Thursday Thoughts: Universal How-To Book

Posted on July 30, 2026 by Silver James

I’m beginning to think the Universe is mocking me. Or perhaps chiding. Either way, many of the messages the Big U has dropped in my inbox of late keep insisting that I get my stuff together and, as Larry the Cable Guy says, “Get ‘er done!” Whatever.

Still, today’s message is apropos of the processx. For those just thinking about becoming a writer, or have started on the journey and for those of us who won’t get out of our own way, the Universe has provided a handy-danday “How-to” book.

Finding the shortest path between here and there, Silver, begins with imagining “there” is already “here.”

And then “getting out” more.

Tallyho,
  The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. And with your imagination and fancy footwork, Silver, these two steps should come naturally.

Could it be that easy? That all it takes to get from “here” to “there” is imagining the path? Hello plot, my old friend. I realize that many pantser might argue that you have no idea of where “there” is because, hello, pantser! Really? As a pantser, do you truly have no idea how the book will end? I’m not talking about the specific actions, words, setti thingng or the final scene itself, but you know that the story is going to end and you have a pretty good idea of just how it does end, generally speaking. Crime novel? Bad guy gets caught. Romance? Happy Ever After. Thriller? The world is saved. SciFi? The world is conquered, colonized, saved/crew survives, etc. See what I mean.

So let me sum up. To write a book, you figure out where “here” is. You know, that whole Once upon a time or It was a dark and stormy night thing. Then you see “there.” To make it easy on the pantser in the audience, we’ll just say there is “The End.” Does that work? Then comes the sausage making. All that imagining and fancy footwork that gets us from A to Z. All we have to do is find the words to describe what we see along that path. All I want to add is, “Happy Hiking.”

On a side note for readers, how many of you go “there’ before you start “here?” Yes, I am inferring that there are those who skip to the last chapter first. None of you would do that, right? … Right?

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Wednesday Words: Got It Wrong

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Silver James

As y’all might remember, last week’s snippet was the previous week’s Thursday Threads winner. That means that this week’s snippet is based on a prompt from last week’s. As a matter of pride, I try hard to create a new scene rather than continuing on with the winning scene. I do that for a few reasons. One, it gives me a new scene (more about that later). Two, it often depends on where the phrase falls within the snippet. For the challenge, we only get 250 words to work with. If I continue with a scene, I might only add 20 words. Our prompt this week is: *“We got that wrong, too.”* And yes, it appeared fairly early in that scene. All of this said, I often end up–like I have with Ariel’s Damn Book–with a pile of unrelated scenes that in my head, I know they belong in the story. The problem is figuring out where they belong in the story. This time, I got lucky. This snippet is the opening to Chapter 14. Maybe. Oh, it’s a chapter opening, I’m just not sure it will actually be #14 in the final scheme of things. Anyway, here it is for what it’s worth.

Ariel didn’t want to admit it but he was relieved Sade had arrived. He would not have to alibi to Titania why she was there. At the same time, the Dragon’s presence was more than a minor irritation, especially since Nikos now admitted that his purported business in Rochester involved the murders. Before he could call the Dragon on it, the elevator doors opened once again.

“Sir!” Druic stepped off, his focus so intense he ignored the two women and Nikos. “What did you find out?”

Sade smiled archly. “Yes, Ariel. What did you find out?”

Realizing what he’d done, Druic blushed and stammered an apology. His eyes widened when his gaze landed on Sade.

After he finished, Sade’s expression hadn’t changed. Neither had her curiosity. “Who’s your friend, Ari?”

Druic pointed at her, his mouth opening and closing. “You…you’re…” He turned big eyes to Ariel. “She’s…” No other words would come out of his mouth. He finally breathed, “Her.”

Ariel grabbed Druic by the arm to keep the kid from either kneeling or bowing and it was Nikos who made the the introductions. “That’s 
Druic. He’s Lord Ariel’s squire.”

“Assistant,” Ariel corrected.

“Apprentice,” Druic contradicted.

“Whatever.” Sade turned to Marcella. “So, Agent Lloyd. Here we are in Rochester because four humans have been murdered. We have two Fae and a Dragon also in Rochester. You still believe your boss that there’s nothing Magick about this situation?

“Okay. We got that wrong, too. What now?”

“We’re FBI. We investigat.”

And yes, you will be pleased to know that I went on and finished writing that chapter. I even managed to incorporate one of those orphan scenes in the chapter. I still have about 40 scenes that need their forever home in the story. So, writers, writer. Readers, read. I’m fixing another cup of coffee and getting back to work. What are y’all getting back to this morning?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Ice Cream + Coffee = Pie

Posted on July 28, 2026 by Silver James

Gah. It’s soooo hot! No one wants to heat up a kitchen or go outside. Better to stay inside, eat something cool and read a good book, right? The sale is still going on and boy, do I have a treat for y’all. Time to chill out, yeah? As y’all know, I’m rather fond of coffee. I’m especially fond of coffee that is sweet and creamy. And then there’s pie. I especially like pie in the summer. So, coffee AND pie? I’m all over that!

Coffee Ice Cream Pie

Prep: 20 min
Total: 2 hr 35 min
Servings: 8

Only six ingredients and no baking required! Here’s a frosty treat for a hot summer’s day from Pillsbury Kitchens

Ingredients
Crust
30 chocolate wafers, crushed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup coconut
3 tablespoons finely chopped cashews or macadamia nuts

Filling
1 quart (4 cups) coffee ice cream, slightly softened

Topping
1 cup hot fudge topping, warmed
Whole cashews or macadamia nuts, if desired

Steps
1 – In medium bowl, mix crushed chocolate wafers, butter, coconut and chopped cashews. Press mixture in bottom and side of 9-inch glass pie plate; refrigerate 15 minutes. Carefully spoon softened ice cream into chilled crust. Cover and freeze about 2 hours or until firm.

2 – Top individual servings with fudge topping; garnish with whole cashews. Cover and freeze any remaining pie.

Expert Tips
1 – To make cutting the pie easier, remove it from the freezer about 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

2 – Sprinkle each slice with chocolate-covered coffee beans.

3 – Chocolate wafers and coconut. Not a fan of coconut? Leave it out. For the wafers, I use Oreos but I scrape the creamy filling off. If you want a sweeter crust or are just lazy, leave the cream on ’em.

This recipe comes from PILLSBURY so click on over to get all the nutritional details. When a friend pointed out to me that Sade would like this dessert, I commented that Hannah and Sade might go head-to-head over the last piece. Sade, the MC of the Penumbra Papers series, and Hannah, the…well…I guess she’s now the matriarch of the Moonstruck Wolves series, might give up their men for coffee. Probably not. But…maybe…?

You still have until July 31st to grab one of my books at 50% off from Smashwords. Sade’s story begins in THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC, the first book in the Penumbra Papers. The beginning of Hannah’s story can be found in BLOOD MOON is the abbreviated version of the start of Hannah’s story. The full tale is told lin the MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS, though she’s pretty much has a big role to play in each of the Moonstruck books. Just click on the book cover or the title and you will zoom away to the links page where you can pick your favorite etailer, including Smashwords. If you use the QR code, click on the pie pic or Smashwords, you’ll zoom over to my profile page there, wshere you can find my books.. Anyway, what’s your favorite pie? Stay cool out there and just remember…COFFEE ICE CREAM PIE! FTW!!!

PS: Anyone that wants the full story of the Moonstruck Wolves of the 69th SpecOps unit, you’ll get all of it and spend less money if you buy the Moonstruck Genesis series. Each of those books has two novels plus extra added scenes and stories. Just an FYI… 

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Monday Malaise

Posted on July 27, 2026 by Silver James

It’s Monday. The last Monday in July. Is it just me or has it seemed like July has been full of Mondays?

Malaise. That’s one of those words some some people have to look up (or they just skip over it and hope they can figure out the definition by the narrative surrounding it). It’s a word that shows up in a lot of historical romances. Or at least it used to. I have to admit, I don’t read that many historicals any more. Myabe I should. Anyway, I like the word. It sounds like it’s spelled: mah-laze. And the pronunciation leads to the definition. Anyway, I’m definitely suffering from malaise. The dog days of summer are always a doldrum around here.

I wrote a little. Nothing spectacular. It’s frustrating. When I’m in the waking-dream state in between bouts of insomnia, the story plays out in my head. I see the transitions. I know the order of events. It’s all there. Yet when I wake up and sit down at the computer? Nada. It sucks.

In other people’s book news, I finished off my marathon of Jayne Castle’s Harmony series. All three of her personas–Castle, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Amanda Quick–created a massive “universe” that ran from historical (Quick) to contemporary (Krentz) to paranormal/SciFi (Castle). The books are grouped into sub-series but they are all part of the overall Arcane Society World that she built. I’ve read all of them at one time or another but I am particularly fond of her Hararmy series–set on a distant planet in the future with colonists from Earth bringing their secrets (Hello, Arcane!) with them and then discovering that the environment of the new planet is growing their psychic powers. Fun stuff. And there are dust bunnies. Anyway, the marathon pretty much caught me up to my Goodreads challenge. I’ve listened to 84 books so far this year and I’m finally back to being on track to meet my goal of 150 books for the year. I just finished a relisten of Anne Bishop’s TURNS OF FATE, the first book in her Isle of Wyrd series. The next isn’t out yet but I wish it was! It’s an odd book. Bishop’s stories aren’t for everyone but if you’re looking for something different, you might give her a try. She has several series out. I’ve not read but one or two of her Black Jewels but I loved her The Others series.

I actually pretty much did diddly this past week and weekend. The little bit of writing, a Wallyworld run, laundry, sleeping in two days in a row. It’s hard to get motivated when the outside temp is already in the 80s before 9 a.m. Hect, Saturday night, LG and I just had ice cream for dinner. He was nice enough to brave the heat for a Braum’s run. Forecate is for triple digits most of this week. I’ll be here under the AC whenever possible. Other than a grocery run, I don’t plan on getting out much. As a friend said yesterday, stay cool and peace out! ✌🏼

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Friday Sinema: The Boys of Summer

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Silver James

I do love me some baseball. This short reel shows many of the reasons why. I once had an idea for a romantic suspense that invovled an injured police detective who hung out at the minor league ballpark while she recuperated. Then players started dying. And yes, I planned to title the book THE BOYS OF SUMMER. Maybe I’ll get back ’round to it one of these days. In the meantime, hope you enjoy and stay cool, y’all.

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Thursday Thougths: Universal Worldbuilding

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Silver James

The Univere is trying its very best to remind me that I’m a writer. It keeps dropping hints in my inbox. On one hand, I need the nudges. On the other, I keep waiting for the Big U to say, “I told yo so.” That said, today’s message also reminds me that I’m a writer who often offers unsolicited advice to other writers via this blog. On Thursdays. And here it is Thursday. So some advice from the Universe. Except it’s not exactly advice. It’s more an explanation of how things work during certain parts of the process.

Do you realize, Silver, that you are so powerful…

…the entire world (people, places, and angels) looks to you for direction every single day?

Me too,
  The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. And of course trees and shrubbery, pets and animals, Silver, even other worlds…

And there it is in a nutshell. That’s how you create the world in which to set your story. From the mountains to the plains to the oceans, you plant the trees and flowers, set the animals free, build the buildings and then “birth” the characters and then we tell their stories. Easy peasy, writer-gods!

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Wednesday Words: Not Wrong

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Silver James

As I mentioned in Monday’s blog, I won the Thursday Threads challenge last week. And for once, I know where the snippet belongs–or I will once I find the scene I want to attach it to. Anyway, things are slowly coalescing into an almost cohesive whole. The prompt is: *“I hope I’m wrong.”* For some reason, the Luther Ingram song “(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don’t Want to be Right” is my current earworm. Anyway. There are some hints here about Sade’s past–not a spoiler for anyone familiar with the series and there is some speculation about what may or may not be a plot bunny. 😉

****
“Your time at the Summer Court, how much do you remember?”

Tilting her head, Sade stared at Ariel before her brows knit in concentration. “Not sure where you’re going with this.”

“The rumor was that Oberon was your sire.”

Sade snorted. “Like Fae and Humans can procreate.” She blinked when Ariel didn’t immediately respond. “Wait. They actually can?”

“What do you know of changelings?”

“They’re myth. That whole spiel about Magicks stealing a human child and leaving a creature that looks human in their place is just a story. People used that excuse when a child was…different.” She was not thrilled by his expression. “So…we got that wrong too?”

Ariel nodded slowly. “I will admit that we fostered that idea.”

“What else will you admit to? Are you saying that there are half Fae kids running around?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then what exactly.”

Ariel stared into his coffee cup as if trying to read the creamy swirls there. “It’s rare. The magical cost is incredible. But…” He sighed. “It has happened, though not as you described.”

“Explain.” Sade’s voice held the terse edge of an order.

“Changelings are created with magic then the infants are placed into the human world.”

“For what purpose?”

“To open a gate.”

“Why? All of you can use portals.”

“There’s a difference. Gates are direct paths between realms. The royals fear Mab is involved and there is a changeling here.”

Sade gulped. “Are you serious?”

“I hope I’m wrong.”

“If you aren’t, we’re screwed.”
****

Hope you enjoyed this peek at things in Rochester. Writers, hope the prompt inspires you to some new words. Readers, do you remember the song refeenced above? If so, you’re welcome for the earworm. If you aren’t, you should go listen to it on YouTube.

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Half-Price Chocolate Peanut Ice Cream Bars

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Silver James

Who’s ready for ice cream? 🙋🏼‍♀️ These ice cream bars are easy, tasty, crunchy and perfect as a snack while reading a good book–preverably one of mine which you bought at half-price from Smashwords during the Summer/Winter Sale. You have 10 more days to indulge in your book buying habit.

Chocolate Peanut Ice Cream Bars
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook/freeze Time: 3 hrs
Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
Servings depend on how big you cut the bars–try for at least 12 😉

Ingredients
Graham crackers (enough to line the bottom of a 9×13 pan)
2 quarts Vanilla ice cream (softened)
1 jar hot fudge sauce (12.8 oz. size)
1 1⁄2 cup red skin peanuts* (any peanuts will do actually, but this is an old recipe)
Magic Shell chocolate topping (7.25 oz. size bottle)

*If there’s a peanut allergy, use other nuts or chopped pretzel stickes. Just something to add some crunch. You could even use Rice Krispie cereal.

Let’s Make It
1 – Set out the vanilla ice cream to soften at room temperature for 15 minutes. Line a 9×13 with graham crackers, breaking some in 1/2 to cover the entire pan.
2 – Spread 1 quart of the vanilla ice cream evenly over the graham crackers.
3 – Add the hot fudge as the next layer, spreading it to cover the entire top in an even layer. Sprinkle 1/2 of the peanuts over the hot fudge.
4 – Spread the 2nd quart of ice cream over the peanuts and hot fudge. Top that with the remaining peanuts then drizzle the Magic Shell over the top. Place the pan in the freezer for at least 3 hours before cutting into bars and serving.

Tip: If you don’t plan on eating the entire pan, you can individually wrap the cut bars in wax paper and refreeze in a large plastic freezer bag. Easy to grab one and go. FYI, if the bars have melted during cutting and serving and you want to do this, stick the pan back in the freezer until they firm up again.
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Monday Mutterings

Posted on July 20, 2026 by Silver James

It’s Monday once again and July is sliding inexorably toward August. We’re due to this the dog days of summer this week with temps in the triple digits. We did get a smidge of rain last week. It was welcome if not enough. Summer rain here is spotty. One side of the metro can get a flash flood and the opposite gets bright sunshine. Keeps things interesting.

With it being so hot, I’ve mostly stayed a homebody. Jake and I got out once last week to hit Wallyworld for groceries and to make a Starbucks run. We go early in the morning to beat the heat–at the crowds. Jake met a new doggo–a black Lab/Malinois mix named Maisy. She was a sweet girl and Jake informed her dad of the various treats he likes to nom on.

I managed a small bit of writing and even managed to win the Thursday Thread challenge last week. Yes, the snippit will be shared this Wednesday. The good news is, the scene is not completely random in that I know approximately where it belongs in the story.

I’m still “vacationing” on Harmony, ie. a marathon listen to Jayne Castle’s Harmony series. It’s SciFi/ParaRom fun. With dust bunnies. I do like the dust bunnies. They look like a mound of dryer lint, have four eyes–two bright blue ones for regular use and two that open when they’re in hunting mode, come with six legs–the front set used much like a raccoon uses theirs, and the common saying in regards to them biting is, “By the time you see the teeth, it’s too late.” They are indigenous to Harmony and tend to adopt “their” hurman. I have no clue how Jayne dreamed them up but they’re a fun addition to her books.

Thee’s not much else going on in my world. I’m prone to slowing down and vegging out during these dog days. On that boring note, I’m going to get more coffee and try to get my brain in gear. I might complain a lot about Ariel but in truth, he has every right to complain about me when it comes to writing his damn book. Have a good and productive week, all!

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Friday Sinema: Enchanted

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Silver James

W. Ed Harris is a musician and composer I follow on X. He follows me too. I discovered him years ago back when it was Twitter and creative types managed to bump into each other on the feed. When I came back to X after a several-years-long hiatus, I was delighted that he was still there, still posting his music and now doing videos. I’ve bought several of his albums and yes, his music figures strongly in the soundtrack of Ariel’s Damn Book, including this one, because enchanged glen! Hope you enjoy this one. No plans for the weekend, just writing. You?

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