#Writing - P.J. MacLayne

Please Don’ts For A Writer’s Website #IWSG

By P.J. MacLayne February 6, 2024 February 6, 2024 IWSG

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the February 7 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, SE White, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine!

February 7 question: What turns you off when visiting an author’s website/blog? Lack of information? A drone of negativity? Little mention of author’s books? Constant mention of books?

Remember MySpace?

When every page was bright, flashy, twinkling fluorescent colors that sparkled and hurt your eyes? Please, don’t do that to my poor old aged eyes. Or post anything that is seizure-inducing. (Confession time – I never had a MySpace page.)

Other than that, I’m pretty easy. Well, I have one complaint. Don’t throw a huge ‘sign up for my newsletter’ block up before I’ve had a chance to even view your information. I’m not saying don’t have one. Maybe have it in a sidebar or somewhere else. Because if you place it on the front page, I’m going to close it without even reading the message. I may even skip checking out your site. (But probably not. I’m too stubborn for that.)

Yes, I know this goes against all the marketing advice out there. Oh, well! Chances are, I’ve come to your website looking for something in particular, and the demand for a newsletter signup annoys me. But I’ve often said, I’m not your standard consumer and all ads turn me off. That’s one reason I stopped watching TV.

One more thing. Please make your menu easy to navigate. I may be stubborn, but sometimes I’m lazy.

Having said all that. I’ve got to go back and check my website.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a major update. But I promise you, no flashing font!

If you haven’t done it yet, please check out some of the other authors on this hop. (See the many links below.) And, as always, please stay safe until the next time.

The Ancient Crystal Ball Foresees: #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne January 7, 2024 January 7, 2024 Open Book

Jan 8, 2024

Do you have any predictions as to what will change in writing/in the world in general in the new year?

I’m worried. I’ve read too many forum posts about writers considering giving up because of non-existent sales and generally feeling discouraged. What a shame that would be, the possibility of losing talented voices.

I suspect many of us got into writing due to the revolution that came with technology allowing writers to publish independently. As we face the impact that another switch in technology — AI (artificial intelligence) — is causing, there is fear that it will drive out many who are barely hanging on. Now, we are not only competing with other humans; we have to compete with computers.

Remember the Simon and Garfunkel song, The Sound of Silence? The line “writing songs that voices never share” applies to stories as well. I don’t believe we’re there yet. But I hate to see any voices silenced

My prediction? We will lose some talented people to other fields. Maybe authors I’ve never read, perhaps some who can no longer support themselves with the written word. Or maybe those that have tried their best with no luck. (And I sincerely believe that some of what we term success is gained through sheer luck.) Hopefully, they won’t leave in large enough numbers to diminish the impact that indie writers make.

On the other hand, I predict the writing community will find a means to make AI work for us in the way of new tools to strengthen our story-telling without losing our song. Spell and grammar checking come to mind, although they can’t replace a human editor.

What else? I worry about the impact that covid is making on the creative community. I know several authors who took a long time to return to their previous levels of writing after having Covid. I’m assuming that other creatives are experiencing the same thing. That doesn’t even include those we lost and still lose to the disease. I don’t have a prediction for this one, just hopefulness that science and medicine will get a better handle on treating it.

I predict I will finally release the first book of the Edwards Investigations series in 2024. I don’t have a date set, because I know that editing will take me longer than normal. The story deserves as much care as I can give it.

What are the other authors on this hop seeing in their crystal balls? Find out by following the links below. And, as always, please stay safe until next time.

Jan 8, 2024

Top Five Writing Events 2023 #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne December 10, 2023 December 11, 2023 Open Book

Dec 11, 2023

Tell us the top five best things that have happened to you in the past year. (Focus on writing, but other things are allowed!)

1. The release of The Rise of Jack Hennessey.
This story was a passion project. Although the Harmony Duprie Mysteries officially ended with The Ranger’s Dog Tags, I knew in my heart that the story wasn’t over. Harmony, Eli, and Jake couldn’t just fade into the sunset. There was more to the overall story, and it could only be told through the eyes of Jake.

For 22 years, semi-retired jewel thief Jake Hennessey honored his promise to stay away from Harmony Duprie. He has no plans to change that… until Special Agent Doan Houck saunters into Jake’s bar, claiming Harmony’s life is in danger.

2. Finishing the first draft of Book One of The Edwards Agency (the new version).
Or maybe The Edwards Investigations, Book One, The Rimer File. (Is that too long?) I’m still determining the title. This book has been in the works for over a decade. The first story was written as part of a NaNoWriMo project and has been reworked several times. But I knew it wasn’t ‘right.’ I took the story in a different direction, so the current draft is more of an homage to the first attempt than a revision. The ending still doesn’t have the ‘punch’ it needs, but I keep reworking it in my head and it’s getting there.

It started as a romance and has turned in a noir female PI tale set in Pittsburgh PA in the mid-1980s. My graphic artist says it’s so noir it’s black.

3. The many local events I took part in.
I didn’t sell huge numbers at any one event, but the cumulative numbers are satisfying. I know which ones I want to repeat and the new ones I want to try next year. As always, the best part of selling at events in the amazing people I meet.

4. Hitting the top #100
I hit the top #100 in three minor categories on Amazon with The Fall of Jake Hennessey on April 30. The book made it up to #11 in Heist Crime, #14 in Heist Thrillers, and #39 in Crime Action & Adventure. It didn’t stay there, but it made my day.

5. A non-writing related one
Now that I’m back in western Pennsylvania, I’m reconnecting with my siblings. Oh, we kept in contact through social media, but I didn’t realize how much I missed being able to sit and talk with them face-to-face. Heck, I’m close enough to be able to drop in for a chat without having to drive cross-country!

And there they are – my top five best things for the year. What good things have been part of your life this past year? And check out the other authors by following the links.

Until next time, please stay safe!

My Introduction to Epic Fantasy #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne October 22, 2023 October 22, 2023 Open Book

Oct 23, 2023

What is a book you admire for something specific: world building, characters, dialogue, setting, plot twists, etc.

As a kid, I read a book a day. I slowed down in high school, but still read lots of books. But a ‘breakthrough’ read for me was The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which one of my brothers brought home from college and left behind. (I’ve mentioned this in an earlier blog, but I still have those books. They’ve put on more miles moving back and forth across the US than some people I know.) They were my introduction to epic high fantasy and fantasy in general. What a great place to start!

I’d always been intrigued by tales about King Arthur, but the adventures of the hobbits and their companions were a far different type of storytelling. The idea that it extended over multiple books was new to me.

Sure, I’d read series like Nancy Drew, but each of those was a self-contained tale and had little in the way of an overall story arc. The four hobbit books opened up a new twist in writing. But I don’t remember feeling that there were artificial cliffhangers at the end of each book. Of course, I did binge-read them and didn’t have to wait for the next book to be released. I’m not that old. (No, I don’t like cliffhangers at the end of books, and I won’t write them, either.)

I didn’t immediately delve into additional books in the fantasy genre, but I haven’t avoided them either. There may be a slight preference for women authors, but it isn’t a determining factor for the books I read. But few of them compare to the magnificence of The Lord of the Rings.

I’m looking forward to learning what books have influenced the other authors on this loop., To join me on the journey, follow the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

Oct 23, 2023

What is a book you admire for something specific: world building, characters, dialogue, setting, plot twists, etc.

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.

AI – Assistance or Threat? #IWSG

By P.J. MacLayne October 3, 2023 October 3, 2023 IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the October 4 posting of the IWSG are Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia Josephine, and Rebecca Douglass!

October 4 question: The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?

A while back, I talked about AI in a blog post. While I don’t use it in a major way, I do use a computer program for spell and grammar checking. Although the program I use (ProWritingAid) also offers potential fixes for problematic sentence structure, that feature feels inadequate, and I mostly ignore it.

I haven’t used any AI program to ‘write.’ I’ve run into what I suspect are AI generated blog posts, and found them lacking in their content and writing style. But would an average reader feel the same way?

My worry is that until better tools are created to identify what is computer generated vs. what a human has written, AI content will be a threat. There are already bogus books on Amazon that Amazon hasn’t figured out how to detect. (But Amazon has always had a problem with ‘fake’ books.) If readers get bitten by additional sham books and dodgy writing, the whole writing community will be suspect. That could be a major problem for indie authors.

It feels as if we are in for a rough transition. I hate to see authors losing income to people who are churning out content with little or no effort on their part. But AI tools can also be beneficial if used properly.

Check out some of the other writers on this hop my following the links below.

Until next time, please stay safe.

Who Believed in Me? #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne October 2, 2023 October 2, 2023 Open Book

Oct 2, 2023

Who was the first person who ever believed in you?

I grew up in the shadow of my genius older sister. She was a year ahead of me in school, and I ended up with many of the same teachers. Comparisons were inevitable. Although I was a good student, I was a different person. My mother saved many of my report cards, and many say the same thing. “P.J. does not live up to her potential.”

The truth is, I was an odd mix of personalities. Part bookworm, part outdoorsman, part creative, part scientist. It wasn’t until I was middle-aged that I was I realized I was a computer geek. (Personal computers didn’t exist when I was a child. Does that mean I was born too soon?)

Back to the original train of thought. Once I got to high school, I had to prove myself to a whole new batch of teachers. Even though many of them had taught my sister, and a few of them my older brothers, they seemed more willing to view me as an individual. I flourished in that atmosphere.

I still disappointed my teachers. They thought that with my grades and the classes I took, I should aim for a career in one of the sciences. Physics, to be precise. But I had no desire to pursue that field. Of course, the world of computers still existed on only punch cards, and no one ever suggested that might be a potential career to pursue.

But several of the teachers took an interest in helping me find myself. I should mention this was a Catholic school, with both priests and nuns on the faculty. Unlike the stereotypes, the nuns were kind and caring. Several of them took me under their wings. The two most notable were Sister Lois Marie and Sister Mary Andrew. Sister Lois guided my love of the English language, and Sister Mary Andrew shepherded me through my math courses. Both nurtured my love of learning and went beyond their job duties to guide my personal growth.

I think they would have been surprised at how things turned out for me. Retired as a computer server administrator (computer geek) with nearly a dozen published books (indie author). They would have approved at the mix of my creative and my mathematical sides, working in a field that didn’t exist when they knew me, and publishing books in a way that also didn’t exist back then.

In my WIP, I’m writing a scene that may be a tribute to them. Well, not exactly them, but to the love and kindness they showed me and many others. Thanks, Sisters!

Who believed in our other authors? Follow the links below to find out.

Oct 2, 2023

Who was the first person who ever believed in you?

Attack of the Publisher: Writing Freedom vs Money #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne September 24, 2023 September 25, 2023 Open Book

Sept 25, 2023

If you were given a large advance by a traditional publishing company and told to produce a series of books in a certain amount of time that obviously you would have to give up the rights to (maybe they would alter your writing too) and do all your own marketing, would you take them up on the offer?

Over a decade ago, When I first contemplated releasing a book, I did my research. Should I try for a traditional publisher or go independent, which was at the time, not quite new anymore? Ultimately, I chose to go indie, for many reasons.

First, I wanted to write a book that went against some of the genre rules. I was writing a wolf-shifter book that included romance, but no sex scenes. I had researched the market, and everything I found included erotic action. I simply had no interest in including those in my story. (Although it could have been done. There are several places where it would have been easy to add in one.)

Then I looked into payment. Sure, some authors get a big advance, but they are rare. What the normal author gets per each book sale is a fraction of the book’s cost. What I didn’t realize back then was how much publicity can cost for an indie author, but many signed authors still have to do all the groundwork to sell their writing.

Writing as an indie, I can also write at my own pace and not be beholden to someone else’s schedule. I’d be in a world of hurt if I had to write my current WIP based on a tight timeline. I’m at 35000 words, and I’ve written more words than that in one month, but not for this story. A publisher would be nagging me daily at this point. (And that wouldn’t help my motivation!)

But the major point in my choice to go indie was my age. I’m not a young thing, and I know finding an agent and selling a book to a publisher and getting a manuscript through editing and production can take years. And years. Like I said, I’m old. I didn’t want to wait that long.

Would I change my mind if I was offered a large sum of money?

They say that everyone and everything has a price. While that may be true, I don’t know mine. I write for the joy of writing, (even when it gives me grief). How can a price be put on that?

I’m looking forward to seeing how the other authors in this hop respond to this question. Find out by following the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

Sept 25, 2023

From One to Infinity #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne September 17, 2023 September 17, 2023 Open Book

Sept 18, 2023

Do you keep track of your word count on a daily basis? What’s your record for most and least words? (Not including those days when you don’t write anything.)

In the past, I’ve obsessed over the numbers of words I’ve written in the day as a measure of my productivity. I got into the habit when I participated in (NaNoWriMo) National Novel Writer’s Month. The goal is to write 50,000 words during the month of November. It’s a way to force myself to not obsess over the nitpicky bits of writing and just get words on paper.

Can I remember how many words I wrote daily during my last Nano? The goal is about 1660, The best I remember is around 2000. The worst during a sprint was less than 400. No, I no longer know the exact counts.

Now? I don’t keep count of exactly how many words I write when I write. I’m not even writing every day because of the projects I want to finish outside before cold weather moves in. I’m more focused on getting the story right. If that means I slow down and pay attention to word choice, so be it. The story I’m writing is darker than my normal style, and I’m crafting it versus just writing it. Some days I may write 500-700 words, other days squeak out 100. Then there are the days when I strip out 300 words and replace them. It’s a slow process.

Yes, I am still obsessing over my work-in-progress, but not its word count. I’m currently around 33,000 words, which I figure is about half the book. I have loose ends all over the place, but plenty of time to tie things together. I’m obsessing about the balance between action and emotions, and how to tie the two together. Nothing is simple. Everything and everyone is suspect. It slows down word count and for this book, that’s okay.

I’m making guesses on who among the authors on this hop count words. (I got a sneak peek at one of the posts, so I’m cheating!) Find out with me by following the links below.

Until next time, please stay safe.

Sept 18, 2023

Do you keep track of your word count on a daily basis? What’s your record for most and least words? (Not including those days when you don’t write anything.)

Happy Birthday Insecure Writer’s Support Group! #IWSG

By P.J. MacLayne September 5, 2023 September 6, 2023 IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the September 6 posting of the IWSG are Sonia Dogra, J Lenni Dorner, Pat Garcia, Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen, and Meka James! HAPPY TWELTH BIRTHDAY INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP!!!

September 6 question: The IWSG celebrates 12 years today! When did you discover the IWSG, how do you connect, and how has it helped you?

I’ve been participating in this hop for a long time, off and on. I’m not sure when I started. The oldest post I can find was back in 2019, so four years ago. I think I ran across the group from through another author, when she posted about it on FB. (She doesn’t take part anymore.)

I’m not very good at the connected part, and that’s my fault. Although I read lots of interesting posts, I’m bad at commenting or following those blogs. I try to tweet (is that the right term anymore!) posts I’ve read but I don’t know how many views that gets for the other authors.

Why do I stick with it? It forces me to step away from whatever project I’m working on and think about something new, depending on what the topic of the month is. When I return to my WIP, I can look at it with a fresh eye.

So, Happy Birthday, #IWSG, and thank you to Captain Alex Cavanaugh, our founder.

Snack of the Day #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne August 27, 2023 August 27, 2023 Open Book

August 28, 2923

What snack do you like with your cuppa (coffee/tea?)?

Many of you may know that I don’t drink coffee. Not that I have any objection to it, I just don’t like it. I tried to learn to appreciate the flavor so I could have a cup of coffee in the morning with my husband, but it never happened. I’d still make him a pot, but I wouldn’t drink it. Now that we are retired and have a single-serve coffee maker, he makes his own.

Tea is different. I enjoy the occasional cup. Flavors may vary, depending on my mood, the weather, and what is currently in my cupboard. But a morning cup isn’t part of my daily routine. When I have a cup, it is a treat by itself and I don’t have snacks to go with it. Water, plain, boring water is my current daily drink.

That’s not to say I don’t give in to the munchies during my day. As much as I like to pretend I eat healthy, chocolate in various forms is my downfall. Yes, I keep my fridge stocked with a variety of cheeses, but they aren’t as satisfying as good ‘ol chocolate.

Although I’ve gotten choosy about my chocolate. No more of the big US brands. The market has become saturated with at least one of my old favorites, and I rarely buy it anymore. It feels like the quality has gone done. Or I’ve become pickier. I’m even tired of some of the better quality brands—or my willpower is getting stronger.

I’ve never been much for salty snacks, either. Chips don’t thrill me. I’m okay with pretzel sticks in limited amounts.

But I’m no saint. I eat what is handy. The trick is buying only the ‘good’ stuff. I fail at that regularly.

Oh, I don’t limit my characters to my beverage peculiarities. Coffee earns frequent mentions in my stories. For example, from “Her Ladyship’s Ring”

It threw me for a loop when I woke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Even in the days when Jake and I were together, I’d always been the first one up. I pulled on my robe, put my hair into a ponytail, and went to see what he was up to.

Greeted by a scene of domestic tranquility, I wondered if Jake had been replaced by a house brownie in the middle of the night. Last night’s dishes, including the cups we’d used for hot chocolate were washed and drying in the rack. Two mugs sat on the table, along with the sugar, and a spoon neatly placed on a napkin beside each. Jake was nowhere to be found.

How about you? Do you have a snack to go with your daily beverage? Let’s see what the other authors on this hop drink by following the links below.

Until next time, please stay safe!

August 28, 2923

What snack do you like with your cuppa (coffee/tea?)?

Tag: #Writing