Peter Cruikshank - Author

I’m curious which oil producing country is going to be the next country our president decides is going to be a national security threat to the U. S.? Maybe UAE is a threat to our gold standard? I hear Iraq’s Dates could be a problem to the national security. #writer #author #books #booksky #bluesky

As an author & a guy, I find it interesting to write from a female’s perspective, whether human, elfin, or dragon 🙄 I guess it comes from being so intrigued by women - how they think & act. Came in handy as my Fantasy series is about twin sister & brother. #writer #author #books #booksky #bluesky

I'm a Fantasy author and I never could have come up with a storyline where the President of the U.S. threatened war with NATO because he couldn't have a nice shiny metal (Nobel Peace Prize). Threatening allies sort of emphasizes why he doesn't deserve it. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

When you write what you think others will like you are “producing” something. When you write what pleases you and fills you with joy, you are “creating” something. Only one embodies your soul. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

A chef told me it’s not always what you put in, but sometimes what you leave out so something else has space to fill. I think love is like this sometimes. It’s not always about giving, but sometimes you need to make room to accept what another is sharing. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

How do story ideas come about? I love The Prince & The Pauper. Twins switch roles-but I add a twist-brother & sister twins. Not exciting. BUT if they’re descendants of a king who made a Covenant with dragons that impacts the twins-My series, Dragon-Called. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

People would ask why did I make a character do something? I’d answer I didn’t. When I talked with the character, that’s what they wanted to do. People gave me strange looks. Now I say, it just came to me. My Muse, Willow said it sounded less crazy. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

#author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

My golf buddies joke that my scores so high, I pay less per stroke than them. I applied this same formula to what I should be paid for pages I’ve written. After book sales and expenses, I figure I must owe “someone” a lot of money just to be able to write 🥴
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I took a break from writing & went to the casino today—of course I lost 💰. However, when I consider the cost of my website, writing software, book covers, & other expenses, compared to what I made from book sales last year—I feel pretty good about today. 😏
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At a party, what I DON’T want to hear: “How many books have you sold?” or “Have you finished that book…Yet?” What I DO want to hear: “Wow, you’re really an author. You’re so cool!” or “I wish I could write a book. You’re so cool!” I think I see a trend here. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

As an author. I HATE Marketing, even though I taught college courses on it. “But a book is just another product. Right?” The difference is I’m not marketing a book, per se, I’m really marketing me. I’ve got a HUGE ego, but like many authors, I HATE doing it. #writer #author #books #booksky #bluesky

Some days I write & I’m lost to the world for hours. Other days I stare out the window, just lost. I’ve learned it’s all part of the process. Sometimes lost to the world ends up as trash. Other times staring out the window leads to a break thru in the story. #writer #author #books #booksky #bluesky

I write weekly at Panera Bread (bakery-cafe). I setup with laptop, books, & a 3D dragon in an egg. Patrons stop by all the time. “Are you the author?” Yes. “You must have a wild imagination.” Yes. Here, take a card. “Oh no. It’s not my genre.” No problem. 🙄
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More from Summer night concert.

Enjoying an outside concert in San Marcos, CA - Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Naturally with a bottle of Cab Sauvignon and Brownies.

One of the worse feelings an author can have is to be 2/3 of the way through a manuscript and realize the important supporting character created in the beginning doesn’t work. Even worse is when they discover this in the middle of the 4th book in the series!
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Panera Bread is a bakery-cafe w/2100 shops in US & Canada. For last decade I’ve written 3 days/week there & stop by other days for coffee. Everyone knows me & I get special treatment. I’m reminded of the Sitcom Cheers. Wait a minute, does that make me Norm? #writer #author #books #booksky #bluesky

Heard of Runner's High? Writer’s block is real, but sometimes the words flow effortlessly, & I’m filled with a sense of euphoria that can only come from creating something new, something born of my mind & spirit, something that's a part of me. Author's High! #writer #author #books #booksky #bluesky

Some days I grind out a few paragraphs or stare blankly hunting for the next line. But the days when I lose track of time and the words flow effortlessly, I get such a high that can only come from creating something new, something born of my mind and spirit.
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Thanks. Either can I. Playing with a lot of ideas - so much fun.

Finishing my High Fantasy series after 13 years. Now, obsessed with Urban Fantasy - might say bewitched. What will the new series be: Male or female protagonist? What type of paranormal? What’s their obstacle? This is the really fun part of being an author. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

I admit it. I love writing. But it can be stressful. How should this scene go? Is this character believable? Does the dialogue sound real? I agonize over these things. Will it be popular? How many will I sell? Doesn’t matter. I’m an author. It’s what I do. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

My politics are my own, but when I listen to Tom Homan, Ice agents, & others, it’s like Adolf Eichmann (Holocaust) & the Gestapo all over again. They can’t hide their reprehensible actions behind “I’m just following orders. Just doing my job”. It’s no excuse. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky

Asked: Why I write females so well? I think because a lot of material to work with. Generally, male (char)acters repress emotions, whereas females draw upon a multiplicity of emotions & thoughts. I’m able to create complex & more compelling chars.
#author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky #amwriting

People ask me: What makes one want to be an author? Everyone is different, but for me, when a preteen I’d read Sci-Fi books & found myself thinking “I would have done this or that”, or I’d envision a different ending. There was only way to do that. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky #amwriting

At my coffee shop for 2 hours, on 2nd cup, reread what I’d written yesterday, & stared blankly at my screen. Zippo motivation. Then someone came up to me. “Read your 1st book. Loved it. On 2nd one.” Amazing how easy it was to write rest of the day. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky #amwriting

After 14 years on my Dragon-Called series, I’m still excited, but REALLY want to finish. Lot’s of ideas for other stories & want to dip my toes into Urban Fantasy. More than 70 bible verses mention patience, but for some reason I don’t feel better. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky #amwriting

I have a crossover vs sequential series & it’s hard to find beta readers. By book 3+, they have to read the previous books (600 pages each) to truly grasp the concepts & characters. Looking at virtual beta reader app from ProWritingAid. We’ll see. #author #writer #books #bluesky #booksky #amwriting