Jane Ridgewood

New profile pic... a couple other pics... and an outtake where I apparently felt sassy? 😅 Can I blame that moment on the cute shirt I got from @wicked_bootique? Well now it’s time to go back to working on my Camp NaNoWriMo project. Last couple of days have not been the greatest writing days for me, but I’m hoping to get a lot of words in this week. My goal is 20k between four short stories by the end of the month! #horrorwriter #horror #newphoto #redhead #writerslife #writersofinstagram #wip #campnanowrimo #campnano #writing #writer #author #writinghorror #writersofig #bodypositive #writingcommunity #newphotos #horrorwriters #femalewriters #plussize #confidence #lovingmyself #selfcare #selflove #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #igwriters #loveyourself #myjourney #wordnerd https://www.instagram.com/p/CNRHsR-MEJN/?igshid=1f2gx7zyudyia

To some people it might be like “okay, she had her hair cut and dyed – no biggie”. For me though, it is a biggie. My whole life I told myself “I can’t do that because…” with whatever (usually) very self-deprecating reason I gave myself in the moment. Or there were even just honestly far too many times to count that I limited myself based on what I felt others expected or needed of me. For a little over a year now I have been working really hard on a lot of personal healing and growth; physically, mentally, and spiritually. In that time I’ve been learning a lot about myself that I didn’t realize before. I can honestly say, I’ve never felt more in tune with myself and connected to what my own needs. Naturally, I’m still growing, learning, and embracing here. It’s a one day at a time approach to life. I am learning to set boundaries. I am learning to respect myself. I am learning to even love and care for myself. Today was not just about getting my hair trimmed up and dyed (for the first time). It resonates a lot deeper for me in a very meaningful way. This is a big positive step in part of my own personal healing and growing journey. Special thank you so much to Izzy (@grin.barrette) who did this amazing cut and color on me! 🥰 I seriously can’t thank you enough Izzy for what you did for me today. Seriously, thank you so much for helping me feel even more connected with myself as I continue to build my confidence, strength, and self-love. I am truly forever grateful to you for being a part of this journey. #hair #redhair #fireball #selflove #healing #myjourney #horrorwriter #cat #cats #catpeople #petsofinstagram #grateful #loveyourself #catsofinstagram #writersofig #writersofinstagram #writerslife #newhair #redhead https://www.instagram.com/p/CNG4UbFMBQK/?igshid=v1dvi6lzdghu

For those who are new here or have been following me for a while, I don’t think I ever really introduced myself properly here on Instagram… So hello there! I’m Jane Ridgewood, a Michigan based Horror author. I’m presently making progress on my debut novel while simultaneously working on some short stories and flash fiction pieces. I am intending to start my YouTube channel (#AuthorTube here I come) very soon, where I plan to share more in depth information and such about my writing and publishing journey (link in bio if you want to subscribe now so you don’t miss when the first video goes up). These days I primarily write Horror for adults, though I do have ideas and aspirations to branch into young adult and middle grade as well. Also side note, I don’t normally get in front of a camera for a self-timer photo shoot of any kind, but I had a bit of fun with it today in this new shirt I recently got and am loving. It’s given me an excuse to step out of my comfort zone and show more of me on here. Swipe to see the in-color version! FYI if you’re interested, I bought my shirt from @the.book.dad who has this and other fun Horror themed designs! (Not an ad, just genuinely love the design) #writersofinstagram #writerslife #horror #writer #horrorcommunity #igwriters #writerslife #wordnerd #horrorwriter #horrorjunkie #writinghorror #author #authorlife #horrorlover #writersofig #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #writing #michigan #michiganders #ilovehorror #ilovewriting #gimmethecreeps #horrorauthors #horrorwriter https://www.instagram.com/p/CLaB692M-rb/?igshid=7j0f0307dtln

Since my mom’s passing in 2019, as I have gotten myself back to writing a lot more productively again, I often find that I love to use what was her favorite mug. She was a massive Donald Duck fan and this mug my cousin got her from Disney World was used most often. Part of me wonders if maybe as cliché as it may be, it’s partly in knowing how my mom was my #1 fan in my writing. She always encouraged it, supported it, and we had plans of her being with me on this literacy journey of mine. So in using her favorite mug, it’s almost as if she’s still here with me in some way continuously cheering me on. #grief #griefjourney #writerslife #igwriters #writersofinstagram #wihm #horrorwriter #grieving #authorsofinstagram #author #writing #amwriting #writinghorror #wordnerd #writingcommunity #writersofig https://www.instagram.com/p/CLKvUxHMWwg/?igshid=1mdd5bt2rctpk

Working with my helper today.... #catsofinstagram #catstagram #writer #writersofinstagram #igwriters #cats #spoiled #love #furbabylove #authorslife #writerscommunity #writersofig #igcats #amwriting #horrorwriter #wordnerd #catsofwriters #petsofinstagram #catlady #myboy #lovehim #lovehimsomuch #author #writerslife #writersofig #writing https://www.instagram.com/p/CKcacNTMFTh/?igshid=3zfstuukwflj

As shared in my IG stories today, I stepped out of my comfort zone and recorded my first video for my YouTube channel. It was... a fail. Plain and simple it just was. I’m okay. Admittedly a bit bummed, but this is a learning process. I know I will eventually be able to make a video where my anxiety isn’t through the roof and the quality is not cruddy. #writersofinstagram #writer #author #wordnerd #youtubefail #anxiety #authortube #icandothis #igstories #igwriters #writingcommunity #driven #motivated #horrorwriter #writinghorror #writerslife #authorslife #anxietyproblems https://www.instagram.com/p/CKSmUbbM19P/?igshid=rcjbo1lqz4n7

Time for more tea in my favorite mug as I set to accomplish another task tonight! ☕️ Watch my insta stories for my setup of my visual outline board. #focused #writerslife #amworking #amwriting #goalsetting #authorlife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writer #igwriters #writersofig #horror #horrorwriter #writinghorror #wordnerd #driven #determination #novelwriting #michiganders #motivated https://www.instagram.com/p/CJr1ogysdvh/?igshid=1od2w5np2sk2q

Time for more tea in my favorite mug as I set to accomplish another task tonight! ☕️ Watch my insta stories for my setup of my visual outline board.s https://www.instagram.com/p/CJr1V6CMA6F/?igshid=4s1tslsfjck3

This is the face of the writer (a.k.a. me) who is ready to accomplish a lot today. Setting career goals for the year, re-setting up my visual outline board, and continuing work on my new author website! #focused #writerslife #amworking #amwriting #goalsetting #authorlife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writer #igwriters #writersofig #horror #horrorwriter #writinghorror #wordnerd #driven #determination #novelwriting #michiganders #motivated https://www.instagram.com/p/CJrSXjqse5k/?igshid=p54ztyknkjus

First read of the year goes to “Covered In Glitter” by Hanna Beth. I admit I’m a longtime supporter/fan (all the way back to the MySpace days 😆) and I’ve read this at least once a year since this limitedly released book came out in 2016 and I got my hands on a copy. I definitely hope to see another book release from Hanna again in the future! Reading this is crossing off my “reread a favorite book” from a reading challenge I’m doing by @prettymessreading for 2021. What are you reading? Are you doing a reading challenge this year? #reading #amreading #readmorebooks #readingchallenge #happynewyear #bookstagram #bookish #ilovebooks #bookworm #hannabeth #hannabethmerjos #booknerd #booknerdigans #afavebook #currentlyreading #booklover https://www.instagram.com/p/CJf0Xtqsn8Z/?igshid=1avbcpr3pk8ug

If you follow me on FB or Twitter (links in bio), then you probably already know, but here’s a visual start to me working on an outline for my debut horror novel. It’s not fancy and to be honest, I’ll probably spruce up how I set this up later on, but this works for now! Admittedly while I’m already at least a few drafts into this project, I have found myself hitting plot holes and inconsistencies each time. So I’m going back to the beginning and actually taking the time to create an outline using the Save The Cat method and making sure I incorporate those 15 beats into my story! Let’s see how this goes… #savethecat #stc #outlining #amwriting #igwriters #writersofinstagram #horror #writinghorror #writersnetwork #author #writerslife #authorgram #writersofig #writingcommunity #horrorwriter https://www.instagram.com/p/CJcxf8fsW0v/?igshid=82cr4pytbkqb

Sometimes you just need to take a step back and give yourself a fresh start. ✏️ Rewrite in progress! #amwriting #writerslife #writing #writer #writingcommunity #horror #writinghorror #writersofinstagram #writersnetwork #amwritinghorror #writersofig #igwriters #authorsofinstagram #author #rewrite https://www.instagram.com/p/CJaNFyXsXJl/?igshid=t6pypdu9zb64

Love this handle holder. 💀 One of my favorite things I keep on my desk. . . . #candles #skull #horror #spooky #writerslife #decor #writingcommunity #horrorwriter https://www.instagram.com/p/CHJMl86sD9v/?igshid=zan9dpx2vy4v

First read of the year! 😁 Won this in a giveaway from @beckylaunder and so pumped to finally start reading it tonight! . . . . . #bookish #bossup #amreading #bibliophile #enterpreneur #consultant #reading #word #spilledink #currentread #bookstagram #book #readersofinstagram #bookshelf #newread #lindsayteaguemoreno #bookaddict #bookworm #booknerd #booknerdigans #booklover #booksofig #bookalicious #instareads #bookclub #independantconsultant https://www.instagram.com/p/B6zSC2zAdQP/?igshid=1c9y2eoywxn3i

Thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes to me! I really appreciate it. ❤️ I admit it's been hard having my first birthday without my mom around. However I am truly blessed with amazing people in my life, who know just what to do to put a smile on my heart. 🤗 I thank God for each of you! As a gift to myself I got some new blue light blocking glasses! Pretty fancy, huh? . . . . . #birthday #birthdaygirl #nov12 #scorpio #bday #bdaygirl #itsmybirthday #feelingloved #newglasses #bluelightglasses #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #november #november12 https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ydwedgGTb/?igshid=16kwtmm3as9aj

I'm not even going to deny that I like putting stickers in my Happy Planner. 🙃 I'm sure this will only get worse as I continue to use it. 😂 . . . . . #planner #planning #planningcommunity #plan #thehappyplanner #coffeebrainplans #planneraddict #plannerboss #writerslife #plannerstickers #plannerspread #author #writing #plannersofinstagram #writersofig #plannergirl #happyplanner #imstillwriting #creative #wellnessplanner #kindacrafty #momwouldbeproud #plannerfun #plans #friends #stickeraddict #happyplanning #plannerbabe #meandmybigideas #plannerlove https://www.instagram.com/p/B4bUerkgmxp/?igshid=z2gg7rbamx0o

I have officially made it three days in a row of writing! Despite the fact that I can’t sit and write as long as I used to (yet), this is making me so happy right now. I faced a couple glitches in my writing session, but I have continued to make good progress towards my goal. I am admittedly, a little behind the actual word count goal still. However, I know I’ll eventually catch up. I’m just taking my sweet time to make sure I am telling this story as it should be told. As my twisted imaginations sees it in my mind. I am of course keeping my copy of STC handy, for beat sheet references as I unfold this horror story. So excited to keep going! ✏️ If you’re doing #NaNoWriMo, how have the first few days been for you? What are you working on? . . . . . #nanowrimo2019 #nano #writing #amwriting #writerslife #writer #writersofinstagram #writersofig #word #inspired #author #authorsofinstagram #nanohousecup #nanohousecupravenclaw #authorlife #ocgrwrimos #writersofig #word #authorsofig #amwritinghorror #horror #writingcommunity #writers #lovewriting #writerscommunity #ilovewriting #creativity #writinggoals #wip #writerslifechat #storyteller https://www.instagram.com/p/B4bC6gsA0_G/?igshid=15a13frmp4xbt