Prudence MacLeod's Writings

I'm not just a wanna be farmer, I'm also a writer. I write romance, sci-fi, and action/adventure. Sometimes I even blend the three just for fun.

The romance novels are listed on the left of the page. The other books are listed on the right of the page. Please enjoy. You can also check the other pages of this blog for more.

I also play a lot of World of Warcraft; if you're a player you may spot where that hobby creeps into my writing. :)

You can contact me here: prudymac@gmail.com

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Penalty Box



Hi folks, yes I’m a day late with this post. I do have an excuse. Actually, being a writer, I can give you a wide variety of excuses. However, as much as I’d like to be the hero here, it just isn’t true.  So, I will now confess the truth. Actually, I have no choice as Charis caught me in the act. The truth is, after I finished the morning writing and household chores yesterday; I got sucked into World of Warcraft.
Caught in the act!


Five minutes in the penalty box feeling great shame.



Okay, on the bright side, my next romance novel should be available next week. It is almost ready to go. I will post an excerpt tomorrow just to whet your appetite.

All right, time for the ROW80 check-in.
Goals:
1.      Write 10,000 words per week. (I’ve managed about 7K this week so far. I’m happy with that.)
2.      Read 10,000 words per week. (Got it.)
3.      Edit ten pages of a completed MS. (five done so far.)
4.      Feature a new author every Friday (I wasn’t able to this week. I’ll post an excerpt from my upcoming romance.)
5.      Read and comment on 10 blogs per week. (Six so far.)
6.      Log my computer time to see where I can change my work and play habits for the better. (I am NOT going to confess how much time I have wasted on WOW. (World of Warcraft.)
Well, that’s it for me today folks. For those of you on my mailing list, expect some goodies very soon.
Bye folks, see you tomorrow. Let me know how you’re getting on, I love to hear from you. J

Sunday, February 24, 2013

True Confessions



All right, folks, it’s time for the report on my misdeeds as recorded in the log of Shame. As many of you know, for the past week I have been logging my daily adventures, both good and bad.

Okay, we’ve all got house work, meals to prepare, dogs to walk, etc. it’s called a life. But there are other hours in the day, however there never seemed to be enough. Why? Why can some people get it done and others not? It was time to find out.

It didn’t take long to see where it was going. A bunch of it went to social media, but necessarily in a constructive way. Still more of it went to on-line games, and a fair bit of time went into getting my head into the story.

Oh yes, indeed. It wasn’t just the time I was losing to other pursuits; it was my difficulty getting the enthusiasm up for the project. Why? My old habit was to sit down with a coffee, check the sales figures, get depressed, go on social media, whine a bit, encourage as many folks as I could, then start reading blogs to get my head back in the game. It can be a tough sell.

I started recording this a week ago Wednesday, told you about it on Sunday, and changed the routine last Tuesday. I am thrilled and the ROW80 check-in below will testify to the change. I will write more on this subject come Wednesday.

ROW80 check-in:
Goals:
1.      Write 10,000 words per week. (Did it, life is good. J)
2.      Read 10,000 words per week. (Got it.)
3.      Edit ten pages of a completed MS. (Did 10 pages per day.:)
4.      Feature a new author every Friday (I didn’t even manage a blog post Friday. My bad.)
5.      Read and comment on 10 blogs per week. (Made it.)
6.      Log my computer time to see where I can change my work and play habits for the better. (Did it. This can be truly frightening, but illuminating.)
Well, that’s it for today, folks. So, have any of you tried to keep a log of your time? How did it go? Wednesday I’ll let you know a bit about how I made changes and the results so far.



Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Enlightening



Hi folks, it’s time for the Wednesday report. Sunday I started keeping track of where the time goes. It has been enlightening so far. The good news is I can easily see how to fix this thing. The down side is I am beginning to see that Pogo was right all those years ago when he said, “I have seen the enemy and he is us.”

Yep, I have seen the enemy and she appears to be me. As far as I can see, one of the biggest impediments to my productivity is me getting sucked into the internet. I know social media is the way to connect with friends, colleagues, fellow writers, readers, etc. and I love it. Too much. 

This whole process is still a work in progress, but I have hopes it will prove productive. So, here’s me doing internet research. (Playing World of Warcraft.) Honest, it keeps the juices flowing. Really.)

I’d like to thank everybody who gave me tips and especially Jennette Marie Powell for steering me to a great book. Keep those ideas coming folks, I need all the help I can get.

Now, time for the ROW80 check in.

Goals:
1.      Write 10,000 words per week. (I’ve managed about 6K so far this week. I’m happy with that. I may just make the ten after all.)
2.      Read 10,000 words per week. (Done.)
3.      Edit ten pages of a completed MS. (Done.)
4.      Feature a new author every Friday (Volunteers anyone?)
5.      Read and comment on 10 blogs per week. (Five so far. I have to work on that, it’s the fun part.)
6.      Log my computer time to see where I can change my work and play habits for the better. (Done. I warn you, this can be an eye opener. eesh)

Well, that’s pretty much it for today. If you want to share any ideas about how to work smarter, I’d be happy to listen.

Folks, if you are an author and want to be featured on this blog, just drop me a line here:  prudymac@gmail.com


Sunday, February 17, 2013

Work Smarter? How?




This is the question I keep asking. I see dozens of blogs every week dishing out the sage advice for us overworked and over stressed writers who just want to be left alone to write. The same thing always comes up, work smarter, not harder. 

Easy to say, but the question arises, how? I feel like I’ve tried everything possible (yes, I know, I’ve barely scratched the surface) but nothing seems to produce different results.

Okay, I’ve always preached the gospel of asking a different question, hopefully a better one. If I am going to figure out how to work smarter, I need a better handle on how I spend my time every day. Once I have logged everything I do at the computer for a couple of weeks then maybe I can figure out how to work smarter.

On that note I have started a log book of what I do at the computer and how much time I actually spend writing.  I can get close to 1K words per hour when I’m on a roll, so the object of the game is to make sure I can fine 1.25 hr. of uninterrupted writing time each day. 

If I can manage this I should be far more productive than I am right now. So, I am adding a new goal to my ROW80 list.


ROW80 check-in:
Goals:
1.      Write 10,000 words per week. (I’ve managed about 8K this week. I’m happy, all things considered.)
2.      Read 10,000 words per week. (Got it.)
3.      Edit ten pages of a completed MS. (Got it done for this week.)
4.      Feature a new author every Friday (I wasn’t able to this week. Sorry.)
5.      Read and comment on 10 blogs per week. (Made it.)
6.      Log my computer time to see where I can change my work and play habits for the better. (Starting Tomorrow.)

Well, that’s pretty much it for this week. If you want to share any ideas about how to work smarter, I’d be happy to listen.
Folks, if you are an author and want to be featured on this blog, just drop me a line here:  prudymac@gmail.com

Friday, February 15, 2013

Friday's Excerpt


Okay, it’s Friday, but I wasn’t able to round up a new author for you. These author types are like Hobbits, somewhat shy and hard to find. So, since I have nothing else for you I will post two excerpts from my own work. The first is from Calan; book one in the St. John’s Series of romance stories.

      
They checked out of the motel and found a restaurant.  Angela went to buy more aspirin for Callie while Calan went to find a good table. Angela paid for the aspirin and headed into the main dining room. She spotted Calan sitting at a table by the window, and there was a fat guy bending over her. Rage burned in Angela’s heart as she made a bee line for the table. Why the hell isn’t Calan kicking this fool’s ass all over the room? Oh god, she is too stiff and sore. She can’t move; she’s trapped. Quick Angie, think of something fast.
Quick as a cat, Angela slipped in front of the guy with her back to him. She hip checked him out of the way as she bent over Calan and kissed her softly. Callie’s eyes flew open in surprise and she froze, but only for a moment. The kiss was so loving and gentle, her eyes fluttered closed and her lips parted slightly as she released herself to the kiss.  
Slowly Angela pulled her lips away from Callie’s. “Sorry that took so long, lover. Did you miss me?  
“I’ll have bacon, two eggs easy over, brown toast and coffee, lots of cream and sugar,” she said firmly as she turned toward the man who had been bent over Calan.
“I’m not your damn waiter, you sick lezzie bitch,” snarled the man as he stalked away cursing to himself.
“Oh my god, Callie,” gasped Angela as she saw the strange look on Calan’s face. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t think; I mean....”  She stopped as Calan gently squeezed her hand.
“Quiet, I’m savouring the sensations.”
“Savouring the sensations?”
“Savouring the sensations of my first real kiss,” Calan replied with that dreamy quality in her voice.  “I’ll be thirty years old in a couple of weeks and I finally got a real kiss.”
“Callie, I’m so sorry,” said Angela, but Calan stopped her again.
“I’m not,” she purred softly, “I want you to do it again.”
Just then a young waitress bounced up to their table.  “Now,” she said with an impish grin, “was that one order of bacon, two eggs easy over, brown toast, and coffee with lots of cream and sugar, or was it two?”

Now here's an excerpt from my current WIP. If you have read Assassin of Nova and Novan Witch you will be familiar with the characters.

Gorda slowly struggled out of the downed ship. Zartah was close behind him. “Was that exciting enough for you, Zartah?” he asked as he helped haul his friend from the smoking ruin of what was once a small fighter ship. They clambered away looking for cover, but the ship didn’t explode.
Zartah put his back against a boulder and sank slowly to the ground. “That was a wild ride all right, Gorda. Any idea what hit us?”
“None, but I’m willing to bet it wasn’t any random natural occurrence. We were shot down.”
“Oh yeah, indeed we were shot down. What say we leg it out of here before whoever sent us the welcome comes looking for this ship.”
“Agreed, my friend. Let’s go.” They headed into the forest, climbing steadily up the steep ridge. Zartah, knowing he was crashing and that he’d been shot down, had managed to steer the wounded ship into some difficult terrain. The idea was to slow down the enemy as much as possible while making an escape.
His comm unit crackled, sputtered, and then a voice came through. “Micha to Zartah, come in Zartah.”
“Zartah here, Boss.”
“Status?”
“We’re alive and in relatively good shape, but the ship’s lost.”
“Extraction?”
“No, Boss, we’re here, we might as well continue the mission. We were shot down though; I don’t think we should leave that ship for an enemy to find and scavenge.”
“Agreed. You clear?”
“Well clear, Boss.”
“Zartah, report in every twelve hours ship’s time. You miss a report we’ll come in. Call if you need anything.”
“Understood, Boss. Zartah out.” A moment later they heard the scream of an incoming shell. The remains of their poor battered ship was obliterated in the blast.
As the echo of the blast faded Gorda looked at Zartah and grinned. “Well, first man, we have an entire planet to search for a single man. Where should we start?”
“Well, somebody shot us down, let’s start by asking them.”
“That sounds like a sensible plan. They’ll surely come to investigate the blast; we could ask them then,” chuckled Gorda.


Okay folks, that’s it for Friday. I’ll have something more for Sunday’s check-in. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Oh, it seems that Amazon no longer uses the like feature for individual books, but it still works for the authors, so if you’re so inclined. Look me up and like me; I'm friendly. J

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A Productive Wednesday


Here we are mid-week and it has been a productive day. House work done, snow shoveled, dogs walked, baking finished, mail collected, groceries purchased, and 2K words written. I don’t get a lot of days this good, so I like to celebrate them when I do. So, here’s me and the boys out for a winter’s stroll.



On another front, Assassin of Nova is starting to gain some traction. I’d really appreciate it if you could stop by the Amazon site and like the book. You could buy one too while you’re there. What? I’m begging? Oh bugger, okay I’ll stop. Oh look, squirrel, I mean socks.

All right, enough of that. It’s time for the ROW80 check-in.

Goals:
1.      Write 10,000 words per week. (Well, I’ve got 4K so far this week. Might just make it.)
2.      Read 10,000 words per week. (Okay, did that.)
3.      Edit ten pages of a completed MS. (Already got this done.)
4.      Feature a new author every Friday. (Looking for a volunteer here.)
5.      Read and comment on 10 blogs per week. (I’m at about 6 right now.)

Folks, if you are an author and want to be featured on this blog, just drop me a line here:  prudymac@gmail.com

Well, that’s it for me for today folks. Drop me a comment to let me know how you’re doing, if you would like to be featured on a Friday, or just to chat. Always happy to hear from you.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Days lost in life.



This was a week that seemed to get away from me. I had so many good intentions. Here’s an example of how the week just disappeared in all the wrong places.
Thursday, I was on the way home with a load of groceries. I thought I was in luck when I reached the dock and got on a boat within ten minutes. This particular boat had been out of service because of mechanical problems. She had been gone for weeks and had just returned to service.

After a half hour delay due to, yes, mechanical issues, she put to sea. We arrived back on the island without incident, but the sunny day had vanished and it was snowing hard. Slow trip home.
See? It has been stuff like this for days, water issues, power issues, weather, doors that won’t close tight, things that need to be fixed, and so on. Needless to say, I didn’t get a lot of writing done this week. However, on the bright side, Assassin of Nova was released on Tuesday and is doing well. You can find it here.




Now on with the ROW80 check-in. (time to face the music)
Goals:
1.      Write 10,000 words per week. (Nope, barely got 3K this week. Will try harder this week.)
2.      Read 10,000 words per week. (I doubt I managed this either.)
3.      Edit ten pages of a completed MS. (I only managed four this time.)
4.      Feature a new author every Friday. (This one I did do. The lovely and talented Shannon Esposito was my guest on Friday. Check out that post)
5.      Read and comment on 10 blogs per week. (I might have gotten seven, but no more. Sigh)

Folks, if you are an author and want to be the featured Friday author on this blog, just drop me a line here:  prudymac@gmail.com
Well, that’s it for my week folks. How did you all manage?

Friday, February 8, 2013

Friday’s Feature Author, Shannon Esposito



Hi folks, today I will introduce you to Shannon Esposito, a lady who tells a fine story. Shannon’s stories kind of creep up on you. You read the first few pages thinking, “Not bad”. A few pages later it’s, “This is pretty good. A page or two more and it’s, “Don’t bother me now; I have to finish this book.” Okay, you’ve been warned, they’re page turners. So without further ado, here’s a bit about Shannon.

Shannon Esposito lives in a magical gulf coast town with fluorescent sunsets, purple dragonflies and the occasional backyard alligator. Her mysteries transport readers to Florida without the hefty price of airfare. Although she knew from the age of five she wanted to be a writer, she briefly entertained the idea of being a scientist, until she found out it involved math, which gives her hives.
She shares this little corner of paradise with her husband, twin boys and dogs. If she's not writing, you'll find her coddling one of the above, hiding with a book or daydreaming with her toes in the sand.
You can visit her at murderinparadise.com

I’ve read and reviewed Karma’s a Bitch by Shannon Esposito on this blog already. Here’s where to find it:


The thing is, what has Shannon been up to lately? Let’s ask her. I know she's around here somewhere and she brought a friend. Ah, there they are. Hi guys, what's new?



So, as far as what I've been up to lately. Since December 15th, I've been a new puppy mommy to Atlas (14 weeks & 52 pounds in this pic) which brings a whole new level of challenge to finding "writing time." However, I have been working on the third book in the Pet Psychic Series in between potty breaks... the puppy's, not mine. Everyone knows writers don't get breaks. :-)  It's called "Silence is Golden" and features a Golden Retriever. Sort of a tribute to my 13 yr. old Golden gal. That book is scheduled for release this summer. Also, I'm in the process of getting the first two books in the series out in print. They should be available in a few weeks for those readers that prefer to hold, smell and cuddle their books.

That’s awesome, Shannon. I’m so happy to hear the third book in the Pet Psychic Series will soon be ready. I loved Karma, and I’ve just bought Lady Luck Runs out. I’ll be reviewing it as soon as I’ve finished reading it.
Hey folks, here’s where to find Lady Luck Runs Out. If you want to beat me to that review I’m sure Shannon would love that.


 Here’s a few more places you can find Shannon:


 
 


Shannon, thanks so much for dropping by. I hope you sell a million copies of this series. It’s great.

Well that’s it for this Friday folks. Go check out Shannon’s work, you’ll love it. Give her Amazon page a like too, every bit helps. :)

Okay, see you Sunday with another ROW80 check-in. :)

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Finally Here


Hi folks, it has been a bit of a long ride, but the book is finally here. Novel #33 has just been published. The revised and edited version of Assassin of Nova is finally available on both Amazon and Smashwords. Hopefully, within a few weeks it will also be on B&N, Apple, Sony, Kobo, etc. So, complete with links and my happy dance, is Assassin of Nova.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/282192 

http://www.amazon.com/Assassin-Nova-Book-Series-ebook/dp/B00BBJVIKK/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_9

I will readily confess this one has commanded most of my attention over the past few weeks. If you are so inclined, please click the Amazon link, then hit the like button. Some tags would be nice too.

Okay, on to ROW80

Goals:
1.      Write 10,000 words per week. ( I’m only at 3K so far.)
2.      Read 10,000 words per week. (Done )
3.      Edit ten pages of a completed MS. (Haven’t started this one yet. Oops)
4.      Feature a new author every Friday (I haven’t lined up anybody yet. Wow, authors sure are shy folk.)
5.      Read and comment on 10 blogs per week. (Six so far. Shouldn’t be a problem.)

So that’s my big news for this week. I hope you have enjoyed the excerpts I’ve posted and I hope you’re intrigued enough to read the whole story.



Sunday, February 3, 2013

End of a Tough Week


Hey folks, it has been one of those weeks when my plans truly amused the gods. In other words, dang little I’d planned actually took place, but I seemed to be overly busy every day. Sometimes life just goes that way and we either go with the flow or drown.
When I take a hard look back at it, I did accomplish quite a lot, just not a lot writing oriented.

However, there has been some progress. Book three of the Nova series is well under way and book two is nearly ready to launch. So, on that note, here’s another glimpse into Assassin of Nova and a look of the final cover.


The small speeder closed on the fleeing mail carrier ship like a striking falcon. Pulling alongside the aging craft and matching speed, Kella reached for the communicator. “Mail carrier Argus, slow your rotation; we will lock on.”

“No.” The reply was short, but the voice sounded fearful. The captain had an idea who might be in that small ship and he wanted only to be anywhere she was not.

“Look at your screen, Captain. Do you see the woman with the tattoos? Do you know who this is?”

“Yes.” He was terrified now.

Lessa moved closer to the screen and spoke. Her voice left no room for argument or dissension. “Slow your rotation if you wish to survive.”

“Yes Lady.” The ship’s rotation slowed and the speeder locked on.
The air lock hissed open and Lessa slipped through. She was instantly hit with a blast of energy from a high powered pulse weapon. Anyone else would have been killed instantly; Lessa was staggered, but remained on her feet.

She thrust out her hand and the man screamed in pain as the weapon burst into flame, severely burning his hands. A twist of her hand and his clothing caught fire. He screamed again, but she closed her fingers tightly and the flames vanished. Her hand flew open again and he was hurled against the bulkhead where he hung in the air.

“Where is she?” That voice was deep, filled with hate and rage, and clearly not the voice of a human woman.

“Not here,” he gasped out.
“I know that. Where did you leave her? Speak.”

That terrible voice sent waves of fear and pain through his body, and he whimpered as he answered her. “PX19. They were waiting on PX19.”

“Your hands are ruined, and your eyes no longer see.” At that dread pronouncement his world went dark and he fell to the deck, whimpering in fear.

Lessa stepped past him and made her way to the bridge. A quick scan of the ship’s auto log showed her the co-ordinates on PX19. She sent them to Kella then returned to the loading bay where the hapless man lay on the floor.

“I will contact the Borelian Guard; they will come for you.” With that she turned and slipped gracefully back through the air lock.


Now for the ROW80 check-in:
Goals:
1.      Write 10,000 words per week. (I only managed six thousand this week. Sigh)
2.      Read 10,000 words per week. (I truly doubt I managed this either. We’ll call it a miss.)
3.      Edit ten pages of a completed MS. (Got this one done.)
4.      Feature a new author every Friday. (I didn’t manage this either on Friday. Perhaps next week.)
5.      Read and comment on 10 blogs per week. (This one I did manage.)

Folks, if you are an author and want to be featured on this blog, just drop me a line here:  prudymac@gmail.com

Well, that’s about all I have in me this week folks. I know I should devote the next two hours to writing, but I just don’t have it in me. I’m going on World of Warcraft and commit some mayhem for a while then I’m calling it a day.

Talk to me friends; tell me you had more success than I did this past week. J

Friday, February 1, 2013

A Week of Mondays



Yes, I know, it’s Friday and I’m supposed to have a new author for you. Oops, sorry, I don’t and I guess it is as much the fault of Fate as anything else. I’ve already told you about my Wednesday; well Thursday was no better. Arrived at the Dr.’s office for my check-up at 9:15, got in to see the doctor at 11:15, got home for lunch at noon.

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