The Blog

At least, I think that’s what happened.

I have done next to no work since the end of October, so that probably qualifies. Lesson learnt: I should never, never, have downed tools. One thing leading to another, I turned around and I hadn’t done any useable work for three months. To be fair, someone close to me passed away, and Christmas was a sad affair.

This is obviously a tough hole to climb out of, but from dithering to procrastination, I have eventually succeeded in dragging myself back to my writing chair.

Opening the laptop felt far too much of a commitment so I stuck to the 3 Ps: paper, pencil and post-its.

I cautiously returned to social media as well, as this helps to keep myself accountable. Continue reading “Writer’s block – I joined the club…”

I’m back…

After a self-indulgent two months’ break, I’m back at work.

“Two months!”, you’ll say. “You’re not a serious writer! No one who does actual work can afford to take 2 months off in the middle of the year…”

Well, try it before you diss it. There’s nothing like a good long break to carry out the all-important thinking work we authors do.

Two months of wondering why it is always that character you think of. Why that storyline is so plain boring that you’d rather focus on peeling carrots than figure out how to improve it.

Continue reading “A writer’s holiday”

I took to writing fiction like a duck takes to water…

All the skills I had honed for years in my various previous jobs – as a lawyer, a coach and a web content writer – dovetailed into the most enjoyable working experience of my life.

I sat at my kitchen table, in my bed, or on one of my – many – sofas, and the words poured out of me, chapter after chapter.

Of course, editing is tough, but even that I enjoy. I have the right mix of self-criticism and self-confidence. I look at my work, and I go, ‘Yep, it’s not bad, but you can do better,’ until I decide it’s good enough for my current level of skills. I have what educators call a ‘growth mindset’.

BUT! (and I suspect you are ready for the ‘but’ after the above, probably sickening, self-congratulation…) Continue reading “Book Promotion is hard!”