On Writing Archives - Page 24 of 29

Just in Time for Summer

June 24, 2013 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

Just in Time for Summer

Another post? Already? Yes, well, the crow rant last week was a rare second weekly post for me (and a necessary purge). This one, only days later, is for a much happier event; an occasion that can’t wait. If I don’t tell you about it, I’ll burst.

**I’m thrilled to announce that *Revelation, Book II of The Gift Trilogy, has been released.

The title spent a scant forty-eight hours on FriesenPress’s “Coming Soon” page before flitting over to their “Hot Off The Presses” page. I’m still pinching myself.

Being an indie author, the “release date” drama is somewhat of a muted affair. I’ve written about this before (Please Release Me) so I won’t repeat myself. But I’m excited to tell you that the book is now available. You can purchase it here or on the Bookstore tab. It’s available in hardcover, trade paperback and ebook formats from over 25,000 retailers.

Dangerous Alliances…

In Revelation, there’s no turning back for Emelynn Taylor, newly awakened flier still discovering the powers of a gift she can barely control.

Secrets unravel like threads from a dark shroud … a magical book … friends who are not what they seem … a powerful faction with claims on Emelynn … a Machiavellian plan with her at its brutal center.

Threatened by a mysterious and terrifying enemy, Emelynn forms an uneasy alliance with another flier she doesn’t trust. She must risk everything to thwart an evil scheme and save her covey. But at what cost?

The First Reviews are in:

Another Winner for JP McLean—Amazon Review, June, 2013

JP McLean does not disappoint!—Amazon Review, June, 2013

A great read…JP McLean does it again!—Amazon Review, June, 2013

Find a comfortable chair—June, 2013

Your feedback, as always, is most welcome. Now I think I’ll go take a nap.

*Revelation is now Hidden Enemy

Hidden Enemy rebranded cover replaces Revelation

Just in time for summer? Start the series with book 1. Secret Sky is only a click away. Get your copy from Kindle with one click right here. And if kindle or ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options (or just click on the covers below).

The Crazy Train has Left the Station

June 20, 2013 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

The Crazy Train has Left the Station

It’s been a whirlwind around here amidst the launch of my second book, Revelation. I sent out my first newsletter; revealed the book cover; wrote and distributed a press release; prepared the “about” material for the website; uploaded Revelation‘s book details into Goodreads; prepared a media kit; updated my blog; and posted the new book cover to Facebook. Then I took a breath.

The Crazy Train called writing

The tornado of activity reminded me of the concept of balance. It’s a concept I’ve been working on since I hopped on the Crazy Train called writing. A train pushed by a caboose called publishing.

Balance is important, and though I have difficulty with it at times, deep in my heart I know it’s not just a concept. It feeds my sanity, grounds me. It’s why I made time to get into the garden last week and why I made the trip to Vancouver to help a friend celebrate her birthday on the weekend. It’s why I went to lunch with the girls the other day and enjoyed a super-sonic gin and tonic in the shade of the garden umbrella with my husband last night.

If I let it, this writing thing would consume every moment of my life. At times, it does. And because I’m an indie writer, all of the marketing and promo falls on my shoulders, so if I want to get the word out, it’s up to me…and it’s a lot of work.

Work/Life Balance

But the “work” has to be balanced with other things. Things that make me smile. Things that energize me and fire me up: like friends, family, fine food and great wine. And writing.

Writing you say? Isn’t that what got you in trouble in the first place? I know…you think I’m talking in circles. But I’m not.

The writing I refer to—the writing that energizes me—is creative writing. Not the sometimes tedious chore of writing promo material or editing manuscripts. Creative writing is what happens when I open the throttle on my imagination and run it on all cylinders. Suddenly new characters are running loose through new settings wreaking all kinds of havoc. Exercising my imagination is as important as physical exercise. It reminds me why I do all the other less-fun stuff. It makes the necessary, but tedious stuff, worthwhile.

It’s a crazy ride, and I need to keep injecting balance, but the circuit is oddly addictive: write, publish, promote, balance, fuel-up, rinse and repeat. Better than work-eat-sleep repeat. No?

Has your Crazy Train left the station?

Train Photo by Denis Chick on Unsplash

A Special Kind of Angst

June 14, 2013 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

Publishing Angst

There’s a special kind of angst reserved just for writers. You get to experience it only after you push that “publish” button. Doesn’t matter if it’s a blog post or a book, you always wonder if you could have made it ____________. Fill in the blank—funnier, more concise, less formal—the list is endless.

Looking back over pieces I wrote last year feels a little like looking at old photos. It makes me question why I choose those pants or why I thought that haircut was a good idea.

When I have my writer’s hat on, I’m constantly rereading and refining my words. Sometimes I find a better verb, or a better way to structure a sentence to deliver more impact. There’s always some tweaking you can do to improve your blog post or novel or press release. Always.

How do you know when it’s good enough?

You can drive yourself crazy going back over words you’ve read so many times you know them by heart. That’s part of a writer’s dilemma. Eventually, you see letters and words that you expect instead of what’s actually on the page. It’s one of the reasons why writers need editors and proof readers.

Sometimes, incorporating your editor’s comments into your work is part of the circle of craziness. You introduce new errors when making the edits. It’s so easy to miss a word or mix up a plural or a tense. The process of rewriting and editing can turn into a vicious circle. The trick to maintaining sanity is knowing when to stop the madness.

If you accept that you’re not perfect; if you believe that you’ve written to the best of your abilities as they exist right now; if you recognize that point when your edits are not improving your piece, merely making it different, then you’re ready to push that “publish” button.

Go on. Be brave. You’ll be a better writer tomorrow. It’s inevitable. And tomorrow you’ll find that perfect verb you wish you’d found before you published. It’s part of the deal. Don’t let it drive you nuts.

All of the Gift Legacy books are available from your favourite retailer on the Bookstore Tab.

Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash

What to Write Next?

May 29, 2013 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

I’m in an interesting phase of the writing process. It’s the world-is-my-oyster phase; the time between writing projects. What to write next?

I’ve finished writing Book III of the gift trilogy, Book II is about to be published, but as I learned after I finished writing Book I, the ideas don’t just stop because the book’s done. They flood in, rudely interrupting thought and sleep and other moments they choose.

But this time around, with the trilogy complete, the possibilities are even bigger. Do I start a brand spanking-new project or continue with Emelynn’s story in the trajectory in The Gift? Do I continue writing in the fantasy thriller genre or do I change genres? What about the narrative? Do I continue with first person POV, or switch it up with multiple POVs?

There are so many possibilities for how and what to write next and so few hours in each day. What to do? It’s a time of asking questions, researching and brainstorming.

What would you do next?

2020 update: I did, in fact, continue Emelynn’s story. The Gift Legacy stands complete at 7 books. You can read about the books here.

What readers are saying about Secret Sky: