about writing Archives

And Now Comes Disquiet

February 25, 2019 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

And now comes disquiet.

It’s an odd feeling putting a series to bed. The long build of excitement reaches a peak then fades leaving disquiet in its wake.

The excitement of the launch lifts you up: holding the physical copy of the final book, smelling the pages as if they were a new puppy, reading the early reviews, attending book signings, planning the big farewell party.

But after the final book’s release, disquiet sucks you under: bidding farewell to characters you know better than your family leaves you hollow, your next book’s characters are still strangers who can’t begin to fill the gap; not knowing if your readers will give a hoot about your next distant book provokes loneliness.

Thankfully, time doesn’t let you linger in either state for long. It ticks away, oblivious to the petty fears of mere writers, nudging you along on your way.

And so it goes

The $0.99 launch price for Lover Betrayed, a Gift Legacy Companion book, ends tomorrow. If you’re missing this book in the series, now’s your chance to get it for launch pricing. After tomorrow, it returns to its regular price of $5.99. You can read an excerpt here.

Every day, the disquiet lifts a bit. Yesterday, I broke 32K words in my new book. It’s about a young woman who was born with an unfortunate birthmark. The woman believes her birthmark is a disfiguring curse. She doesn’t know the real curse is that her birthmark is disappearing.

Next month

Next month, I’m excited to be participating in a new adventure with writers who may be new to you, but who are far from unknown. I’m teaming up with a dozen fabulous writers, many of them A-list best sellers, to bring you new books at terrific prices along with bonus prizes. I’ll provide details shortly.

As always, I’d love to hear your feedback. Just hit reply or contact me via the social media buttons.

Secret Sky is the book that started it all. Get your copy of Secret Sky from Kindle with one click right here. And if ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options, or just click on the covers below.

Secret Sky was formerly titled The Gift: Awakening
Hidden Enemy was formerly titled The Gift: Revelation
Burning Lies was formerly titled The Gift: Redemption
Lethal Waters was formerly titled The Gift: Penance
Lover Betrayed was formerly titled The Gift: Betrayal

Opening Photo by pawel szvmanski on Unsplash

Wanted: Distractions

October 12, 2014 By JPMcLean 17 Comments

Wanted: Distractions. These beautiful squash jumped into my car the other day when I was visiting Piercy’s farm. They were so beautiful, I couldn’t resist. It’s not like I run a home for wayward squash, but I am a sucker for fall colours, and they do perk up the porch.

They’ll eventually end up in my oven, which makes me feel a bit like the cannibalistic witch in Hansel and Gretel, but I’ll live with the guilt. In fact, we’ve already devoured the spaghetti squash and I’ll bake others until the sugars caramelize around the edges into brown bits of crunchy heaven.

Why, you might ask, am I going on about squash? I have a good reason – I need the distraction.

You see, I finished writing the first draft of Book 4 almost three weeks ago and I’m determined to leave it alone for another week: no peeking, no tweaking.

Yikes! A whole month.

I don’t think I’ve ever stayed away from these characters for that long. But the next part of the process is the first edit, and I know I’ll do a better job of it if I can distance myself from it, which is easier said than done. For months, I’ve spent every day with these characters and without them, there’s a gaping hole in my day — a hole I need to fill with distractions.

I’ve already cleaned the house, I’ve groomed the dog, and I’m up to date with the programs I had taped on the PVR. I’ve returned to the gym (sadly out of shape, I’m afraid) and caught up with friends over leisurely lunches and coffee dates.

I tackled the gardens. It’s a good thing it’s been a great fall — warmer and drier than usual. It’s allowed me to take care of the outdoor chores that should have been done months ago. That’s one of the downsides to writing – you have to give up some things to make time to write. Anyway, I’ve rather enjoyed getting dirt under my fingernails again and filling up the composters.

Now the rains have started and I’m back inside…studiously avoiding the characters who lurk dangerously close to this blog. One more week…

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate this weekend.

If you’re looking for a distraction, give yourself Secret Sky with one simple click here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, check the Bookstore Tab for other options.

On Writing ‘The End’

September 29, 2014 By JPMcLean 21 Comments

I finished writing the first draft of the fourth book in my Gift Legacy series last week. The process didn’t end with a thunder clap and popped cork, like I’d hoped. More like a wet splat with cold tea.

Why? I have no idea, but it did make me think about how I’d felt when I finished writing the other three books.

The first one was a shock. I actually Googled whether or not to type “the end” or let it be assumed. I remember sitting there with a grin on my face for ten minutes before I told the cave master. The second one snuck up on me, coming sooner than I anticipated, and pulled me along in its wake. The third…ah, the third. I loved the third one. Saw it coming a mile away and enjoyed every last second of writing it, and then I celebrated full out with a lovely bottle of Amarone. It was the end of the trilogy, after all, no small feat.

But this fourth book of the trilogy (yes, I know…arithmetic isn’t my strong suit) has been a marathon right from the start. I’m not sure why. I had a rough outline, so I knew where it began and I had a handful of the in between scenes. I also knew where it ended, but still, it was a tough slog getting it out.

That could be why typing “the end” on this one left me out of sorts. For a day or two afterward, I felt bluesy and out of sinc, and ever since, I’ve been bumping around the house in a daze I’m only now coming out of.

I celebrated the accomplishment a few nights later with my better half and a dirty martini, straight up, three olives, half vodka, half gin. I’m happy to report, though it may have been late and low-key, it was a pretty good ending!

Want to know how Book I ends? You can buy Secret Sky right now, with one simple click here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, click on the Bookstore Tab for more purchase options.

The Social Media Gamble

May 23, 2014 By JPMcLean 13 Comments

Like most authors, I’ve taken the social media gamble. I’m connecting with readers, writers and industry experts via social media on a daily basis. Some days, especially when I’m on the learning curve (or procrastinating), I spend more time on social media than I do writing.

A few days ago, in the midst of a marathon Twitter session, someone asked me what I would do if Twitter collapsed tomorrow.

It was a fair question. My heart sank as I blinked away visions of Myspace.

How would the demise of Twitter or Facebook impact me?

If I’m honest with myself, I would be devastated. I’ve spent countless hours there, learning the ropes, getting to know people, contributing as best I can. It frightens me to think how easily this social network that I’ve built could be forfeited. But it could.

Worst of all, most of the people I connect with on social media aren’t on my independent mailing list, so I’d lose touch with them entirely. That would be a tremendous loss.

It reminds me of the adage about not gambling more than you’re willing to lose. If time is my currency, then I’ve gambled plenty on Twitter and Facebook and it’s more than I’m comfortable losing.

It’s perhaps a timely reminder that the writing needs to be the priority. It’s what makes my world go round. Social media may be fun and it’s an important component of an author’s platform, but it’s the side dish, not the main course. So if I’m AWOL from social media from time to time, forgive me and rest assured that I’m spending the time writing (okay, maybe a little gardening, but mostly writing).

I’d hate to lose our connection

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