The Consulting Writer

As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received? Advice. Also, maybe someone to commiserate with. lol While I’ve enjoyed the occasional writing journal, pen or whatnot, it’s really been the time spent with others to gain some insight into how to improve in my writing. The most fun I’ve had is when I’ve shared a chapter at a time with a friend, and she’d take the time to…

Monster Therapist and the Warlock’s Citadel When you offer therapy to monsters, it’s wise to keep a sword handy. Logan thought opening a counseling center would be a restful change from his life as a warrior. But fantasy creatures have issues … lots of them. And delving into an ogre’s dark past can be dangerous. Logan starts to wonder if his new life is any safer than his old one. When a…

AI For Writers

Describe someone you admired when you were a child. Did your opinion of that person change when you grew up? This question takes me back to the days growing up with my grandmother. It was an annual ritual, that she would watch the Academy Awards the night it aired. Obvious, she had to because that was before the days of streaming or even recording devices. So that evening, the TV would be used…

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? I have just demonstrated what’s a turn off when visiting author’s. Lack of posting on a regular basis. This is a big one. If information isn’t regularly updated, then why bother visiting the blog at all? What’s considered a regular…

Do you follow back your readers on BookBub or do you only follow back other authors? Absolutely, if it helps another author. Now ask if I refer back to BookBub? Eh, not so much. At least, not unless I receive an email notice of an update from an author I’m following. I, personally, haven’t used BookBub as an author. Only as a reader. What I’d love to hear from authors is: Is BookBub worth it?…

Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author? I try to mix my review for both reader and author. I want the reader to know if the book is worth it, in my opinion. But I take into account the work involved, the effort made. Does the book…

Apparently it’s Grief Awareness week (December 2nd – 8th). I didn’t know there was such a week, seeing as grief can hit at any time of the year. But I suppose it can be more difficult around this time of year with holidays nearly back to back. Grief affects everyone in different ways. Whether it’s the first time or after 100 times, it still can knock us off our feet. Just when we think we’ve got…

National Novel Writing Month. Have you tried it?

November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? I did try it once. I had daily goals and I did ok for the first week. But Fall is a busy time of year for me. I typically do a lot more volunteering, I have lots of birthdays with family and friends to celebrate, and it’s the end of the year crunch for work. So while I attempted to do it, I failed in my overall goal for the…

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? I hear it often. “The technology isn’t there yet.” But how many times have we said that before, and the technology “gets there”? Sure, we don’t have flying cars, but we have cashless systems, mini computers at our finger…

The IWSG celebrates 12 years today! If you struggle as a writer, join this group! They encourage, the motivate and the education to make us all better writers. #TheIWSG @thiwsg

The IWSG celebrates 12 years today! When did you discover the IWSG, how do you connect, and how has it helped you? Wow, 12 years?! Happy anniversary, IWSG. I haven’t been part of it for that long. Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a great community of writer’s that offer tips, tricks and overall encouragement to writer’s who are struggling. Seriously. If you’re a writer currently struggling…

Some authors claim their story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours come from? @TheIWSG #dreams #writing #IWSG

Some authors claim 99% of story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from? My brain. While I already had the idea of SotR cooking since I’d saw Disney’s Peter Pan, I can say that on occasion I had a dream that inspired bits and pieces of said story. The whirlpool at the beginning. And the more demonic side to Pan, perhaps. Although an evil Pan wasn’t really a hard sell.…

Replacing Writing: What would you replace it with? @TheIWSG #IWSG #writing #writingcommunity

If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with? I can’t think of anything I’d rather replace it with. I enjoy writing. And that’s it in a nutshell.

A story written in such a powerful and meaningful way that readers get a glimpse at the terrible atrocities committed. The Long March Home by @ToscaLee & Marcus Brotherton. @RevellBooks Highly recommend this book. #historicalfiction #WWII #Bataan

Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.Life in the Philippines seems like paradise–until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack…

WRITING INSPIRATION-PART 1: What inspires you to write? @THEIWSG #writing #Writingcommunity @MerrieDestefano @saraejames @KerryNietz #GregCox #JonathanMaberry

When you are working on a story, what inspires you? This time, I wanted to tap into other authors I know. The following are thoughts on inspiration from my super talented writer friends. As a thank you for their shared thoughts, I’ll provide links to their sites/books. Merrie Destefano: Award-winning author and artist, Merrie has written a helpful book for writers called Writing Tips Workbook:…

If you think you know all about WWII, but aren't familiar with the Bataan Death March, I recommend diving deeper. Reading The Long March Home by @ToscaLee & Marcus Brotherton. @RevellBooks Highly recommend this book. #historicalfiction #WWII #Bataan

I’m currently reading The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee. Not only am I enjoying the story itself, but I’m learning more about a part of WWII I wasn’t as familiar with. For me, that’s even more interesting because it usually leads to personal research and reading to find out more. For readers that enjoy historical fiction, you’ll enjoy this book. And if you think you know all…

My Cup of Tea, etc, etc, etc The King and I at @LaMiradaTheatre @McCoyRigbyEnt Outstanding job! Beautiful songs, great acting, amazing sets, costumes & choreography. Don't miss your chance to see it! #TheKingandI #LaMiradaTheatre #LaMirada #Musical

I had the opportunity to attend the dress rehearsal for the King and I at the La Mirada Theatre. Here are my thoughts and review of the performance. Perhaps I’m a bit bias, because I grew up listening to Rodgers and Hammerstein, thanks to my parents. My dad’s favorite was Carousel. Mine was South Pacific. But honestly, they’re all good. In High School, I would listen to the Julie Andrew’s…