#Writing - P.J. MacLayne

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?)?

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.

Beta Readers – Another Step in the Process #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne August 20, 2023 August 20, 2023 Open Book

August 21, 2923

Do you use beta readers? Have they been useful in improving your writing?

My books get seen by lots of eyes before I ever release them to the world. And some of the eyes are beta readers.

But they are more than readers. I am part of an on-line group that critique each other’s works. Not the same people all the time, and some of them may read several selections and not stick around for an entire book. The setup can be both enlightening and frustrating.

Enlightening because it’s helpful to get fresh eyes on your writing in the middle of the book. If the new readers don’t get the gist of your story from a synopsis and the selection itself, it may indicate the plot needs tightened. If those new readers fall in love with the writing, it can be a great compliment.

Another benefit is that the site attracts users from a variety of skill levels, different writing types, and from around the world. So, while getting a variety of opinions, there is also the opportunity to learn from the stories that the others share.

The frustrating part is finding someone whose opinion you respect and they disappear after a few chapters. It’s the nature of the platform—people come and go as they have their own work that needs critiqued, and don’t stick around at other times.

What I don’t have are readers that I can send a complete manuscript to for general impressions. I’m not sure how useful that would be. It’s just not my style.

How about our other authors? Do they use beta readers? Find out by following the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

August 21, 2923

Do you use beta readers? Have they been useful in improving your writing?

Sunflowers In A Full Moon #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne July 30, 2023 July 30, 2023 Open Book

July 31, 2023

A field full of sunflowers on a bright morning? Or rolling hills on a clear, full moon night?

I hate these kinds of questions. I don’t believe in shades of black or white. Well, they exist, but answers to problems often aren’t strictly defined.

Have you ever seen a field of sunflowers in the light of a full moon? A lifetime ago, I was on a bus trip halfway across the United States when I woke in the middle of the night. I’m not even sure what state we were driving through, and it took me a while to figure the scene outside the windows, but on either side, there were fields of sunflowers. The moon was playing hide-n-go seek in the clouds, and, aided by the bus’s headlights, I’d catch glimpses of individual flowers.

It was a long trip, and before too long, I drifted back to sleep. I slept a lot on that trip, in the days before cell phones and tablets, especially thru desolate landscape of Nebraska. But I ended up in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains., so it was worth the trip.

I once came across a cluster of wild sunflowers in the mountains of Colorado after a rainstorm, their heads rotating to seek out the sunshine as the storm clouds moved away. I guess I’ve been honored to experience several versions of the answer.

Now I have returned to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, where the trees can get in the way of the scenery. I don’t do much driving at night anymore, because my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be. But I love the soft sounds of the night. The quiet bird calls, the soft hum of insects, the whisper of the evening breeze.

Back to the original question—a field of sunflowers or rolling hills? I’ve made my choice. How about our other authors? Check the links below to see what they choose.

Until next time, please stay safe.

P.S. Don’t forget I will be at the Pleasantville PA Community Festival Aug 3-5. If you are joining the fun, stop by and say hi!

July 31, 2023

A field full of sunflowers on a bright morning? Or, rolling hills on a clear full moon night?

Chug Chug! Puff Puff! Ding Ding! #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne July 23, 2023 July 23, 2023 Open Book

July 24, 2023

If you were a beloved children’s character, which one would you be?

There’s an entire world of beloved children’s characters that I know nothing about. Many have been added in the last decade. So, I am going to go old school. Really old school.

Sometimes, I’m the one everyone depends on. Getting things organized, making sure there’s food in the house, and bills get paid. Even when I’m burnt out, I keep pumping. Yep, I’m The Little Engine That Could.

The basis for the most popular version of the story was written in 1902, although the book most if us are familiar with was published in 1930. That predates even me. The story has gone through many revisions to bring it up-to-date, and I have, too.

Like the Little Engine, sometimes I get tired and want to give up, but with another Chug and Puff, somehow I keep going.

What children’s character are you? Tell us in the comments. And don’t forget to check out the other authors on this hop by following the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

July 24, 2023

If you were a beloved children’s character, which one would you be?

My Dream Writing Space #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne June 25, 2023 June 25, 2023 Open Book

June 26, 2023

Describe what your dream writing space would look like.

There’s a log cabin with a wrap-around porch facing a lake near the top of a mountain. The bedroom-turned-office has a picture window facing the lake, and deer and elk wander by. Two of the walls are lined with bookshelves that are overflowing. My cup of hot chocolate never goes dry-at least, when I empty it, my husband brings me more. When it snows, the roads don’t close and the high-speed internet never goes down. Of course, the words flow like water in the springtime snowpack melt..

Okay, so that will never happen. But I’m pretty darn happy with what I have right now.

We’re living in a small town- more like a village-in the hills of Appalachia in northwestern PA. I have a room all to myself as an office. It’s on the second floor, and the two windows overlook our yard and the well-maintained empty lot next door. There are no elk, but deer drop by for a visit sometimes. Then, there is a nice assortment of birds. Plus, I’ve counted over fifteen varieties of wildflowers on the properties.

The room itself is comfy and peaceful. It’s like a warm blanket I can wrap up in on a chilly day. Everything I need is handy, from a bookshelf for reference materials and whatever books I am reading, and a stereo for background music. The two windows face east, flooding the room with light on a sunny day.

Best part is the quiet. No constant sirens. Little traffic. It’s rare to hear an airplane. I can actually hear the birds sing.

Oh, and the internet connection, while not perfect, is somewhere between pretty darn good and excellent.

(I took this picture before I’d finished decorating, but this is close to what it looks like now- just add dragons.)

Words still aren’t flowing like the springtime snowmelt in the Rockies, but I’m moving along on my WIP.

To read bout more dream writing spaces, check out the other authors on this hop. Just follow the links below.

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

June 26, 2023

Describe what your dream writing space would look like.

What Subjects Am I Good At? #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne June 18, 2023 June 18, 2023 Open Book

June 19, 2023

Besides writing, what other ‘subjects’ are you good at?

Now that I am retired, there are a lot of things I don’t care as much about as I used to. Math is one of those. I used to be a math whiz – I could do fairly complicated mathematical problems in my head. Now, my needs are more basic and I rely on a calculator for most of them. Shoot, the program I use for taking credit cards at book signings will calculate sales tax for me now, instead of me having to figure it out. I prefer making my prices a round number. That way I don’t have to deal with change!

On the other hand, I am learning and relearning skills I had when I was younger regarding gardening and nature. I never knew that robins sunbathe (It’s good for their wings) or that blue jays eat butterflies. But the butterflies know, because I’ve watched them try to hide when a blue jay is nearby. Other birds don’t like the blue jays either, and larger ones will chase them off.

Spring was a joy. I spent a lot of time wandering my yard to find out what new flowers popped up. At one point, I counted over fifteen varieties of wildflowers – and then I lost track. If you follow me on Instagram, I posted them on that platform. I don’t remember seeing that many kinds when I lived in this area growing up.

But the number one subject I’m getting better at? The art of relaxation. I’m no subject matter expert yet, but I’m learning to take more moments to just breathe.

pink forget-me-nots

What subjects are the other writers on this blog good at? Find out by following the links below.

Until next time, please stay safe

June 19, 2023

Besides writing, what other ‘subjects’ are you good at?

To Sit and Think #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne June 11, 2023 June 11, 2023 Open Book

June 12, 2023

How do you keep from overthinking your story?

“No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.”—Voltaire

Recently, I had an old acquaintance describe me as “intense.” I can’t disagree, and that bleeds into my writing. Overthinking my story? I plead guilty.

Even minor details can become sticky points as I consider whether they belong in the story.. Does it matter what posters are on the walls of the gym? They could be a nice touch to the setting, but they could also just be a distraction and slow down the pace of the action. It’s possible that I will spend ten minutes creating them, only to rip that section out and move it to my outtakes folder. Overthinking at its finest.

When I write by hand, I don’t have the same problem. I may spend more time pondering a single word, but less time trying to figure out the plot. It seems to flow more naturally. (But then editing takes more time.)

In my current work in progress, I’ve been spending energy trying to figure out the romantic subplot. When will I introduce it? I know I want there to be one, and who should be involved, but I’m not sure how to make it happen without seeming forced. Yes, I am overthinking it.

But it shouldn’t be a surprise, because I overthink life in general. Expecting overnight guests? I figure out which set of towels to wash and set out for them a week in advance. Trip planning is a whole production, and I won’t share the appalling details.

Still, I can be laid-back and spontaneous, and when I tap into that side of me I do perhaps not my best writing, but my fastest writing—the most words in a sitting. I love those times, when I can stop overthinking and just write. Sadly, I have no hints on how to achieve that state.

What about the other authors in this hop? Find out how they battle overthinking by following the links below.

Until next time, please stay safe.

June 12, 2023

How do you keep from overthinking your story?

What Muppet Would I Look Like? #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne June 4, 2023 June 4, 2023 Open Book

June 5, 2023

If you were a muppet, what would you look like? Are you a person, monster, animal, something else?

There was/is so much talent in the designs of Jim Henson and his team, as well as the many folks who emulated his designs, that I can’t imagine that I could come close to their greatness. From Sesame Street to Fraggle Rock (I still have a plastic Fraggle on my desk) to the Dark Crystal, the genius lives on.

But I can tell you about my favorite, which I would design myself after. But first, the runner-up.

Janice from the Electric Mayhem band. She’s sweet and kind, a little naïve, and extremely talented. What’s not to love? There are parts of her that remind me of what I’d like to be but I could never match her amazing talent. I even named a character after her in one of my never-to-be-published books.

But the character I’d like to be modeled after? Animal. His overwhelming energy and enthusiasm is role-model material. How he tackles problems head-on. (Although sometimes he doesn’t get all the facts first) And he never has a bad hair day. .He understands what is important in his life and strives to honor it. All of this while never saying a word.

I’d have to change that part to be me, of course. I’d have to have words.

What would you look like if you were a muppet? I’m curious to find out what the other authors on this hop would look like. Jin me in finding out by following the links below.

Until next time, please stay safe.

June 5, 2023

If you were a muppet, what would you look like? Are you a person, monster, animal, something else?

Any Place, Any Time, Any Where #OpenBook Blog Hop

By P.J. MacLayne April 16, 2023 April 16, 2023 Open Book

April 17, 2023

If you could live in any place, any time, any world, where would you live?

There’s the emotional response and the logical response. It might be fun to visit the Middle Ages, but the lack of decent food, sanitation, and medical knowledge would make it a dangerous time to live. It’s fun to think you’d live in a castle and be part of nobility, but chances are, most of us would be peasants. I’ll pass.

I’d also like to explore the culture and knowledge of Native Americans before they were in touch with Europeans. So much of what we think we know has been filtered through unreliable narrators. It would be interesting to experience a world that developed with minimal outside influence.

Anne McCaffrey’s Pern would also be interesting. Dragons, you know. There would be drawbacks, based on the social class. Not sure I’d want to stay there.

I would love to visit the world I created in my books and have a chance to meet my characters. I’ve often said I’d like to sit on the steps with Harmony Duprie, sip on some of her ice tea, and enjoy a fine spring afternoon. Or maybe I could get a job at the library where she works. Or, since her world overlaps with my Free Wolves stories, I might have the chance to watch a human transform into a wolf or some other creature.

But if I’m being realistic? Although I’m an old fart, I wasn’t old enough to truly take part in the hippie era. I’d love to be born a few years earlier, and to go to Woodstock, make a trip to San Francisco, and perhaps live in a commune. It would also allow me to get into the computer field earlier than I did. On top of that, I’d be able to get into indie book publishing before the market got crowded.

How about you? In what time, era, and place would you like to live? Tell me in the comments. And to find out about our other authors, follow the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

April 17, 2023

If you could live in any place, any time, any world, where would you live?

Tag: #Writing

Happy Birthday Insecure Writer’s Support Group! #IWSG

Snack of the Day #OpenBook Blog Hop

Beta Readers – Another Step in the Process #OpenBook Blog Hop

Sunflowers In A Full Moon #OpenBook Blog Hop

Chug Chug! Puff Puff! Ding Ding! #OpenBook Blog Hop

My Dream Writing Space #OpenBook Blog Hop

What Subjects Am I Good At? #OpenBook Blog Hop

To Sit and Think #OpenBook Blog Hop

What Muppet Would I Look Like? #OpenBook Blog Hop

Any Place, Any Time, Any Where #OpenBook Blog Hop

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