We had a massive storm here the other day and ended up with a blackout. It was getting dark at the time anyway - but now visibility inside the house was an issue in terms of typing on a computer without a backlit keyboard or reading. Not knowing how long we would be without power,... Continue Reading →
New Year – New Approach
Just me! Okay - so I get you need to write what people will want to read. Fair enough. But I also believe that if your heart isn't in it, it will be flat and boring and no one will want to read it anyway. As a writer, I would much rather write what appeals... Continue Reading →
Writing a book review for a non-fiction book
Having missed the last #AuthorToolboxBlogHop due to wedding preparations for my son, I was determined to post this month. Seemed silly not to, particularly since, like the majority of the world, I'm stuck at home self-isolating and social distancing. But what topic to write on? I had what I thought was a brainwave: I'll write... Continue Reading →
Here we go again: NaNoWriMo 2019
I love National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Every November writers worldwide are encouraged to get 50,000 words of a writing project done. No need to worry about editing or getting it exactly right -- just get it done! This year is my third NaNoWriMo. 2017 - saw Passage to a New Life take shape... Continue Reading →
Why can’t I be organised when it comes to writing?
Ask anyone who worked with me: I am a study in organisation. If anyone couldn't find their copy of something, they knew I would have it. I was always the first to have my student reports in, and my programming and registration were used as an example of how to do it right. But retirement... Continue Reading →
Slowly, slowly
Really struggling at the moment with my writing. Sort of. It's hard to explain really. The more I edit, the more description and words I add to my novel, New Lives Across the Ocean. Which is good. I can see it gaining depth and detail. That will allow my readers to identify more fully with both... Continue Reading →
Bring on 2019
Yep. We've all done it. Made New Year's resolutions, only to break them. This year, however, I'm determined not to do that. Here's the thing: I really want to get more regular with my blog (one of last year's resolutions that I broke) AND I want to get my novel to a point where it... Continue Reading →
Third Person POV – what a minefield
According to Your Dictionary, "[w]riting in third person is writing from the third-person point of view, or outsider looking in, and uses pronouns like he, she, it, or they. It differs from the first person, which uses pronouns such as I and me, and from the second person, which uses pronouns such as you and... Continue Reading →
Finding an editor: one of the hardest decisions an author will need to make
I'm super busy at the moment writing for three different projects. One, my novel, is approaching the stage where I am going to need an editor. So I've started looking. Where do I start? With what I know and trust is the answer. I know both Cayce Berryman and Michelle King through as fellow admins... Continue Reading →