On Writing Archives - Page 3 of 29

All is Quiet on Christmas Eve

December 24, 2022 By JPMcLean 7 Comments

Ah, Christmas Eve . . .

My favorite day of the holidays. It’s the day that’s still pregnant with possibility. It’s the day my ultra-organized self can relax because all the prep is either done or I’m resigned to it not getting done. I can put my feet up, sip a hot toddy, and enjoy a crackling fire with zero pressure. That’s what I wish for you, too, this holiday season. Zero pressure. I know the holidays aren’t easy for everyone, but I hope you can all find that quiet place where there are no expectations.

On the Writing Front

I continue to pluck away at the next Dark Dreams novel, though I’m making slower progress than I’d like. Some books are like that, making me work harder for the story, but I don’t mind. It’ll be all the sweeter for the effort when it’s done. In many ways, this is the best stage of writing. It’s where the outline is still fluid, and anything can happen.

Ghost Mark News

Though it feels longer, can you believe it’s only been six weeks since Ghost Mark was released? My publicist, (Shout out to Mickey Mikkelson!) has kept me super busy with interviews, podcasts, Vlogs, signings, and even a CTV Saskatoon interview with host Jeff Rogstad. All my media events are available to watch or read on my Media tab here.

Thanks to everyone who braved the unseasonable cold and snow to chat with me and get signed copies of my books at Blue Heron Books in Comox and Abraxas Books on Denman Island. If you got stuck in the snow, they still have signed copies available. Signed copies of my books are also available at Coho Books in Campbell River.

What I’m Reading

On the recommendation of Dirk, the owner of Blue Heron Books, I read Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. Carmilla is the book that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and is considered the original vampire story. Written 26 years before Dracula, Carmilla has become a cult classic, “steeped in sexual tension and gothic romance.” Given all that, how could I not read it?

What’s Next

The frantic pace of Ghost Mark’s book-release promotion is slowing down, and I’m settling into a quiet lull. I spend my days writing, and most evenings we have a fire going. It feels like heaven.

Next week will be full of “looking back at 2022” from all the usual news and entertainment outlets. When I look back, I see a year of unexpected surprises. Blood Mark has earned ten awards and high praise from reviewers. Ghost Mark is just starting out, but has already earned a Gold Literary Titan award, a glowing review from the Ottawa Review of Books, and a RONE crowned heart review published in InD’Tale Magazine.

Thank you for your kind support this past year. Your reviews, comments, and word-of-mouth recommendations for my books warms my heart. May 2023 be a year filled with joy and health for you and your families.

With much love, from my house to yours, Merry Christmas.

Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

Ghost Mark Launch Events

November 30, 2022 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

Ghost Mark Book Launch Events

Ghost Mark is out in the world and meeting new readers. I’m thrilled to be doing two book launches for the new release, one at Blue Heron in Comox at 1775 Comox Avenue on Saturday, December 3rd from 10 am to 2 pm, and another at Abraxas Books in downtown Denman Island on Saturday December 10th from 10 am to 2 pm. I hope you can join me at one of them and pick up a signed copy of my new release. I’m happy to inscribe them to a favourite reader on your Christmas list. If you can’t make one of the launches, you can purchase Ghost Mark here from your favourite retailer.

And a shout out to all those who came to visit me at the Campbell River Toy and Craft Sale last weekend. It was fun to chat, whether introducing you to my books for the first time, or hearing how you connected with one of them and had come back for more. I love when my stories resonate with you and never tire of hearing about it!

Ghost Mark’s Reviews

This is what a few reviewers have to say:

McLean’s writing is as ingenious as her protagonist, ranging from grunge to repartee to sophistication to laugh-out-loud snarks. Ghost Mark is gripping. You won’t put it down till it’s done. —Ottawa Review of Books

A captivating nail-biter that will leave readers thirsting for more! —InD’tale Magazine

Will keep you on the edge of your seat . . . an intense, riveting, and fast-paced novel. —Literary Titan

The reviews are all very encouraging and they energize me.

Writing News

I’m getting back into the writing groove and enjoying how the next Dark Dreams novel is developing. It’s still very early days, but it feels good, like putty warming in the palm of my hand.

And as exciting as it is to talk about the new book, I have to confess, it’s difficult to extract my thoughts from the next book I’m writing. That’s the writer’s dilemma: by the time the new book is launched, we’re busy writing the next one. As far as problems go, it’s a pretty good one to have.

Christmas is Fast Approaching

It seems unimaginable that Christmas is only a month away. I swear 2022 sprouted rockets and blew by. I’m assured by my elders that it’s a trend that will only speed up with age. I’d curse them, but my wand sputtered and fizzled out. Overuse, I suppose as there’s no shortage of things to curse these days (inflation, Putin, Twitter, I could go on…).

What I’m Reading

But I don’t want to dwell in the murky depths of the glass. A lot of things are going really well. On the reading front, I finished Charissa Weaks’ The Witch Collector. Loved it! I also binged the second in that series, City of Ruin, but I wasn’t as taken with the second novel, mostly because I’m not fond of cliffhangers. (When I buy a book, I want the whole story, not a partial) but I’m curious and may read the next one.

My laugh-out-loud meme this week was “I dusted once. It came back. I’m not falling for that again.”

Until next time, XO

Debra Purdy Kong is Back!

September 22, 2022 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

Debra Purdy Kong has a new book out! A Gold Satin Murder is the seventh in her Casey Holland Mystery series. You might remember she wrote a guest post here in July 2020. Debra and I set our books in Vancouver, a city we both love. She’s kindly answered some interview questions that will give you a peek inside her writer’s world. Please welcome Debra Purdy Kong.

Where do you call home, and how did you end up there?

I live in Port Moody, British Columbia, which is a half-hour’s drive east of Vancouver. Back in the 80s, my fiancé (now husband) and I both rented small apartments in the city but couldn’t afford a house in Vancouver. So, we continued east until we found what we could afford. I knew little about Port Moody back then, but over the past 35 years, I’ve grown to love this arts-focused community. There are mountains, parks, lots of hills, public transit everywhere, and a vibrant community of creative folks.

How did you make the decision to set your Casey Holland mysteries in Vancouver, British Columbia?

My decision was mainly based on practicality. I knew the city and most of the surrounding municipalities. When I began writing novels, I stuck to the “write what you know” advice. Also, few authors in the late 90s were writing fiction set in Vancouver, so it seemed a good idea to showcase this beautiful city. Over time, several terrific crime fiction authors have set their books in Vancouver. What’s interesting and understandable is that each author chooses specific locations within the city.

Vancouver is diverse and constantly changing, so it’s difficult to capture the ambiance, scents, and lifestyles of the entire city in one novel. A Gold Satin Murder takes place in Vancouver’s West End, which is where my sister lives. As stated in the book, the West End features diverse lifestyle choices, income levels, and age groups. It was once touted as the hub for the gay community and is still the heart of the annual Vancouver Pride Parade, however, like so much of Vancouver, the area’s evolving all the time and labelling any area of Vancouver doesn’t do it justice.

This new release is the seventh in the Casey Holland Mystery series. How do you keep the writing fresh?

One strategy is to work on different writing projects to keep from dwelling on the Casey series. Still, ideas spring up now and then, so I quickly jot down notes and move on. Sometimes I’m away from the series for weeks or even months at a time, depending on how the other projects are developing. When I do return, I look at Casey with fresh eyes and hopefully new ideas.

Customer feedback’s also inspiring. I sell my books at craft fairs and am always grateful for the positive feedback. Once in a while, a customer gives me a great idea for a new book, which motivates me to open the Casey files again.

Vancouver’s real-life crime stories also provide plenty of inspiration. Sometimes, I’m shocked or angered by the crime and injustices that make news headlines. Strong emotional responses are often a catalyst for starting a new book.

Do you have a writing routine? Special place to write?

For many years, my routine revolved around day jobs and parenting. Pivoting and multi-tasking are second nature to writers with jobs, families, health challenges, or other commitments. After I retired from my day job in June 2020, I eventually settled into a routine of writing and editing from after breakfast until noon. Afternoons involve a bit more editing, then a switch to blogs, reviews, and marketing tasks. For about ninety minutes after dinner, I use the time to either catch up on what I haven’t finished that day or read the blogs and newsletters I subscribe to.

What do you enjoy doing to relax in your downtime?

I love to go for walks, do light workouts, read fiction and nonfiction, try new recipes, and weed the garden. I especially love hanging out with my grandkids. I’m also a hockey fan, so when the season starts, I try to watch as many Vancouver Canuck games as possible.

What are you working on next?

I like to challenge myself creatively, so I’ve been working on a lengthy multi-generational urban fantasy that features the Wiccan faith, a family of witches, and different forms of magic. The story’s about coming to terms with flaws and mistakes, learning self-acceptance and, of course, battling evil. Beyond that, I hope to work on a paranormal series that combines both mystery and fantasy elements. My greatest challenge is making time to do all this, but I have a plan, more or less. Pivoting will always be necessary, I expect.

The Blurb:

Transit cop Casey Holland has never met a bus passenger like the charming artist and exotic dancer, Eduardo. The bus driver Lily has certainly befriended him. But when Eduardo’s charged with murder, Lily’s caught in the middle of his legal trouble. Afraid of losing her job and custody of her son, she begs Casey for help in proving Eduardo’s innocence.

Casey’s search for answers takes her and her best friend Kendal to a troupe of strippers known as Man Cave. While the men are busy peeling off their clothes, Casey’s peeling back layers of secrets and betrayal. Nuttier than her usual adventures, the risk is just as deadly in this seventh installment of the Casey Holland transit mysteries.

Click here to download a pdf of the first chapter, and read it at your leisure.

Debra’s Bio:

Debra Purdy Kong’s volunteer experiences, criminology diploma, and various jobs inspired her to write mysteries set in BC’s Lower Mainland. Her employment as a campus security patrol and communications officer provided the background for her Casey Holland transit security novels.

Debra has published short stories in a variety of genres as well as personal essays, and articles for publications such as Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul, B.C. Parent Magazine, and The Vancouver Sun. She is a facilitator for the Creative Writing Program through Port Moody Recreation and a long-time member of Crime Writers of Canada. She lives in British Columbia, Canada.

Order at:

Connect with Debra:

Blog

Newsletter

Thanks, Debra! It’s been fun hanging out with you. Here’s to a fall rich in autumn colour and imaginative story ideas!

Until next time, XO

Jo-Anne

Bus Station Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

Author Interview With Colleen M. Story

August 18, 2022 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

Colleen M. Story and I met on Twitter in early 2015, and though we’ve never met in person, we’ve kept in touch online. I got to know her through her Writing and Wellness blog, which is a useful resource for all things health-related in the writing realm. Sadly, it was my unhealthy writing habits that prompted her to ask me to contribute to her blog in 2016. I’d blown out my back, which made me reevaluate my habits.

I first came to know Colleen through her non-fiction writing, so it’s been fun to interview her and get to know more about the fiction side of her career. She’s a talented writer with a keen business sense. I invite you to settle in and get to know Colleen M. Story.

**Tell us about your new novel, The Beached Ones.**

The Beached Ones is a heartfelt supernatural story about the bond between two brothers who grow up in difficult circumstances. With an empathetic approach, it explores subjects like child abuse, suicide, and loss, and how love can get us through even the most traumatic experiences.

The back cover copy:

HE CAME BACK, DETERMINED TO KEEP HIS PROMISE.

Daniel and his younger brother grew up in an abusive home. Daniel escaped. Now an established stunt rider, he intends to go back to rescue his brother. But then one jump goes horribly wrong . . .

He recovers to find himself in Iowa, unscathed, yet his life has drastically changed. His best friend won’t answer his calls. Even his girlfriend is hiding something. Increasingly terrified, he clings to the one thing he knows: He must pick up his brother in San Francisco. In five days.

From the isolating fields of Iowa to the crowded streets of San Francisco, Daniel must fight his way through a fog of disjointed memories and supernatural encounters to face the truth and pay a debt he didn’t know he owed.

What or who was the inspiration behind it?

The idea for this book came to me after watching the movie, Sarah’s Key, which was based on the book of the same title by Tatiana de Rosnay.

The movie had a profound effect on me. The main character is haunted by the death of her little brother, for which she blames herself. At the end of the movie (spoiler alert), unable to shake her guilt, she commits suicide. Close curtain.

That movie haunted me for months. It seemed so unfair, what happened to the main character. And I kept feeling like her story was left unfinished. What happened after the suicide? The Beached Ones gave me a chance to explore that general question, although of course, within an entirely different story.

Of all the characters, which one do you relate to the most, and why?

I relate most to my main character in this story, Daniel Shepard, because I too have younger brothers. I helped raise them while I was growing up and felt very protective of them. I can understand the lengths to which Daniel goes to make sure that Tony is safe. Of course, I can also understand how Tony sometimes irritates his older brother!

You’ve had a long career as a successful writer and blogger; what made you want to write a supernatural fantasy?

Writing fiction actually came first for me. My first novel (Rise of the Sidenah) was traditionally published in 2015, and that was categorized as epic fantasy or general fantasy. Then my second novel, Loreena’s Gift, came out with Dzanc publishing in 2016. I feel that I found my voice with that story, and it was also a supernatural fantasy or cross-genre novel, sometimes called a literary paranormal.

The Beached Ones is categorized by my publisher, CamCat Books, as a supernatural thriller, which I think fits it best, though it’s also been called a literary ghost story.

I have always enjoyed having some sort of fantasy element in my stories, as that allows me to explore themes and topics in a more exciting or thrilling way than I could if I were to stick to strict reality.

My blogging career (mainly with WritingandWellness.com) didn’t get going until after Loreena’s Gift came out. At that time, I was looking for a way to establish an author platform and my previous blog hadn’t attracted much attention. Fortunately, Writing and Wellness took off and gave me a whole new facet of writing (non-fiction) to pursue and enjoy.

How is researching fiction different from researching non-fiction?

I see researching fiction as a fun activity that inspires my imagination. It allows me to take that deep dive into another world that is so important when writing any type of fantasy.

I was lucky enough to be able to travel to research The Beached Ones—I took the same journey the characters take from Harlan, Iowa, to San Francisco, California. I had researched and written the book beforehand, but taking the trip myself helped me improve the story in countless ways.

The Golden Gate Bridge — **The Golden Gate — the final destination for my characters**

Researching nonfiction, on the other hand, satisfies my never-ending curiosity and desire to learn. I love researching nonfiction topics, then sharing what I discover with others in ways that I hope will benefit them.

Where do you call home, and how did you end up there?

I live in southeast Idaho, which is an agricultural community nestled a short distance from Jackson Hole, Wyoming (and the Grand Tetons), with the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park only about 90 minutes away.

Idaho Farm Fields being watered at sunset — **Idaho farm irrigation at sunset**

We also have the beautiful Snake River running right through the town, and a surprisingly robust commitment to the arts and music considering the smaller size of the area. I’m a French horn player and frequently participate in the symphony and pit orchestras, so I greatly appreciate that.

I grew up in Colorado surrounded by mountains and made the move north when I graduated college. I still get back to Colorado as frequently as I can, but I love Idaho not only for its natural beauty but for the strength and values of the community.

What are you working on next?

I’m excited about my next project, which is a retelling of the old Midas myth. There was a real King Midas who ruled Phrygia around 700 BC, so I’m having fun mixing elements of the historical figure with the mythological legend.

Find a FREE excerpt of The Beached Ones here!

Author bio: Colleen M. Story is a novelist, freelance writer, writing coach, and speaker with over 20 years in the creative writing industry. Her latest novel, The Beached Ones, was released with CamCat Books on July 26^th, 2022. Her previous novel, Loreena’s Gift, was a Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner, among others.

Colleen M. Story at Book Signing — Colleen M. Story book signing

Colleen has written three books to help writers succeed. Your Writing Matters is the most recent and was a bronze medal winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards (2022). Other titles include Writer Get Noticed and Overwhelmed Writer Rescue. You can find free chapters of these books here.

Find more at her author website (colleenmstory.com) or connect with her on Twitter (@colleen_m_story), LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.