Open Book - P.J. MacLayne

Going on a Binge #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne December 4, 2022 December 4, 2022 IWSG, Open Book

Dec 5, 2022

What TV show/or Movie, or book do you binge/return to/ re-watch the most?

If you’ve hung out here for any amount of time, you already know I don’t watch TV. Oh, I might stop and watch a few minutes of the news or whatever my husband is watching, but I rarely plan time to watch any show. Last time I did was over five years ago.

Books are a different story. In the past few years, I’ve moved my go-to gift item from jewelry to books. (And since I retired, I rarely wear jewelry.)

But I’m allowed to make exceptions, right? I stumbled across the now-ended series ‘Lucifer’. It seemed like fun. Best part was, I didn’t have to wait week after week for the next episode or the next season. It was all neatly wrapped up and waiting on Netflix. (I have to remember to close that account now!) So, I watched it. Sometimes three of four episodes in a day. It was my reward to me for making it through all the hard work and stress that came with moving halfway across the country.

I haven’t picked up any new shows to watch. I got it out of my system.

I haven’t gotten binging on books out of my system. Hopefully, I never will. My latest binge was a dozen books in the Stephanie Plum series (and a few offshoots.) That put me up to book twenty-two of the series. Now, I’m taking a break, spending spare time on holiday preparations. (And binging on editing The Redemption of Jake Hennessey. I’ve never had the luxury of focusing on editing on of my books before because my day job required most of my attention.)

What book/ series do I return to the most? At the moment, none. My taste in authors is changing. Or maybe it’s because so many authors have allowed their series to stretch out too long and the books come off as rehashing the same story. I’m more interested in discovering new (to me, at least) authors. (That goes for me, too. It’s time to start writing a new series of books.)

And I keep promising myself that I will read at least one book from each of the authors who contribute on regularly to this hop. I’m trying to develop new habits and make better use of my abundance of free time. The internet is a wonderful and terrible way to waste that time.

Do you have any suggestions that I should add to my to-be-read list? Leave them in the comments, please.

Don’t forget to check out what the other authors on this hop are watching/reading by following the links below.

And, as always, until next time, please stay safe.

Dec 5, 2022

What TV show/or Movie, or book do you binge/return to/ re-watch the most?

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

Mixing The True and False #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne November 27, 2022 November 27, 2022 Open Book

Nov 28, 2022

Do you use real or fictional cities in your writing? How do you incorporate them into the story?

There is a town called Oak Grove in Indiana, but it’s not my Oak Grove. I’ve never been there, but I was close. We were taking a shortcut between here and there, stopped at a gas station, and came across the town’s little newspaper. I still have it somewhere.

My fictional Oak Grove sits near the border of Pennsylvania and Ohio, north of Pittsburgh. I’ve kept its location a secret so that I can play with the differing laws and law enforcement structure between the two states. I’m writing fiction—so I can get away with it.

But Oak Grove, the home of Harmony Duprie, is based on several real small towns. As I wrote the second book in the series, I realized it was as much of a character in the story as the people, and tried to show that by focusing on events and people that shape the city. The small towns I’ve lived in for much of my life were the base for how Oak Grove developed.

In building the world around Oak Grove, I mixed in larger, actual cities to give readers a geographic reference. Pittsburgh. Cleveland. Washington D.C. Places I’ve visited so I don’t feel I’m making them up. (and the internet is a marvelous source of maps and images.) My Oak Grove boasts a marvelous Carnegie Library, but as is true in many small towns, the residents may have to travel to a bigger city for shopping or specialized health visits. Of course, these days, some of those issues are resolved thanks to on-line shopping and telehealth.

My urban fantasies are different. Because my wolf-shifters don’t want people to know where they are living, I made their location purposefully vague. I have a general location, and that’s it. The only time I identify a city is when they travel far from their home. (Easter egg: There are some crossover references to the characters from the Free Wolves series in the Harmony Duprie Mysteries. Yes, I realize they attract different types of readers, but I had fun doing it.)

I’m looking forward to seeing how the other authors on this hop answer this question. Can you use real cities in a story set in outer space? (I’m looking at you, Richard!) Just follow the links below to find out with me.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

Nov 28, 2022

Do you use real or fictional cities in your writing? How do you incorporate them into the story?

Team Dog Or Cat? Which Side Are You On? #Openbook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne November 20, 2022 November 20, 2022 Open Book

Nov 21, 2022

Big internet fight: Are you team cat or team dog? (or something else?)

Can I just be the person who referees this one? I refuse to take sides. Over the years, we’ve had dogs, cats, birds, and fish. None of them were my favorite. (I can eliminate birds as my favorite. I hated to see them caged, and hated worse constantly cleaning up after them.)

We don’t have any pets at the moment and I’m not in a hurry to get one. I still don’t feel totally moved into our new place. If I had to choose, I’d get a cat—probably several of them. They are more suited to my personality. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Sometimes playful, sometimes snuggly, sometimes just wanting to ignore the world and curl up and take a nap. All the long hair can be a pain to clean up, but it helps to keep it in a ponytail, and I don’t think a cat would mind. Gives them an extra toy to bat around.

So, I’ll just sit over here in my spot on the couch and watch the other authors on this hop figure it out. Or maybe I’ll take a nap instead.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

Big internet fight: Are you team cat or team dog? (or something else?)

Telling It Softly With Your Words #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne November 13, 2022 November 13, 2022 Open Book

Nov 14, 2022

How do you deal with negative feedback? Do you have tips for critiquing other writers’ work?

We all love those positive reviews. You know, those 5 stars that sing our praises. The words of encouragement from a beta reader or early critique that tells us how wonderful our draft is. We also know that sometimes the words aren’t so kind.

I’m lucky because the high school I attended pushed us to write essays and introduced us to the art of making revisions. As they were schoolwork, not personal writing, I didn’t feel a huge sense of ownership, and the changes the instructors requested were part of a grade, not a reflection on my writing.

So, when I first joined a critique group, the idea of revisions didn’t upset me. It was all part of the learning process—I was a novice and ready to learn from those with more experience. Luckily, it was a supportive group, with everyone helping everyone.

It’s not always like that. I’ve been in a group with a person who seemed to get a certain level of satisfaction at tearing down other authors, including me. It took me several meetings to figure out what they were doing.

How do I deal with that kind of person? Once I figure them out, I treat them with courtesy, but don’t take their criticisms to heart. However, I search for a kernel of truth in the critiques I receive. But I also try to remember that you can’t please all the people all the time. Still, it’s not all sunshine and roses—I have received feedback that stung deeply and took some self-reflection to get past.

I also try to avoid being one of those people. How do I do that?

The most important thing I strive for in a critique is to point out the good as well as what needs improved. Does a particular phrase stand out? Does a plot point surprise me? A character seem to resonate? Let the author know. If I can’t find something good to say, I’d rather say nothing at all.

It’s the balance that’s important. When I’m critiquing, I make it my goal to encourage, and mentor, not criticize. Yes, I will note things that can be improved, but I try to do it in a way that it builds up the writer.

How do the other authors on this hop feel about negative feedback? find out by following the link below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

Nov 14, 2022

How do you deal with negative feedback? Do you have tips for critiquing other writers’ work?

Texting While Writing #OpenBook Blog Hop #Grammar

By P.J. MacLayne November 6, 2022 November 6, 2022 Open Book

Nov 7, 2022

There don’t seem to be any universal rules for indicating texting in books and short stories. How do you handle it?

I’ve looked for the rules, and everyone is like me- we’re winging it. I’ve experimented with several ways of showing text messages in my stories. Here are the two variants I’ve used:

Annabelle had texted me back. “*#&* Broke down near Clarksburg. You?”
“Rest stop near the border. Jake and three more.”
“That’s one too many.”

from The Baron’s Cufflinks

Here’s the second version:

All three of our cell phones buzzed in succession. I got to the text first, a group message from Eli.
Big Steelers game tonight. The roads are a disaster. I’ll find a hotel to hole up in. See you tomorrow.
My phone buzzed again with a second text.
I’ll call you when I get settled. Love you. I hoped that hadn’t gone to the guys, too. But they were putting their phones away, so it came to only me.
Be safe. I texted back. Love you too.
“You guys want to help me put the food away?” I asked, pushing myself out of the chair. I needed to stay awake until Eli’s call.
Lando stuffed his phone into his pocket. “Sure, if you help us kill off some zombies afterward.”

from The Contessa’s Brooch

In both versions, I’ve indicated the use of text messages by the characters. I also used italics in both, but in one I used quotation marks. I’m torn about which is better.

The first one, with the quotation marks, is a better indicator of the idea that a conversation is taking place. It’s the same thing as talking to someone, but doing it with a modern version of passing notes in class. The second style, with no quotation marks, looks ‘cleaner’ to my eyes.

I’ve seen some authors use standard style letters for texts, which makes sense if you consider it a form of conversation. It’s a matter of making it clear to the reader how the communication is happening.

That’s why I mostly stick to the italics and quotation marks style. I’d love to hear what you think- tell me in the comments. You can find out how the other authors on this hop show text messages by following the links below.

And, as always, please stay safe until next time.

Nov 7, 2022

There don’t seem to be any universal rules for indicating texting in books and short stories. How do you handle it?

Talking To People Who Aren’t There #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne October 30, 2022 October 30, 2022 Open Book

October 31, 2022

Do you do podcasts? Either as the host or as a guest? How do you prepare for them?

It’s perfect timing for this topic! I didn’t plan it this way, I swear I didn’t!

Check out the link below. It’s to the interview I did with SapphireJBlue a week ago. (The link just dropped today.)

Jeanette SapphireJblue Best Charrette on Instagram: “The Barron’s Cufflinks by Author PJ MacLayne”

It isn’t the first interview I’ve done with Jeanette. We are working our way through the Harmony Duprie Mysteries, and have talked about Wolves’ Pawn. We’ll be chatting again on November 8th, and I suspect we’ll be dissecting The Contessa’s Brooch.

I’ve done other podcasts and have enjoyed all of them. Each host is different and the subjects may vary. Whether it’s talking about one specific book or writing in general, with one host or a panel, I love the exchange of ideas.

Preparation for a podcast can be as simple as re-reading one of my books, or as complicated as researching the difficulties women authors face trying to be published in certain genres. There’s also technical and physical considerations. I always look around my workspace to make sure nothing is in sight that I don’t want to share with the world, and that all of my books are within easy reach. I check to ensure my camera is aimed where I want it. One thing I learned through technical problems is that Instagram only works on my phone-my tablet will allow for audio but not video, no matter what settings I use.

Some people are uncomfortable talking to a camera. Not me. Once the technical aspects are working, I ignore them and focus on the face or faces at the other end of the connection. I gained a lot of experience doing that for my day job through the Covid years.

I’ve considered starting my own podcast. Now that I’ve retired from my day job, I have the time. I’ve also got a comfy writing space I could use without interfering with my family’s daily life. The idea is still on the backburner and I don’t promise it’ll ever happen. I need to figure out an angle to make it stand out. I could start with interviews with the other authors in this hop.

By the way, if anyone reading this hosts a podcast and has an opening, I’d love to connect!

You can find out how the other authors on this hop feel about podcasts by following the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

October 31, 2022

Do you do podcasts? Either as the host or as a guest? How do you prepare for them?

Learning For The Love Of It #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne October 23, 2022 October 23, 2022 Open Book

October 24, 2022

If you could take a free class at a university, what course would you take?

There are many states in the US that offer free college courses to senior citizens. I always thought that was a neat bonus to growing old. Well, I’m there, age wise, and I’m also in one of those states. Now, I have to wait to be here for a full year to be eligible for the program, but that time will pass quickly. (I will have to buy books and man, they are expensive these days.)

But I have a dilemma. Do I want to tie myself down to classes again? I’m enjoying this whole ‘no schedule’ lifestyle. Or rather, a limited schedule. It’s ‘freeing’ not to worry about what time I get up or go to bed, changing what chores I will tackle any day on a whim, not taking my laptop with me everywhere I go because I might get called into work. (That was a hard habit to break!)

But if I decide to pick up a class or two or three, what class would I take? There are lots of options, many of them strictly on-line. It would have to be something I’m curious about. Or perhaps even passionate.

So, I flipped through some college catalogs, to find what i was looking for.

History courses could be fun, especially as I’ve lived through events that now appear in textbooks. To my surprise, English and writing courses don’t appeal to me like I thought they would. Maybe I’m afraid they’d cramp my style. But what would I consider tackling?

Back in the before years, my first choice of a college degree program was library science. I’ve worked in libraries, I’ve featured libraries in my stories—how much fun would it be to go back and complete my degree? Of course, everything has changed, including me, and it seems the classes that I’d need to take are on topics I can relate to. Perhaps it’s one of those ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same’ occurrences.

I won’t pick any specific class. I have an entire program of classes to consider and the rest of my life to take them.

What subject would you pick if you were granted a free university class? Share in the comments if you like. And don’t forget to check out the other authors on this hop and find out what they want to try.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

October 24, 2022

If you could take a free class at a university, what course would you take?

Marketing Wins And Losses #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne October 16, 2022 October 16, 2022 Open Book

October 17, 2022

Most of us (or maybe all of us) struggle with marketing. What are your top 3 marketing tips?

First, a confession. As some of you know, I moved across the country this summer. I’ve none almost nothing in the way of marketing for over six months, but am trying to get back on track. But marketing is tough.

I’ve tried a lot of things. Various social media, ads, blogging. None of them have propelled me to the top. That hasn’t stopped me from trying again. So here are my recent top three.

3. Amazon Ads. They are pricey and don’t always work. I swear The ‘Zon plays with the algorithm and some months the ads sell books and other months they don’t. I can’t budget for what each month will cost me unless I turn the ad off and on, and I don’t have the energy for that. (FYI-I dipped my toe in FB ads a couple of times several years ago and got no results.) I’ve used commercial reader newsletters in the past, and it’s time to make another attempt. Which of my books would you like to see go on sale?

2. Podcasts. I’ve really enjoyed doing podcasts and would love to do more. (I’ve got one scheduled with SapphireJBlue this week on Thursday the 20th. Check my home page for more details as far as the time when I get the info.) I don’t know if I sell any books from doing podcasts, but I love talking about my stories! I guess they are a newest form of word-of-mouth advertising.

1. In-person book signings. (More word-of mouth.) I did one this past weekend with the Beaver County PA Libraries with moderate success, but it was fun. I think that’s where I shine-talking with readers one-on-one. Now that I’m mostly settled into our new home, and don’t have to worry about interfering with a job, I’m trying to set up more public appearances. I’ve got a list of possibilities to work on, and I am looking at one in New Castle, PA next summer.. (Procrastination is not my friend.)

There you have it. My top three marketing tools for the moment. I’m afraid my current state of reader engagement is limited. Hopefully some of the other authors on this hop can provide better ideas. Follow the links below to find out.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

October 17, 2022

Most of us (or maybe all of us) struggle with marketing. What are your top 3 marketing tips?

Have It Your Way Pizza Edition #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne October 9, 2022 October 9, 2022 Open Book

October 10, 2022

What toppings do you put on your pizza? Is pineapple a real pizza topping?

I actually had this conversation with my brother-in-law a few nights ago. I don’t remember who brought it up, but I think we were discussing the sandwich shop down the street. (They sell pizza, too.) He nearly had a heart attack when I revealed I like pineapple on my pizza.

Not just any pizza. It has to be a traditional Hawaiian style pizza. Which isn’t Hawaiian at all, but the name makes sense when you consider the other toppings.

The basics are the basics. Crust (your choice) pizza sauce and cheese. Now, start with the meats. I don’t think I’ll offend anyone with those. Canadian bacon tops the list. No substitutions. Ham doesn’t cut it. Pepperoni is a bonus. Other meats are fine (Bacon is always good!) but not needed.

Green pepper is called for, as are diced tomato pieces.

Here’s where I may wander into controversy.

Sliced black olives. I know, I know. Many of you don’t like them. You can skip them.

It gets worse.

Pineapple. Yes, pineapple is a fruit. So are olives and tomatoes. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Tomatoes are fruits that are considered vegetables by nutritionists.”

If you think that’s bad, I’m not done. There’s one more old-school topping. Yes, I know it sounds crazy. Maraschino cherries, cut in half. And there you have it-one Hawaiian style pizza.

Still with me? What do you think about pineapple as a pizza topping? Let me know in the comments. And check out the other authors by following the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

October 10, 2022

What toppings do you put on your pizza? Is pineapple a real pizza topping?

A Writing Style For The Moment #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne October 2, 2022 October 2, 2022 Open Book

October 3, 2022

Does your writing style change depending upon what you are writing?

Daryl Devore, another writer in this group, mentioned in a post a few weeks ago how her writing style changes based on what she is writing, and it got me thinking. Does mine?

Easy answer, yes. The Free Wolves books are written in third person, but the Harmony Duprie stories are in first person. (We’ll get to Jake’s story later.) I know not everyone enjoys reading first person, but it was what the books needed to be. I tried writing what turned into The Marquesa’s Necklace in third person, but it didn’t work.

Other differences? The Free Wolves books mostly center on one or two characters. Harmony, however, in telling us her story, gives credit to the friends that support her and give her strength. The real hero of the series is the ‘village’ that she is a part of.

How about the Jake books? (The Fall of Jake Hennessey and my WIP, The Resurrection of Jake Hennessey) They are also third person, but I tried to dive deeper into Jake’s thought process and motivations. He’s a bad guy in sheep’s clothing with a hero complex-an interesting mix of characteristics. Unlike the Free Wolves, which were story-driven books, the Jake tales are more personality-driven, which meant I had to move the action along without dialogue.

Speaking of dialogue—my style of writing dialogue can switch between characters, depending upon their personality and the situations they are in. Harmony is a great example of this. She’s a laid-back person, but when the need arises, her style of speech changes. It becomes stiffer, more formal. I don’t plan it ahead of time: it comes naturally. Here’s an example I wrote yesterday. (Unedited, so please forgive any mistakes.)

“Is that how you want to play this game? My lawyers will request that any files the agency has backing up the request become part of the record. Which means I will have access to them. If I feed my media contacts a story about a secretive government group harassing a grieving widow, how will that look? And I can’t imagine any judge in the area siding with that agency over a local girl coming home to heal after a tragedy in her life. Think carefully. You may believe you have me cornered in a game of checkers, but I’m playing chess. Checkmate, Agent.”

So yes, my writing changes with the story. I don’t think about it; it comes from knowing my characters. How about other authors? I think I know what Daryl is going to say, but I’m not sure about some of the others. Follow the links below, and we can find out!

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

October 3, 2022

Does your writing style change depending upon what you are writing?

Category: Open Book

Going on a Binge #OpenBook Blog Hop

Mixing The True and False #OpenBook Blog Hop

Team Dog Or Cat? Which Side Are You On? #Openbook Blog Hop

Telling It Softly With Your Words #OpenBook Blog Hop

Texting While Writing #OpenBook Blog Hop #Grammar

Talking To People Who Aren’t There #OpenBook Blog Hop

Learning For The Love Of It #OpenBook Blog Hop

Marketing Wins And Losses #OpenBook Blog Hop

Have It Your Way Pizza Edition #OpenBook Blog Hop

A Writing Style For The Moment #OpenBook Blog Hop

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