Wantonly Writing.

Help! I want to sell more books!

Congratulations on writing your book! That is a HUGE achievement. Be proud of yourself. What’s that I hear? It’s been out a week and you can’t retire yet? I’m afraid you will be waiting a long time. In 2018, 675 million print books were sold in the US, 190.9m print books in the UK, and is valued at $312m and NZ$1.8 million in Australia and New Zealand, respectively and  e-books and audiobooks …

Is indie publishing a piece of cake?

That all depends on how far you will go for that slice of sweet goodness! Firstly, let’s look at the reasons you may want to be an indie author. You like to remain in CONTROL of EVERYTHING. I get this, I honestly do, when you go down the traditionally published route your begin to loose you say. For example, do you know when your book will be out, and how long you have to wait? If you want to…

Flexing the Writing Muscle

Do you write daily? I do. Now. Not always what I should be writing, but I do write. I am and have always been, a big list maker, it is probably why plotting ideas and creating beatsheets is easier for me than others. I can write extensive notes, on my work and that of my clients. I can write shopping (book and garden) lists til the end of time! But writing my own fiction is something totally…

Hands up if you’re a writer who has suffered self -doubt? Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com The two seem to go hand in hand, we are after all putting something very personal out there for public viewing and critisim. The key here is to understand that you will always get negative feedback off someone. It is down to taste, we don’t all like the same the same things, whey should we expect…

Writer’s Mistakes!

It’s really as simple as that. Mistakes are allowed, in fact let’s go one step further and encourage them!  Remember when I told you about my sons and the cornflakes? That was an accident. Son no. 3 had made the mistake of over reaching. BUT… if he hadn’t  they would never have heard the sounds of crisp cornflakes crunch under welly boots. They would never have made golden flaked angels. Sir…

Creativity is…

Do you remember these cartoons drawn by Kim Casali for her new husband? They used to feature everywhere. Creativity can be like the many examples given in the ‘love is…’ cartoons, it comes in many forms. For me personally, my creativity comes out in writing, gardening, cooking, teaching and party planning and photography. I am sure it will pop its head in many other places, but theses are for…

Does the mention of the word send you into a cold sweat, that drips down you back, you know right between your shoulder blades, pooling at your waistband? Canva.com Stock image I think I’m more than competent at editing, at least with other people’s work, it is after all a huge part of my job, though I do state strongly I do not copy edit, I do development edits. Yes, there is a…

Starting 21st May 2021

Fulfil your dreams!

When you write copy for marketing or blogs, it’s often said to have a number in the title as folk like to have an idea of the quality of what they are reading, based on quantity.

Yet when it comes to most things it’s a way of seeking permission to follow our dreams in easy steps.

With writing how many reasons do you need to realise that if you have a ‘feeling’ to…

Feeling the need to Write?

It’s okay to not write.

Since the lockdown started, I have seen an increase in requests for 1-1 coaching, along with a rise in mailing list for courses. Great news for my business, but when I enquire as to why now, the answer has often been the same.

“I have the time now, so no excuses, right?”

Yes and no.

If it has always been your dream to write, perhaps you have already started and a work in…

I’m a huge music fan. Normally it has to be LOUD, lots of guitar and drums. Occasionally, I need to take the time out and relax. I say occasionally, as I find this something very difficult to do.

My husband exists like he is permanently hypnotised, in that way you say ‘sleep’ and he is, and ‘rest’ and he does. I find relaxing more stressful than working, it’s just how my brain works.

One…

The First Novel. We all have doubts, need support and to find the right way for us.

I can honestly say, I had hoped I would get it done sooner.

Despair and hopelessness for writers is real.

But I didn’t. It wasn’t a total fail, after all I HAVE a finished novel, it’s just life got in the way, and you feel guilty. At least, I did.

I have nothing but great admiration for best-selling authors who can knock out top-selling amazing novels each month, pose for a pic looking…

New Year New Challenge!

We all make resolutions , promises to ourselves to make changes for the better, whether its eat healthier, exercise more or change job. How about “start that novel I’ve been meaning to”. Sound familiar?

WHY WAIT UNTIL JANUARY?

Why not make that commitment now?

Yes, it’s a busy time of year, but if that is your excuse, then your story will NEVER get written. Life will always take priority.

Keep reading as you write.

As a tutor, I always remind my students of the importance of reading. Whether you are writing novels, blogs, scripts or non-fiction even for work, you should be reading what everyone else is doing. So I’ve put together 5 reasons why reasons is important as a writer.

Reason One.

Book stores know what sell.

It’s give you an idea what is out there. The…

Location. It’s not just a place, it’s a character.

Grewelthorpe.

As a child did you have that special place where you hid out in a thunder storm? Or a place you returned to at every opportunity for adventure?

I did. Back in my hometown there is a man-made lake, with a wooden bridge that takes you over from one to the other.

Southport Marine Lake and the Victorian Venetian bridge.

Have you ever wondered why you seem to be so busy yet you have nothing to show for all your hyperactivity?

Even a child will stop to smell the flowers.

As a writer, it’s easy to get way-laid with inspiration, this is what I believe is the REAL writers block. Not a lack of ideas but too many you loose focus. Each one bringing its own excitement and reason for going down that path.

By…

(Alamy stock photo)

Finding inspiration to write can come from anywhere. Today I set my writing group the challenge to find it lurking in their fridge along with the half tin of baked beans and the over-soft grapefruit (that might just be my fridge). But something as simple as this can reveal a lot about a character. Do they live alone? Do they have simple tastes or adventurous and like to try…