#IWSG May. 2026- Best Feedback Ever & It’s Like The Full Moon part 12
Happy IWSG Day!
Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click here to learn more or sign up.
Optional Monthly Question: What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers
No video this month, but here’s my response.
First, let’s talk about writer feedback. I have always struggled with feedback, and not because I can’t take it. I struggle with it because I hardly ever get any. Being part of a critique group for a while helped a lot, but ever since it broke up, feedback has eluded me. I offer others feedback in hope that I’ll get some in return, but it rarely happens. To my surprise, someone who’s opinion means a lot to me offered to read my latest manuscript and give me feedback, and I was so elated. I was fully prepared for them to rip my work to shreds, if that’s what it needed, but they didn’t. Everything they did say was so helpful and I look forward to a chance to pay it forward.
Now, as for reader feedback, I don’t get a lot of that either. With that said, I’ve gotten some that has stuck with me. I will say that I find it odd that people have reached out to me to leave me personal messages about my work but have never bothered to actually leave a review for it. Not sure what that’s about. In any case, I’ve had readers tell me:
“Your story makes me feel seen.”
“Your descriptions are vivid. I felt like I was there.”
“Your story took a turn I wasn’t expecting and I liked it.”
But the best feedback of all time, which I’ll paraphrase because it was a long message, was when a reader told me they were mad that I killed off a character in my second novel, but that they still loved the series. They expressed that they didn’t expect the story to affect them so emotionally. That right there is the reason I keep sharing my writing. I’ll never stop writing; though, I sometimes consider whether or not I’ll keep sharing it.
If only I had more time in the day to complete my rewrite, I’m sure that reader would love what I’m doing with The Mark of Bletsian.
This month, the in-person IWSG group will be meeting at Wands Books in Norfolk, VA on Thursday, 5/14/26 at 6:00 pm. I’m excited to meet new writers and offer support in my local community. Click the link to learn more or RSVP.
Author Feature:
In two weeks, I’ll be featuring Glorious Raine.
If you like to be featured, check out my sign-up form.
Counting My Blessings:
This is a clip from a longer video. I hope you enjoyed it and will consider watching the full video on YouTube.
The Muse Writers Center Updates:
The Summer classes are rolling out and I’m excited! There’s definitely a few I want to take. Check them out here.
Knauthenic Updates:
Season 1, Episode 24: Chicken Sausage & Black Bean Omelet goes up tomorrow.
If you ever want to see the recipe shorts, visit the Knauthentic channel.
If you, or someone you know, has a health or food journey story, I’d love to share that story. No one has to appear on my podcast unless they want to.
Lit Carnivale Updates:
Lit Carnivale 25: Read Local Show S3:E1 with ME and a special guest host went up yesterday.
If you don’t want to miss the interviews when they launch be sure to subscribe to Lit Carnivale. Paid subscribers will have access to bonus content.
Fiction Excerpts:
Since rom-coms are far and few between for me, I figure I’d share the only one I’ve published so far. I’ve grown so much as a writer since this book, so this is a nice look-back of how far I’ve come. At about 300 words a post, this should take a while. Below are some affiliates links to the book in case you decide you like and don’t want to wait each week for an update.
Bookshop.org | Smaswords.com | Amazon.com
It’s Like The Full Moon part 12
Chapter 2: The Proposal continued
It was Ms. Rapture’s turn to be short. “Oh, Lucy, would you be quiet and let the girl think?” Rebecca stood up and walked passed her Aunt Lucy, patting her shoulder, before falling into her mother’s embrace. Rebecca buried her head into her mother’s collar as they shared a warm and tender hug.
“I don’t want to feel like I’m running away. Do you really think it would be okay for me to go all the way to Italy just to think things over?” Rebecca’s desperate whisper was almost a sob by this point.
Rebecca’s mother took her by the shoulders and straightened her up. Then Ms. Rapture took a small handkerchief out from a tiny fold of fabric, on the far left exterior side of her blouse, just over her bosom, and gently wiped away Rebecca’s tears. “Italy’s a wonderful place. It’s never too far away to go for any reason. Besides, you owe it to yourself to live a little and think about your future without any pressure from us … well, save Lisa that is.”
Rebecca took a deep breath and grinned peacefully. She hugged her mother once more and then turned to face her audience. “All right then, you all win,” she said in a pseudo-defeated tone. “I will go to Milan with Lisa to think things over. I’ll just have to figure out how to pay for it.”
Giddy with relief, Lisa replied, “Well don’t worry about airfare and lodging. My company always makes arrangements for me and a guest. I’ve simply never had anyone to bring along until now.” Everyone stood up and cheered.
Then TiTi Lucy joined the party. “Usually, you have to plan ahead for these kinds of trips, which I am always doing, though I never seem to be going anywhere. I’ll provide you with some spending money. You can pay me back later or not. It’s up to you.”
“I’ll call your father,” said her mother. “I’m sure he has contacts there. Maybe he can have someone show you around and escort you if you’d like.”
“I’ve been there plenty of times,” Lisa stated, “and I’ve never needed an escort.”
“Yeah, sure,” Teddy teased, “but Becca might want to see something more than just the hotel bar at three a.m.”
Lisa stuck her tongue out at Teddy.
Suddenly, Rebecca’s face turned pale. She grabbed the nearest chair and quickly sat down as she came to a realization. “Oh my goodness,” she wailed. “What am I going to tell Virgil?”
Ms. Rapture patted her daughter with a firm hand. “Rebecca, sweetie, tell him the truth.”
Personal Updates:
I have too much to going on. The doctor’s appointments never end, and I have to take each day as it is. Today, so far, has been a good day. Maybe I’ll feel up to sharing more next month.
What’s the best feedback you’ve ever received?
It may take some time, but I promise, I will eventually stop by your blog.
After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Jenni Enzor | Jemima Pett | Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun | Kim Lajevardi
Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #21).
Thank you for making it this far down the virtual page. Kudos to you! I’d love to know what you thought of this post in the comments below. Stay safe and be blessed.
You definitely had some great feedback - the fact that they loved it after you killed off a character, that's really good.
I'm sorry about your critique group.
Emails are nice but a review would be even better.