JP McLean

Writing Addictive Fiction

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Trick or Treat or Toadstool

October 31, 2017 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

At October’s end, will it be trick or treat or toadstool? The monthly calendar is looking pretty thin, with just two pages left in the year. Where did October go?

Toadstools

We don’t see many ghouls or goblins at our door, but Halloween inspiration pops up in expected places, like pathways. This toadstool is far too spooktacular to be a mere mushroom.

Treat

October started off with a roar, 12th man roar, that is. We attended the Seattle Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts game at Century Field (Now called Lumen Field). It was my first live football game, and it was so much more fun experienced from the stands. The crowd is named the 12th (wo)man because there are 11 players on both offense and defense. The Seahawks 12th are the loudest in the league and I can now attest to that.

Trick

One thing I wasn’t counting on was not being able to take my purse into the game. Security no longer allows purses, only wallets into the stadium. I had to buy a clear plastic bag, transfer my purse contents into it, and pay for a locker to store the purse until after the game. And even then, when I went through security, they wouldn’t allow me to take in my binoculars’ vinyl 5″ pouch. I had to toss it. I hope I can find a replacement for it. The security people told us this is or will be the new norm for stadiums across the US, so be prepared!

Back home, fall weather has set in. The crab apple tree and russet leaves are providing the exercise, and blazing fires in the evenings are providing the warmth.

In writing news, the outline for the final book in the Gift Legacy series is now roughed in and I’ve started writing. But … given Secret Sky (formerly Awakening) started as a one-off then grew into a trilogy which morphed into a series, I feel I need to qualify final: I’m writing the last planned book in the series.

Happy Halloween!

When you’re tired of raking leaves, take a load off and escape into Emelynn’s world. Get your copy of Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.
3D Cover collection for all formats of Secret Sky

First Draft Done!

September 30, 2017 By JPMcLean 15 Comments

Photo of a bottle of red wine on a wood counter with two wine glasses filled with red wine.First draft done! It’s celebration time. I finished writing the first draft of the next book in The Gift Legacy this week and toasted the accomplishment with a fine bottle of red. If you’re keeping track, this is the sixth book in the series and follows on from Lethal Waters (formerly Penance). The working title is Deadly Deception. What do you think?

Typing “the end” is a major milestone, but the book is still a long way from done. Next, the editing starts, but before that, I need to let it rest, get some distance from it.

Photo of JP's writing space consisting of a small writing desk, rolling office chair, and laptopIn other words, put my pen down and step away from the computer. Not writing is an adjustment. My daily routine has a huge hole in the middle of it. Suddenly, I have time on my hands.

Now I’m playing catch up. Spring cleaning, which didn’t happen in the spring, comes first. Next is writing a stack of overdue book reviews (apologies included). After that, my website needs an update and I might even tackle the audio recordings for the first chapters of Lethal Waters and Lover Betrayed.

Dusk photo of the warf on west side of Denman IslandBut before I get to all that, I’m taking a wee break. We’re off to Seattle for a few days to celebrate two family birthdays, attend my first ever football game (Seattle Sea Hawks vs Indianapolis Colts) and enjoy the company of our niece and nephew who are visiting from the Cayman Islands.

If you’d like a wee break and haven’t yet read Secret Sky, you can pick it up from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.
3D Cover collection for all formats of Secret Sky

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