Michael J. McLaughlin, author
@mclaughlinbooks.bsky.social
Award winning author of gripping suspense and twisty thrillers. Girl Dad. Swiftie convert. Karaoke background singer. Underdog fan. Fluff enthusiast.
https://mclaughlinbooks.com/
https://linktr.ee/McLaughlinBooks
#writingcommunity #amwriting #booksky
https://mclaughlinbooks.com/
https://linktr.ee/McLaughlinBooks
#writingcommunity #amwriting #booksky
What’s your favorite first line of a novel? One of mine comes from one of my favorite books, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451: “It was a pleasure to burn.” #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #authorsky
December 18, 2025 at 6:16 PM
What’s your favorite first line of a novel? One of mine comes from one of my favorite books, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451: “It was a pleasure to burn.” #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #authorsky
Why do all my protagonists have junk food cravings? Pop-tarts, Charleston Chews, donuts. Writers - what foods do your characters love? #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Why do all my protagonists have junk food cravings? Pop-tarts, Charleston Chews, donuts. Writers - what foods do your characters love? #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
The experiment I started might turn into my next novel. It’s been fun so far, regardless. I’ll let you know how it goes. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
November 14, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The experiment I started might turn into my next novel. It’s been fun so far, regardless. I’ll let you know how it goes. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
I got a great character idea during a conversation yesterday. Not wanting to be rude, I didn’t write it down and have since forgotten it. Prediction: it will come to me again during a run. I’ll be sure I’ll remember it, then forget it again. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
November 13, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I got a great character idea during a conversation yesterday. Not wanting to be rude, I didn’t write it down and have since forgotten it. Prediction: it will come to me again during a run. I’ll be sure I’ll remember it, then forget it again. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
I’m going back to the Interstellar soundtrack as I start writing in a minute. Anyone else have a favorite writing soundtrack? #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
November 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I’m going back to the Interstellar soundtrack as I start writing in a minute. Anyone else have a favorite writing soundtrack? #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
The author in me couldn’t resist a detour to Livraria Bertrand during our trip to Lisbon, Portugal. Established in 1732, this is the world’s oldest operating bookstore. They even have the Guinness plaque to prove it.
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
November 11, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The author in me couldn’t resist a detour to Livraria Bertrand during our trip to Lisbon, Portugal. Established in 1732, this is the world’s oldest operating bookstore. They even have the Guinness plaque to prove it.
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky
I took a break from writing my synopsis just in time to catch twilight on the river. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #authorsky
January 18, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I took a break from writing my synopsis just in time to catch twilight on the river. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #authorsky
Synopsis writing is always a chore for me, but I’m excited about the one I just drafted. The process even helped me identify a couple important edits I want to make. #booksky #authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #amwriting
January 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Synopsis writing is always a chore for me, but I’m excited about the one I just drafted. The process even helped me identify a couple important edits I want to make. #booksky #authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #amwriting
Have you forgotten how to color outside the lines?
My friend @fycuriosity.com’s Make Bad Art course starts on January 20. It’s designed to help you stop contorting yourself to meet others’ expectations so you can connect with your creative self again. Check it out: fyc.quest/MBA
My friend @fycuriosity.com’s Make Bad Art course starts on January 20. It’s designed to help you stop contorting yourself to meet others’ expectations so you can connect with your creative self again. Check it out: fyc.quest/MBA
January 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Have you forgotten how to color outside the lines?
My friend @fycuriosity.com’s Make Bad Art course starts on January 20. It’s designed to help you stop contorting yourself to meet others’ expectations so you can connect with your creative self again. Check it out: fyc.quest/MBA
My friend @fycuriosity.com’s Make Bad Art course starts on January 20. It’s designed to help you stop contorting yourself to meet others’ expectations so you can connect with your creative self again. Check it out: fyc.quest/MBA
Happy New Year! I hope 2025 brings you all the best! #writingcommunity
January 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Happy New Year! I hope 2025 brings you all the best! #writingcommunity
December 25, 2024 at 12:39 AM
I had a kid like this in my class, but I don’t think he became a writer. Great cartoon. Thanks, Rob. #authorsky #writersky #amwriting #writingcommunity
December 23, 2024 at 11:46 PM
I had a kid like this in my class, but I don’t think he became a writer. Great cartoon. Thanks, Rob. #authorsky #writersky #amwriting #writingcommunity
Tess has the magic touch for creating captivating stories. I can’t wait to watch Vacationland. @tessgerritsen.bsky.social #writingcommunity #authorsky
December 18, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Tess has the magic touch for creating captivating stories. I can’t wait to watch Vacationland. @tessgerritsen.bsky.social #writingcommunity #authorsky
This is one of my favorite books in recent years. Compelling characters. Great story! @blacktopkid.bsky.social
#booksky #authorsky #writingcommunity
#booksky #authorsky #writingcommunity
I don’t know why I waited so long to read Blacktop Wasteland by @blacktopkid.bsky.social but he NEVER MISSES!!!
#booksky
#blackbooksky
#booksky
#blackbooksky
December 18, 2024 at 6:07 PM
This is one of my favorite books in recent years. Compelling characters. Great story! @blacktopkid.bsky.social
#booksky #authorsky #writingcommunity
#booksky #authorsky #writingcommunity
I can relate, Jeff. And I just read your post to my wife and she laughed and said YES.
#authorsky #writersky #booksky #writingcommunity
#authorsky #writersky #booksky #writingcommunity
when you YES tell your wife a major change you're making YES to a character YES and how it will make YES the book stronger YES and she thinks you've YES YES identified a core issue YES in the first draft and YES now you have the confidence YES to fix it and she just says YES as you tell her
December 14, 2024 at 6:03 PM
I can relate, Jeff. And I just read your post to my wife and she laughed and said YES.
#authorsky #writersky #booksky #writingcommunity
#authorsky #writersky #booksky #writingcommunity
My protagonist is having a hellish day, but I’m loving the chapter I’m writing. Should I feel guilty?
#authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #booksky
#authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #booksky
December 14, 2024 at 5:59 PM
My protagonist is having a hellish day, but I’m loving the chapter I’m writing. Should I feel guilty?
#authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #booksky
#authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #booksky
So… the take-home message here is to think outside the box turtle? (My wife gave me permission to write that dumb dad joke. Apologies to all.)
#writing #writingcommunity #amwriting
#writing #writingcommunity #amwriting
Writer: A cartoon about 4 teenage turtles
Exec: Not convinced
Writer: They're mutants?
Exec: It needs to appeal to kids
Writer: They're named after renaissance artists
Exec: Not convinced
Writer: They're mutants?
Exec: It needs to appeal to kids
Writer: They're named after renaissance artists
December 12, 2024 at 6:01 PM
So… the take-home message here is to think outside the box turtle? (My wife gave me permission to write that dumb dad joke. Apologies to all.)
#writing #writingcommunity #amwriting
#writing #writingcommunity #amwriting
Lately I’ve been listening to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack while writing. So good, even while writing thrillers. #writingcommunity what do you listen to while writing, or don’t you?
#authorsky #booksky #writersky #thriller
#authorsky #booksky #writersky #thriller
December 12, 2024 at 3:57 PM
Lately I’ve been listening to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack while writing. So good, even while writing thrillers. #writingcommunity what do you listen to while writing, or don’t you?
#authorsky #booksky #writersky #thriller
#authorsky #booksky #writersky #thriller
My wife sent me to the basement fridge to get leftover pizza for lunch. I came back with an old snowman painting our daughter made. I need to walk away from my manuscript a few minutes and give my brain a break. #brainfart #writersky #writingcommunity
December 3, 2024 at 5:23 PM
My wife sent me to the basement fridge to get leftover pizza for lunch. I came back with an old snowman painting our daughter made. I need to walk away from my manuscript a few minutes and give my brain a break. #brainfart #writersky #writingcommunity
Robin Cook, MD, was one of my first inspirations to be an author. He’s still writing great books. Still inspiring me. Thanks, doctor! #writingcommunity #authorsky #booksky #thrillers
December 3, 2024 at 5:13 PM
Robin Cook, MD, was one of my first inspirations to be an author. He’s still writing great books. Still inspiring me. Thanks, doctor! #writingcommunity #authorsky #booksky #thrillers
Think Twice - another great paperback from @harlancoben.bsky.social. This gentleman is an inspiration for the rest of us NJ thriller authors. #authorsky
Friends, THINK TWICE is now out in paperback. Celebrate tastefully.
December 3, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Think Twice - another great paperback from @harlancoben.bsky.social. This gentleman is an inspiration for the rest of us NJ thriller authors. #authorsky
My antagonist has been lots of fun to hang out with, but he’s turning into a bit of a jerk. #writingcommunity #authorsky #writersky #amwriting #thrillers
December 3, 2024 at 3:51 PM
My antagonist has been lots of fun to hang out with, but he’s turning into a bit of a jerk. #writingcommunity #authorsky #writersky #amwriting #thrillers
Twelve chapters to go on my thriller WIP first draft. Everything is coming together! #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #authorsky
December 3, 2024 at 3:42 PM
Twelve chapters to go on my thriller WIP first draft. Everything is coming together! #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #authorsky
Love this! I can relate. My wife knows I’ve struck writing gold when she hears me laughing like a cartoon villain. #writingcommunity #writing #authorsky
I’ve just come up with an amazing climactic scene for my current thriller while soaking in the bath. Who said you have to sit at your desk to work? Told husband. He said I’m an evil genius.
a woman in a yellow robe is laughing with the words evil laugh behind her
Alt: a woman in a yellow robe is laughing with the words evil laugh behind her
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2024 at 6:38 PM
Love this! I can relate. My wife knows I’ve struck writing gold when she hears me laughing like a cartoon villain. #writingcommunity #writing #authorsky
Here is a helpful Indie Publishing starter pack prepared by @piercepress.bsky.social #writingcommunity #indie #writing #writersky go.bsky.app/MvBubrz
December 1, 2024 at 5:18 PM
Here is a helpful Indie Publishing starter pack prepared by @piercepress.bsky.social #writingcommunity #indie #writing #writersky go.bsky.app/MvBubrz