#IWSG Focus on AI For Writers

Insecure Writer's Support Group:
IWSG Sign-up (insecurewriterssupportgroup.com)

Welcome to IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is 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 haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of our fearless ninja leader Alex Cavanaugh. Thank you to the awesome cohosts for the August 7 posting of the IWSG: Feather Stone, Kim Lajevardi, Diedre Knight, C. Lee McKenzie, and Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Insecure Writer's Support Group (insecurewriterssupportgroup.com)

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IWSG August 7 question - Do you use AI in your writing and if so how? Do you use it for your posts? Incorporate it into your stories? Use it for research? Audio?

The easy answer to the above questions, for me, is "No" to all. I have written several novels (two unpublished) plus a book of poetry and never used AI to create or develop the story. My focus now is on writing short stories and the ones I've written for anthologies have all been about topics of personal interest that I could relate to and embellish with research - my favorite part of writing. I look forward to reading the IWSG blog comments today to learn more about AI, programs others use, and success stories.

As for my interest in writing short stories again, I often wonder about length and whether long or short stories are more appealing to readers. Social media sites seem to owe much of their attraction to easy access, short comments, and "photos that tell the story." 

Do shorter attention spans require shorter short stories?

*****

Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou: Cruising on a Sea of Words series

Tako Drummers ringing in the New Year

Each year, it is tradition for me to ring in the New Year by compiling a list of goals to take me through the upcoming twelve months. My writing projects head the list, with reading goals close behind. Some goals appear year after year, not for lack of accomplishment but rather because they bear repeating on an annual basis.

Healthy lifestyle goals top this chart since my total hip replacement in 2018, diagnosis of pre-diabetes early in 2019, followed by surgeries and radiation treatments for DCIS in 2019-2020. Whether I reach or exceed a goal, my satisfaction is the same. Only when I totally miss the mark do I feel any measure of disappointment.

For 2021, I've set a reasonable bar that reflects what I plan to accomplish over the next year in terms of:

1.) Reading

2.) Writing & marketing, and

3.) Healthy living.

I fear neither success nor failure. My concern is about setting a goal to accomplish something that is a questionable measure of my success or failure, whether as a writer specifically or as a contributor to society in general.

How do you measure the success of your goals?

 

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou

Hau'oli: Happy;

Makahiki: Year, age, annual;

Hou: New.

  

 

Happy New Year to You

and

Much Success in Your Future.

*****

Cruising on a Sea of Words: kuleana

Words are cash in the bank for a writer. In my latest novel, Island Cruise Homicide, I use a selection of Hawaiian words, several Pidgin English words, and a few less easily categorized words, all specific to the scenes or dialogue in the story. The Glossary included at the end of the novel is for readers interested in a bit more description.

In a series of blog posts, "Cruising on a Sea of Words" reveals how the words fit into the story. Today's word, kuleana, is the Hawaiian word for responsibility or duty. When one has higher authority or special talents or knowledge, it is their kuleana to help others. But all residents are reminded that it is their kuleana to help in Hawai'i, whether to keep the islands clean and safe, to assist elders, or to respect another's privacy. We all share the responsibility of human kindness.

An excerpt from Island Cruise Homicide, a scene set at Ka'ena Point on O'ahu:

“I’ve been coming here to meditate every Wednesday for many years," Lehu said. "During my youth, Father taught me to replenish myself so I could concentrate more quality-filled attention on the needs of others.”

Nate rested on his haunches with his attention riveted on Lehu. “Do you teach others how to surf?”

“Yes, teaching is my kuleana, one of my responsibilities. Because I was gifted with the ability to understand the sea, my duty is to assist those who are not as attuned to the ways of the ocean.”

                                                      *****

You can find Island Cruise Homicide in print or ebook format today at:                Amazon.com  https://amzn.to/2JuYg20

Quarantine Station Grosse Isle, Québec

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The 26 eclectic-genre short stories for my #AtoZChallenge are excerpts from travelogue notes by

novel character Gahlen, who first appeared in SHARDS OF MEMORY – Oral History in a Heartbeat.

Each A-to-Z daily post is a complete, stand-alone tale.

Quarantine Station Grosse Isle, Québec

Genre: Horror – truth and fiction

(321 words)

The lazaretto and quarantine facilities here on Grosse Isle in the St. Lawrence River opened in 1832. That row of cannons on the beach faces approaching boats that carry staff. Immigrants are arriving by the thousands for inspection. Cholera and typhus are getting out of control.

Often we have to hold immigrants for unspecified amounts of time even if they do not test positive for disease or sickness. Parents with symptoms of cholera are placed in isolation.

In the disinfection building we have what is called decontamination equipment. We use it to destroy cholera germs on immigrants’ meager belongings. Curious, unsupervised children clamor for a look inside. Workers assigned to the tedious task of disinfecting property shoo them away.

My job is to guard the property. After one evening shutdown, a boy begged me to remove the bad bugs crawling around in him. On the spot, I concocted a plan. If the disinfecting process could destroy cholera on clothing, why not use it to wipe out diseases inside immigrants? The equipment was too compact for adults, but I could start with a small child. If it worked, I would be rewarded, maybe even become famous.

Calculating what I could buy with the reward money, I helped the boy crawl inside and shut the door. I adjusted the dials, compensating for the reduced timespan with a higher temperature. For a moment, I felt some uncertainty. But the machine kicked in and I figured it was too late to turn back. Once the door locked, the cycle began and ran its course.

A ticking sound indicated the process was complete. The lock deactivated and my doubts mounted. Had the boy actually been infected with cholera? Was the machine capable of destroying germs inside a body? How could I prove my plan had worked? As I opened the door, my questions were answered. The plan had not worked, or else had worked too well.

*****

Maniwaki Wild Rice Harvest

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The 26 eclectic-genre short stories for my #AtoZChallenge are excerpts from travelogue notes by

novel character Gahlen, who first appeared in SHARDS OF MEMORY – Oral History in a Heartbeat.

Each A-to-Z daily post is a complete, stand-alone tale.

Maniwaki Wild Rice Harvest

Genre: Mystical Fantasy

(388 words)

      An unexpected event on this autumn day forever won Alsoomse’s admiration of the mystical being, Padnini. Her duty for the rice harvest was to help paddle a canoe along the St. Lawrence River. Maniwaki tribesmen harvested the wild rice by bending the stalks with two sticks held between nimble fingers. With a quick flick of their wrist, the grains fell into the canoe’s hull. A guide steered while Alsoomse propelled them forward.

As the sun rose higher, Alsoomse’s arms grew weak. The river’s flow thundered in her ears. She swooned and fell into the chilled waters, her thoughts fading as she sank deeper.

Alsoomse slowly envisioned Padnini, the trickster who dwelled within the forest. Some in his group of magical beings performed dangerous acts such as kidnapping children. But Padnini’s pranks were harmless. Why had he chosen the day Alsoomse participated in a centuries-long ritual of harvesting wild rice to play tricks with her life?

Her eyelids fluttered as warm breath filled her lungs. She recognized her father and asked, “Have I died?”

“You are saved to do great things, Alsoomse,” he said. “But you are yet too young to participate in this tradition. Our decision to include you was ill-conceived.”

While recovering, Alsoomse received special attention. All accepted blame for allowing her participation in the harvest without realizing the possible consequences. Yet none considered her too young to participate. Her father had uttered those words only to appease the evil powers.

The more dangerous of the magical beings believed that they alone had a right to earth’s bounty. As revenge for the tribe’s tradition of harvesting wild rice during the equinox, they had attempted to end a helpless girl’s life.

“Father,” Alsoomse said one morning, “When I fell into the river, was I invisible?”

“Yes,” he said. “Never before have the angry ones made a human invisible. We could not save you.”

“Then why am I alive?”

“That mischievous Padnini saw your plight,” her mother said, “and made you visible over the protestations of the evil ones. We know not what he has in store for you.”

The teacher welcomed Alsoomse back to school. Life returned to normal. And on her way home the first day of winter, Alsoomse slipped and fell on a patch of ice she would have sworn was not there a moment before.

*****

G is for GREEK DOLMADES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES) #AtoZChallenge

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

My daily #AtoZ posts combine two concepts in under-300-words per day:

an appealing food choice along with thoughts that spring to mind.

*** *** ***  

As you've probably already guessed, I'm not much of a cook these days. Cracking open a container of yogurt or peeling back the lid of a can counts as preparing a meal for me. So when I'm in the mood for something complicated, like stuffed grape leaves, I gravitate to the grocery story salad bar. It's really not the dolmades that I crave, but the lemon sauce that contributes such flavor to the meatless variety. While egg lemon sauce (Avgolemono) goes best with the meat-stuffed rolls, a squeeze of lemon juice and a dollop of creamy yogurt works wonders to liven up the others.

Though I've never been to Greece, it has been a daydream of mine to jet off to the islands of Mykonos, Rhodes, and beautiful Santorini with its original whitewashed buildings of lava rock dotting the hillsides. Or, at least, to write a story set on a red sand beach. The volcanic activity that shaped the island, however, shares similar birth pains with the island where I reside. Possessing no great urge to travel such a distance, it pleases me to have that thread of commonality between Santorini and O'ahu.

That, and a shared love of dolmades.

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#IWSG Pros and Cons of Reading as a Writer

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

 

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.

Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.
http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG

Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh's awesome co-hosts for the February 1 posting of the IWSG are Misha Gericke, LK Hill, Juneta Key, Christy and Joylene Buter!

 

February 1 Question: How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?

 

 

In recent years, now that I am writing full-time, my reading habits have continually evolved - 

 

for better and for worse.

 

My choice of genres has broadened from mostly mysteries to more diverse areas of interest, including non-fiction history of war. Interest in this particular genre initially blossomed as research to build backstory for my novels' protagonist.

Now I'm hooked.

My current reading list includes Last Hope Island by Lynne Olson (a Goodreads Giveaway win of a book to be published 4.25.17). Expanding my knowledge base would be one of the "for better" sides of the reader-becomes-writer experience.

 

On the down side, I often find myself editing as I read. It took a while to realize this occurred most when scenes dragged, characters had no character, or the plotline lost focus. These were not conscious considerations before I started focusing on the mechanics of writing my own stories.

 

While there are times poor writing or lack of editing become too much of a distraction, I will still read to the end of most novels. There is usually a lesson to be learned in how the author unfurls the climax.

 

*****

 

My reading goal this year is to read and review 72 books, in a wider range of genres than ever before! (Last year's goal was 71 and I hit 86.) As a writer, do you read more, or less?

 

*****

 

 

 

 

IT'S #NANOWRIMO TIME: No Wrong - Just WRITE-WRITE-WRITE!

Gail's stock picnic lunch
during NaNoWriMo 

 

This year, I've decided to have a "no cook" month of writing. All my meals will be grab-and-go picnic foods like lettuce salads with chicken or salmon chunks, tuna salad, PB&J on English muffins, protein drinks, hummus with baguette slices, yogurt, cottage cheese, Cup O' Noodles, and fruit cups.

Of course, there are the "Write-In" days at Pa'ina Café downtown with our NaNoWriMo tradition of Frozen Hot Chocolate drinks and poke (raw tuna) bowls! That's every Saturday. On Thursdays, we'll be meeting at Coffee Talk in Kaimuki where they serve mega-choices of fresh baked goods and croissant sandwiches.

Come to think of it, I'm not sure if my excitement is more about writing my next novel or choosing my next meal. One thing is certain, though. I'll be supplementing my food choices with plenty of

C * H * O * C * O * L * A * T * E

 

And my goal? To get another one of these:

 

 

 



 

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PAYING IT FORWARD: AUTHOR LAURIE HANAN

Everyone needs at least one fellow writer who is also willing to take on the role of first/beta reader; a person who will point out your mistakes, and then give you suggestions on how to fix them. I’ve been lucky to have more than one such person. But one in particular deserves the spotlight. The person who let me know, more than once, when my thought process needed adjusting is author and editor and friend, Laurie Hanan.

Laurie Hanan
Author of Louise Golden mysteries

Today, I am “Paying It Forward” to Laurie with a huge “MAHALO” for her tremendous support and camaraderie. Over the past five years, she has readily answered my many questions and volunteered her time often, without hesitation. In a profession that could easily become more competition than mutual encouragement, Laurie's willingness to help others stands out. 

Does she offer sympathy when I am feeling insecure in my writing? Not! Her advice is more on the order of, “Yup, we’ve all been there. Get over it.” Okay, then. 

Laurie Hanan is the author of the Louise Golden Mysteries set in Hawai‘i. She recently published STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, the fourth novel in the series. On September 24, she will hold a gathering and “talk story” session for this novel. Here is her open invitation:  

You are invited to an evening of drinks (no alcohol!) pupus, and talking story about my latest novel, Stairway to Heaven.

 

Thursday September 24, 6:30 - 8 pm

Villages of Kapolei Recreation Center, in the conference room

 

Excerpts of reviews for STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN:

***** "This novel reads like today's headlines." Goodreads review 

***** "Laurie Hanan’s newest novel, Stairway to Heaven, is an action-packed story that takes her heroine, mail carrier Louise Golden, to new heights of adventure. Great characters make a great story. This one’s a very entertaining read, and I couldn’t put it down." A.K. Gunn, author of If Pigs Could Cry and The Honey Bee 

***** "Hanan adds subtle humor to the mix, making this a quick read, not the light beach kind but the tension-filled fast moving kind that keeps you reading to learn what happens next. Caution: When you climb the Stairway To Heaven, be sure to watch your step." Gail Baugniet, author of the Pepper Bibeau mysteries 

***** "Mild mannered Louise Golden, intrepid mail carrier, is once again pushed into the middle of a mystery almost too bizarre to believe." Greg Field, author if Red Dirt, White Bones  

***** "Laurie Hanan spins the reader forward and ends with a satisfying thump. A really fun, fast-paced, mystery that's made all the more enjoyable by Laurie's knowledge and description of the O'ahu setting." JoAnn Bassett, author of the Pali Moon mysteries

 

You can visit Laurie at:

Facebook: Laurie’s Author Page
Twitter: @LaurieHanan

 

All of Laurie's books are available at Amazon
Laurie Hanan Amazon Author Page

 

After All, It Is NANOWRIMO!

As my father once explained to me, my hometown of Two Rivers extends “Seven miles into Lake Michigan.” Two Rivers is known as “The Coolest Spot in Wisconsin” because of its unique location. We would be sitting in the backyard having a family picnic, wearing shorts and short-sleeved tops, when the wind off the lake would shift and the temperature would drop ten degrees at the snap of the fingers. Everyone carried a sweater or light jacket with them at all times.

Along the western shore of Lake Michigan 

There were other reasons my hometown was considered “The Coolest Spot in Wisconsin” also. Food, for one thing. Custard from The Custard Stand on the curve heading out toward the park; Port Sandy Bay Pizza; perch plates at Labor Hall on Friday nights; malts at the M&M near the edge of town after the dance or football game. Movies at the Rivoli or “Outdoor” theaters. Fishing on the Twin Rivers; swimming in Lake Michigan during summer; ice skating at the Washington Street rink in winter.

Our Christmas tree came from the back yard and all our vegetables came from our own or a relative’s garden. Also cool.

My childhood memories of Two Rivers may be flawed by the distance of time, but flawed in a good way, in a rose-colored glasses kind of way. I laugh about the scar on my wrist from when someone jokingly slammed my high school locker door on my hand; still cringe over the "tank" swim suits handed out for “Pool” during Phy Ed class; and will always associate the odor of lemon-scented air spray with my Science project, when I scraped a dead turtle out of its shell in Dad’s basement workshop. (Did I just reveal that deep dark secret from my past?!)

Writers are a fount of knowledge, interesting material buried deep in their subconscious waiting to be mined for a future story. So lay back, close your eyes, and let the ideas flow.

After all, it is NANOWRIMO!

When do the best ideas pop out of your head?