J.P. McLean Archives - Page 2 of 6

Writing and Wellness Features J.P. McLean

February 25, 2016 By JPMcLean 3 Comments

If you’ve a writer or other creative person, and have not yet discovered Colleen M. Story and her blog Writing and Wellness then you’re missing an interesting and valuable resource.

Her site’s mission statement is “Writers and other creatives need to stay well to keep producing the work they were meant to do.”

Pretty good fit, I’d say. And today, Colleen is featuring me on Writers on Wellness.

“When I think of physically challenging jobs, I imagine professional athletes, construction workers, or firefighters. Writers? not so much.”

But when back pain sidelined my writing, my gardening, and even my ability to sit comfortably, I revised my thinking. Writing and wellness go hand in hand.

So, though writing may not fit into an expected definition of physically challenging work, sitting for long periods of time, no matter how fit you are, is asking for trouble . . .

To continue reading, go on over to Writers on Wellness and check out!

Rest and relaxation is a key component of wellness. There’s no better way to relax than by reading. Click here to get a copy of Secret Sky, and if ereaders or Amazon aren’t your preference, other options are available under the Bookstore tab.

Laptop photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Does This Recording Make My Voice Look Fat?

February 4, 2016 By JPMcLean 23 Comments

I’m miles outside of my comfort zone, in an entirely different format, as a matter of fact. I’ve decided to try my hand at audio recording. After all, I’m often invited to read from my books. It’s in that light that I decided to record audio editions of the excerpts from all four books in the Gift Legacy series. But it’s left me wondering if I’m out of my depth with voice recording.

How hard could it be?

Let’s just say it’s been an eye-opener.

I now have a much deeper respect for voice actors who are able to switch up their voices in a variety of ways to speak for different characters. I don’t have that knack. Nor, apparently, do I have the ability to read a simple sentence with the same intonation three times in a row over a very short span of time.

But it has been fun, despite stealing time away from my writing. I’ve learned a lot about mics (dynamic is the type you want for voice recordings) and boom stands (a must for changing positions) and Audacity, an incredibly easy to use and free software program that I would highly recommend for audio recording.

And though I may never do more audio recording than these excerpts, it’s been an incredible experience.

Click here to hear the excerpt for The Gift Awakening. (Update: Awakening is now Secret Sky, but I haven’t yet re-recorded the excerpt.) I’m working on The Gift Revelation right now, and the others will following in the coming days. I’ll put up a link on the “excerpts” page when I’m done.

I would love to hear your opinion of the recording. Whether you find it pleasant, are indifferent, or hear nails on chalkboard, leave your comments below.

If you’re more of a “reader” than a “listener,” get your own copy of Secret Sky with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, more purchasing options are available under the Bookstore tab.

Under the Monster Storm

January 23, 2016 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

A white bush honeysuckle bloom — Bush Honeysuckle

A winter weather emergency is blasting the east, and I’m with you in spirit here on the wet, muddy West Coast, buried deep in down comforters and keeping toasty warm. Like spring, I’m hiding under the monster storm.

It hardly seems possible that underneath all that winter white, Spring is stirring, but it is. Days are getting longer and Spring is only eight weeks away. In my neck of the woods, signs of life are popping out and up everywhere, even if they’re only at the contemplation stage. (Except for the dandelion – that bloom means business.)

An early spring dandelion — Dastardly Dandelion

I feel like I’ve been in limbo for a month, dabbling in bits and bobs of writing, reconnecting with Facebook and Twitter friends, and catching up on publishing news.

It’s been fun. Relaxing. And I’ve enjoyed my wee reprieve immensely. But, as usual, the characters in my head are tapping their pencils on the desk. They’re telling me enough is enough – get back to weaving our worlds!

Dangling hazelnut catkins — Hazelnut Catkins

It’s time. The editorial review is finished and the entire Gift Legacy Series is now back in print and online. I’m excited to dig back in where I left off, with Jackson’s version of Awakening.

And just to keep things interesting, I’m learning how to make a voice recording, or the basics anyway, so look for audio excerpts from the books to come to a link near you!

You can get all of the The Gift Legacy books with one click right here. And if ebooks or amazon aren’t your preference, you can find other options under the Bookstore tab.

A New Cover for Redemption

January 5, 2016 By JPMcLean 15 Comments

It gives me tremendous pleasure, on behalf of WindStorm Press, to reveal the new cover for The Gift: Redemption. The Gift Legacy covers are now complete, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

A big thank you goes to Viona Halim, the digital artist who created the original covers, then patiently tweaked the artwork and re-designed the title treatments, spines, and back covers to produce this new cover. Viona has been part of The Gift Legacy project from the start.

Early on, she captured the dramatic coastal setting and the ominous mood of the books, and she’s been a joy to work with through all the back and forth that such a detailed project entails.

Redemption will return to print and ebook formats in mid-January.

With the editorial review behind me, and The Gift Legacy fresh in my mind, I thought I’d rummage through my notes and start dreaming up story ideas for the next book in the series. This part of the writing process is such fun! Feel free to add your two cents in the comments below. I have a feeling Sebastian will continue to be a thorn in Em’s side, the Tribunal will face new challenges under Mason’s leadership. And I believe Emelynn had some critical decisions to make.

(*Update: Redemption is now Burning Lies)

A dishonourable legacy. A powerful enemy. A future threatened.

While recovering from a psychopath’s savage attack, Emelynn Taylor learns the ugly truth: deceit spawned her gift of flight, and ruthless brutality safeguards it.

But knowing the truth doesn’t prepare Emelynn for the terrorist who rips her world apart. And when the escalating violence spreads to the inner circle of her covert community, Emelynn uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to expose the gift and all those who share it.

Emelynn joins forces with a man she doesn’t trust and a family she doesn’t know to fight a menace that cloaks itself in lies. And when she lands at the feet of a dangerous enemy, Emelynn must face her worst fears to save the people she loves—and she must do it alone.

The third book in The Gift Legacy series, Burning Lies is a thriller that skirts the edges of reality in a world within our own. Step inside and escape the ordinary: take flight with Emelynn Taylor.