(C) 2019 JJ ShaunEnd of summer cooking. And just like that, it’s Labor Day, the “unofficial end of summer.” So, aside from it being a federal holiday and long weekend, what is Labor Day all about? In the beginning, labor unions brought about the end of tyranny by employers who used and abused their workers. … Continue reading Summer’s End
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Motorcycles and World Records
As many of you already know, I ride a motorcycle. Yesterday I had the opportunity to not only help break a world record but to benefit a good cause—the Firefly Autism organization. Back in June, First Reader and a couple of friends rode to Topeka, Kansas, to participate in the Women's Freedom Ride. When they … Continue reading Motorcycles and World Records
Kickstarting Your Imagination
What sparks a story for you? A scene in a movie? The lyrics to a song? A person or event you saw on the street? A newspaper article? An old photograph? The inspiration for my novel began as a vivid dream that I had a whole lotta years ago. The idea sat dormant until recent … Continue reading Kickstarting Your Imagination
Summer Vacation, Part II
Last week, I promised pictures of the Vedauwoo formations. I failed. Instead, we went on ATV rides around the Pole Mountain area of the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming. (C) 2019, JJ ShaunOur campsite We had an impressive camp spot with a gorgeous view. (C) 2019, JJ ShaunView from camp Our friend, “DJ LaLa,” … Continue reading Summer Vacation, Part II
Summer Vacation, Part I
I just got back from the first half of vacation. Why should that interest you, you ask? Well, I travel to some exciting places and meet some interesting people. For example, I spend the last several days riding my motorcycle around the Black Hill of South Dakota—well, me, three of my friends, and about 150,000 … Continue reading Summer Vacation, Part I
The Tools We Use, Part III
In the last few days, I've seen a few queries about what tools we writers use to create our “Great American Novels.” As with most choices, it really depends on the writer. Some writers pen out their entire story by hand, then transcribe it to the computer later. Others are lost without a keyboard of … Continue reading The Tools We Use, Part III
Learning from Those Who Came Before
So, I spent the morning researching a creature for my D&D campaign, and during that research, I found a reference to a Germanic “house pet” of myth (think Dobby). I so wanted to ask my mom about her experiences growing up with the Northern German legend, but I can’t. My mom passed four and a … Continue reading Learning from Those Who Came Before
Beating Writer’s Block
“Help! I have Writer’s Block! Woe is me! What do I do?” Staring at a blank page.(C) 2019, JJ Shaun I’ve seen this written out on the interwebs a lot in the past few weeks. So, what do you do when you have Writer’s Block? When I have a determined block—well, aside from procrastination, which … Continue reading Beating Writer’s Block
Nurturing Your Creativity
As children, we tell all kinds of stories. We talk to our imaginary friends, and they answer us. We take our friends on all sorts of adventures. But as we get older, we are inevitably yanked back to the "real" world by our family, friends, peers, teachers, bosses. Over time, if you don't use a … Continue reading Nurturing Your Creativity
Finding the Time
Summertime is my time of year. The air is warm, the sun is out later, and the landscape has exploded with foliage. When the Spring rains have finished greening up the scenery, I’m ready to crawl out of my den. This is the season when I find it the most difficult to make the time … Continue reading Finding the Time
J.J. Shaun 