All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
A blog about the topics of writing, Topics on writing

Do you support other authors?

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Do you support other authors? Whether it is someone you know or not, do they get that from you?

I have seen both ends of the stick with people only concerned with their book journeys to those who support other authors by buying their books, giving them a shout-out on social media, or attending any event they might be hosting.

I have always had the mindset of supporting authors, especially those who have helped me or been with me on my writing journey. Those are the ones I will lend my support to.

It doesn’t have to be off a mountain with a bullhorn telling people how great your book and you are. That would be nice. But to have people in your corner along the way are those you want to support back.

My thought is simple. I didn’t get to where I am alone. I had people off of Twitter help me with my query letters. I have had people in line to do classes about writing at the library. I even have an editor who doesn’t charge me for her work.

I have no problem shouting out people’s names, referring others, and giving reviews here and there. It is my way of paying back those before me who helped me.

Writing is mostly a solitary profession. You can meet with your writing group in real life or online. But even then, you are doing the majority of your creation alone. Finding a fellow author who I can feed off is a golden nugget.

So, I don’t get why writers go alone on their own. Hey, if it works for you, good. It is something I have not tried and prefer to not do so.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writer's platform

Do you know any pantsers?

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How cluttered is your workspace where you write?

I like my office organized. But a small part of me is okay with the mess. I can say the same for any WIP I am working on.

I attended a local writing conference a few years ago. The speaker asked if there were any pantser in the room, and a writer raised her hand and pointed at me.

I, to that point, never heard what this word meant. Looking it up, I liked it. I liked it a lot. Granted, this has gotten me in some bit of a jam on certain WIPs, making me go back and do a brief outline to get myself unstuck.

Did I learn my lesson? No, I did not. I am the writer who likes to sit down and go for it, writing page after page, knowing there will be work to get done on getting the timeline correct.

So, why don’t I bite the bullet? I love the freedom of writing. My juices flow better, and the ideas come faster. It works for me. I know very few pantsers. Wait, that isn’t right. I can’t think of a single writer that, like me, without an outline. It would be cool to find some so we could have that connection.

An outline gives you direction, a timeline that will be adjusted and adjusted as it gives you focus on the material. It can help you with plots, characters, and scenery. It might help you look up in the air less as you try to work out a problem that you are having. From everyone I have talked to, this is the route they feel flows.

And that is what it is what flow works for you.

I never knew my style had a name. I like it because it describes my writing style to the letter. It works for me and my characters. Why change that up now?

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing tips and ideas

Jasper, Amazon parrot’s latest review:

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I posted here recently about hearing from your readers. After that I received a review for volume one of my Jasper, Amazon parrot series. 

Woohoo! What a way to start the day.

Here is a bit of the review, followed by the link.

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Review: Jasper Amazon Parrot

I have raised birds and have talked with many owners of Amazon parrots and all express how talented their avian friends are.

I learned that the background to creating this book was the author looking around her home to see if she could locate anything to write about. She landed on her rescued Amazon parrot, Jasper, and decided to create a book series of Jasper’s adventures.

In this short children’s story, Sally’s eggs hatch. Shortly thereafter, Jasper jumps out of the nest with his brother Willie and both fall to the ground. They are separated for a short time and meet Al. Sally appears and they head back home with her. She exits and they find themselves in a precarious position when ants threaten them. With the help of their mother, the brothers survive and when fully fledged they attempt to fly and plop to the ground again. This is when they come upon a spider monkey named Charlie. 

Mom returns and reminds them of the importance of flying practice. Mom leaves to scavenge and the two brothers report in to their neighbor, Mrs. Peabody. Soon after the brothers begin a thrilling adventure with Charlie and along the way they meet a sloth named George. 

This is a wonderful story about exploration and observation of the nature of the Amazon. I feel the best thing about this detailed adventure is it may help young readers gain a greater appreciation for the most biologically diverse place on Earth.

Link:

https://lorisbookloft.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-rainforest-adventure-jasper-amazon.html