Beware of AI

Science Fiction becomes reality yet again!

Artificial Intelligence. It's only as smart as we make it. The programmers feed it judgmental info and selective facts, anything they want really. And even though it "learns" from mistakes, it's still humans at the helm, until they outgrow us... Think of the movies foretelling what can go wrong with AI -- the Matrix, I Robot, even Wall-E. AI gets so smart it doesn't need humans or thinks it knows what's best for humans and is willing to make some human sacrifices in seeking perfection.

via GIPHY

As with all things created initially with good intentions (like the internet, social media, and the government -- all connected with humans seeking power) I don't trust it. And I hope the masses won't willingly accept it without questioning motives behind it. Most humans are like water, seeking the path of least resistance and easiest flow without checking to see if a cliff is up ahead... Watch out! Take it with a grain of salt!

What are your thoughts on AI?

And happy 12th Anniversary to the IWSG!

This blog hop has stood the test of time. I miss the old blog hops, especially A to Z. It was such a great way to meet other writers. And I'm so happy the IWSG is still around so we can keep in touch.

Hope you have a cooler September.

I just bought my first pumpkin treats - cream cheese and Pepperidge Farm Milanos - yum!

Trying to pace myself!

Happy Fall!

Vacation is over

Where does the time go? School starts earlier and earlier. I have only 2 weeks left of summer break, but some states have already begun! I have a lot to prepare and plan--especially with 2 newish classes, but this year, I'm putting it off a little longer. Probably because of all the school related activities I did that took up most of June.

August IWSG

But I was very productive in July, and I am happy to report for this month's Insecure Writers Support Group that I finally uploaded DISPOSAL as an ebook (totally forgot I didn't do that!) 

AND... CONDUCTION is now in the polish/publish phase. This part of the writing journey is tough and time-consuming, so I might not get it done by the end of this year as I would like, but I'm going to give it my best shot! Anyone interested in a critique partner exchange, let me know!

Puppy Update

We are also picking up our 3rd puppy (yes, I said 3rd) in mid-September. The two we have now are growing up so fast and much better behaved and more manageable, so what's one more? haha. It's funny how having them in this way reminds me of my boys: the two oldest  are very close in age and my youngest a few years behind them. And if the personalities hold, the last one will be the most easy-going. They sure make life fun and keep us young!

Help Wanted

Back to my CONDUCTION publishing goal. I am seeking help with: a cover, editing, and Goodreads--and I'm willing to pay $$. I'm putting this out there to my writing friends first, and if you have any recommendations, I'll take those too! This writing gig is too vast to get it all done by myself when I also have a very busy full-time job. If you have any advice, feel free to share that as well.

IWSG Anthology Blog

Lastly, we have three great posts coming up at the IWSG Anthology website:

8/2 - Getting Middle Schoolers Excited About Reading by Sherry Ellis

8/9 - Wait For It... Patience Through Metaphors by Bish Denham

8/16 - TBD by Ellen Jacobson

We have a few opening left in 2023, but we'll need more in 2024. Let me know if you're up for it.

Hope you are finding time and motivation to write this sultry summer 

And as the sun sets on this hot and humid season,

We will welcome my favorite time of year... 

Fall.

via GIPHY

Scary Things...

Welcome to my lair...

It's time for the Insecure Writers Support Group!

What scares you?

I get more worried than scared and avoid scary stuff. So surprises scare me most, especially when my boys jump out and startle me... they think it's hilarious. 

Puppies get scared pretty easily which can be funny too as they figure things out. My little guys are now five months old. They're getting so big, but still have that puppy rambunctiousness and love sniffing out (and chewing up) whatever they can chomp their teeth into. 

As expected, big, loud things make them run away--like my Roomba and the ironing board, haha. But they each have their own idiosyncrasies as well. Like puppies don't understand physics. Wagner is afraid of his food bowl moving when he eats! And he freaks if the toys shift in his bin, so he barks for me to get the one he wants. And even though he's big enough to jump up on the couch, he still plops his front half onto it and waits for someone to lift his rear up there. His brother, Jackson is a little smaller and has no problem jumping right up. But Jackson is more skittish. He's one of those dogs who barks at everything unfamiliar--even when he hears a dog barking on TV!

Waggy!

Bringing this all back to our writing: We all have our quirks. So don't forget to give your characters plenty of fears, reactions, and odd behaviors to make them unique and fun to read about!

I'm also happy to report, I have been working on CONDUCTION, Pop Travel #4. It's about time! And I'm actually making progress. If you'd like to know more about that, hop on over to the IWSG Anthology blog for my guest post this week.

Keep writing!