M.J. Hudon's Blog: M.J.'s Moon Base, page 2

Writing while chronically ill.

This is so accurate!

Years ago I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus after years of being told nothing was wrong and my pain and exhaustion were all in my head. I cried with relief when the truth was discovered. Unfortunately, once we knew what was wrong, the doctor sent me on my way without any information about the disease and no means of support.

After a few days of shock recovery, I called the Lupus Foundation of America and started up my own support group. I advertised in our local paper and waited to see if anyone would show up. Twelve people came to that first meeting and the group ended up growing and meeting for ten years!

During that time, I journaled like a mad woman and spewed every thought and feeling into a notebook (or twelve). At the same time, I was also writing short stories and had started and restarted the first chapters of two books. Those stories sat in a file for a long time, untouched as I tried to maintain my young family (a husband & 2 small kids), my house, and my health. It was exhausting.

During my last year as the group leader, I was thoroughly burnt out and trying to figure out a way to raise awareness that wouldn’t take such a toll on myself or my family time. Thankfully, the answer presented itself.

I was hosting a Lupus information booth at a large local event when a man came to the table, looked at the pamphlets and signage then asked a single question that would get me back to writing. He said, “Lupus. Does that mean you turn into a wolf?”

It was at that moment my first book was reborn.

I say “reborn” because it was one of those “filed” stories I mentioned above. I’d written a few chapters of a werewolf story but had literally left off at a cliffhanger and stuck it in that folder. For 12 years. **My apologies to my friend Cheryl who read the original and waited 14 years for the actual book!

You may be wondering why it took two extra years for the book to come out, and here’s why. When you have a chronic illness, or multiple ones as they tend to come in groups, on most days you have to make energy choices like a mountain climber on Mount Everest makes oxygen choices. Some days you have lots of energy. Some days you have so little that even showering can wear you out and send you back to bed.

Another not-so-fun truth is that stress – either good or bad – can set off a flare-up or exacerbate one if it’s already going on. And one of the more infuriating side effects is brain fog. Yup, that’s a real thing brought on by our diseases or the meds used to treat them. If you’ve ever had surgery and been half awake coming out from being put under, then you may remember that spacy feeling where speaking clearly took effort, and trying to keep track of what was happening around you seemed overwhelming. That’s what brain fog is like and it can last for days, weeks, or even months. Now, imagine trying to keep a plot line moving forward while processing like that.

You may be wondering why I’m telling you all of this. Well, I guess for a few reasons. First, because Lupus and its effects (as with many other auto-immune diseases) are highly misunderstood and I just can’t stop trying to educate folks about it. Second, I want to give a shout-out to all those authors and artists who, despite their illness, still manage to turn out amazing stories and products. There are more of us out there than most folks know. And finally, I’m here to say you are NOT alone. Your strength and creativity ARE valued. DON’T give up. Your work is a gift to the world and an inspiration to others.

Now, to all of you who read this far, thank you! Thank you for supporting my writing, for your good humor, and for helping motivate me into my third book, Waning Is Worthless! I will keep you all in the loop as progress is made.

Blessings to you all,

M.J.

I’m going to be on the radio!

Hey pack members, I’m honored to say that I’ve been invited to the Page Turner show on KYRS Thin Air Community Radio – Spokane. I’m thrilled and nervous, but the show is set for July 21st at 1:00 pm.

Thin Air Community Radio – Spokane

It would be great if you could listen in and let me know how it went afterward. Lupus brain fog is a real thing, so I tend to be somewhat awkward in conversation (I’m much better on paper so, any feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks for your support, everyone. Hugs and howls to you!

Random thoughts & ponderings.

Ever have one of those days where your brain just won’t shut up? Well, for me, today was not that day.

Oh, I did have a few ideas pop into my head, but for the most part, it was brain radio silence. In fact, much of my day was spent mindlessly catching up on household chores, trying to get in a chapter or two of my current read, avoiding specific movements due to pain, and taking unplanned naps.

I did manage to check in on my social media pages but even that seemed like a huge Hercules cleaning the Augean Stables-like undertaking my fog-filled brain shied away from. So, what does this all mean? In the world of my books and real life, it means I’m in a flare-up! Ugh.

There is a silver lining in taking all those surprise naps. I’m having vivid and weird dreams that are giving me ideas for short stories. That’s a fun byproduct I plan to capitalize on. When I have enough short stories, I’ll put out another book. So far, some of them are Twilight Zone-esque, while others are just fun & fantastical. If I weren’t so tired, I’d be doing a happy dance.

Another odd pop of thought had to do with all the food mentioned in my books. Many of you have asked about the potential for having recipes posted. Of course, never wanting to send out untested recipes, I’m now considering a Supper Club of sorts where I and a few friends test variations of the recipes in the books and choose the best by consensus. I mean, I know which recipes I use, but I’m always open to upgrades. Plus, I have the palate of a dingo right now due to certain meds. Therefore, I need friends with more discerning tastes than mine to help. Maybe I’ll do a live feed during those sessions. Oh yeah, that pun was fully intended which should tell you how zoned out I am. LOL.

Beyond all that, I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you for supporting this loopy writer. Without your kind words, funny interactions, and prayers I wouldn’t be able to do any of this.

Okay, apparently, my brain has hit its limit, and the (They’re here…) TV snowy screen is beginning to erase my train of thought. Woo woo! Chugga chugga hiss Sssssssssssssssss.

What’s next?

Hey friends, you might be wondering what’s next now that book 2 of the Luna Chronicles – Lilac City Lunacy – has been released. Well, book 3 has its first 2 pages, and despite the fact that I’m what writers call a “pantser”, I do have a loose outline going and am researching some difficult topics. ‘Nuff said I don’t want to spoil anything.

Beyond that, I am also working on a book of short stories (no working title yet), I’m still writing for Art Chowder Magazine, and I’m doing some beta & ARC reading for a few other authors. Oh, and there’s another project in the works. I won’t discuss it because of SPOILERS but I’ll let you all know when things progress enough to be “out there.”

Um, okay, when I started writing this I didn’t think I had that much going on, but now that I see it… Yeah, I’m sort of busy! **Lupus rearing its ugly head** Aaaaand now I’m tired. Blargh. **Considers making more coffee despite the late evening hour and rejects the idea.** Nope, I’d like to sleep sometime tonight.

So, maybe that explains why this poor blog has been neglected. Maybe? Oh, alright. It doesn’t really, but I’ll try to do better. So stay tuned, and in the words of the Terminator, “I’ll be back.”

Lilac City Lunacy is now available!

So much to say about this book. It took longer than expected. It took some surprising turns and some of those turns will make my next book - #3 in the series - Waning Is Worthless, a very fun and hair-raising read.
That said, I hope you enjoy Vol. 2 - Lilac City Lunacy and all the creatures and silliness it holds.
Blessings to you, my pack,

M.J.

Book Review – Indelible ~ by Laurie Buchanan.

Indelible: A Sean McPherson Novel by Laurie Buchanan is a great introduction to the series.

In a thriller that builds suspense page after page, you are drawn into the lives of the main characters Sean “Mick” McPherson, his sister Libby, her husband Niall, and their smart and energetic wolfhound, Hemingway. The small family runs a writer’s retreat called Quill & Pines set on an idyllic oceanside property in the Pacific Northwest.

During one of the retreats, Mick’s past catches up with him. The mysterious criminal who killed his partner is back to finish what they started years ago. With murderous intentions, the killer poses as a writer to get close to the target, but things don’t go as smoothly as hoped and the killer has to improvise. Who will live and who will die is constantly in question as the story unfolds to a pulse-pounding and satisfying ending.

I’ve already purchased her second book Iconoclast, and plan to enjoy the rest of the series as well.

Lilac City Lunacy book launch party at the Rocket!

903 W. Garland Ave. Spokane, WA

Saturday, February 11th, 11:00 – 2:00, I will be signing & selling copies of my books with a $5 discount. So bring your books or purchase one there; the first 20 to show get a free heart-shaped iced cookie!

As promised…

Here’s the link to my second book, Lilac City Lunacy!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSVB117K/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8& qid=1674523559&sr=1-1

I hope you enjoy it and howl with laughter at least once.

It’s official!

Lilac City Lunacy, the second book in the Miranda Moon series will be released through Amazon on January 30th. More info and links to come. Woohoo!

So honored to be a part of this!

January issue 2023

Another beautiful cover and a terrific issue full of amazing art of all kinds. If you enjoy learning about artists, authors, restaurants, wine, history, etc. you need to pick up a copy. Visit artchowder.com to find a retailer near you or get a subscription!