P.J. MacLayne

You call them distractions. I call them moments to allow my brain to think about how I want to say something. Whichever. They are times when I’m not actually writing even though I could be. (Or I’m sitting at the computer pretending I’m writing!)

And that’s the clue to my number one distraction. If I’m sitting at the computer, I have access to the internet. I can check my email, I can surf the ‘net, I can read any number of forums I follow. None of those are me putting words on paper. (Or on the screen, as the case may be.) But if I disconnect my computer from the internet, I don’t have easy access to research whatever question might pop up in the course of my writing.

How do I deal with the conundrum? Not very well, thank you very much. Many times my willpower is lacking and I find myself studying the mating habits of penguins or the the lives of ladies-in-waiting in Queen Victoria’s court. My only consolation is finding a way to use the new-found knowledge in my story.

Number two-family. Do they truly count as a distraction? It depends upon what mood I’m in and how well my writing is going. There are times I welcome the little interruptions they provide, and other times when I let them know they’ll have to wait for a few minutes.

Number three-the dreaded housework. There’s always housework that needs doing. Sometimes I can turn a blind eye to it and other times there’s no putting it off. Does anyone really enjoy cleaning house?

Number four-I live in a gorgeous part of the country. On a nice day, I love to go exploring. Traveling the back roads presents the opportunity for stumbling across unexpected beauty. Flowers in bloom, wildlife when you least expect it, new mountain peaks. At least I can claim that the trips recharge my soul and make me a better person and writer.

Last but not least-other creative endeavors. If you’ve been following me for while, you know I do embroidery and needlepoint. I also got interested in the adult coloring craze. That one was fairly easy to solve—I don’t keep my coloring supplies on the same desk as my computer. If I have to get up from my computer desk to get to them, chances are slim that it will happen.

What are your distractions? You can share in the comments.

And to find out what the other authors’ distractions are, follow the links below. I suspect at least one of mine will be shared by my compatriots!

April 24, 2017
What Are Your Top 5 Distractions And How Do You Deal With Them?
Distractions aren’t fun, but sadly we have them a lot in our lives. Especially with the Internet. There’s always a distraction waiting around the corner.
Do you have a way of holding the distractions at bay? If so, share your tips.
Rules:
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2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
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I’m pleased to have PJ Fiala and her new release “Missing the Point” on my blog today.

And now, Here’s the other PJ.

:
I’m so excited to release Missing the Point for so many reasons.

First and foremost, this is a series I’ve thought about for a long time.  You see, my father’s parents were both born and raised in Kentucky.  My grandfather came from a very poor family and on top of that, his father divorced his mother when he was very little, about 2 or 3.  Divorce today isn’t thought of in a negative way, back then it was horrible.  My great-grandmother did remarry and the man she married, took my grandfather as part of the package, but the stigma remained.  As a result, my grandfather lied about his age as a 16 year old and joined the Army.  He wanted a new beginning and he was willing to do what it took to find it.  The thing is, he’d met my grandmother before hand at a church dance and he didn’t want to leave her behind.  He went to boot camp and as soon as he could come back, he did, and he married my grandmother, but they’d need to leave Kentucky.  Grandpa stayed in the Army for many years, and after leaving the Army, my grandparents settled in Missouri.  My grandmother went back to Kentucky every year to visit her sisters and brothers and their children, my grandfather only went back periodically, the bad memories just couldn’t be erased, no matter the situation.

As a result of my grandmother going back each year, as I got to be a bit older, I got to travel with her to Kentucky and spend several weeks.  I remember those times fondly and they’ve ingrained in me a sense of family, easy times and a long-ago world.  Now, as an adult, I go back as often as I can to visit my father’s cousins and my cousins.  My dad’s cousin, Janet Sue, still lives on the family farm my grandmother grew up on and visiting there is such a treat for me.  So, as a result, I always knew I wanted to write stories that took place in Kentucky.

Secondly, my friend and fellow author, Stephany Tullis created Chandler County with me and this was truly a labor of love.  We knew from the beginning we wanted to invite other authors to write in Chandler County with us, so we could share this world with them and all of our readers.

It is with great pride and pleasure that I release my first book in Chandler County, Missing the Point.  This book is the first of my books in Chandler County but certainly not the last.  Sam McKenzie is an Army veteran who has finally retired after 25 years.  He and three of his friends have started Bluegrass Security in the little town of Bourbonville, one of two towns in Chandler County.  As the Kentucky Derby nears, the over-flow of people coming to Chandler County brings with it trials and tribulations and as the locals deal with these and other scenarios, we get to know many of the residents in Bourbonville.

Stephanie (Stevie) Jorgenson is a detective in Chandler County.  Though she comes from a wealthy ranch family, she made her own way in the world and followed her dreams.  Keeping Chandler County safe is her top priority.  When she meets the handsome security specialist from Bluegrass Security, there is an immediate spark and the two succumb to the attraction, but neither believes anything more should come of it.  Life, circumstance and intrigue follow the pair as they are thrown together time after time dealing with some terrible situations in Bourbonville.

I hope you’ll enjoy Missing the Point and the books of my fellow authors in Chandler County.

Amazon :  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-Amazon
Barnes & Noble:  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-B&N
iBooks:  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-iBooks
Kobo:  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-Kobo
Google Play:  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-Google

Want to follow me?  

Reader’s Club:  http://smarturl.it/ReaderClub
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pj-fiala
Amazon Author: http://amzn.to/2j7bh06
Facebook:  http://facebook.com/pjfiala1
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/pfiala
Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/pattifiala
Instagram:  http://instagram/patti_fiala

I’m pleased to have PJ Fiala and her new release “Missing the Point” on my blog today.

And now, Here’s the other PJ.

:
I’m so excited to release Missing the Point for so many reasons.

First and foremost, this is a series I’ve thought about for a long time.  You see, my father’s parents were both born and raised in Kentucky.  My grandfather came from a very poor family and on top of that, his father divorced his mother when he was very little, about 2 or 3.  Divorce today isn’t thought of in a negative way, back then it was horrible.  My great-grandmother did remarry and the man she married, took my grandfather as part of the package, but the stigma remained.  As a result, my grandfather lied about his age as a 16 year old and joined the Army.  He wanted a new beginning and he was willing to do what it took to find it.  The thing is, he’d met my grandmother before hand at a church dance and he didn’t want to leave her behind.  He went to boot camp and as soon as he could come back, he did, and he married my grandmother, but they’d need to leave Kentucky.  Grandpa stayed in the Army for many years, and after leaving the Army, my grandparents settled in Missouri.  My grandmother went back to Kentucky every year to visit her sisters and brothers and their children, my grandfather only went back periodically, the bad memories just couldn’t be erased, no matter the situation.

As a result of my grandmother going back each year, as I got to be a bit older, I got to travel with her to Kentucky and spend several weeks.  I remember those times fondly and they’ve ingrained in me a sense of family, easy times and a long-ago world.  Now, as an adult, I go back as often as I can to visit my father’s cousins and my cousins.  My dad’s cousin, Janet Sue, still lives on the family farm my grandmother grew up on and visiting there is such a treat for me.  So, as a result, I always knew I wanted to write stories that took place in Kentucky.

Secondly, my friend and fellow author, Stephany Tullis created Chandler County with me and this was truly a labor of love.  We knew from the beginning we wanted to invite other authors to write in Chandler County with us, so we could share this world with them and all of our readers.

It is with great pride and pleasure that I release my first book in Chandler County, Missing the Point.  This book is the first of my books in Chandler County but certainly not the last.  Sam McKenzie is an Army veteran who has finally retired after 25 years.  He and three of his friends have started Bluegrass Security in the little town of Bourbonville, one of two towns in Chandler County.  As the Kentucky Derby nears, the over-flow of people coming to Chandler County brings with it trials and tribulations and as the locals deal with these and other scenarios, we get to know many of the residents in Bourbonville.

Stephanie (Stevie) Jorgenson is a detective in Chandler County.  Though she comes from a wealthy ranch family, she made her own way in the world and followed her dreams.  Keeping Chandler County safe is her top priority.  When she meets the handsome security specialist from Bluegrass Security, there is an immediate spark and the two succumb to the attraction, but neither believes anything more should come of it.  Life, circumstance and intrigue follow the pair as they are thrown together time after time dealing with some terrible situations in Bourbonville.

I hope you’ll enjoy Missing the Point and the books of my fellow authors in Chandler County.

Amazon :  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-Amazon
Barnes & Noble:  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-B&N
iBooks:  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-iBooks
Kobo:  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-Kobo
Google Play:  www.pjfiala.com/Books/MtP-Google

Want to follow me?  

Reader’s Club:  http://smarturl.it/ReaderClub
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pj-fiala
Amazon Author: http://amzn.to/2j7bh06
Facebook:  http://facebook.com/pjfiala1
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/pfiala
Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/pattifiala
Instagram:  http://instagram/patti_fiala

I’m a firm believer in the idea that you’re never too old to learn something new. There’s several things I’ve wanted to learn but haven’t for one reason or another.

I grew up around guns.  Hunting rifles, mostly. My dad and brothers went deer hunting every year and some years were even successful. They weren’t trophy hunting, and the meat was put to good use. But for whatever reason, none of us girls were ever included. Still, I would hang out while they cleaned their guns and wonder if I’d ever get the chance to shoot one.

After I got married, I finally had the opportunity. I went target shooting with my husband. (the targets being soda cans) and he handed me his shotgun. He helped me get it in the right position and aim and showed me how to pull the trigger. I shot it, and missed. The kickback practically knocked me over and I ended up with a big old bruise on my shoulder and I haven’t tried it again. But I’d like too. Maybe I’d even get it right.

What I did try recently (after all these years!) is shooting a handgun. I had much better luck with that and even managed to hit a somewhat small target after a couple of tries. (That’s not me in the picture. No pictures exist of the moment.)  I know how to load the gun and switch clips. Next time the gun needs cleaned, I’m going to be the one doing it. (Under hubby’s supervision, of course!)

Hitting the target made me feel like the heroines in one of my books, strong and confident, ready to take on the world. Or the femme fatale in a mystery. Or a little like Annie Oakley. (I have the hat!) Once the weather is better and our schedules calm down, I’m ready to try again.

So what is it you want to learn? You can tell us in the comments. And to find out what the other authors have to say—you know the rest—follow the links below!

April 17, 2017
What Would You Love To Learn How To Do?
Share pictures and what you’d like to learn, then go out and try that thing. Share an update of your experience with your followers.
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.
Wordpress:

Custom Blog:

An InLinkz Link-up

get the InLinkz code

I’m a firm believer in the idea that you’re never too old to learn something new. There’s several things I’ve wanted to learn but haven’t for one reason or another.

I grew up around guns.  Hunting rifles, mostly. My dad and brothers went deer hunting every year and some years were even successful. They weren’t trophy hunting, and the meat was put to good use. But for whatever reason, none of us girls were ever included. Still, I would hang out while they cleaned their guns and wonder if I’d ever get the chance to shoot one.

After I got married, I finally had the opportunity. I went target shooting with my husband. (the targets being soda cans) and he handed me his shotgun. He helped me get it in the right position and aim and showed me how to pull the trigger. I shot it, and missed. The kickback practically knocked me over and I ended up with a big old bruise on my shoulder and I haven’t tried it again. But I’d like too. Maybe I’d even get it right.

What I did try recently (after all these years!) is shooting a handgun. I had much better luck with that and even managed to hit a somewhat small target after a couple of tries. (That’s not me in the picture. No pictures exist of the moment.)  I know how to load the gun and switch clips. Next time the gun needs cleaned, I’m going to be the one doing it. (Under hubby’s supervision, of course!)

Hitting the target made me feel like the heroines in one of my books, strong and confident, ready to take on the world. Or the femme fatale in a mystery. Or a little like Annie Oakley. (I have the hat!) Once the weather is better and our schedules calm down, I’m ready to try again.

So what is it you want to learn? You can tell us in the comments. And to find out what the other authors have to say—you know the rest—follow the links below!

April 17, 2017
What Would You Love To Learn How To Do?
Share pictures and what you’d like to learn, then go out and try that thing. Share an update of your experience with your followers.
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.
WordPress:



Custom Blog:

An InLinkz Link-up

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Easter weeks holds a multitude of meanings, depending upon your beliefs and your background. It can be anything from a time of sorrow commemorating Jesus’ death merging into a celebration of the Resurrection to a way of welcoming the arrival of Spring. I’ve seen the holiday from a variety of points of view.

Growing up in a religious family, we observed all the rituals associated with Easter. Everything from Ash Wednesday to Lent to Good Thursday and Good Friday. (There seemed to a thunderstorm every Good Friday afternoon.) We’d color eggs on Saturday. And of course, Easter was more than candy and eggs.We started with Easter services and our Easter baskets afterward. Lunch was a big family dinner.

But as it happens, kids grow up and leave home. Sometimes they move so far away they can’t make it back for holidays. And chances are, they make their own traditions.

I don’t do colored eggs anymore. It’s a practical thing. Hard-boiled eggs are no longer a special treat. I can have one anytime I’m in the mood, and there’s no little ones around to share the coloring process with.

I do look forward to the arrival of spring. Daffodils and tulips brighten the otherwise dull landscape. Lilacs aren’t far behind.Trees are in bud and a few are in blossom. Easter means it won’t be long until the lawns turn green.

And then there’s the candy. Oh, the candy. The Peeps. (Although I stick with standard colors. None of these bright blues for me!) And chocolate eggs  of all varieties. Cheap or expensive, if it’s chocolate, its good. Don’t forget the jelly beans and robins eggs.

But what’s the best part of Easter? I think it’s the shift in people’s moods. As there is more sunlight and the days are warmer and longer, lots of people become happier. It’s as if the world breathes a sigh of relief after making it through winter.

What does Easter mean to you? Find out what the other authors have to say by following the links below. And Happy Easter to you (if you celebrate.)

April 10 – Easter Week – What’s the one thing you look forward to most on Easter?
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.
Wordpress:

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An InLinkz Link-up

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Easter weeks holds a multitude of meanings, depending upon your beliefs and your background. It can be anything from a time of sorrow commemorating Jesus’ death merging into a celebration of the Resurrection to a way of welcoming the arrival of Spring. I’ve seen the holiday from a variety of points of view.

Growing up in a religious family, we observed all the rituals associated with Easter. Everything from Ash Wednesday to Lent to Good Thursday and Good Friday. (There seemed to a thunderstorm every Good Friday afternoon.) We’d color eggs on Saturday. And of course, Easter was more than candy and eggs.We started with Easter services and our Easter baskets afterward. Lunch was a big family dinner.

But as it happens, kids grow up and leave home. Sometimes they move so far away they can’t make it back for holidays. And chances are, they make their own traditions.

I don’t do colored eggs anymore. It’s a practical thing. Hard-boiled eggs are no longer a special treat. I can have one anytime I’m in the mood, and there’s no little ones around to share the coloring process with.

I do look forward to the arrival of spring. Daffodils and tulips brighten the otherwise dull landscape. Lilacs aren’t far behind.Trees are in bud and a few are in blossom. Easter means it won’t be long until the lawns turn green.

And then there’s the candy. Oh, the candy. The Peeps. (Although I stick with standard colors. None of these bright blues for me!) And chocolate eggs  of all varieties. Cheap or expensive, if it’s chocolate, its good. Don’t forget the jelly beans and robins eggs.

But what’s the best part of Easter? I think it’s the shift in people’s moods. As there is more sunlight and the days are warmer and longer, lots of people become happier. It’s as if the world breathes a sigh of relief after making it through winter.

What does Easter mean to you? Find out what the other authors have to say by following the links below. And Happy Easter to you (if you celebrate.)

April 10 – Easter Week – What’s the one thing you look forward to most on Easter?
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.
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Joyce Kilmer said “I think that I will never see
                               A poem lovely as a tree”

I believe that extends to paintings as well. No matter how good an artist is, no painting can be as good as an original piece of art created by nature. And yes, I am aware of the “hyper realistic” art movement, and am awed by the skill of the talented individuals who create those works of art.
Here’s one by Franco Clun. It’s a pencil drawing, believe it or not.

No matter how much I admire well-done art, I prefer to spend my spare time in the out-of-doors, where the beauty comes in unexpected moments. Like a hawk perched on a hunk of carrion alongside the road, or a herd of elk grazing in a field. A salmon leaping out of a river, streaming sparkling drops of crystal-clear water. A gentle snow fall covering a cluster of pine trees.Snow covered mountain peaks reflected in a still lake.

So my apologies to all the wonderful artists who have given us gorgeous works of painted poetry. What they create are marvelous expressions of the human spirit. But I’ll take the paintings of Mother Earth over them any day.

To find out the favorite paintings of our other authors, follow the links below.

April 3 – our favorite paintings
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.
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An InLinkz Link-up

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Joyce Kilmer said “I think that I will never see
                               A poem lovely as a tree”

I believe that extends to paintings as well. No matter how good an artist is, no painting can be as good as an original piece of art created by nature. And yes, I am aware of the “hyper realistic” art movement, and am awed by the skill of the talented individuals who create those works of art.
Here’s one by Franco Clun. It’s a pencil drawing, believe it or not.

No matter how much I admire well-done art, I prefer to spend my spare time in the out-of-doors, where the beauty comes in unexpected moments. Like a hawk perched on a hunk of carrion alongside the road, or a herd of elk grazing in a field. A salmon leaping out of a river, streaming sparkling drops of crystal-clear water. A gentle snow fall covering a cluster of pine trees.Snow covered mountain peaks reflected in a still lake.

So my apologies to all the wonderful artists who have given us gorgeous works of painted poetry. What they create are marvelous expressions of the human spirit. But I’ll take the paintings of Mother Earth over them any day.

To find out the favorite paintings of our other authors, follow the links below.

April 3 – our favorite paintings
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.
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The wind sweeping through the cluster of aspens in the fall, rustling the yellow-gold leaves. The gurgle of a mountain stream as water rushes on its way downhill. The calls of birds as they hang in the sky and flirt with the clouds. The chirping of crickets as they look for mates as the sun sinks in the west. These are the sounds that inspire me and my writing.

Thanks to juskiddin at FreeSound for the wav.

Then there are the times when I need to shut out all exterior sounds so I can listen to my interior voice. That’s when I slip on a set of headphones and cue up some old favorites.

If you have followed this blog for any length of time, you know there’s a lot of John Denver in the mix, depending upon my mood. You might not have expected Pink Floyd and the classic ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ to be on my list of favorites, but it is. Next toss in some classic rock and songs from the Woodstock era, Don’t forget any number of female vocalists and singer songwriters from the 1970’s and onward.

It’s not only the music itself that inspires me, it’s the words to the songs. So many of the songs are poetry when you take a look. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band comes to mind.

From Ripplin’ Waters (by Jimmy Ibbotson)

Many songwriters are gifted at making emotions come through not only in the words to the songs but in the music as well. Joan Baez comes to mind. Here’s a sampling of the words from ‘Diamonds & Rust.’

Well I’ll be damned
Here comes your ghost again
But that’s not unusual
It’s just that the moon is full
And you happened to call
And here I sit
Hand on the telephone
Hearing a voice I’d known
A couple of light years ago
Heading straight for a fall

The words and music of those talented folks help me to find the mood and words I need to express the emotions of my characters. Listening to their songs also helps me concentrate on my own words.

I’m interested to see what our other authors listen to. You can find out by following the links below.

March 27 – How music inspires our writing
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.
Wordpress:

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An InLinkz Link-up

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