Category: Writing

Award-winning author Laurel McHargue writes and publishes in multiple genres and shares tips on writing creatively and publishing.

Categories
Books Writing

RMFW Short Story Anthology!

It’s going to be a great one!!!

Watch this interview to find out more about this exciting collection!
Podcast host Mark Stevens interviewed editors Paul Martz and Linda Ditchkus

I’m proud to announce my short story “Iphus” will be included in this upcoming Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW) anthology! Expected publication date in early September! Can’t wait to order my copies.

I’ll post again when they’re ready for purchase!

Categories
Author Interview Books Podcast Writing

Author/Philosopher Santos CS Bermejo

“The Medway Tales”
Seven Modern Fables

Santos CS Bermejo
Visit with us here!
Audio-only version
Buy his book here!

Show Notes with Links: The Medway Tales by Author Santos CS Bermejo and artist Luisto+Quintanar

  • Santos tells us about himself and why he ended up in England
  • He discusses quotes from C.S. Lewis, Luis Pasteur, and Bernard of Chartres
  • His seven stories are reminiscent of Aesop’s Fables, and his characters are unique
  • He mentions fables he remembers from childhood
His daughter, Leah . . .
and son, Lucas
  • One of his goals is to teach children how to think. We discuss today’s youths and the challenges they believe they have
  • We talk about how fables can be discussed on many levels

The Medway Tales seven stories:

  • 1–Senor Huevo
  • 2–Cheeky Little Mole Tillo
  • 3–Hyena Helena and the Mink Scarf
  • 4–Amik, the Architect
  • 5–This Little Squirrel Called Rita
  • 6–Water Eddies
  • 7–Little Rainy Things
  • We discuss learning from observing nature and American Theoretical Physicist Richard Feynman
  • Fabulous illustrations by Luistomas Quintanar (Luisto+Quintanar)
  • Santos mentions author  Juan Ramón Jiménez‘s book Platero and I
  • He tells us which is his favorite tale
Presentation of the Spanish edition of The Medway Tales

Laurel Stuff:

Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Find my services HERE!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Interview Podcast Writing

Author Annie Dawid’s Novel “Paradise Undone”

A Novel of Jonestown

Author Annie Dawid
Enjoy this fascinating visit with Annie Dawid
Audio-only version of our visit

Show Notes with Links:

  • Annie introduces herself and discusses her fascination with the stories of Jonestown victims.
  • She explains her decisions to follow four characters: two nonfiction (Mother Marceline–Jones’ wife, and Ambassador Virgil Nascimento–not his real name, but a real person) and two composite characters (“Watts,” an African-American man who escaped on the day of the massacre, and “Truth,” a young, white devotee).
  • I ask Annie if the victims of Jonestown–@300 minors, 300 elderly, 300 adults, mostly poor, female, and African-American–were easy targets for a cult leader.
  • Journalist Kenyatta’s interview of Watts, which flows through the novel, is fascinating and reads like an actual transcription.
  • We discuss Jones’ quotations throughout the novel and how they demonstrate his slide into megalomania.
Tribune article
  • We discuss “Mother Marceline” and how she was able to turn the other cheek when it was clear Jones was sleeping with many women. “No one gets to have everything.” How she became a sort of martyr, and her complicity in the ultimate mass murders.
  • We talk about the Shakahola Forest Incident/Massacre (May of 2023) and I ask how we can educate people are ignorant of cults.
  • Annie talks about the warning signs of possible cult behavior.
  • Annie will speak at the Salida Regional Library on May 8th at 5:30 p.m.
Paradise Undone

Links to Annie Dawid’s social media and previous interviews:

www.anniedawid.com

https://www.instagram.com/anniedawidnovel/

 Talk Radio Europe, 11/30 for recording, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_vB2PxeqayWeZIp3qDPiXaUA_CiGAjPy/view

 Podcast BOOKABLE SPACE, UK,  2/1/24 live https://shows.acast.com/bookable-space/episodes/bookable-space-with-annie-dawid

 CookieBiscuit Q&A Blog November 18 https://cookiebiscuit.co.uk/2023/11/18/paradise-undone-by-annie-dawid-q-a/

Dec 27 youtube w/Peter O YouTube on the 31st Dec. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP6o_fx-SLs

Essays:

1. The Jonestown Report: https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=123974

2. Women Writers Website, UK, 11.18.23 

On Writing Paradise Undone: A Novel of Jonestown

Laurel Stuff:

Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Find my services HERE!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Interview Writing

Author Spirit Ricks Shares Lessons for Living a Virtuous Life

Spirit Ricks
Visit with us here!
Audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

  • Author Spirit Ricks talks about his life experiences and how he wrote A Woman’s Guide to a Virtuous Man and a Man’s Guide to Virtue
  • He talks about who he is, and how he raised his children to be shepherds, not sheep.
  • It takes courage to tell the truth! Parents should be a child’s relief, not a punisher.
  • “Put the mirror in front of ourselves” to see the truth. Bad choices do not define us.
  • He talks about why our children might talk to others rather than ourselves.
  • (we’ve all made mistakes and we turned out okay!)
  • Spirit Ricks discusses witnessing a difficult childbirth and how it affected him. A woman’s labor…and how God labors for us.
  • I ask if we can learn humility, and he tells us how, and why it’s more challenging today.
  • The beginning of any journey requires a person ready for it.
  • Spirit talks about his mother and how she will have eternal life through him! I ask about his mother’s sayings.
  • “Don’t get caught up in what you see” in terms of other people.
  • I ask if we can find good in bad examples. “Without a doubt”!
  • Spirit talks about his first 25 years, before he learned how to live a virtuous life.
His Book!
  • Spirit wants to leave people better than when he found them.
  • He talks about his vision, and the book of his life.
  • Spirit talks about how to forgive…and try to forget!
  • Follow Spirit Ricks at spiritricks.com

Laurel Stuff:

Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Find my services HERE!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Writing

“The Birthing House”

A Multi-Layered Novel by Kathy Taylor

My Fascinating Visit with Award-Winning Author Kathy Taylor!
Audio-only link

SHOW NOTES with Links:

  • Kathy Taylor, who are you today?
  • We spoke about Kathy’s idea for THE BIRTHING HOUSE 2 years ago when I interviewed her about “Trees and other Witnesses.”
  • This is a multi-layered, complex story filled with musings about languages, words, time, dreams, history, and trees. I ask how she would characterize genre for this work?
  • Her inspiration came from very personal experiences with loss. Why did she choose fiction over memoir?
  • Clare’s husband Stefan’s research uncovers an early 18th Century Parish register. He says, “People’s attitudes toward death reveal so much about their lives.” What is Kathy’s attitude?
Places around Marburg, Germany
  • Why did she include many stories of other women with different challenging backgrounds?
  • I read an excerpt about migration and Isra’s story. I ask Kathy if she feels like a migrant.
  • Clare is fascinated by how she was a different person in each language. Elaborate!
  • I read a passage about writing and ask why Kathy wrote a book within a book.
  • We discuss genres and I ask if she has a favorite to read.
  • Has her writing produced and surprises?
  • The audiobook is in progress…
  • What’s next?
  • Find Kathy’s work HERE and follow her HERE!

Laurel Stuff:

Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Find my services HERE!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Writing

Thomas K. Carpenter:

Creator of “fantastic families, magical academies, and epic adventures”!

Enjoy my visit with Tom!
Audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

The Hundred Halls BOOK 1: TRIALS OF MAGIC

Book 1
  • Tom shares who he is when he’s not writing.
  • He shares his exciting news about a new cooperative strategy card game based on his books, available in February! (Subscribe to his newsletter to get up-to-date info)
(I’m not sure when he finds time to ski!)
  • With over 60 published books, how do you keep track of your characters? (any writing apps?)
  • How do you remember what you’ve written?
  • When did you know you could make a living from your imagination?
  • Everyone wants to know the “trick” for success. How many years did it take you to become on “overnight success”?
Tom and Rachel, his wife and business partner
  • You have all the elements of a magical world. Harry-Potter-type schools, guilt-ridden older sister who must learn the truth about how to respond to the unknown, jealous, tormenting peers. . .
  • Trials of Magic has a scene reminiscent of one in Orson Scott Card’s Enders Game
  • Which authors/books inspired you most?
  • You chose two sisters for this series. Why?
  • What one word would sum up Trials of Magic? [mine is FUN!]
  • Cover Art designers: Ravven.com and G&S Covers
  • Where do you write? Tom discusses his writing routine.
  • We discuss the need for tension in stories, and Tom says, “Authors are really cruel people.”
  • Do you have a favorite pair of socks? [we share our socks!] Or any other thing most don’t know about you?
My socks win!
  • What is one piece of advice writers can use right now?
  • What’s your writing goal for 2024, and do you ever worry about how long you can keep up the pace?

Here’s a list of Tom’s current Hundred Halls titles!

The Hundred Halls (Arcanium Hall)
Book 1: Trials of Magic
Book 2: Web of Lies
Book 3: Alchemy of Souls
Book 4: Gathering of Shadows
Book 5: City of Sorcery

The Reluctant Assassin (Academy of Subtle Arts)
Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin
Book 2: The Sorcerous Spy
Book 3: The Veiled Diplomat
Book 4: Agent Unraveled
Book 5: The Webs That Bind

Gamemakers Online (Gamemakers Hall)
Book 1: The Warped Forest
Book 2: Gladiators of Warsong
Book 3: Citadel of Broken Dreams
Book 4: Enter the Daemonpits
Book 5: Plane of Twilight

Animalians (Animalians Hall)
Book 1: Wild Magic
Book 2: Bane of the Hunter
Book 3: Mark of the Phoenix
Book 4: Arcane Mutations
Book 5: Untamed Destiny

Stone Singers (Stone Singers Hall)
Book 1: Song of Siren and Blood
Book 2: House of Snake and Tome
Book 3: Storm of Dragon and Stone
Book 4: Sonata of Shadow and Thorn
Book 5: Well of Demon and Bone

More about Tom’s new release: Champions of the Hundred Halls Cooperative Strategy Card Game!

Laurel Stuff:

Banjo meets Tom!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Laurel on Life

“Let’s Talk About Sex!” [with Dr. Heather England]

(I think she’s our new Dr. Ruth for the 21st Century!)

Dr. Heather England, Founder of Love Filled Life
My interview with Heather on 15 October 2023
Audio-only version of our interview

Dr. Heather England’s Bio:

Heather is a licensed clinical psychotherapist, certified sex therapist, and life coach, specializing in helping people love themselves and create the lives they truly want, nurture meaningful, loving relationships, and have great sex. She has had a wild and varied career that includes being an army officer and a senior manager at Hallmark Cards. Her focus as a certified sex therapist is helping people in midlife and beyond with challenges like low desire, disconnection from their partners, shame, lack of sexual know-how and self-confidence, and erectile dysfunction so they can enjoy magnificent sex.

Show Notes with Links:

  • I ask Heather the who/what/when/where/why and WHAT inspired her to become a sex therapist.
  • She discusses her audience for her GREAT SEX PODCAST.
  • She talks about doing shows with her son and how it has enriched their relationship.
Heather and her son
  • I ask about her husband’s response to her fairly new venture.
With her husband
  • There seems to be a need now…shows like “SEX EDUCATION” and “BIG MOUTH”(animated). I ask her thoughts on those shows.
  • What is the topic of most concern?
  • I ask when she will do a live show with call-ins.
  • Heather talks about the feedback she’s getting.
Ready to record her GREAT SEX PODCAST
  • She leaves listeners with a message and a very funny story about sex.
  • FOLLOW drheatherengland on Instagram, www.lovefilled life.com, GreatSexPodcast

Links to Heather’s sites:

Website: Love Filled Life

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-england-ph-d-59a72745/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrHeatherEngland/

Laurel Stuff:

Heather and I danced (on the sidelines!) at a Drag Queen show in Vegas this summer!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Podcast Writing

Cam Torrens: Award-Winning Author of “STABLE”

and man of many adventures!

Cam Torrens, Award-Winning Author of “STABLE”
Enjoy this fun visit with Cam!
Audio-only version of our visit!

Cam on commo during a SAR mission

Show Notes with Links:

  • Cam has served 30 years as an Air Force Officer. He’s been a husband, an attaché, a professor, a father of six, and a Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteer for Chaffee County, Colorado.
  • He tells us who he is today.
  • His debut novel STABLE has already earned three awards. Suspense, action, mystery, dynamic personal interactions, and humor! This novel has it all.
  • Cam gives us an elevator pitch for STABLE, which has some autobiographical elements.
Cam also races. Seen here doing the Moab 55K.
  • Cam talks about how he organizes his time (he’s very organized!) to accomplish his goals.
  • He discusses his greatest challenge in completing his novels and the things/organizations/people that have helped.
  • If he could choose one job to do for the rest of his life…?
  • Cam is a voracious reader. His newsletter includes book reviews every month. Sign up for it on his website: camtorrens.com
Cam on a SAR mission on La Plata peak (a Colorado 14’er)
  • He discusses where he’s happiest.
  • We talk about Central Colorado Writers (CCW) and the critique group led my author L.V. Ditchkus.
  • We talk about NYT Best-Selling Author David L. Robbins and the course we took with him: The Mighty Pen Project.
  • Cam offers tips to writers, new and less new!
  • He adds a few shout-outs in addition to his wife and children and his publishing company, Black Rose Writing
  • Book two in the Tyler Zahn series is available for pre-order now, with a release date of October 5th, 2023. False Summit
  • Cam donates portions of his book sales to SAR.

Laurel Stuff:

Mike and I spend time in the mountains too! This is Browns Creek Falls.

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Podcast Writing

Debut Poet Savannah J Tully!

Poet, Nature Lover, Humanitarian,
All-around Wonderful Human!

Savannah J Tully
Audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

  • I met Savannah when she won the Central Colorado Writers YOUTH WRITING CONTEST Bronze prize for “Mangroves Whisper Life and Death.” The assigned topic was “SOMEDAY”…she talks about her inspiration.
  • Read her story on the Central Colorado Writers website: https://www.ccwriters.org/
Savannah in Costa Rica
  • Her debut publication is a Poetry Collection: SIX TALL TREES
  • She tells us how she came to Buena Vista, Colorado from Indiana for her senior HS year.
  • “Through the dirt on my feet and the air we all share, I find peace in struggle and triumph” (back cover). I ask how she got to be so wise. She talks about her wonderful grandmother.
  • We discuss her understanding of things being “neither good nor bad, they just are,” I read Mountain Mindset (p. 48)
  • Life presents challenges, not problems!
  • She also paints birdhouses!
  • Savannah reads a few of her favorite poems and we discuss them.
  • Her understanding of time comes through in Mountain Mindset and Winter (p. 80)
  • I suggest Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now.
  • We discuss her poem Want (p. 11) and her BIG question (p. 7)
  • Her illustrations remind me of Etch A Sketch. They are one-line sketches, and they embellish her book beautifully.
  • She talks about a typical family evening, challenges of high school, and looking forward to attending Missouri University of Science and Technology.
  • She offers advice to young writers.
  • email Savannah at savtul20@gmail.com and you may order her book from her Instagram account: stully_20 or
  • Order from Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/six-tall-trees-savannah-j-tully/1143206791
  • Or Amazon:

Laurel Stuff:

When I’m not visiting fascinating people, I’m enjoying the fruits of my labor!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Laurel on Life

Are You a Vegas Virgin?

I’m not, anymore!

This will forevermore be my favorite profile photo!

When my friend Sherry Randall told me she planned to see Barry Manilow in Las Vegas the end of March, 2023, I decided to tag along. I’d never been to Vegas. I’d won a trip for two to Vegas back in the early 2000s after winning the Northern Virginia Bowler of the Year Award (traded it in for tickets to St. Croix), been told by countless people how horrible Vegas was, and had been warned about the still-smoky casinos, but deep in my heart I knew it was time to decide for myself.

Sherry planned the whole weekend. We’d see Barry the first night, attend a Cirque du Soleil (Mystère) the second night, see the musical SIX the 3rd night, and possibly recover from walking an average of seven miles per day our 4th night.

Barry Manilow…front row seats! So WOW!

Sometime over the course of our visit, one of us would turn $20 into $20,000 at a Casino. It (didn’t) could happen.

Without saying any more, watch this video compilation of highlights from our Vegas vacation and decide for yourself if it was worth doing!

Yes, it was SOOoooooo worth doing!

Happy to say I’m no longer a Vegas Virgin–and I would recommend an exploratory visit there to anyone who might ask! Make sure you go with someone you know will choose to have fun!

Laurel Stuff:

I applied for a job…they said I was overqualified! HA!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!