Wednesday, 5 March 2025

IWSG March 2025

Time for our monthly meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are Ronel Janse Van VuurenPat Garcia and Liza @ Middle Passages.


I'm glad to say I'm feeling a lot better after my unexpected stay in hospital. Not quite all there yet, but I'm enjoying edits on my WIP. It seems to make reasonable sense, so that's something.

Let's have a look at this month's IWSG question:

If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.

I guess this question could go all sorts of ways, but without thinking about it too long, I would have to say my literary hero, Terry Pratchett. Just to have that boundless imagination and take what is ostensibly a fantasy world and use it to smuggle in a whole range of genres - thrillers, mystery, satire, sci-fi - with a deft humorous touch and a grasp of what it means to be human even when the characters are werewolves, trolls, Death, or an orang-utan. His books seemed to have it all and that genre-blending approach has definitely inspired me in my own work.

Looking forward to what others have to say on this one. As ever, the list of IWSG entrants can be found here. What would be your answer to this question?

23 comments:

Leigh Caron said...

I like your answer. Never thought of being another author, but now the you got me thinking...it would ge Nora Ephron.

Leigh Caron said...

Love your answer. Now that you've got me thinking. Guess I would like to be Nora Ephron.

Liza said...

I found this a really hard question this time. There are people and definitely authors I strive to be like, but no one (or real thing) I want to be. I'm pretty OK how I am. Wishing you a happy IWSG Day, Nick.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I'm so glad you're feeling better. And it's cool you'd like to be like an author you admire so much. My answer would be a lot like Liza's.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

What we wouldn't give for imagination like that.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Good answer. Being a hero is something I've thought of numerous times. Especially while I was raising our sons. It's a noble idea hoping you've made a difference in someone's life. Best to you, Nick. Glad you're recovering.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

It's good to hear you are doing better. Prachette really throws a lot into his stories.

Laur said...

Good choice. I'm a Terry Pratchett fan. My son is a even more so a Terry Pratchett fan. My son gave me a hardcover Rincewind the Wizard trilogy for Father's Day years ago.

I thought about possessing the body and mind of an author for a day, but I didn't write anything about it because I know how time consuming writing can be. How much could I actually get written in one day? And what would become of it? It might make for a good satire to write about the copy rights nightmare that might follow.

Please continue to recover from your hospital stay. Prayers for you. Always remember this Ash Wednesday of IWSG blog hopping.

Liz A. said...

Oooh, yes. I would love to write like Terry Prachett, too. Definitely a great aspiration there.

Laur said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Victoria Marie Lees said...

So glad you are feeling better, Nick. I'll continue to pray for you. And bravo to be "enjoying" your edits for your new work in progress. More power to you!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Glad you're home and feeling better. Some people are blessed with really awesome creativity.

cleemckenzie said...

Oh, yes. Good choice. Imagine more than one Pratchett laying down stories.
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/p/short-story-wednesday-5b4

Melissa said...

I'm glad you're feeling better.

H. R. Sinclair said...

He had a grand imagination. Good one!

C. D. Gallant-King said...

I always said I wasn't British enough to write like Terry Pratchett. Even if I was Terry Pratchett, I don't think I would be British enough.

Arlee Bird said...

Still another direction. The possibilities are endless!

Lee

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick - I'm glad things are improving for you ... we're who we are, but we can learn from others ... all the best as Spring appears! Cheers Hilary

Shannon Lawrence said...

Interesting! I can't think of a person I'd want to be, but this was a different perspective than the straight forward way I was looking at it.

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

I'm glad you're feeling better. I've been the hospital before for several days and it's no fun even when the staff is friendly.

Terry Pratchett is a good writer. I've heard a lot about him but just haven't had a chance to read any of his stuff yet.

Fundy Blue said...

Hi, Nick. I'm sorry that you were unexpectedly in the hospital and glad that you are feeling a lot better. I fell the same way about my literary hero JRR Tolkien. I've never read any of Terry Pratchett's books, and I really should. Thanks for the reminder. All the best to you!

Allie Bock said...

I'm you are feeling better. Imagine all the things you could learn by being Terry Pratchett?

Damyanti Biswas said...

That's a lovely answer. To have boundless imagination is indeed a blessing.