Virtual Book Blast: Laws of Nature by Jacqui Murray #newrelease #prehistoric fiction
I’m delighted to have my exercise buddy Jacqui Murray on my blog. Jacqui and I use Strava to track our exercise, cheer and give kudo to each other.
Today Jacqui will share with us about her new release Laws of Nature, book 2 of the Dawn of Humanity trilogy. Please join me to welcome Jacqui and help her celebrate the great success of her research-based prehistorical fiction.
Laws of Nature: A boy blinded by fire. A woman raised by wolves. An avowed enemy offers help.
On the right side of Jacqui’s blog, she has scheduled the publication of her next four books in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2026. Have you wondered how she could keep up the schedule?
I asked her to share with us about her writing day, and here is her answer.
My Writing Day By Jacqui Murray
Much of my day is spent writing, either freelance articles, client reviews, guest posts, or working on one of my many fiction and nonfiction WIP. Any leftover time goes to marketing what I’ve written–trying to get the word out to as many people as possible. That includes outreach, responding to inquiries, interactions with fellow writers, and exploring new marketing channels.
Since I work out of my house, I like to break my day into three parts:
morning
afternoon
evening
I consign tasks to each portion of the day, stopping for lunch and dinner and a few breaks to pet the dog. Because I’m not writing to a deadline (as is required by agents or publishers), I don’t count words like some writing efriends. I count what I get done.
Here’s a rough list of tasks that I sprinkle throughout my writing week:
- review for edtech websites I work with
- updates on existing edtech manuscripts, books
- a monthly article for #IWSG–the Insecure Writer’s Support Group
- ongoing work on the next Man vs. Nature book
- research for a future book
- write about eight posts a week on my three blogs, WordDreams, Ask a Tech Teacher, and USNA or Bust
- reviews of books I get from NetGalley and much less often Amazon Vine
Here’s what a typical day breaks out as:
5 am–wake up
5:30–read for fun, caffeinate myself, catch up on news with husband
6:30–answer emails and SM
9:00–take a walk; Miriam Hurdle (over at The Showers of Blessings) and I cheer each other on with an app she introduced me to called Strava
9:30–work on my next book
11–lunch
Noon–3:30–work on current ms, reviews for edtech websites or writing outlets
1 pm–coffee break–to perk me up!
3:30-5:00–reading for fun and research
5:00–dinner
5:30-7–Posts, marketing
Every 15-30 minutes, I take a break to walk around the house, check the yards, visit husband, or anything to get me out of my chair and moving.
If you’re curious about the daily schedules of other writers, here’s an article on the daily routines of twelve famous writers, one by a NYT best-selling author, and an interesting personal narrative by a cooperative writer.
Summary
In this second of the Dawn of Humanity trilogy, the first trilogy in the Man vs. Nature saga, Lucy and her eclectic group escape the treacherous tribe that has been hunting them and find a safe haven in the famous Wonderwerk caves in South Africa. Though they don’t know it, they will be the oldest known occupation of caves by humans. They don’t have clothing, fire, or weapons, but the caves keep them warm and food is plentiful. But they can’t stay, not with the rest of the tribe enslaved by an enemy. To free them requires not only the prodigious skills of Lucy’s unique group–which includes a proto-wolf and a female raised by the pack–but others who have no reason to assist her and instinct tells Lucy she shouldn’t trust.
Set 1.8 million years ago in Africa, Lucy and her tribe struggle against the harsh reality of a world ruled by nature, where predators stalk them and a violent new species of man threatens to destroy their world. Only by changing can they prevail. If you ever wondered how earliest man survived but couldn’t get through the academic discussions, this book is for you. Prepare to see this violent and beautiful world in a way you never imagined.
A perfect book for fans of Jean Auel and the Gears!
Book information:
Title and author: Laws of Nature
Series: Book 2 in the Dawn of Humanity series
Genre: Prehistoric fiction
Editor: The extraordinary Anneli Purchase
Available print or digital) at: Kindle US Kindle UK Kindle CA Kindle AU Kindle India
Author bio:
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also the author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman , the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Natural Selection, Winter 2022.
Social Media contacts:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ/
Blog: https://worddreams.wordpress.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquimurraywriter/
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jacquimurray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher
Twitter: http://twitter.com/worddreams
Website: https://jacquimurray.net
Thank you so much for your visit. We appreciate your generous comment!
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The Showers of Blessings 
Her books sound really iinteresting!
I’m goiong to give them a read!
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I can see from her schedule how Jacqui is so productive. I’ve found that scheduling my time in a similar fashion helps reduce stress as well. I hope Laws of Nature is doing well!
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I’m reviewing a series of posts about building a solid writing routine. It makes sense to have a routine and schedule.
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Good point about stress. You’re right. It is one less decision to make!
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I find that keeping to my schedule makes me more efficient. I don’t start until 8-8:30 and I too often don’t get out of my chair until 1-1:30 hours at a time, which I need to change!
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That sedentary stuff–what a huge change that was for me from when I walked around a classroom all day. Well, I got too used to it and then had to force myself to walk around a few times an hour.
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Another great tour post from Jacqui for her latest mesmerizing read. Thanks for hosting, Miriam. It’s interesting to see other writers’ schedules. I’m totally unscheduled and haphazard so this made me think about trying to add a little structure. I really like the last item… the frequent breaks to move the body. I should so that too. Thanks to you both and have a wonderful weekend!
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Structure works well for me. I have five alarms that go off during the day from my phone–reminding me of this and that. But lots of people just don’t flourish in that sort of set up. Luckily, we can all choose what works best for us.
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Family obligations are my variables, and they interfere with a lot of planned time. But I could be more structured in some ways for sure. 🙂
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I remember reading that you get up at 4 am to write. It’s an excellent writing time so early in the morning. 🙂
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Not quite that early these days, Miriam. More like 5 AM. Ha ha. It’s my most creative time. 🙂
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Wow, that’s still too early for me. I’ll think about you and Jacqui if I wake up at 5 am. 🙂
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🙂
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I admire how Jacqui organizes, and it obviously helps her in her writing and publishing and promotion. I like to be organized, but too much makes me dizzy. ??? Weird, I know, but I tend to be a pantster in my writing and parts of my life. That said, my calendar (desk, in blue ink) reminds me each day of my appointments. I’m up at 5:30 every morning, reading and meditating and sun salutating until 6:30, then on my computer to blog. I’m wondering, Jacqui, can you begin work on your next book while you’re promoting this one? I find that I need a BIG break between writing books. xo (GREAT for hosting Jacqui here, Miriam.)
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I completely understand that, Pam. My husband gets dizzy watching my schedule! All that matters is that we-all do what works best for us. But I do see that you get up at 5:30. Lots of people get up when they wake up. I so can’t do that!
Trilogies are a little different than standalone books, at least for me. In this case, I had both of the last two books outlined (to the extent of about 250 pages) and then went to work on each separately. So, working on this Book 3–Natural Selection–is like more of this book–Laws of Nature. The next trilogy, I will take a big break to research.
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Ah, that makes sense. One of these days I think I’d like to write a series! But as you say different strokes for different folks. Still, this summer I’ve been able to read two or three books at the same time but still I know I am way behind your reading level!
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I can’t do what Jacqui does either, Pam.
I can see that her home office is her real office where she goes to work from 9 to 5. She does various parts of her job throughout the day and takes breaks. In an industrial office, it’s a federal mandate to take 15 minutes of break in a five-hour job and two 15-minute, at least half an hour lunch breaks for an eight-hour workday.
I watched my son-in-law works at home as his remote office ever since the pandemic started. He keeps a strict work schedule. I can see that it could be done.
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That’s an impressive schedule, Jaqui! I’ll be thinking about you tomorrow morning at 5 am because I’m often up at that hour, caffeinating and reading 🙂 Thanks for sharing this, Miriam!
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I write all day, a variety of stuff but writing is the common thread. Thanks for visiting!
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Oh, you get up at 5 am also, Barbara! You’re still working so you have to start your day early. I got up at that hour when I was working and had to get on the road by 6 am to fight for the morning traffic. 🙂
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I used to do that, Miriam. What horrid memories! I’m glad you retired.
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I went back to work for one more year after cancer to get 25 years of service. That year was horrible, I got a flu three times because of 0 immune system!
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Lol, half your day is over before I even crawl out of bed! No wonder I get so little done 🙂
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I do sleep eight solid hours. I seem to need it. My daughter is only 35 and she too is in bed by 9!
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It’s a blessing to be able to sleep eight solid hours. I have poor sleep pattern. My daughter is 35 also and my son-in-law takes care of the kids in the morning so my daughter could sleep in until 8.
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Son-in-law is a gem!
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He is!!
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I told Jacqui before that my morning is a few hours shorter than hers because I’m a night owl and get up late to make up some sleeping time. 🙂
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I usually head to bed around 11, then read until midnight or later, and get up around 9-10 😊 Hate to rush into the day, you know, lol
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I know, Jacquie! Sounds like a good schedule when you’re your own boss. After setting my alarm for 30+ years, it took me a while to get used to not rushing in the morning. 🙂
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That sounds so civilized, Jacquie.
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Or lazy, lol
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Jacqui really knows how to organize her working hours… so inspiring! Thanks for sharing Miriam.
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I know, Balroop. She inspires us to tighten our writing schedule a bit. Thank you for your visit.
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Thank you, Balroop. BTW, I just finished your poetry book. You’ll be seeing the review soon. Another excellent book, Balroop.
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Thank you so much Jacqui, I am delighted to hear that you liked it. 😊
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Jacqui is definitely a serious writer and makes good us of her time. No wonder she is able to be so productive. A great post for the blog tour!
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I love writing so much of what I do all day revolves around that. And geeky stuff!
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I agree with you, Darlene! So far, I don’t know any other writers who could schedule the exact dates of publication for the next four years.
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I always enjoy seeing how other writers structure their days. Hope your tour is going well, Jacqui. Thanks for hosting, Miriam!
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I do too. That’s probably why I wrote this, despite it’s lack of surprises!
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It’s good to write about that and share. We like to get ideas from other writers and we know it’s not one size fits all!
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Excellent point.
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So do I, Teri! I think I have some ideas for a number of writers’ writing schedules. I’ll let them comment about that when they visit this post.
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That’s a very organized writing day, Jacqui! I think it’s interesting how most writers develop their own routines.
Have an awesome tour day today. Thanks for hosting, Miriam!
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Me, too. The taking a break every 15 minutes is new to me, maybe from reading other writers’ days.
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I made myself get up every so often to get a cup of coffee when I worked in the office. Just let the brain nerve relax a little. One author recommends having a change of scenes, even going to different parts of the house to write. But how can you carry the computer everywhere?
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Jacqui has a very organized day, Mae. I had an organized routine when working in the office with multiple projects and parallel timelines. Thank you for stopping by.
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You have a very organised day, Jacqui. I also try to work to routines but have to fit a lot of unexpected things and the boys schedules around everything I do too.
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I remember that from when my kids were home. It doesn’t go so well when you’re trying to blend multiple schedules.
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You have a good schedule also, Robbie. You get up early to write and write on weekends, plus working full time and help your boys. You have a lot to manage and do well!
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Thanks for hosting Jacqui, Miriam. I enjoyed taking a peek into her writing day. Love the trailer!
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Thanks so much, Jill. Right now, editing is going pretty slowly but it feels good so I’m fine. Hope your next book is going great.
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Jacqui gets a lot done with her structured writing schedule. I love her trailer also. Thank you for stopping by, Jill!
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It won’t surprise you that my business name (for my tech ed products) is Structured Learning!
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It makes sense, Jacqui!
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