to do that now. In the next two years, I will start the surgical procedures, such as revising, rewriting, etc. Until then, I think about the directions I want to take it in or the dimensions I want to add. 

Wishing all of you a wonderful month of February.

Take care and be safe. 

Shalom shalom,

Pat Garcia

IWSG DAY, JANUARY 8, 2025, REVEREND JOHN PAUL MURPHY By Pat Garcia @patgarcia.bsky.social @pat_garcia @TheIWSG #IWSG #amwriting

Welcome to our first IWSG Day of the year 2025. 

 

IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

 

At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support.

 

So, if you’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htm

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Beth Camp, Liza @ Middle Passages, and Natalie @ Literary Rambles!

Reverend John Paul Murphy

John Paul Murphy was a Pastor at Doyle Grove Baptist Church in Blythe, Georgia, and I will always have beautiful, pleasing memories of him. I was three years old when I first met him, and he played a significant role in my life until my eighteenth birthday. 

I was an odd child, and people in my old Baptist church weren’t sure how to deal with me. My parents didn’t know how either. Everyone thought I was odd at my age. But, Pastor Murphy saw what other people thought of as oddities in me as talents that had to be developed and had the nerve to tell my parents that, too. He encouraged me and told me stories from the Bible, and when I entered puberty, he asked a deaconess to accompany and guide me through those years.

Pastor Murphy always told me I had a purpose and that I would one day find it out. When he died, I cried as I sat beside his grave. I wondered who would help me find my path now. He was very unusual, and I admit I don’t think of him often enough these days. He saw a purpose in every child he met, and I am blessed to be one of them. 

I hope all of you have a great 2025!

Take care.

Shalom shalom

Pat Garcia

IWSG DAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024, CLIFFHANGERS ARE NOT MY LOVERS By Pat Garcia @TheIWSG #amwriting #IWSG

Welcome to our twelfth and last IWSG Day of the year 2024. 

 

IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

 

At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!

 

This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support.

 

So, if you’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htm

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG are Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia, Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine!

CLIFFHANGERS ARE NOT MY LOVERS

Cliffhangers are not my lovers and not my friends. My biggest problem is they leave my emotional system in suspense, and I can only hold the tension for so long. Therefore, I compare cliffhangers to putting Christmas gifts under my tree days before I open them and expecting me to wait. By Christmas Eve, I have opened at least two or three presents because I can't hold the tension of not knowing what is in the boxes. My friends now know not to give me anything before Christmas to put under my tree because I won't wait. I never do. 

Enjoy the Advent season and have a blessed Merry Christmas.

Shalom shalom,

Pat Garcia