August 2019 IWSG

First Wednesday of the Month - Is It IWSG Time?

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Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It's a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.

IWSG Question: August 7 question - Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you'd forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming?

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NOSEY: Greetings, cybernuts! This is I.B.Nosey, your official unofficial reporter! And today is officially unofficially Insecure - uh, wait. It's probably officially IWSG day because...*checks calendar*...yeah, it's the first Wednesday of the month. *scratches head in confusion - mutters*...Does that matter?

NOSEY FANS: Whee, it's I.B. Nosey! Gladys...*pokes friend with elbow*...do you think he's insecure?

GLADYS: I dunno, Mabel. With a nose like that, how can he be secure?

*Both women hoot with shrieks of laughter* (yes, shriek and hoot. You read right, dear readers)

NOSEY: Wait a minute! What kind of fans are ya gals? I've got a job to do and you - hey, what're ya drinking there?

MABEL: Apple juice. *hiccups* With a dose of Gum Drop Island Choco-Hoffee. *bats lashes* You believe us, don't ya?

NOSEY: *frowns* Never knew Choco-Hoffee to give anyone a fit of the giggles.

GLADYS: Well, Miss Mae is giving away free drinks today to, uh  - um, er - entice folks to stop by and listen to your... *waves airy hand*...whatever it is you're doing.

NOSEY: I'm doing a Feeling Insecure blog. *slaps forehead* Sheesh, can't anyone read these days?

MABEL: Well, then, get on with it. What are you feeling insecure about, Nosey?

NOSEY: Me? I'm not insecure. *whispers* Uh - is that what Miss Mae told ya?

GLADYS: *clears throat* We'll tell you what she did say. She said for us to give you this note...*passes slip of paper*

NOSEY: For real? Hm. Let's see...*reads aloud* To answer this month's question as to if your writing has ever taken you by surprise - I must answer, yes. Before I became published I attended an online course for aspiring authors. One lesson was to write a little something using the five senses. I wrote a scene, and others on the course stated it hyped their curiosity and they wanted to read more. Imagine my surprise! Because I had no 'more', but...that inspired me to produce, and a couple of months later, lo and behold, my first book "See No Evil, My Pretty Lady" became a reality.

MABEL: Gosh, that's interesting. Don't ya think so, Gladys?

GLADYS: *stares at Nosey* I dunno. I'm kinda thinking this reporter is getting real interesting. Mmm. He's even cute - in an uncute sort of way.

NOSEY: *gasps* No! No, back off, gal - I, um - I'm spoken for. Spoken real loud for.

GLADYS: *stumbles to feet* Oh, c'mon. A guy like you? You're just the host of this crazy Feeling Nosey? blog. *snorts with laughter* Aw, everybody knows that blog hosts are lonely and--

NOSEY: *snaps fingers* Blog host, eh? Hey, have I got a fella in mind for you! Yeah, his name is Alex and he's got a blog. *nods head like crazy* Uh huh. Uh huh. Alex has this blog, Insecure Writers, see. Just click the little link and - zap! You're right there with him! 

GLADYS LOOKS AT MABEL: Whadda ya think?

MABEL: *shrugs* Why not? I think that's all this Nosey's got to say, anyway.

NOSEY: It sure is, Mabel, except for what I gotta say to Alex - *yells* - Alex, they're all yours!!

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September 2017 IWSG Wednesday!

Go here

Annddddd, the one, the only, official unofficial Pukelitzer award winning cyberspace reporter....Duh, duh! None other thannnnnn.....

I.B. Nosey! De man, folks!

NOSEY: Greetings, cybernuts! This is I.B. Nosey, your official unofficial reporter reporting to you that it's that time again. What time? No, not Howdy Doody time, but the fun time of hop, hop, hop. Yep, it's the IWSG blog hop with the official unofficial reason for said hop:

 Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

I mean, how cool is that, right? And the cool question that's being asked this month is....

MQ: *coughs* Um, excuse me, I need to interrupt for a moment.

NOSEY: Huh? *blinks* Who are you?

MQ: I'm Ms. Quotes. I'm taking over for Miss Mae today, so I'll answer the question.

NOSEY: *snarls* Yeah? Who sez so?

MQ: She does, so if you don't mind squeezing over just a teensy...

NOSEY: Of course I mind! I'm the official unofficial spokesman for...!

MQ: Yes, for everything Gum Drop Island, but I'm for Miss Mae.

NOSEY: Uhhh...what?

MQ: *giggles* Don't worry. She still loves you, Nosey-Posey.

NOSEY: *makes face* Ugh!

MQ: *clears throat* Hi, everyone. This is Ms. Quotes. And a special 'hello' to you, Alex J. Cavanaugh. *flutters lashes* As I was saying, here is this month's ISWG question:

'Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in?'

And Miss Mae says: "I sure have! I am truly a romantic mystery author, emphasis on mystery with a sprinkle of romance. All my books are award winners. (Yay!) But especially with 'It's Elementary, My Dear Winifred', I was peppered with urges from readers to make that into a series. Um, a series? No, thanks. I'm not a series sort of writer. I mean, my stories are complete in themselves. However, after time, with five of these romantic mystery books under my belt, when I was a little burned out with the complexities of such plots, I dabbled in something I never thought I would - a children's humor/fantasy story. Not so sure this would be accepted, I even used not Miss Mae, but M.M., and I kept it short - just in case, you know, it was a complete flop. Imagine my shock when readers actually liked it! And grumbled because it was too short! And, once again, I was pressed to "continue the story."

Well. So rather I was a series kind of writer or not, here was something I needed to consider. Could I do it? Could I actually do it?

Again, much to my surprise, I did. As a matter-of-fact, the third book in the series 'Ahoy, Mischaps!' (with I.B. Nosey included, of course) is for sale. Wow. Major accomplishment. How many books will there be? At this point, I'm not sure. But I took the plunge and I've even changed the M.M. to Miss Mae. Ha! How about that?" 

NOSEY: So. *glares* Are you quite finished with stealing my spotlight, Miss Quotes?

MQ: That's Ms. Quotes, Nosey. *jabs his tweedy-weedy jacket with a shapely finger* And for your information-- *gasps* Oh, no!

NOSEY: *rolls eyes* What now?

MQ: I broke a nail! *sobs* Quick! Call an ambulance! 

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NOSEY: Folks, the blog hop is still leaping, so get on over to the IWSG and read some other terrific authors' posts. And tell 'em...*winks* Nosey sent ya.

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Hey, yo, readers! Be nosey, and sign up for Miss Mae's newsletter! Why not? It's FREE!

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And, did you also know that a short tale about me, I.B. Nosey, your intrepid internet reporter is FREE for you to simply download? Yes, come meet your Fated Destiny...Oh, Yeah! heh heh

Alex J. Cavanaugh Takes Flight with I.B. Nosey!

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NOSEY: Greetings, cybernuts! This is I.B. Nosey, your official unofficial reporter! Today I’m coming to you from— waaah! *crashes into structure*

ALEX: *hears noise, throws open door* Nosey! *shakes head* Well, I’ve heard that you always make an entrance, but... *reaches up to pull Nosey –face first— out of side of door* Oh, man, Nosey. Your nose is really stuck. Wait a sec… *grunts and yanks and grunts and yanks and grunts and yanks…*

NOSEY: *voice muffled* C’mon, fella! Pull! This door isn’t made out of Nosey-ish material and I—I— *with a loud whoosh, he pops out from steel door*

ALEX: *drags Nosey inside* Did you really have to plow into the side of my spaceship?

NOSEY: Hey, it’s not my fault. *gingerly touches nose* When you fly without a parachute, it’s hard to direct your landing, ya know.

ALEX: Without a—? *mouth drops open, then he snaps it closed* No, don’t even answer that.

NOSEY: *looks around, and gives low whistle* Whoa, dude. What is this place?

ALEX: My spaceship, like I said. You don’t know where in outer space you are?

NOSEY: Of course I do. You’re speaking to the only Pukelitzer award winning cyberspace reporter. I’m a professional. I know how to do my job. *backs against wall, trips over feet, falls to floor*

ALEX: *quirks brow. Remains silent*

NOSEY: And this reporter… *leaps to feet, brushes down side of blazer* is here to report, dude. Yeah, nobody reports like me. I’m the one and only, and I’m here to report about you, Mr…er, um. Who are you, anyway?

ALEX: Alex J. Cavanaugh. You’re to interview me about my book, CassaDawn. *slaps hand to forehead and mutters* Can’t believe I signed up for this.

NOSEY: *chuckles* Oh, yeah. That’s right. Uh, wait a minute. *checks notebook*

ALEX: Are you serious? An old-fashioned notebook? Where’s your iphone?

NOSEY: What’s an iphone?

ALEX: *blinks* Forget I asked.

NOSEY: Ah ha! *brightens Yeah, something called CassaDawn by Alex J. Cavanaugh. See? *smirks* Told you I’m a professional.

ALEX: *grunts* All right. So let’s get started, ‘cause… *walks to console* I’ve got lots of work to do.

NOSEY: No problem, pal. I’ll just nosy around while we talk and check here, and look there— whoa! *opens closet door and jumps away* Holy Creepy Buggers! What’re these?

*Two large creatures jeeber and jeep and twitter and tweep*

ALEX: Oh, don’t mind them. That’s Quazy and Qootsie. They’re my pets. I got them at the planet ‘Upon a Blue Moon’.

(So these aliens aren't exactly as Nosey described, but do you think a real pic of Quazy and Qootsie can be found at the stock photo sites?)

NOSEY: But they’re green!

ALEX: *frowns in thought* Good point, Nosey. Maybe it wasn’t at ‘Upon a Blue Moon’. Maybe I picked ‘em up at ‘Chlorophyll Café’ while I refilled my energy tanks in the Z.P.D. Doo-dah quasar system.

NOSEY: *gulps* They’ve got only one eye, dude. Yeah, and one ear and five legs and…

ALEX: *scribbles on computer screen with fancy-dancy, personalized Alex J. Cavanaugh space pen* Watch it, Nosey. They do like to snuggle.

NOSEY: Heh heh. *tugs at collar and edges away as pair of ‘holy creepy buggers’ creep up in an unholy creepy buggy kind of way* Maybe this would be a good time to read the blurb of your book, Mr. Cavern…er, Mr. Cave-Man, I mean—

ALEX: That’s Alex J. Cavanaugh, and that’s a great idea, Nosey. *touches computer key and image of book pops up*

ALEX:  Here we go: ‘CassaDawn’ The prequel to the Amazon best-selling Cassa series! A pilot in training… Fighting the odds, Byron is determined to complete Cosbolt training. Poised at the top of his class, only one situation holds him back—his inability to work with anyone in the cockpit. Byron’s excellent piloting skills won’t be enough without a good navigator…      

*Sounds of Nosey slapping green ‘holy creepy buggers’ skin*

NOSEY: Don’t touch the threads of my tweedy-weedy blazer, guys!

ALEX: *glances across shoulder* Having trouble, Nosey?

NOSEY: Who? Me? *wipes sweat off brow* Er, no. No. Heh heh. Your pets, they’re… *grimaces* Snuggling too close. Yeech! *shies away as ‘holy creepy buggers’ flutter eyelashes* Can’t ya call ‘em off?

ALEX: Why? They love to hear about my Cassa series.

NOSEY: Ya think so, pal? I bet they don’t even know what the Cassa’s a series of.

ALEX:  Ah, sure they do. CassaDawn is the free short story that leads into the full-length science fiction trilogy. *grins* Hopefully, your readers won’t say it’s a series of unfortunate events.

NOSEY: Yeah, I— huh?

ALEX: So what can I tell you about Byron?

NOSEY: *gives fast look around* Who’s he?

ALEX: *sighs* C’mon, Nosey. Byron. The guy in my book. 

NOSEY: Oh. That Byron. *edges away from ‘holy creepy —well, those same green buggers as before* Yeah. So who’re those odds he’s fighting?

ALEX: Say what?

NOSEY: You know. You said Byron’s fighting the Odds. *jerks thumb at buggers* They any relation to these fellas?

ALEX: Hm. Well, they are green skinned with big eyes…

NOSEY: I knew it! *skirts past a ‘far out’ space chair*

ALEX: *laughs* Byron’s ‘odds’ is his rebellion. It’s kept him on a very tight leash most of his life, his personal world invaded on every level. He’s not expected to succeed, you see, surely not as a top-level fighter pilot.

NOSEY: Uh huh. And you said he can’t work with anyone in a cockpit.  You -ah- *searches beneath table, behind chair, behind Alex’s back* got a cockpit stashed away in here?

ALEX: Well, it’s like this, Nosey. Cassans can communicate telepathically, something that’s demanded of a Cosbolt pilot and navigator.

NOSEY: Yeah? What’s that mean?

ALEX: It means Byron doesn’t like that connection. It all goes back to feeling invaded, you know. And, to answer your question about a cockpit — That’s where a pilot and navigator sit. And, um…*gives mock cough* not to be confused with where roosters fight. Or anything to do with—

NOSEY: *screams* Get away from my tweedy-weedied blazer pockets, you itchy fingers holy creepy buggers, you!

ALEX: That’s curious. *narrows gaze* What’s ya got in those pockets, Nosey?

NOSEY: Listen, Mac. *runs to other side of room to escape from green buggers flexing their itchy fingers in the depths of his bulging tweedy-weedied blazer pockets* I’m the interviewer. I ask the questions.

ALEX: *shrugs* You do know that I communicate telepathically with Quazy and Qootsie?

NOSEY: *slams on brakes and stares at Alex* For real?

ALEX: Course I do. What kind of space fiction interview would this be if I didn’t?

NOSEY: *lips curl in suspicious sneer* You can’t read my mind.

ALEX: Actually, you’re wanting to know what Cosbolt training is.

NOSEY: *gasps* I am?

ALEX: Aren’t you?

NOSEY: Uh, well. *drops voice to whisper* Since you mentioned it, I’ve got a Nosey feeling Cosbolt’s got nothing to do with Gum Drop Island chocolate, does it?

ALEX: Nope. And it’s got nothing to do with elves, either - Keebler’s or Santa’s ‘cause the Cosbolt is the elite space fighter ship. Those who fly her require several years of training. CassaDawn features the simulator-training phase.

NOSEY: Does it feature your pets too?

ALEX: No way. *winks* I brought them along especially for this interview.

NOSEY: Well, you didn’t do me any favors, bro. *bares teeth as green buggy pets jeeber and jeep and twitter and tweep and close in around Nosey*

ALEX: Ah, Nosey. They’re not making you feel insecure, are they?

NOSEY: Me? *puffs out chest* Hey, I’m the official unofficial reporter, and insecure is my middle name. *pauses* Uh, wait a minute.

ALEX: *grins* Yes?

NOSEY: Uhhh… *thinks, and then thinks again* Okay. What I meant was is that you have an insecure group, right, that you’re a leader of?

ALEX: That doesn’t sound any better.

NOSEY: But—

ALEX: Get your facts right, Nosey.

NOSEY: But—

ALEX: The fact is that I have a blog called ‘The Insecure Writers Group’.

NOSEY: Yeah. You offer support, right? Like Lego blocks?

ALEX: Well, an insecure writer is pretty much every writer. We have concerns, worries, fears, issues - it’s a lot of fun. Want to join us?

NOSEY: Yeah, I— huh?

ALEX: *snaps fingers* Oh, that’s right. You’re an interviewer, not a writer. So guess you don’t need our support that’s more like Lego blocks and less like—

*Alarm bell rings and spaceship veers violently*

ALEX: *takes command of steering wheel. Yes, steering wheel because every spaceship has one. Right, Alex?* Time to end the interview, Nosey. The space air marshal is hot on my tail. I’ve gotta outrun him.

NOSEY: What? Why? *spins in agitated circle* You a space bad guy? What’d ya do? Steal a couple thousand of Milky Way Bars?

ALEX: Ha! That jerk’s been after me ever since I stole his girl.

NOSEY: B-b-but I thought you were a bachelor!

ALEX: Of Fine Arts, yep.

NOSEY: So you stole Ms. Fine Arts?

ALEX: Huh uh. I stole, and managed to wed, Ms. Fine-Looking.

*Ship streaks across galaxies, comets, planets…and lots of other spacey-kinda constellations*

NOSEY: Whoa! Can’t you drive, fella? What kinda pilot are you? *thuds against spaceship wall while Quazy and Qootsie look kinda Queasy*

ALEX: You gotta exit, Nosey, cause you’re not allowed in any CassaDawn Outer Limits. *pushes button and space door unlatches.*

NOSEY: Huh? Whadda ya…? Aiiii! *falls into the depths of  black and white, spooky, really creepy Twilight Zone*

ALEX: Nosey! Watch out for— *winces* My apologies, Mr. Serling. 

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Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, and Dragon of the Stars. The author lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Find Alex here:

His Website 

Insecure Writers Support Group  

Twitter 

Amazon

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Hey, yo, readers! Be nosey, and sign up for Miss Mae's newsletter! Why not? It's FREE!

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And, did you also know that a short tale about me, I.B. Nosey, your intrepid internet reporter is FREE for you to simply download? Yes, come meet your Fated Destiny...Oh, Yeah! heh heh

An Important Trifling 'Did You Know?' Moment with I.B. Nosey!

"Did You Know...?"

Sue pecked pickled seashells down by the peppered seashore.

A piper of seashells Peter Cipher sold.

If Peter Cipher peppered a slew of picked seashells,

How the pickle did Sue syphon her sea-bells that Peter Cipher piped?

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This has been a 'Did You Know' moment with I.B. Nosey, brought to you

by I.B. Nosey and those Mischaps from Gum Drop Island.

Hey, yo, readers! Be nosey, and sign up for Miss Mae's newsletter! Why not? It's FREE!

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And, did you also know that a short tale about me, I.B. Nosey, your intrepid internet reporter is FREE for you to simply download? Yes, come meet your Fated Destiny...Oh, Yeah! heh heh

A 'Did You Know?' Moment with I.B. Nosey!

Did you know....

I'm not a complete idiot.

Some pieces are missing!

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This has been a 'Did You Know' moment with I.B. Nosey, brought to you

by I.B. Nosey and those Mischaps from Gum Drop Island.

Nosey's Sunday Funny!

Welcome to A New Nosey Sunday Funny!

No. I did not trip and fall. 

I attacked the floor

and I believe I am winning! 

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This has been a Nosey Sunday Funny, brought to you

by I.B. Nosey and those idiots from Gum Drop Island.

A Totally Useless I. B. Nosey Moment -- CyberSpace Date -- ?*!@#$

"I'm looking to buy a new boomerang, how can I throw the old one out?" 

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This has been a totally useless I.B. Nosey moment.

Brought to you by our sponsor at Gum Drop Island...

Join us again soon for another totally useless moment.

Disclaimer: This has been an I.B. Nosey production, brought to you by the mischaps of Gum Drop Island. Not responsible for you feeling stupid, silly, clueless, or blond. However, we're glad you're Feeling Nosey.

A Totally Useless I.B. Nosey Moment, CyberSpace Date - Uh Huh, Uh Huh

"My decision making skills are as good as a squirrel that's crossing the street."

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This has been a totally useless I.B. Nosey moment.

Brought to you by our sponsor at Gum Drop Island...

Join us again soon for another totally useless moment.

Disclaimer: This has been an I.B. Nosey production, brought to you by the mischaps of Gum Drop Island. Not responsible for you feeling stupid, silly, clueless, or blond. However, we're glad you're Feeling Nosey.

A Totally Useless I.B. Nosey Moment

"Can someone tell this nosey reporter how it is that they MILK almonds????"

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This has been a totally useless I.B. Nosey moment.

Brought to you by our sponsor at Gum Drop Island...

Join us again soon for another totally useless moment.

Disclaimer: This has been an I.B. Nosey production, brought to you by the mischaps of Gum Drop Island. Not responsible for you feeling stupid, silly, clueless, or blond. However, we're glad you're Feeling Nosey.  

August 2016 Winner of the Great Lollipop Award

Congratulations to author Elaine Fields Smith. Her cover, "Girl with a Star Spangled Heart" won Gum Drop's Island Great Lollipop Award for the month of August, 2016.

Thanks to all who came over and voted. Your support made possible this win for Ms. Smith.

So, to present that sweet prize, here is I.B. Nosey with your award, Ms. Smith!

Accepting entries NOW for next month's award. Calling all voters, lookers, and suckers of lollipops...send your cover today!

Cut off is Sept. 15th, so don't delay!  

Win an Award from Gum Drop Island!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

I.B. Nosey, that official unofficial reporter, is now the official unofficial tell-all for the new Book Cover Design contest! Yes, dear readers of this blog, enter your G and PG-rated book covers for a chance to win your very own original "Gum Drop Island Great Lollipop Award" to display on your website.

Accepting covers now until August 15, 2016 for this month's contest. Email Nosey for details on how to enter. (see contact form on left hand side of this blog)

Your lollipop awaits!

A Totally Useless I.B. Nosey Moment

"Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can't see."

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This has been a totally useless I.B. Nosey moment.

Brought to you by our sponsor at Gum Drop Island...

Join us again soon for another totally useless moment.

Disclaimer: This has been an I.B. Nosey production, brought to you by the mischaps of Gum Drop Island. Not responsible for you feeling stupid, silly, clueless, or blond. However, we're glad you're Feeling Nosey.  

A Totally Useless I.B. Nosey Moment

"I sniff when I chop onions 'cause they kinda get to me."

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This has been a totally useless I.B. Nosey moment.

Brought to you by our sponsor at Gum Drop Island...

Join us again soon for another totally useless moment.

Disclaimer: This has been an I.B. Nosey production, brought to you by the mischaps of Gum Drop Island. Not responsible for you feeling stupid, silly, clueless, or blond. However, we're glad you're Feeling Nosey.