IWSG: Plotting Again, revising again
It's the first Wednesday of the month again already, and time for my IWSG post! I got home last Friday from a 3-week road trip and backpacking adventure, so I've not done a whole lot since last month :)
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to the IWSG page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
June 3 optional question - Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?
The Question:
The short answer to the June question is, all over the place. I'm not sure I can usually even pick up where an idea comes from, and lately I've been going after ideas more than having them come to me--a sure sign I'm not writing enough (because when I'm writing a lot, the ideas flow more).
My Own Important Question:
When it comes to the title for the new book, I've been using Logged Off, which is snappy and goes well with Edited Out (the last book). But the title in my head has always been Logged Off at the Library. So vote below--which do you like? Is the second too long? Either way it's a play on words because there are both computers and loggers involved :D
Writer's Report:
Most of my beta-reader feedback is in for Logged Off, so I'm ready to start the next round of revisions, but I'm also starting to look ahead, planning and plotting what the next book may be. This is in my leap-frog style, so I've also been looking over the book that follows Logged Off, which is already drafted. I stuck that on my ereader so I could read it, or at least skim it, while on the road last month, which predictably I didn't do. (In case you are wondering how that works, I save the file as a PDF, which can be read by my Kobo reader. But--there's a caveat: PDF doesn't play nice with variable font size. You can enlarge it, but it doesn't redo the line breaks, so lines don't fit on the page. My work-around was to use a large font (16 pt, but it could and probably should have been larger), save the PDF and transfer. That produced something large enough to read). I did start to plot out a short story I'd like to get up and running as a freebie for my newsletter subscribers.
Submissions:
No submissions; 1 rejection, no acceptances.
That other writer stuff:
I did an interview with AEN leader Guy Morris, being aired on Bremerton (WA) Public Access TV--not exactly national coverage, but I hear it's a good interview (I've been reluctant to watch myself--anyone else hate to see/hear themselves?). If you're interested, here's the link. I'm also starting the event season. I'll be at the Kingston (WA) Sunday Market on the 14th, at the Fremont (Seattle) Festival on the 20th, and at the Northwest Book Fair in Vancouver, WA on the 27th, with more to come in July.
Finally, my photo of the day: a most beautiful and sensuous cottonwood tree.
©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2026
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated.
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I hope you had a fun trip. I like Logged Off at the Library best because it tells me a bit more about what your story is about.
ReplyDeleteI had a great time! And I kind of agree about the title... I know that's what it will always be in my head, whatever ends up on the cover.
DeleteGorgeous photo! I'll email you later this week (I've been ill and my brain is only now cleared of the fog). I agree with Natalie about the title.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you've been ill! Hope you're feeling better and stay that way!
DeleteI think most responses I've seen say that inspiration comes from all over the place.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine limiting it to one place!
DeleteI like "Logged Off" because it fits better with the previous title. But don't listen to me, I'm terrible at naming books. LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL! I did the short version for just that reason. But books 1 & 2 don't have catchy 2-word titles, so...
DeleteIt really depends on how the title is paired with an image. I'm more a fan of short titles, so that's my vote, and if the cover communicates the library aspect, I think you're covered.
ReplyDeleteGood point. We're working on the cover, and definitely want the library thing to be there.
DeleteMy vote is to include "the library" because it gives it a clear context. And that tree is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI tell you, I looked up at that tree and fell in love.
DeleteI like "Logged Off" better - short and punchy, no explanations required.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo, Rebecca.
Thanks.
DeleteI like Logged Off, but I don't know the whole story, so whatever fits your vision. I also do a little bit of leapfrog. When I'm letting a manuscript rest or it's out with betas, I work on something else. Or sometimes I just take a break.
ReplyDeleteI take a lot of breaks. Usually involving hiking and travel :D
DeleteI like "Logged Off," but I do tend to like shorter titles. I have a three book series in mind (only one title picked so far, though) and they'll all have two word titles.
ReplyDeleteThere's a strong move that way, though I'm always leery of any "title trends"--how many "The somethingorother's Daughter/Wife" books can we have? But short and catchy is probably good.
DeleteI like "Logged Off" to keep the series the same type of title. And your interview about cozies is wonderful. Bravo, Rebecca. You presented yourself well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria--and thanks for watching the video!
DeleteThat is a cool tree.
ReplyDeleteStick with Logged Off. It fits the series.
Voting is running that way. Though the second book seriously broke with that. SHould have just gone with "Washed Up" for that one.
DeleteI like Logged Off, Rebecca. It goes well with Edited Out. That cottonwood is gorgeous. I have hundreds of photos of cottonwoods. Pretty sad. 😂. You always have great trips.
ReplyDeleteCottonwoods, junipers, ancient bristlecones and other high-altitude pines... I love them all, and also have hundreds of photos.
DeleteOh good! 😂
DeleteGreat picture. Ah, yes, the Muse comes to those who show up. I've heard that before.
ReplyDeleteI think of it more as imagination being a muscle. Use it or lose it.
DeleteThat *is* a lovely cottonwood tree! I find them intriguing out here in the high desert, as you can track where a water source is by where they grow. I like the longer title, BUT I think the shorter title vibes better with the first story.
ReplyDeleteThe longer title matches the 2nd in series (Washed Up With the Tide) :D But yeah, the next one already has a 2-word title, so...
DeleteVoting runs strongly to go with the shorter title. I might need to figure out a way to get a tree and an axe (or a chainsaw, but what's the fun in that?) on the cover along with the library. I'm talking with my cover artist tomorrow, so we'll see!
ReplyDelete"Logged Off" works better, IMO, but I actually like the longer one better - so make of that what you will. As to how to review on the e-reader, can't you export to epub? That's what I do, just save as epub and side-load to my Kindle. But I use WordPerfect on a PC, so that's a whole world away from your system.
ReplyDeleteI don't see any way to save a Word file as an epub, which is a shame! And your take on the titles pretty well matches mine, for what that's worth.
DeleteLogged Off doesn't really catch me that much. Logged Off at the Library... well now I have a dozen questions and need to read the description!
ReplyDelete“An indie author's success is never guaranteed, but neither is failure—so you might as well take the leap.” — Quote source Unknown
J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) @JLenniDorner ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge international blog hop
Hmm.. that's good feedback.
DeleteI vote for Logged Off. Short, snappy and catchy usually works best.
ReplyDeleteAnd there we are--two more opposed viewpoints on this vexed question!
DeleteMy ideas come from everywhere as well and sometimes I forget the trigger. That's always annoying.
ReplyDelete