Who Am I or Whatever? ( #IWSG )

 

The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog. 
     The co-hosts for the November 4 posting of the IWSG are Kalpana, Kim Lajevardi, Rebecca Douglass, Jennifer Lane, and Cathrina Constantine.

November 4 question - As a writer, do you have favorite themes that you like to explore in your stories? If so, what are they?

          My favorite theme is one that goes back to the beginnings of storytelling:  The Journey.  After all a journey can be a metaphor for life or anything that involves a beginning and an end.  Kind of like a story.  A story is a journey of sorts that reflects something in life or what we imagine life to be.  

         Thinking about my favorite literary works  (like Huckleberry Finn) or some of my favorite movies (such as Apocalypse Now or The Wizard of Oz), they are mostly about the arc of a journey where the characters are in search of something and encounter events that happen along the way. It's the ultimate metaphor for life or parts of a life.  

         Since I've always enjoyed travel, most specifically road trips, I've tended to enjoy reading about the same.  The journeys don't have to be epic or even exciting.  Just interesting or at least thought provoking.  Tales of search and discovery and finding a sense of who we are and why we exist are the best as far as I'm concerned.

        Another big favorite theme of mine is Time Travel.  But, wait, that's a journey too isn't it?  Okay, it's The Journey.  That's my favorite whether it be time or place.

         How about you?

       

What's Real? ( #IWSG )

 

 The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog. 
     The co-hosts for the October 7 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Liza at Middle Passages, JH Moncrieff, and Jemima Pett.

October 7 question - Many people are calling for writers who use AI to disclose it. Most who employ ghostwriters do not admit it - do you think authors who use ghostwriters should have to disclose that, too? (Thanks Melissa Maygrove for the question!)

  

        Great question for the times.  It's a question of ethics I would say, but when you toss ghostwriters into the mix then that does put to question any endeavor in which someone claims to do something that they have not done.  Paying someone to do our work extends into many realms.  It's the way things have worked for a long time.  I don't think it's right to say we've done something we really haven't and receive remuneration and accolades for that work.  If we've paid then so be it, but that doesn't make it right.  

         On the other hand there is a lot of writing that is not particularly good and an "author" who fits into that category might need that extra help to tell their story.  If it's something akin to having an editor or proofreader or whatever then I don't think it's particularly bad.  But if AI not only writes the story, but also comes up with the concept, story, characters, and every other element of the written product, then to me it's like cheating or even stealing.

        In the end, it comes down to the reader.  If they are entertained or enlightened or whatever the case may be, then maybe it doesn't matter who or what wrote it.  

       I suppose time will tell....

Am I the Star of My Own Movie? ( #IWSG )

 

 The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog. 
     The co-hosts for the September 2 posting of the IWSG are Kate Larkinsdale, SE White, JS Pailly, Olga Godim, and Natalie Aguirre.

September 2 question - Do you have a favorite character archetype you tend to gravitate toward in your writing?

          If I were to come up with my favorite character type I'd have to say it is myself.  My stories usually have been extensions of who I am or fantasize myself to be at any particular time.  My stories are typically my stories.  They read like an autobiography that might be deciphered if one knew the code.   

        Maybe eventually I'll write more so that I'll have to go beyond myself and into the lives of others.  Or maybe I'll just write memoir.  

         Just so I write something.  Anything.