Category: Writing

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

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Laurel on Life Podcast Uncategorized

Q Diaries 34: My Scary Adventure into COVID-land

(with an eye toward the humorous nature of it all!)

I moved 20 cinder blocks a distance yesterday, for our outdoor duck coop. Felt good after being ‘cooped up’ in protective gear for my Safeway adventure!

Show Notes

  • I finally do it. I make the trek to Safeway for the first time since mask-wearing during social distancing became a requirement.
  • I do not forget the cheese.
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!

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Laurel on Life Podcast Writing

Q Diaries 33: My New Life

Dumplings and Ducklings

The duck coop, almost finished! Still have to dig it in (for critter control)!
More mental health wellness tips during quarantine and a changed perspective. Oh, and pumpkin dumplings!
Setting up the coop from McMurray Hatchery

Show Notes

  • More mental health wellness tips during quarantine from Dr. Donlon.
  • How COVID-19 has changed my perspective on where I live.
  • New recipe ideas (pumpkin dumplings) and excitement about becoming a duck wrangler.
  • CCWE writing prompt about home and belonging
  • DO NOT DRINK, GARGLE WITH, INGEST, or INJECT household cleaning supplies! (still can’t believe the man in charge of the United States–the “person who has a good you-know-what”–thought this might be a good idea to test). (Well, yes, I can).
  • Be safe. Be hopeful. Be kind to yourself and to others.
Pumpkin dumplings with shredded Pecorino Romano cheese!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!

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Books Laurel on Life Podcast

Q Diaries 32

More Mental Health Tips and Writing Inspiration

Read my story “Tanked” in my Dark Ebb: Grim Tales collection!
Listen here, y’all! And please click “LIKE” if you enjoyed it!

Show Notes with Links

NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!

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Laurel on Life Podcast Writing

Q Diaries 28-31: Ducks and Pea Soup

There are some seriously Medusa-like weeds in our garden!
Listen here, and please hit “Like” if you like it!
My 2000-piece puzzle…I’m maybe 1/4 done? Still can’t find two side pieces :/

Show Notes and Links

  • A catch-up episode of gardening, duck research, fruit tree research, puzzle progress and pea soup sickness!
  • These are Khaki Campbell ducks, and we’re going to have 5 next month!
  • More mental health tips from Dr. Donlon, which I needed this week because I’ve been feeling uninspired…
  • But I do have some great new ideas for my next book!
  • By the way, have you ordered your copy of DARK EBB: GRIM TALES yet?
  • I’ll be going back to weekly episodes again. Next one on Monday!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!

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Laurel on Life Podcast Writing

Q Diaries 26: COVID-19 Fatigue

So tired!

The toilet paper square challenge!
Puzzles, seeds, graphic novels, Crow-Magnum, fatigue . . .

Show notes

  • Quarantine fatigue and mental health tips
  • Planting seeds (14 varieties!)
  • Puzzle mania
  • Artist Becky Jewell‘s live Instagram episode, creating the graphic novel for “Crow-Magnum”!
  • I’ve started my next book!!!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!

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Laurel on Life Podcast

Q Diaries 25: My 100th Episode!

The day Bernie drops from the presidential race (4/8/2020)

My 100th epidode!
Can’t wait till these beauties bloom!
I repaired the fallen grave (death?) marker.

Show Notes

  • Hard to believe this is my 100th episode (not including my short story episodes).
  • I share a few quarantine mental health tips provided by my Michigan bestie Nadine Collier, who sent a list of 25 from Dr. Donlon.
  • Election news…please don’t write in Bernie Sanders…respect his decision to stop his quest for the White House.
  • Denver Pop Culture Con 2020 update
  • Started my new book!!!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!

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Laurel on Life Podcast

Q Diaries 21-24, Weekend Edition

Me and my new neighhhhhhbor, Louie L’amar!
My Weekend “Plus” edition, including another Q Tip
Worlds Fair 1893 handkerchief!

Show Notes:

  • I followed my own “Q Tip” and stayed off of my computer all weekend!
  • Also, I’m just saying “NO” (thank you) to “chain” requests
  • Worked on my puzzle, started book 10 of Bernard Cornwell’s Warrior/Saxon Chronicles, dug in the garden, met Susan’s horse–Louie L’amar, caught up with friends and family
  • Found and washed a Worlds Fair 1893 handkerchief
  • Uprighted a fallen grave marker cross
  • Encouraged Willie to eat weeks in my garden (didn’t take much encouragement!)
  • Registered for NYCMidnight microfiction contest
  • Transfered DPCC 2020 registration to May 2021
Susan and Willie (Nelson!) in my garden!
I’ll do a little more work on this next time around.
Quite ‘fragrant’ compost!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!

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Laurel on Life Podcast

Q Diaries 15-19 and a Q Tip

I’ll miss your warn-out keyboard, my faithful friend.
5 days and a Q Tip

Show Notes:

  • This is a fivefer (five Q Diary days in one)
  • In which I discuss many things, including the launch of my new book: DARK EBB: GRIM TALES, because who doesn’t want to read dark short stories during a global pandemic?
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!

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Laurel on Life Podcast

Q Diaries 14 and Willy the Donkey

a very short, no politics episode!

Mike and I meet 19-year-old Willy and his person, Susan. New neighbors!
An uber-short, no political gab episode!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!

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Laurel on Life Podcast Writing

Q Diaries 12 & 13

(because March 26th was my man’s birthday)

Mike’s train creation (pieces cut from wood and painted) and handmade frame
In which I discuss Mike’s birthday, trespassing, transitions, and Mung Bean Noodles
Mike’s pen and ink drawing of a village in Alaska (ignore the glare!)

Show Notes with Links

  • My honey spent his 60th birthday yesterday coordinating COVID-19 efforts, as he’s done since this started. But I made him special meals with a little creativity, and cut his “Fabio” hair
  • I marveled at his artwork from his high school days.
  • Posted my Freida Rothman interview on my SM sites
  • Facetime visit with LV Ditchkus about her latest Sasquatch novel and recorded Chapters 13-14 of Waterwight on YouTube.
  • Slow morning today (March 27). Sent out invitations to my DARK EBB: GRIM TALES live Facebook book launch party on April 1st.
  • Settling into new routine.
  • Morning walk and trespassed to visit some bones.
  • Facetime with California sister.
Hmmmm….deer, or trespasser?!
Mike’s pen and ink of Native Americans
Mike’s pen and ink composite of turn-of-the-century cabin in rural northern California
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, 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!