C. Lee McKenzie Books

Let’s Get Into the Dark Heart of October and Write a Ghost Story

October 14, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 7 Comments

We only have two more #IWSG First Wednesdays in 2022. Can you believe that? I’m officially on break, so I wrote this post before I took off. But I look forward to my favorite holiday on October 31, and when I return, I’ll stop in to say hi to you and catch up on all that I’ve missed while I’ve been off exploring Sicily. In the meantime this post covers a lot of bases: an interesting monthly IWSG question, some thoughts on writing a ghost story, and an announcement of H.R. Sinclair’s new book. So let’s go!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the October 5 posting of the IWSG are Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!

This month’s question is, as all of them are, optional.

What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre?

Since I’m rushing to pack and find my passport, I’m going to skip this month’s question and let others have a go at it.

Some thoughts on writing a ghost story

It’s time for ghosts and rattling chains and cold, eerie nights. It’s time to pull out your Poe collection and read until you’re sufficiently scared and can’t turn off the lights. Maybe this is when you might think, “I’ll write a ghost story!” If that idea has crossed your mind, here are a few pointers for where to start.

This category of fiction seems to be divided into two major camps: the really scary and the “cozy” ghost stories. Between these extremes, I’ve sampled ones that are what I call the scary, but not-so-much ones, and I admit to liking these the best.

Most of us are familiar with Stephen King’s The Shining, and I haven’t found a book about ghosts that scares me more, so I’d rank that one at the top end of spine-tingling. At the other end of the spectrum, are books like Tall Tails Secret Book Club: The Secret Library Cozy Mysteries by CeeCee James or A Scandal in Boohemia by Gwen Gardner. These are slightly spooky and fun.

The first decision ghost story writers have to make is which type they want to craft. If they’re headed toward the Stephen King side of things, the ghostly presence can be of the paranormal ilk, seen or unseen (the scariest choice), it’s malignant and fear-inducing—the cause of the unexplained events. On the other hand, if it’s a story that warms your heart instead of chilling your bones, the ghost(s) become characters with names, a history, physical characteristics, and personalities.

Even with a story that has a medium scare factor, it might help to think about what scares you most when you set out to write a ghostly tale. For me, that’s when I’m alone in a dark space, especially when there’s something I can detect, but it emanates from some unexplainable source—a hint of fingers brushing across my back, a voice I sense more than hear…that kind of thing.

It’s also important to increase the creep factor as the book moves forward. Whispered words or a brush of chilled air in a first scene might introduce the ghost, but the next time there will have to be something more concrete-maybe a sighting.

Be sure to note the details about your ghost: when or if it appears, how it enters and leaves, the way it looks or how the character(s) react to it. Is there anything that signals the ghost’s arrival? Can your ghost move things? Does it float or walk? Pass through walls, open doors? Is there a specific time the ghost arrives or can it come at all hours? How did the person die? When did he/she die?

And then the setting. Here’s where you can explore all kinds of possibilities. Does everything happen on a wind-swept moor or in a New York townhouse? Is the ghost tied to a place or does it follow the fleeing person it haunts?

It’s always good to read some examples and get the feeling for what’s been done before, but then become creative. Just because there are traditions, doesn’t mean you can’t find something fresh for your story.

Here are two links.

Link for 10 top scary ghost stories

Link for some of the best cozy ghost stories

I’m sure there are some writers here who might like to chime in with more suggestions about crafting a good ghost story, so check the comments.

And now for a new addition to the ghostly tales to enjoy.

Oscar The Apprehensive Apparition by H.R. Sinclair — Buy your copy now!
Chapter book for ages 5-8
ISBN 9798848409956
Paperback: $6.99 | ebook $3.99

Blurb
Oscar the ghost dwells happily in his cozy cottage, where he hides from creatures that lurk in the dark. After a mysterious message arrives, he must find the courage to go out and discover what’s waiting for him. Will he be brave enough or will the monsters send him rushing back home?

About the Author
H.R. Sinclair is a left-handed hermit prepping for the squirrel apocalypse. She writes fantastical stories and visits cemeteries for inspiration.

Blog: https://www.iamhrsinclair.com/blog/
Newsletter: https://www.getrevue.co/profile/hrsinclair
Twitter: https://twitter.com/southpawpov
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrsinclair/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7548000-h-r-sinclair
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/h-r-sinclair
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/iamhrsinclair/_created/

Quote of the Month: “Be hole, be dust, be dream, be wind/Be night, be dark, be wish, be mind,/Now slip, now slide, now move unseen,/Above, beneath, betwixt, between.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book

The Art of Making Doughnuts, An Interview

September 14, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 14 Comments

Amazon . Barnes & Noble . iTunes. Kobo .
Scribed . Goodreads

I’m excited to welcome Linda Budzinski, the author of the lead story in the most recent Insecure Writers’ Support Group Anthology. Thanks for joining us here today, Linda.

Lee:
What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned as a writer?

Linda:
This is such a tough question because I’ve learned (and am still learning) so many!
Certainly one of the most helpful lessons has been that inspiration tends not to “strike.” It often comes slowly, through hours of toiling and noodling. Those hours can be difficult, frustrating, and even
painful, but ultimately they are what result in those fun flashes that make writing so rewarding.

Lee:
What has been the biggest surprise of your writing life?

Linda:
How incredibly supportive the writing community can be. I belong to a lot of writing groups on social media, and people are always so willing to offer advice and critique for those who ask, encouragement for those feeling discouraged, and congratulations for those with good news.
Writers by and large are just really kind people. (If only the rest of my social media would follow suit!)

Lee:
If you could choose a metaphor to describe yourself as a writer, what would it be?

Linda:
Ahaha, great question! I wish I could say I’m a spider meticulously weaving a web, but I’m more like a blind squirrel trying to find that nut. Every once in a while, I succeed!

That’s a great contrast in metaphors. Love it. Thanks, Linda.

https://www.facebook.com/LindaBudzinskiAuthor
https://twitter.com/LindaBudz

Linda Budzinski writes sweet YA and adult romance. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two rescue pups. In between creating meet-cutes and happy endings, she works in non-profit communications and outreach.

So what’s this story and this anthology about?

First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

The sweetness of first love…

Could a fiercely independent cop’s heart be stolen by the guy who makes her favorite doughnuts? Will a maid who used deceit to snare a mail-order husband get a dose of her own medicine? Can her handsome neighbor rescue a modern-day “princess” from a tenacious ex-boyfriend? Can two strangers in a rideshare be honest enough to fall in love for real? Can you remember your first love? How about your second? Third? Fourth?

Featuring the talents of Linda Budzinski, Melissa Maygrove, Michael Di Gesu, Sylvia Ney, Katie Klein, Kim Elliott, Templeton Moss, S.E. White, Denise Covey, and Sammi Spizziri. Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will touch your heart and rekindle lost feelings. Prepare to return to that first love…

Release date: September 6, 2022
Print ISBN – 9781939844880, $14.95
EBook ISBN – 9781939844897, $4.99
Romance - Clean & Wholesome (FIC027270) / Contemporary (FIC027020) / Historical (FIC027050)
186 pages, Freedom Fox Press, an imprint of Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh and a Writer’s Digest Top Sites for Writers, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter.
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Linda and finding out more about First Love: The Art of Eating Doughnuts. Be sure to get your copy, read it, and by all means, leave a review!

Amazon . Barnes & Noble . iTunes. Kobo .
Scribed . Goodreads

Bienvenido Septiembre

September 7, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 25 Comments

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can’t find you to comment back.

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the September 7 posting of the IWSG are

Kim Lajevardi,Cathrina Constantine,Natalie Aguirre,Olga Godim,Michelle Wallace,and Louise - Fundy Blue!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional!

What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why?

Since I’ve just experienced this, I can say without hesitation, Romance. There’s a long story behind why I set my pen to paper (figuratively) to create a romantic story, but I’ll save that for another time. Just let it suffice to say that I’ll never do THAT again!

I’d no sooner written one scene than I knew I wasn’t cut out to finish the story I had in my mind. Since I was co-writing this one, I was terrified that my partner would be upset if I pulled out. She’s a good friend, so I didn’t know exactly how to say, “Sorry. Can’t do this. Hate writing romance. Can’t, in fact.”

I’m not in this anthology, but a lot of other good romance writers are!
Amazon- https://tinyurl.com/34uvz479
B&N- https://tinyurl.com/38f54kj2
Kobo- https://tinyurl.com/4rr78vks

So, I dragged my feet (ignore cliche, please) in telling her, and we continued co-writing for several more weeks. Then , one evening after one of our discussions about the book, we looked across the table at each other and said-almost in unison-“This isn’t working.”

That was the end of our romance, but the beginning of our women’s fiction with Gothic elements journey. Now, that we can write. We have a solid first draft, and by next year, we hope to have an outline for book two in the series.

Here’s one thing for sure. I’m really glad I tried my hand at a different genre. I learned a lot about it and about myself. I still have those early scenes tucked away somewhere, and who knows but that they’ll come in handy sometime in the future.

This was a good question, and I’m sure there will be some excellent answers.

About That Blogging…

Some of you may have noticed that I’m not blogging each Wednesday. I thought I’d have the time and the desire to go back to writing more frequent post, but the truth is that hasn’t happened. I’ve decided I stand a better chance at posting regularly if I stick with doing so on the first Wednesday of the month.

Quote of the Month: “You can’t write any form of fiction unless you enjoy reading it.” ― Charlotte Bingham, author

TGI August!

August 3, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 67 Comments

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can’t find you to comment back.

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG are Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional!

When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?

Today I’m answering this question over at The Insecure Writers’ Support Group site, so I hope you’ll stop by and read what I’ve written. However, I’ll be self-serving here and mention one example of my having to choose between this either or question.

The Adventures Of Pete and Weasel — Available on Amazon

When Alligators Overhead came out, I had some requests for more adventures with Pete and Weasel. I hadn’t thought about writing a series, but I’d enjoyed creating the escapades for these two boys, so I wrote Book 2, The Great Time Lock Disaster. After that was published, I received more requests, so those led to Book 3, Some Very Messy Medieval Magic. I suppose this means that I did try to give readers what they wanted, but I’m not sure I could have done that if I hadn’t really liked the stories with those kids doing crazy things.

Did you answer this question? If so, I’ll stop by and see what you had to say.

Last month I didn’t follow through and post each Wednesday, but I had an excuse. This is it!

I entered my car in a show, and that took a lot more time than I’d expected. First, there was the grooming (the car, not me), then there were the rallys, which in truth involved a lot of driving and eating, a lot of wine, and more…grooming (this time for me as well as the car). By the end of the month, I’d pretty much worn both of us out trying to show up when and where we were supposed to be.

It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun, so I may have to do it again. Only next time, I’ll know what I’m supposed to do and not be the total newbie.

Quote of the Month: “If everything comes your way, you are in the wrong lane.” —Unknown

Hot July News

July 6, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 76 Comments

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the July 6 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Janet Alcorn, PJ Colando, Jenni Enzor, and Diane Burton!

Remember, the question is optional!

Today’s Question: If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?

I love this question, so whichever admin suggested it, thank you! But it’s a hard one to answer because there are so many book worlds I’d like to dive into. If I have the option of leaving whenever I want, then I’d be much more adventurous in my choice-Moby Dick for example, or Kidnapped. I’d like to “socialize” with Gatsby in the 20s, go back to any of Zane Grey’s westerns, or jump into Dune and actually see those spice worms as Herbert imagined them, not Hollywood’s version. And wouldn’t it be fun to ride along with Holmes and Watson while they solve crimes?

Enough. Obviously, I need many lifetimes to explore the book worlds that fascinate me. So how about if I indulge one of my fantasies and enter a book that I created? I’d like to know more about the main character after I wrote The End. What happened to her?

The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie — Amazon

I’d like to think that Carlie (The Princess of Las Pulgas) finished college and went on to live a well-rounded life. Maybe she married Juan Pacheco. I can imagine that happening, but I’d also like it if she was extremely successful as a business executive or a mover and shaker on the national scene as an advocate for those who need a strong voice. She’d understand the need for advocacy.

Authors, I’m sure you’ve all had thoughts about the lives your characters went on to live. I think that’s one of the fascinating parts of being an author. You live with a lot of interesting people in your head, who don’t go away.

Onward to some HOT news!

The IWSG Book Club has two super books in the spotlight for July

Reaching For Normal (Bloo Moose #1) by Jemi Fraser
Magic at Midnight by Ronel Janse van Vuuren

The stickers for Shattered arrived last week. They’re very shiny. Here’s how the cover looks with them included.

Free for Reading & Reviewing on NetGalley

Quote of the Week: “Sometimes I don’t even know why I’m writing what I’m writing…
I’m just following these people around and taking notes.”
― P. Anastasia

Obsolete

June 22, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 25 Comments

Some of you who follow me on Facebook know that last week my trusty refrigerator gave up the ghost and rattled its last gasp. It had several terminal symptoms, so I’d reduced my supplies and was ready to deal with its demise. I’d coaxed it along for at least three years because I love that refrigerator. I know. Unreasonable and ridiculous, but here’s what it looks like-an unobtrusive appliance.

Also the ice and water dispenser work better than my friend’s brand new refrigerator. There’s only one part that failed…the compressor. When I called the repairman he told me he couldn’t get a new compressor because-you guessed it-GE doesn’t support this model anymore by manufacturing replacement parts.

I know our economy’s based on growth but think about the savings in time, money, and energy if I could simply put in a new compressor. There’s the manufacturing of an entirely new appliance, the transportation of it to the store-then to me, the recycling of the old refrigerator parts, and the ultimate disposal of its remains in the landfill.

If we’re serious about reducing greenhouse gases and treating our environment better than we have in the past, I think it’s time to rethink built-in obsolescence and try for restoration and re-use rather than dumping and recycling.

So enough of that. I’ve put away my soapbox for now, and I’m off to pick up some ice to restock my cooler. I’m now in full camping mode. It’s not that bad, just a bit inconvenient, and I’m looking forward to a lower electric bill this month.

Shattered by C. Lee McKenzie — Free on NetGalley for reading and reviewing.

The publisher contacted me last week to say they’d put Shattered back on NetGalley, so it’s now available to read for free. Indie Books is sending me some medals for my cover, but until I see them, I still have a hard time believing I actually won an award.

Quote of the Week: “We live in a disposable, ‘cast-off and throw-away’ society that has largely lost any real sense of permanence. Ours is a world of expiration dates, limited shelf life, and planned obsolescence. Nothing is absolute.” Myles Munroe, Preacher

The Other Side of Writing

June 15, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 20 Comments

I’ve always thought of reading as the other side of writing-sort of the Ying and Yang of the literary universe. I haven’t read a good author who hasn’t also been an avid reader. Of course, there’s always a first time, so let me know if you have met one of these scribes.

When my writing well is dry, I grab a book that someone else has toiled over and enjoy their labors. I’m looking for some ideas to refill my well, and in the meantime, I’m happy to be lost in a story. I don’t care what kind of story it is as long as it’s good.

So what do I need to make a good story?

A great hero who

-has inward and outward goals that I can easily identify.
-I care about, empathize with, and understand.
-is a bit larger-than-life, but I can still relate to because of a few flaws.

Morguefiles

A vivid bad guy (or force) who

-is interesting and powerful enough to give the hero a run for the money.
-has clearly defined inward and outward goals that go right up against those of the good guy.
-is not 100% evil, so I have some sympathy for the character.
-gets it in the end. (Yes, I’m a sucker for the HEA ending)

Morguefiles

A Setting that

-fits the story
-is vivid so that I can see, hear, and feel it around me as I read

Something exciting or poignant happens

-at or near the beginning of the story. (I love the end of Chapter 1 to make me turn the page)

Conflict. Conflict. Conflict that

-creates and builds drama, and nothing is ever “just hunky-dory.”
-is internal and wrenches the poor good guy’s heart or messes up his head terribly, or…
-is external and affects the good guy in his world (Nothing keeps me reading late into the night like “the monster’s-coming-any-minute kind of tale)

An End that

-wraps up the conflict and ties off any threads that have been woven into the story.

I’m in the middle of four books at this writing: Pont Neuf, The War of the Roses, The Falcon at the Portal, and Eating The Dinosaur (non-fiction). Obviously, I’m in need of some idea replenishing. What are you reading and do you also read to fill up that writing well?

Quote of the Week: “Read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river.”
― Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Why Write Fantasy?

June 8, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 21 Comments

I suppose one obvious answer to that question is that a lot of readers love the escape it offers from the real world, so you have a large ready market. And these past two years have certainly heightened a need for that kind of escape for many of us.

Morguefile

Still, I was surprised when I turned my hand to a New Adult fantasy. In the past, I’d only written fantasy for Middle-Grade readers. (Alligators Overhead, The Great Time Lock Disaster, Some Very Messy Medieval Magic are three books in the Adventures of Pete and Weasel series. Sign of the Green Dragon is a stand-alone MG) So why did I suddenly craft a fantasy for the adult market?

I decided that besides providing a haven from modern news, fantasy would let me address polarizing issues without directly challenging prejudices. Fantasy can be quite sneaky and quite effective when a writer tackles such emotionally charged issues as say, bigotry or superstition. Let’s face it, being hit on the head with personal biases, only angers people and sends them into fight mode, right?

Fantasy would also offer me a chance to do a bit of teaching. My good guys could go up against my bad guys and show how right-thinking, honorable people deal with the bigots and superstitious folks in their world. SPOILER ALERT: The good guys win in my story, so there’s hope for a better future, and joy in knowing justice and happiness are possible in the end. Yay!

While this is semi-new territory for me, I feel pretty comfy in the fantasy nook, and I’m looking forward to sharing the story when it’s finished.

Morguefile

Do you read fantasy? Write it? Why? What makes this genre appealing to you?

Quote of the Week:

“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.” C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia

I’m Back in the Saddle for IWSG’s First Wednesday

June 1, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 66 Comments

The month of May zipped by, but not without many wonderful experiences hiking in some of the most beautiful country in the US. A lot of people are excited about Paris or New York, but for me, there’s nothing more beautiful than the open spaces and nature’s architecture. Stop me before I wax poetic about petrified forests, slot canyons, waterfalls, and pine forests! I could go on for hours, and then there are the pictures that I will want you to see-lots of pictures.

Grand Staircase National Monument Escalante

The road trip took 17 days. The average hike was 5 miles. I only got into trouble once when I was on a steep grade and the ground turned to sand. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t keep from sliding about ten feet onto the lower trail, filling my shoes with enough sand to keep me from going headfirst. I surprised a hiker below me with, “Look out! I’m on my way down.” I’m glad he was there because after him came the canyon.

At times the elevation made breathing while hiking up a mountain a challenge. Let’s face, it made it damned hard. I almost turned back a couple of times, but there was always a waterfall that I really wanted to see or a view that couldn’t be missed, so while those hikes took longer than I expected, I made it. Good thing I have great hiking friends for encouragement.

Canyonlands National Park

While I’ve hiked some of these trails before, doing it again was as if it were my first time. I’m much older than I was when I first visited these places and a very different person. While I was hiking what should have been familiar spots, sophomore year Philosophy 1A replayed Heraclitus who philosophized something like-and I paraphrase-You cannot step into the same river twice…

Cave at Great Basin National Park, Utah

Moab, Utah

I’ve missed hearing what everyone is doing, so I look forward to visiting and catching up.

And now…

The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray!

Remember, the question is optional!

When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?

I’ve really already answered this question at the beginning of the post. My first resort when I’m stuck or in the writing doldrums is to get up and get out. Walking or hiking always clears my head and returns me to the story. It took me a while to figure this out.

For a long time, I’d force myself to stick with the page even when the words wouldn’t come.

Miserable!

Then one day, just before I hurled the computer out the window, I turned the thing off and headed outside. I think I walked ten miles that day. By the time I came back, not only was I feeling smug about how much exercise I’d had, but I also had the words I needed to move ahead with the story.

Well, duh! Why did it take me so long to figure this out?

Ouray, Colorado

Quote of the Week: “Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.” - Albert Einstein

Gone Hiking

May 4, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie

I’m taking a break this month, but want to welcome

Sandra Cox

as a new admin for #IWSG!

She’s a great addition to this group.

Some thoughts on writing a ghost story

And now for a new addition to the ghostly tales to enjoy.

So what’s this story and this anthology about?

Onward to some HOT news!

A great hero who

A vivid bad guy (or force) who

Something exciting or poignant happens

An End that

See everyone in June!