IWSG Blog for September 2025

Wow! September already! Where has the year gone? This month’s question is one that is in every author’s mind.

September 3 question – What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, story bible, or creating outlines\beats?

It is my intention, at least at this point in time, never to use any form of AI in my actual writing. My cover artists uses it for my covers, and I have used it to create images that I have posted with my Tuesday Tales excerpts of my work in progress, but not for the actual writing itself. Occasionally, when I am researching, the AI generated post will present itself first, but as a rule, I search out more reliable sources of information. I’ve discovered that AI is often wrong, or lacking in some necessary points required for my stories. If the day comes when my imagination fails me, and I have to rely on a robot to write my and then claim that as my work, I will quit writing.

I do know authors who use AI in the work, and I don’t condemn them. Everyone has to do what is best for them, but it just isn’t for me. AI has its uses, and I do use the AI voices to put out the audio versions of some of my books since I could never afford to do it any other way, but I write the book myself. That’s it for this month. See you in October.

To see how others feel, click on the link. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Tuesday Tales: From the Word POWERFUL

Wow! The last Tuesday in August. School is back in session for some while most of ours start next week. While the weather is still seasonal, the ealier darkness warns us that autumn and pumpkin spice time are just around the corner. This week the Tuesday Tales authors are writing to the prompt POWERFUL. I’m continuing with Naughty Rudolph, my Christmas Romance Comedy. Enjoy.

Rudy

Powerful emotions swept over me, leaving me dumbfounded and unable to speak. In the four years since I’d lost Becca, I’d never been attracted to a woman the way I was to this one. My jaw gaped open. This was Mara Howard? Impossible! She wasn’t anything like the woman I’d imagined. She was drop-dead gorgeous, with a rack no man could ignore, and a body with curves in all the right places. She was every man’s wet dream and more … and no more than thirty years old.

Some of the activities we’d planned for her would need to change. For a second, I wondered what Callie would think of the woman who closely resembled the pictures she had in her room of her mother, but I dismissed the thought. I was seeing what wasn’t there. My wife had been much shorter, much thinner with a boyish figure, chestnut hair, and brown eyes like my daughter’s. Those carrot curls of hers could be blamed on my Scottish grandmother who had titian hair.

This goddess was at least five foot six, had eyes the color of a clear sky on a summer day, and hair the color of ripe wheat. I’d never been much for blondes, but this one was different. Her skin was lightly bronzed as if she spent lots of time in the sun or had Mediterranean roots. I suppose living in a desert climate like she did, she spent considerable time outdoors. I hardened and cursed the tights that would make my problem obvious. I tugged on the tunic, praying it covered my faux pas.

I shook my head. Whatever resemblance I saw in her were clearly brought on by Callie’s letter to Santa and my lack of female companionship these last few months.

She furrowed her brow in concern. “Mr. Elf, are you not waiting for me?”

My manners and training kicked in. I squeezed the RECORD button on the camera and smiled.

“No, I mean, yes. Welcome to Winnipeg, Ms. Howard. I must say that you’re a bit of a surprise, but a good one. Let me take your luggage. The car is just over in the reserved parking area. You’re lucky it’s mild out. If this were a typical Manitoba winter, you’d need a hat, gloves, boots, and a much warmer coat.”

Her frown grew deeper, and she stepped away from me, suddenly confused. What had I said to upset her?

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Tuesday Tales: From the Word BLAND

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. This week, the other members of the group and I are writing to the word prompt BLAND. I’m continuing with Naughty Rudolph, my Christmas Romance Comedy; however, I’ve added a new twist to this book. While it to is written in the first person, it will have two points of view, identified at the top of the chapter or scene break with the character’s name. Today’s entry is from Rudy. It’s from slightly earlier in the story, but it seemed like a good time to let you all in on the fine print and what gave me the idea for the book in the first place. Since this book is part of the Cocktails for You series, its cover is similar to the others. Enjoy.

I nodded and smiled.

At my daughter’s pleading, I’d agreed to allow her to have her hair cut, but I’d refused to let her cut it as short as she’d wanted. I’d given in and permitted the hairdresser to add a few blond streaks to the front of it, enough to frame her face, and she’d seemed satisfied with that. Now that she was back in school, it appeared that she’d decided to draw everyone’s attention away from her hair with outrageous clothing choices. I suppose it could be worse. That was the problem with being a single dad and spending so much time away from home. Nell did the best she could, but she wasn’t getting any younger, and while I’d dated while I’d been in various states and countries, I hadn’t met anyone I would consider wife or mother material.

“I’ll clean up and meet you in the kitchen,” I finished, my voice bland. I didn’t want her to know how much was riding on this.

Nell nodded and headed up the stairs.

I had a meeting with the Miami Business Association this afternoon at one, and I wanted to work out all the kinks in my plans before I presented the idea to them. I just hoped that Molly Richards would stand by me; after all, she was the one who’d planted the idea in my head.

Miami’s Christmas traditions were well worth celebrating, and if the right people saw the documentary … this could be the best thing to happen to this town since 1995 when Scruff Connors and Larry Updike, radio DJs from Winnipeg, pulled a prank and offered listeners a trip to Miami to watch the Superbowl. I was too young to see the prank play out, but Jerry Richards, owner of Dick’s Bar and Grill remembers it fondly. Fifteen people showed up at the airport, and were they pissed! They’d expected a flight to Miami, Florida, not a bus ride to Miami, Manitoba. While they seemed to have a good time with free food and drinks, a few complained to the papers about the stunt. Sadly, the DJs lost their jobs, but tourism went up–until the pandemic.

I would have to make sure that the contest rules were crystal clear and remind everyone who entered to read the fine print. I wanted to draw attention to the town, not get the pants sued off of us.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Tuesday Tales: From the Word EASY

Midway through August! Time is going by far too quickly! This week, the Authors of Tuesday Tales are basing our scenes on the word EASY. I’m continuing with my Christmas Romance Comedy, Naughty Rudolph.

“Doug didn’t call, did he?”

“No,” I swallowed the disappointment I’d felt. “That made following through with this easy. I thought he might send an invitation—I mean I would’ve paid my own flight, but he didn’t even send a handwritten card or an online message. I was copied on an e-card he send to at least fifty people, although the addresses were suppressed. I sent him a beautiful Christmas card. I even mentioned how much I missed him … I guess it was all in my head. I won’t make the same mistake again. I won’t give him a second chance even if he comes crawling on his belly with a ring the size of the Hope Diamond.” The loud speaker crackled and my flight was called. We stood, gathered our purses and my backpack, and headed to the door.

Once outside the lounge, Rachel hugged me before stepping back, her eyes bright with tears. She straightened her coat and pulled her purse up onto her shoulder.

“You go on this magical, mystery tour vacation and have the time of your life. Bask in the sun, sip sugary drinks, dance the night away, and forget all about Doug the slug. Call me as soon as you know what’s waiting for you in Winnipeg. Take lots of pictures and be prepared to give me all the details in January.”

I promised once more to stay in touch, waved at her, and turned toward the domestic gates. Winnipeg was just the first step. Miami, here I come.

Never having flown first class, I wasn’t prepared for the luxury that entailed. When I arrived at the gate, there were at least a hundred people waiting, and I groaned at the thought of jostling my way onto the plane. No such problem. Class 1 passengers boarded the plane before the other passengers. There were twelve seats in Business Class. Each seat had plenty of leg room. I had a window seat, and so far, no one was seated next to me, although I expected that to change. This part of the plane had a flight attendant to itself and a bathroom of its own. I was contemplating the luxury when the flight attendant came around with a tray of champagne and orange juice. There was enough room in the champagne glass—no plastic in here—to add the orange juice, which I did, making it simple version of a mimosa.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Stagnation is Death. New Covers to Tantalize New Readers!

I’ve gone through many changes in the last year–new bathrooms, a new hip, new releases, joining the list of audio book authors, the list goes on. It’s true that I’ve had to raise prices on my books, but all of my costs have gone up as well as have everyone else’s. I understand that, but facts are facts. The one thing I haven’t done is compromise on the quality of my work, and neither has my cover artist, the inimitable Melinda De Ross.

As many of you are aware, I use only one author name, but I write in many genres. Romance Suspense, Historical Romance, Paranormal Suspense, Fantasy Suspense, as well as regular contemporary romance, sometimes set during the Christmas season. With the exception of my Evie Chambers mysteries, all of my books are written with at least two points of view and in the third person.

The other line of books that doesn’t follow that format is my romantic comedy series, Cocktails for You. Wanting to give that series a boost in view of my newest release, From Paris With Love, I had all of the covers for the books in that series redone. Here they are, hot off the Amazon press.

Naughty Rudolph is the newest book in the series and will be available in time for Christmas. If you have read any of the books in the series, will you be kind enough to go to the book’s page on Amazon and leave a review? It would be much appreciated.

You can find the link to all of my books on my website (https://mhsusannematthews.ca/) or on my Amazon page (https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susanne-Matthews/author/B00DJCKRP4)

Otherwise, things are much the same. My ability to walk and do the taks I could do before the hip betrayed me three years ago improve everyday. I can walk faster and farther with each passing day. While hubby still helps, I have taken over meals and laundry.

Summer has been hot and dry, something that is beginning to worry people in my area and we’ve been asked to reduce our water usage by 10%. The lawn and plants may suffer, but a few aren’t looking their best now at any rate.

Enjoy the rest of your summer. Do something different, something new, and above all, laugh!

Tuesday Tales: From the Word THRUST

Welcome to August and this week’s Tuesday Tales. I’m a day early posting because this is a holiday in Ontario and I’m doing some touristy stuff. Our authors are incorporating the word THRUST into their scenes this week. I’m continuing with my Christmas Romance Comedy, Naughty Rudolph. Enjoy!

I shook my head, refusing to give into my discomfort although I’d asked myself the same thing. It was the reason why I was wearing jeans and running shoes along with a Christmas sweatshirt. Make my Christmas Merry wasn’t too obnoxious a saying—at least it was better than some of the others I’d seen. I’d added my ugly Christmas sweater to my suitcase, but since I didn’t know what the Christmas activities involved, I might not need it. Still, it was always best to be prepared. It might be the only good thing to come out of my five years with Doug.

I shrugged as we walked over to the Maple Leaf Lounge, one of the perks that came with flying Business Class. Since Rachel’s brother-in-law, Max, was in charge of security, he’d let her come this far with me.

“I don’t know what to tell you, Rachel, but I’m looking at this as the beginning of a new chapter in my life. My luck has changed. You’ll see.”

I showed my ticket to the attendant dressed in the familiar red, white, and blue worn by Air Canada staff, and Rachel showed her the pass Max had given her.

“Welcome to the Maple Leaf Lounge. Help yourself to whatever you would like.” She indicated the door on her left. “Your flight and gate number will be announced over the P A system in plenty of time for you to get there. Enjoy the amenities. If there’s anything you would like that you don’t see, just ask the hostess inside.”

I nodded my thanks and Rachel, desperate for coffee, thrust me through the doors and into the lounge. She made a beeline for the coffee machine. I followed at a more leisurely pace and poured myself a mugful, added sweetener and cream, while she added enough sugar to her black coffee to send a diabetic into shock.

“This isn’t so bad, right?” I indicated the spacious lounge and sauntered over to a counter covered in breakfast pastries. I grabbed a cinnamon roll. “The instructions with the tickets indicated that I would be met at the airport and transportation to Miami would be provided from there. Maybe the rest of the journey is by private plane. I never did find out who was sponsoring the event. It must’ve been in the fine print—”

“But did you read it?”

“Not exactly.”

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Tuesday Tales: From the Word NOW

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. It’s hard to believe that summer’s half over, but this is the end of July. Our word this week is NOW. I’m continuing with my Christmas Romantic Comedy, Naughty Rudolph. Enjoy!

In addition to the steak knives, Doug had included a few other kitchen utensils he’d thought I might like, and the print of the new winery I’d given him for his birthday. When he called to say goodbye, I thought I was fine, but seeing that print, one I loved since it embodied Osoyoos perfectly, was the last straw. I threw myself on the bed and cried over all of my best laid plans in ruin.

The next morning, since I had a few unexpected days off, I got online. I was going to make plans for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, something that didn’t involve me cooking a meal. Then, come January, I would go on a manhunt. Hell, I might even join the Legion’s Euchre Club. Doug knew damn well that I could play. I’d beaten him more than once.

I was scrolling through my favorite social media site when I came across a contest that seemed tailor-made for me. Now, this was more like it.

Win a two-week all-expenses paid Christmas vacation in Miami. Be the Christmas Parade Marshal with a seat in Santa’s sleigh. Pull the lever to activate the lights on Miami’s Christmas tree. Participate in all of the traditional activities including building a gingerbread house, a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Miami, the annual Christmas fair, and so much more. Your vacation culminates with the New Year’s Eve Ball.

Accommodations will be at Miami’s premiere inn. A personal companion will whisk you from one event to another. Lunches and dinner locations will vary. Flights and other travel expenses included. Click here to learn more about Miami.

I grinned. I didn’t need to click. I knew everything there was to know about Miami; after all, it was where I’d expected Doug to take me for our honeymoon.

“I may not be getting married, but what’s wrong with going on the honeymoon?”

Of course, I had to win the contest, but since my luck had been so bad lately, it was bound to change. I filled out the contest application, laughed at the two dogs frolicking in the sand at the bottom of the entry form and clicked send. With that out of the way, I headed into the bedroom to survey my holiday wear.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Another Book Available on Audible!

Beneath the Ashes, my Timeless Romance fantasy/history novel is now available on Audible! Personally, I like the AI voice which, simply put, is the one I use when editing my books. I like to listen to what I’ve written–auditory-visual-kinesthetic learner here. The book is available from Amazon.com and on Audible at https://www.audible.com/pd/Beneath-the-Ashes-Audiobook/B0FHXTLX57

Here’s the book’s description.

Lucie Raines loves her job overseeing the Mediterranean Gallery at the Perry Foundation Museum. She’s always felt at home among the remains of Rome’s glory days, so much so that she frequently dreams of the era and most recently of a dream lover who makes her feel the way no flesh and blood man ever has. When she’s offered a chance to go to Italy and join an archeologist on a new dig in Pompeii, she jumps at it.
Her excitement is tinged with confusion when the advance items recovered from the dig arrive. While she’s always been able to get impressions from the artifacts she’s handled, these bits and pieces of the past aren’t simply relics, they belong to her, but how is that possible? A day in Rome spent touring the Roman ruins leaves her questioning her sanity, but when she arrives at the site of the new excavation and meets the archeologist, she begins to question far more than that. Her attraction to him is so intense that it frightens her. Can her fantasies really be memories of a past life? And if she gives in to them, what will happen to the future she has planned?
While archeologist Mario Tedesco is the first to admit that ghosts exist and frequently haunt his worksites, he doesn’t believe in reincarnation. When an earthquake reveals the ruins of a Roman villa in the nearby countryside, one that draws him as no other dig ever has, he begins to reconsider the notion, especially when his nightly dreams include Antonia, an imaginary wife who satisfies him as no other ever has … until she vanishes after a mild earthquake with a desperate plea to find her, to find them, before it’s too late.
When Mario meets Lucie, he’s convinced that she’s the reincarnation of the woman from his dreams, but if she recognizes him she doesn’t own up to it. He can tell she isn’t immune to him but refuses to allow him to get close to her. Is she afraid of him or of herself? Can he convince her to take a chance on love? Or will the rumbles from Mount Vesuvius tear them apart once more?

It joins three of my other books available on Amazon.com and Audible.

All four books are also available in e-Book, Paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited, but now you have one more option! Enjoy!

Tuesday Tales: From the Word PEARL

Welcome back! This week’s Tuesday Tales’ authors are writing to the word prompt PEARL. I’m continuing with my Christmas Romance Comedy, Naughty Rudolph. Enjoy!

When we got to my building, he stopped outside the door. Could he really be smart enough to realize he wasn’t going to get lucky tonight despite the fact that he’d shelled out more than one hundred and fifty bucks for dinner?

“I’m having a moving sale next weekend. If there’s anything you would like that I’m not taking with me, just say the word and it’s yours. There are a few things we bought together…”

Bought together? That was rich. The only thing we’d ever bought together might’ve been groceries.

His voice trailed off. “You’re awfully quiet. I hope you didn’t catch something from one of those snotty-nosed monsters you teach.”

Snotty-nosed monsters? And I’d wanted him to father my children? How could I have been so blind?

“I have a bit of a headache,” I admitted.”

“Of course. It is almost your time of the month.”

As I said, he hated surprises, but I hadn’t realized he tracked my damn cycle. Probably had the information entered in his electronic watch.

“Listen,” he said, his tone smarmy as if he were doing me a favor. “I’ll just go home. I’ll be around for another week since I need to get up there and familiarize myself with the area while Uncle Albert is still around to smooth my takeover and introduce me to the people who matter most.” He bent over and kissed my cheek. “Go on up, take a couple of analgesics, and go to bed. You’ll feel better in the morning. I’ll call you mid-week.”

I nodded. “Thanks, and Doug, I really am happy for you. It’s just that all this came as a huge surprise. I’ll think about the stuff you have and let you know, but offhand all I can think of are the pearl-handled steak knives I bought last spring.” The ones I would love to stick in his back. “They match the ones I have. You can never have too many steak knives. Goodnight.” I turned and entered the building.

Walter Stafford, the building manager, was working on the elevator.

“Sorry, Ms. Howard. You’ll have to take the stairs. I can’t figure out why this dang thing isn’t working, and the company can’t send a man out until tomorrow.”

I groaned. Thank God I only lived on the fourth floor. Three flights of stairs wouldn’t kill me, right?

Wrong! By the time I reached my floor, I was huffing and puffing like the Big Bad Wolf about to blow down someone’s house.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

New Boxset for Your Summer Entertainment!

Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, winter in the Southern Hemisphere. No matter where you live, there’s always time to indulge in a new Unforgettables boxset, and this one takes romance suspense to new heights! These boxsets are incredible opportunities to pick up fantastic novels by acclaimed authors for only pennies! 99 cents USD! Also available in Kindle Unlimited!

When danger closes in, only a Champion will do.

From Nashville to ghost towns, up north to Canada, then south and west to tropical islands, and then further beyond, Unforgettable Champions takes you on a pulse-pounding journey where singles in peril find – or rediscover – that one person they can’t live without.
Is it fate that brings them together, or something even deeper?
Dive into these gripping tales of second chances and breathtaking rescues, wherehighly skilled FBI agents, haunted cowboys, a hot Hawaiian handyman, and a reclusive wounded warrior seeking peace find themselves fighting for love while battling danger at every turn.

When life flips upside down and all hope seems lost…
…it’s time for a Champion.

Mimi Barbour – Special Agent Lucifer: Undercover as a country singer in Nashville, Agent Lucifer is determined to stop the deadly drugs flooding the streets, but his devilish persona makes pretending to be friendly tougher than the mission itself. When the fearless Honey Bolder starts digging into the music scene to solve her sister’s murder, their worlds collide in a dangerous dance of justice, secrets, and undeniable attraction.

Taylor Lee – Corralling the Candidate: Aaliyah Hart is a bold first-time candidate challenging a political titan. When her wealthy father hires elite protector Zane Underwood, it soon becomes clear the real danger isn’t politics—or her scheming fiancé—but a deadly team of mercenaries. As threats escalate, Zane must protect the woman who’s become far more than a client.

Susan Jean Ricci – I See You in the Rain: When a retired military dog takes shelter in Gracie’s garage during a violent storm, she meets Wren, the scarred veteran who prefers the forest to people. But as thunder rumbles and secrets surface, they discover that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is open your heart for a second chance.

Susanne Matthews – And Justice for All: Someone is killing cops, and Detective Maggie Sutton’s mission to stop the assassin brings her face-to-face with her new boss—the man who broke her heart. As they work side by side to hunt a killer who’s already taken too many lives, old passions flare, but catching a murderer may cost them everything, including their second chance.

Rachelle Ayala – Secret of the Poipu Compass: Bookstore owner Christy travels to Kauai to settle her grandmother’s estate but discovers a faded love letter and a mysterious compass that unravel family secrets. With carpenter Noah by her side, midnight beach searches turn into stolen kisses. But when the truth becomes dangerous, will Christy choose safety—or a future with the man who has captured her heart?

Patricia Rosemoor – Walk Wilde: A decade after a family feud tore them apart, Reyna and Seth reunite in a haunted ghost town on the Turquoise Trail. But when Reyna discovers a body—and a piece of turquoise tied to murder—danger pulls them closer. Can they catch a killer during Día de los Muertos before death claims them both?

Rebecca York – Survival Skills: Psychic dreams haunt Jamie Shepherd—and may be the key to stopping a deadly killer. Reuniting with Mack Steele, the man tied to her deepest guilt, they track chilling clues until the killer traps them in his lethal playground. Surrounded by danger, they must survive—and face the love they thought was lost.

Download Unforgettable Champions today, free in Kindle Unlimited, and discover your next book boyfriend.

Grab your copy today and start reading!