What are Your Overused or Crutch Words

I know that I overuse certain words when I write, but it happens anyway. I don’t find them until the revisions, and then I’m shocked that I did it again. I finally made a list of the worst offenders that my critique group and editors have noticed over the years. Now during the early edits, I do a search and replace to get rid of the nasty critters.

Here’s my list:

• A lot

• Come on

• Definitely

• Few

• Going to

• Good

• Grabbed

• Hopefully

• Just

• Last

• Lately

• Little Dog

• More

• Only

• Other

• Out of the

• Probably

• Really

• Several

• Slightly

• Still

• Sure

• That

• Very

If you find that you have repeat words, make your list. If you weed out the duplicates during the editing stages, it will help make your writing stronger. (And you’ll be surprised how many times you use some of them.)

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Wendy Neugent

I’d like to welcome the fabulous Wendy Neugent to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Tea and my cat, Apurrham Lincoln.

Things that hamper your writing: Arthritis in my hands.

Favorite music or song: “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me” by Taylor Swift is my new favorite song to sing loudly in my car when I am alone.

Music that drives you crazy: Any songs that have police sirens.

The last thing you ordered online: The book, Buried in the Backwater by Drew Strickland

The last thing you regret buying: An inflatable hot tub.

Things you’d walk a mile for: Really good gluten free donuts. I’ve been gluten free for over a decade. Yeast raised donuts are the food that I miss the most.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: When someone has the TV and everyone talks loudly to be heard over it.

Things you always put in your books: Vacation destinations.

Things you never put in your books: Graphic violence.

Favorite places you’ve been: Tahiti. It was the most amazing place I have ever been. Everywhere you turn, it looks like something out of a travel magazine. I got to swim with sharks, pet a sting ray, and kayak surrounded by dolphins. I’d love to spend a year there.

Places you never want to go to again: Twice I ended up in cities, Key West and Milwaukee, where they were having a Harley Davidson conventions! The cities were awesome, but the noise was not!

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: Working as a headliner entertainer on ships for a decade. I was a magician and got to build my own illusions, do my own choreography, design and sew my costumes, and train my parrots. I started out with just a 10 minute set in the middle of a the revue show and grew my show until I had enough material to perform 2 forty five minutes shows. It was a lot of fun.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Oh, so many! But sometimes the best things come from a plan that doesn’t go the way you expected.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: I worked on cruise ships for a decade so many things that happened to me during my years on ships are in my books, including a shipboard fire, a concussion, and the ship crashing into the dock. Thankfully, there weren’t any actual murders on any of the ships while I was there!

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Because I worked on ships as an entertainer like my character, readers think that everything that happens to Olivia is something that happened to me. A lot of Olivia’s adventures are pulled from my imagination or from things that happened to my co-workers.

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: The soundtrack to Grease!

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: Rap music isn’t my cup of tea.

My favorite book as a child: Anne of Green Gables. I was lucky enough to get to visit the real Green Gables on Prince Edward Island when I was working on a Canada/New England cruise.

A book I’ve read more than once: Many of The Cat Who books. They are such a comfort read for me. Fun to visit Moose county and hang out with Koko and Yum Yum.

Your favorite movie as a child: Grease. I wanted to be Olivia Newton John when I grew up.

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): The Wizard of Oz. The flying monkeys were terrifying. Flying monkeys are still terrifying!

About Wendy:

Wendy Neugent spent a decade as part of an award-winning magic act performing on cruise ships all over the world.  She traveled from Alaska to Venezuela, Bermuda to Tahiti, and many exotic ports of call in between.

Now, Wendy uses her insider knowledge of cruise ship life to write fun and entertaining cozy mystery books set on cruise ships.

Wendy’s Cruise Ship Mysteries are the perfect books to read while taking a cruise or when you wish you were on a cruise.

Wendy Neugent’s debut mystery, Murder Takes a Bow was a Cozy Mystery Indie of the Year Finalist. All her books feature adorable pets, strong female protagonists, and riveting mysteries.

Do You Set Reading Goals?

I was the kid who was excited when the teacher said to read quietly. It’s rarely that I don’t have a book or my Kindle library more than an arm’s length away.

I don’t usually do New Year’s Resolutions, but I do set a reading goal each year on Goodreads to track my history. It’s helpful, and it reminds me to leave a review for the authors. The graphic that Goodreads creates each December is great to see your progress and your stats. Here’s mine for 2024.

For writers, reading is important. It helps you learn with what’s happening in the genre you write and to stay in tune with who is publishing what. Reading is research.

It’s also a great way to support your fellow authors. Buy and share their books. Write a review. Ask the library to add the books to its collection.

Hop over and follow me on Goodreads.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with JM Shaw

I’d like to welcome JM Shaw to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you never want to run out of: Coffee. It is the fuel of dreams.

Things you wish you’d never bought: Every journal I’ve ever bought. There is something compelling about those empty pages, but I have so many partially completed journals that it might qualify as an addiction.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Finding the time to write and dealing with the guilt of investing in a solo hobby that takes me away from my family.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Having the desire to write and finding inspiration in the unlikeliest of places. My “what if” mentality is a wellspring of creative ideas.

Things you need for your writing sessions: A hot cup of coffee and a clean workspace. Clutter is very distracting, and I am not fond of cold coffee.

Things that hamper your writing: I cannot write when my children are around. I love them to death, but they have no concept of personal boundaries, and they always seem to need copious snacks the instant I open my computer.

Something you’re really good at: I have an innate ability to think outside the box and imagine solutions or problems that others had not considered.

Something you’re really bad at: A frustrating side effect of autism and ADHD in my inability to manage my time effectively. Sometimes I struggle to get myself moving.

Favorite smell: I relish the smell of coffee in the morning. If only it tasted as good as it smells.

Something that makes you hold your nose: I can’t stand tea tree oil. If its strong enough, it will trigger me to have an asthma attack.

Last best thing you ate: I have a powerful sweet-tooth and a weakness for anything chocolate. I am particularly fond of mint aero bars.

Last thing you regret eating: I regret the donut I ate for breakfast this morning because I now must work off those calories.

The last thing you ordered online: I recently ordered a fancy looking office bag big enough to carry my laptop, agenda, wallet, and anything else I might.

The last thing you regret buying: I bought an expensive jacket in a size too small, hoping to motivate myself to lose weight. It’s been a year, and said garment hangs, used, in my closet, taunting me for my failure to reach my goal.

Things you always put in your books: I like to sprinkle wholesome life-lesson into my stories, weaving them throughout without making it too obvious. I also like slapstick comedy.

Things you never put in your books: While some of my stories contain romance elements, I will never write lovemaking scenes. The truth is far less entertaining and there is enough of that out there confusing a whole generation of young people, why would I add to that.

Things to say to an author: A simple, “I’ve read your book” is enough to encourage an author, regardless of whether you liked the story or not.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: For those who have said to me, “writing’s not that hard”, there is a place waiting for your inspired character in my fictional graveyard.

Favorite places you’ve been: I recently visited Muir Wood in California and loved it.

Places you never want to go to again: I never want to step foot in my old high school. The buzz of those fluorescent lights still makes me shudder.

Favorite books (or genre): I am partial to any genre if the story has a thought-provoking narrative, in-depth characters with good moral standings, and is rife with action and adventure. I get bored easily.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I do not enjoy spicy romance. Reading about characters falling in love is fine, but I don’t need to know what happens in the boudoir. No one has three chapters worth of stamina.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: My first book signing was a huge step outside my comfort zone. As an introvert, I prefer to avoid peopling wherever possible, but I pushed myself and discovered that I enjoy telling the world I exist.

Something you chickened out from doing: I could never bungee jump or skydive. I am too petrified of heights.

The funniest thing to happen to you: I was working as a cashier and opened my register to count out my customers change. When I close the till, the spring lever that holds down the bills caught the edge of a pen. The pen flipped twice before hitting my right between the eyes, painting a blue dot on the bridge of my nose. My customer and coworkers, assuming I’d done it intentionally, were impressed enough to applaud. Rather than correct their presumption, I simple accepted their adulation.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: I face planted on a frosted glass door in front of a waiting room full of people. When I looked back, everyone was trying not to laugh. Hoping to turn the situation around, I said, “You all saw nothing”. The laughter that erupted was heard from two offices away, but at least they weren’t laughing at my misstep.

About JM:

J.M. Shaw lives in Airdrie, Alberta, with her husband and two young children. She and her family embarked upon a journey of understanding, acceptance, and life-long learning when they discovered their shared diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Writing is her passion and, with experience and interests in healthcare, psychology, martial arts, and personal training, she pours her unique insights and knowledge into all her creative fictions.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: www.jmshawauthor.com.

#WriterWednesday with Luce Sutherland

I’d like to welcome Luce Sutherland to the blog for #WriterWednesday! And many thanks for being the first interview for 2025!

Things you never want to run out of:

Migraine medication, vanilla Macadamia nut coffee from Maui Coffee Co., electricity, the internet, and colored pens. Oh, and good books to read!

Things you wish you’d never bought:

Nutri bullet blender as I’m over my smoothie craze. The last winter coat I bought (I live in Florida!). All the cute high heels I can’t walk in for more than five minutes.

Hardest thing about being a writer:

Learning all the systems – KDP, Goodreads, Ingram Spark, Bowker, Instagram, all the rules and guidelines for the above. It is endless and daunting!

Easiest thing about being a writer:

My first response to that was “there is nothing easy about it.” Upon further reflection, it’s the actual writing and creating…when its flowing and you aren’t worried about grammar and adverbs and commas, oh my!

Things you need for your writing sessions:

Peace and quiet. Time to ruminate which I do during a massage and in the morning hours between sleeping and waking. And I like a bit of time pressure.

Things that hamper your writing:

My husband at my office door with ridiculous questions when I am trying to concentrate. My son FaceTiming when he cannot find something. The social media rabbit hole I take myself into!

Words that describe you:

Genuine, wise, funny, smart, and she swears like a truck driver but with a very classy style.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t:

That I am too nice or too soft.

Favorite foods:

Linguini in white clam sauce, ribeye steak, pecan pie and ice cream, Vermont cheddar mac & cheese.

Things that make you want to gag:

Anchovies, super spicy stuff and boiled Brussel sprouts.

Something you’re really good at:

Making to do lists. Finding space for things that I shouldn’t be holding on to. Karaoke and dancing to electronic dance music. Unless people have been lying to me…

Something you’re really bad at:

Racquet sports, any type of coordinated aerobics, throwing stuff out and negotiating to get a better price.

Favorite smell:

When you open the windows during the first cool day and the breeze comes in. Or the smell of a ribeye sizzling on the barbeque, or pies baking…

Something that makes you hold your nose:

Cigarette smoke, sewage, the smell of weed, and bad broccoli.

Things you’d walk a mile (or 5) for: A good charity, to burn off the pecan pie, to meet my dearest friends or family, to greet fans of my book.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room:

Cockroaches, mice and all fast flying bugs.

Favorite places you’ve been:

Edinburgh, Tokyo, Rome

Places you never want to go to again:

China

Favorite books (or genre):

Dark or steamy or erotic romance, and romantic suspense.

Books you wouldn’t buy:

Horror or true crime.

Best thing you’ve ever done:

Finished a book!

Biggest mistake:

Choosing the wrong date in the Amazon system when setting up the pre-order for my book! Only one revision is allowed – so I landed unexpectedly on a January 17th release date!

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books:

I don’t think I can say it here.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not:

That I did the same research as my FMC to write my book!

About Luce:

Luce Sutherland has been reading juicy, erotic romance since before it was mainstream... when you couldn’t hide behind a Kindle, and you had to bring the illicit book to the register - and be judged by the cashier.

When those books became harder to come by, she resorted to writing her own stories about dominant, delicious, alpha heroes and the bold, sassy heroines they aimed to tame.

Luce lives with her own alpha husband in the Sunshine state, even though she gets sunburned walking from the car to the grocery store.

She is passionate about living each day to the fullest, which includes nurturing authentic friendships, savoring Maui coffee, and indulging in Scottish gin. Luce is also a devoted advocate for the benefits of self-care.

Her motto is LIVE LIFE JUICY - and you can find out more by signing up for her juicy blog.

Let’s Be Social:

Website:  https://lucesutherland.com/   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087012444165   

(Luce Sutherland Writes)   

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lucesutherlandwrites/     

Blog:  https://lucesutherland.com/blog/  

My Writing Music

I am one of those people who cannot work in complete silence. My day gig has been in IT for many, many years, and it is never quiet. I always have some kind of music playing as I work. I have to have background music on to keep me company or to drown out the nearby chatter. I also can’t drive without music (or a murdery podcast) on in the car.

I listen to rock or country if I’m making edits or doing my marketing tasks. Sometimes, the louder, the better. I make playlists for certain eras or for my favorites. Right now, I’m writing a mystery that features Elvis impersonators, so I have a King playlist.

I like classical or relaxing stations for writing and serious copy editing.

I save my jazz or instrumental channels for days when I need to think and plot.

When you work, do you like complete silence or music? What type of music do you listen to?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Bjorn Leesson

I’d like to welcome Bjorn Leesson back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday.

Things you never want to run out of: Wonder at everything in the world. I always find something about everything that is interesting to me, and I would hate to stop finding things of interest. I’m pretty sure it won’t happen. Ha.

Things you wish you’d never bought: I can’t think of a single thing. I learn from the mistakes I make, to include bad purchases, and those “learning through pain” moments are also what makes each of us – us.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Just a functioning brain and an idea. And the functioning brain is maybe a little less reliable than it once was.

Things that hamper your writing: The self-imposed idea that “this isn’t any good” before I have given the story or character a chance to develop. I am getting better about this, but every once in a while, I have to resist the urge to purge what I have written en masse. I walk away from it for a while, and nearly always discover the spark needed for me to be happy with it.

A few of your favorite things: The forest, open desolate country roads, and the babbling of water features (water fountains, rocky streams, etc).

Things you need to throw out: Eventually, I need to shed all the material things that aren’t necessary. But, that is hard for us humans to do. One day, though.

Favorite music or song: I like a little bit of everything, but my favorites are ragtime, big band, classical, historical themed songs (such as Johnny Horton), and comedic (such as Ray Stevens and Spike Jones.)

Music that drives you crazy: Most rap. Sorry, it just isn’t music to me. It is only loud, unimaginative storytelling that rarely seems to have a positive message. Just one guy’s opinion.

The last thing you ordered online: Author copies of Runes of Revenge, the next release of the Outside the Thalsparr series. February 25, 2025, and I am very excited about it.

The last thing you regret buying: A hamburger from a local fast food chain that I already know is not very good, but I did it anyway – and paid the digestive price for it later. Ha.

Things you’d walk a mile for: The perfect field or forest to sit in and just enjoy the serenity, wildlife, and natural noises to be heard. It’s my idea of heaven on earth.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: People who want to dominate a room, force their opinions on others, and can not just agree to disagree and let it go at that. I don’t want to think for others, and I surely don’t want them to think for me. I don’t speak of healthy debate – I love healthy debate – but there is a point where an impasse is encountered. Some people just won’t stop until they have tried to beat someone else into the dirt.

Things you always put in your books: A wide emotional range for each character. It is my goal to make the reader laugh, gasp, cry, and wonder. Essentially, I want it to feel like “life,” even if it is a fiction fantasy story.

Things you never put in your books: The “f” word. It is just a word, yes, and it is very popular these days. But just like pointless sex scenes, the “f” word is just gratuitous, overused, and unnecessary in my opinion. Its use would not stop me from reading a book, but I don’t put it into my own writing. (Having said that, the word is alluded to a few times in my books, but not used in its entirety.)

Favorite places you’ve been: I label my answer here as “best” in the sense that I have only been once, and it isn’t likely I will be able to go back anytime soon – Great Britain. I went on vacation there many years ago to visit friends with more friends, and I enjoyed pretty much every second. Fabulous place.

Places you never want to go to again: Anywhere that contains a large number of drunk people in a confined space. Some of them are entertaining, while others are more trouble than it’s worth. Ha.

People you’d like to invite to dinner: Alive – Jeremy Clarkson, George RR Martin, and William Shatner. Dead – Einstein, J RR Tolkien, and my father.

People you’d cancel dinner on: Pretty much any of the internet, radio, or television rabble-rousers who just employ shock and awe for ratings with no regard to any ethical responsibility to society.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I drove a street stock car at the local race track for a season. It was very fun, but became a little too expensive for someone just out of high school.

Something you chickened out from doing: Not as much as chickening out as much as just refusing to do it outright. Ha. My friend (who got me into stock car racing to begin with) wanted me to go sky-diving with him. That was a hard “no.”

About Bjorn:

Bjorn was born in the Lowcountry of South Carolina a long, long time ago.  He has worked in manufacturing all his working life to feed himself but has nourished his mind with the study of many topics; history of all eras, the paranormal, astronomy, writing of different types, photography, archeology, genealogy, vexillology, some other -ologies, even stock car racing for a couple of years, and on and on.  Bjorn finds just about everything fascinating in some way and has been accused of being too easily entertained.  A blend of a few of his interests led to the creation of the Thalsparr Universe.  The first installment of the series will be “Runes of the Dokkrsdottir,” with a release date to be determined.  He currently lives in the Midlands of South Carolina with his wife of 25 years on their hobby farm.

Let’s Be Social:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPGJWXLY?binding=paperback&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tpbk&qid=1733701027&sr=8-1

Website: Thalsparr.com

Merry Christmas to You and Yours!

Merry Christmas, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season full of love, fun, family, friends, and books! And many thanks to all those who work through the holidays so that we can be safe and healthy.