Insecure Writers Want to Know
Happy 15th Anniversary, Insecure Writers Support Group! Thank you all for your kind support in this difficult writing vocation we have. Here’s where you can purchase a copy of Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College. Please leave a review, if you do read my memoir. Thank you!
So, I missed you last month. But I accomplished quite a few writing tasks. I sent out three essays for publishing consideration. I’ve pitched two writing workshops, one for an online conference and one for an in-person writing conference.
My August writing workshop at the library went well. What an engaging group of ladies and a gentleman. We discussed the different types of journaling. Why journaling is important. How we can make our entries more meaningful through sensory details and emotion. Participants learned how to dig beneath what happened to discover what the event or memory means to them. We helped each other. We listened to each other. And we learned from each other. What more could anyone ask for in a workshop.
I have a few upcoming events.
On Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., I will be signing books at C. Simpson Used Book Shop. If you are in the area, please stop by and say “hi!”
The bookshop’s address is:
Rt. 209
West End Plaza
Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania
The Pocono Liars Writing Group will hold their FREE writers’ workshop on Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eastern Monroe Public Library, 1002 N. 9th Street in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
I will be presenting the “Pitching to Markets” workshop. Three main questions need to be answered when pitching fiction and nonfiction to markets. I will assist participants in answering these questions and drafting pitch letters for their stories and essays. Find more information and sign up for your FREE tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pocono-liars-writers-workshop-tickets-1997150619264
Now for the IWSG monthly question. My favorite character archetype to create for my protagonist in stories is the underdog. I want the younger sibling. The person who is not as strong or talented as the next character. I want the character who is worried or scared. The one who is not sure of life. Or the next step to take. Or what to do. I want the character that the reader will be surprised and excited to find that this character has underestimated his or her abilities. Who realizes, through the action of the story, that she or he can do it. Can make it and save the day. We all need to believe in ourselves. It just might take a whole [story] journey to make it happen.
I can’t wait to read your post to see which type of character archetype you enjoy creating for your protagonist or your story. I always learn so much from you. Happy IWSG Day, everyone!
Thank you for stopping by my little spot on the web. Please come again! And please sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter to find tips on writing and camping. It’s greatly appreciated.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I’d like to thank our hosts for September: Kate Larkinsdale, SE White, JS Pailly, Olga Godim, and Natalie Aguirre! Please visit them if you can.
Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
Good luck with your next events.
I lean towards the hero although a bit of the innocent was in my last main character.
A bit of innocence is within all of us, Alex. Thank you for your good wishes. Happy IWSG day!
I like the underdog too. I’m glad you had such a productive month.
Thank you, Natalie! It is always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a great day!
Sounds like you had a great writing month! My character tends to be women who have experienced significant challenges and have to find the strength to climb back up from the depths.
Ooo, great characters, Liza. More power to you and your characters. Bravo!
Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Have a great week!
I love the name of your writers group! LOL
P.S. There are links to free books on my blog today.
It’s a great name, isn’t it? “Liars” as in we create fiction stories. And “Pocono” as in region. I’m going to head on over to your site for those books today. Thanks!
I love the underdog as well! That’s how I am in life, but I like giving the person everyone overlooks the spotlight. Congrats on all the writing events! They sound so interesting!
I like giving the underdog the spotlight, too, Jenni. Thank you for your kind words. Happy IWSG day!
You are a busy gal. We will be in Lancaster, PA, but not on the dates you have scheduled for writerly experiences. My main character is usually a strong, independent woman. I guess because I want to be a strong, independent woman in real life. Have great success with your writing projects and speaking. engagements.
I would like to be a “strong, independent woman” in life as well, JQ. However, if I’m not mistaken, you are a strong, independent woman. Bravo!
Thank you for your kind words here at Adventures in Writing. Have a great week!
The underdog as a protagonist is fascinating to read about, but I never wrote about one. Now, I’m thinking …
Good luck with your upcoming events.
Thank you for your good wishes, Olga.
Yes! The underdog character comes from behind. Sometimes, no one believes in him until he believes in himself first. Have a great day!
The underdog is always such a satisfying character to write. I love it when they realize they are capable of so much.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing. I’m so glad you are here.
I love that part of the underdog character, too, Kate, when they discover their potential. Have a great week!
Happy IWSG day and good luck for your events. I would attend if I could but I’m too far away. I like your character favourite, the underdog, the one who doesn’t know how strong they actually are.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Kalpana. I’m so glad you are here.
No, the underdog has no idea what he or she can accomplish if they put their minds to it. Thank you for your good wishes. Have a beautiful day!
Everyone loves an underdog! And writing one gives you so much opportunity to show character growth.
Yes it does, Janet. Thanks so much for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. Have a beautiful day!
I don’t think I write underdogs, but I always root for them. Congratulations on a successful event and good luck on the next one!
Thank you, Shannon, for your kind words. And yes. Underdogs are truly fun to root for. Have a great weekend!
All these things are going on in Pennsylvania! We were there for a wedding. A wedding in the Poconos, of course!
Today is day one of the Nehemiah Project. They are going state by state for 52 days. Today is Pennsylvania’s day.
Here’s the link: https://tylerfeller.com/
Interesting, Larry. Thanks for the link. Weddings in the Poconos are always glorious.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. Have a great day!