Sunday 31 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


And so the year comes to an end. I'm starting 2018 how I plan to see the rest of the year. Talking with good friends, reading a good book and resting. There will be writing tomorrow but for now I have my book a kitty cuddled up with me and talking to @apollostowel on Wire. Have a good one people! ✒✒✒🎊🎊🎊💜💜💜😻😻😻🎆🎈🎉 #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #amreading #readersofinstagram #HappyNewYear #2018iscoming

Final Tally for December 2017


I managed 20 chapters, 86 pages and 49.564 words in December! I ended up with flu after Christmas so had to take the rest of the year off. Hopefully 2018 will start with more writing!

Happy 2018 everyone!

Saturday 30 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


And it's that time again. Two new books so two new loading screens. Had to take the rest of the year off since Christmas as I've come down with flu. Hoping to be back at work in January! #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #booksinprogress #lovemyjob #ilovewriting

Friday 29 December 2017

Interview with C. L. Monaghan & review of The Hollows: A Midnight Gunn Novel


I am delighted to be joined today by C. L. Monaghan for both an interview and my review of her book - The Hollows. Here's a little about her.

British homeschooling mother and author. Born in Lincolnshire, lover of all things fantastical. Lifelong Tolkien fan, Terry Pratchett fan. Dreamer, polymer clay artist. Suffers from wanderlust. 

And onto the interview!

How long have you been writing?
I actually started my first manuscript back in 2004 when I graduated from university but then life happened and I got remarried and had two more kids. I managed around 30k of that particular novel and then started homeschooling my boys. The book was put on hold, filed away on my old MacBook that decided to die on me. All files were irretrievable so I thought I’d lost it forever! Luckily my husband found it in an email 12 years later! After a visit to Nashville in 2016 to meet my friend and author, Ednah Walters, I decided to try my hand at writing again. The boys were a little older so didn’t need me as much. In April 2017 I published my first novel, my second in October and now have 2 more books and a third series planned. I also now make back ups lol.

Do you write in the genre you love to read?
I pretty much read anything aside from autobiographies. My favourite genres to read are fantasy, paranormal romance and historical novels. That influences what stories form in my head. I started off writing adult paranormal romance but it’s in gothic mystery where my heart lies. I find history fascinating and being able to combine that with mystery and magic is altogether thrilling!

Do you have any favourite authors to read?
Tolkien is my all-time favourite but I also love Terry Pratchett, Dan Brown, Stephen King, Kate Griffin, Phillipa Gregory. I have a long list of Indie authors I ‘One-click’ too; the late-great Ednah Walters and Stacey Marie Brown to name a few.

Are you an organised writer or not?
Not in the slightest! I’m a typical Gemini- I flit from one project to another depending on my mood. My desk is a mess, notes are written on scraps of paper which take me an age to find but it seems to work for me lol

What's your idea of a perfect writing day?
Log fire, no noise, wine and snacks!

Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?
It’s the one part of writing that can be tedious yet thrilling at the same time. I always get excited just before first edits begin because I look forward to lovingly polishing and shaping the story but I hate dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s.

What's your favourite social media? And why?
Facebook! I practically live there. I’m a chatterbox and love to see what’s going on with everyone else.

Do you do character profiles? If so, why/why not?
I haven’t as yet, mostly because I’m utterly rubbish at remembering passwords! I have however made some character cards for the cast of my latest gothic mystery novel- The Hollows. I quite enjoyed searching the web for stock photos that reflected how I see my characters.

How would you describe your writing process?
Organised Chaos!

Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
Hardback! Just to be awkward lol. Nothing beats the scent of printed pages on shelves or the thrill of opening the cover to see what adventures await!

How do you plan a book launch?
Copious amounts of wine, blood sweat and tears.

Do you have a favourite writing food? Drink?
Did I mention wine?

What's your favourite idea of a cozy afternoon?
Autumn and Winter are my favourite seasons. I love log fires, hot chocolate, thick jumpers and fluffy pjs. The best times for me are when the family sit together on the sofa, the fire is roaring and we’re watching movies.

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?
I try to write something, even if it’s marketing promos, every day.

London 1860

Midnight Gunn is no ordinary detective- born during a solar eclipse as Halley's Comet blazed a trail through the sky- his supernatural birthright is both a help and a hindrance when solving crimes.
Detective Inspector Arthur Gredge, of Scotland Yard, is the only one who knows Gunn's secret.
When the body of a young aristocrat is discovered in a backstreet alley, Gredge enlists Gunn’s help in a race to discover the identity of the notorious Spring-heeled Jack- the monster that is terrorising London.
A trail of clues and victims leads them to discover the horrifying truth behind the killing.

The Hollows, encompasses the thrill of a traditional gothic mystery with an extra twist of paranormal, a splash of romance and a hint of horror! Dive into the past and experience the thrill of the hunt as Gunn- Scotland Yard's best kept secret- chases down a dangerous killer making friends and enemies that will change his life for ever

My review: 5 stars
I loved this book! It was amazing from start to finish. A mix of the paranormal with historical, and crime and mystery. It was beautifully written and one that I found very hard to put down. It was delightfully awesome. The story starts with the birth of Midnight, and what lays ahead for him blows my mind. When a string of people have been attacked, the inspector asks for Midnight's help. The story had so many twists and turns, but all of them kept me turning the page! A very highly recommended book and I'll be picking up the next in the series. This is one author to watch!

You can follow C. L. Monaghan on Facebook.

 Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

Thursday 28 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


Vlog is up! The last vlog if 2017 is all about my goals for the coming year. Find it here: http://ift.tt/2kvgD7U #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #writingtips #authortuber #writingvlog #vlogger

Goals for 2018 [CC]


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Tuesday 26 December 2017

The Trials Of An Indie Author: The End of Year Fun

THE END OF YEAR FUN

Firstly, I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday and are looking forward to the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018! So I thought, as a follow on from the other week's piece about writing around the holidays, I would do a piece about how as an indie author, the Christmas period can be filled with stress and strife, but you can also have a lot of fun with it. I'll get you some of my tips for that. When it comes to the end of the year, there is so much to be done. Something that I find a little stressful. You have the end of year royalties to get together, the sales to track. You have all that fun of checking off goals and planning for the new year. So here's some tips of how to get through the end of the year fun.

#1. MAKE A LIST
A bit like Santa, you wanna be making a list. That way you can cross off everything you get done when you get it done. So downloading royalty reports, making sure everything to do with the end of 2017 is done, filed away and ready for when you next need it. Some places won't have an end of year report until January, but others will have one on the 31st so it's a good idea to check and make sure you get the ones you need.

#2. DON'T RUSH

The last thing you want to do is rush, so I'd advise checking what you need long before we hit that last week of 2017. I've been slowing gathering what I can in the weeks of December already past. That's simply because I'm a planner and leaving things to the last minute make me anxious. It also means that if I do forget something, I've got time to correct the issue

#3. WHEN MAKING GOALS, BE REASONABLE
As you all know I do both monthly goals on a private blog as well as yearly goals that I post about in a vlog towards the end of the year. I also post it here on this blog to make sure everyone knows what I'm planning to do in the coming year. If you're someone who does quarterly goals or bi-montly goals, you'll also be starting to make those goals around this time as well. Just remember to be reasonable with yourself, know your limits and while you shouldn't aim too high, don't go too low either. Make sure that they are things you could reasonable do in that time period and be honest with yourself if no one else.

#4. TAKE TIME TO RELAX
I know it seems like it's a lot of work. Hell, it more than seems, it is a lot of work. But you should also plan to have some down time as well, simply because it's supposed to be a fun time of year all around. I know it's hard when you have deadlines looming, kids or family running around, but you should also take some time to breathe. Make sure that you set aside, even if it's just an hour here and there, for you to do something you enjoy. I work most days, and yet I always have a couple of hours in the evening to read a book and enjoy that down time. It helps you stay productive and stops your from burning out.

So those are my tips of the end of year fun. There's a lot that needs doing and that's not even going into sales and other promotional stuff that seems all amped up over the holiday period. Overall, I like to think that no matter how much stress this time of year brings, it's usually a good experience. I had Christmas at home with my best friend and her daughter. My mum came over along with my brother and his girlfriend and today I'm headed off to see my dad and step-mum. These two days are blocked off as complete days of rest, so other than posting this blog post, I'm doing nothing but relaxing.

Tomorrow I'll start back at writing, and will also be getting those final bits and pieces ready for the end of 2017. I won't speak to you all again until the new year so I hope you have a great one. As always, if you wanna leave a comment about your Christmas, or any tips you have for the end of year, let me know!

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books. You can also sign up to her newsletter here.

Monday 25 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


A lovely decorative pen from my brother for #Christmas! A perfect gift for a writer and it's purple! #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #christmasiscoming #MerryChristmas

From Joey's Instagram


From our house to yours have a wonderful Christmas! #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #christmasiscoming #MerryChristmas

Friday 22 December 2017

Interview with Fleur Lind & Review of A Timely Dream


I am delighted to be joined on the blog today by Fleur Lind for both an interview and my review of her book - A Timely Dream. Here's a little about Fleur.

I am a new writer, born and raised in NZ, now living in Qld, Australia. Have recently finished writing Part 3 of my first trilogy, now writing short stories for local paper. Part 3 due for release mid 2018

And now onto the interview!

How long have you been writing?
4 years.

Do you write in the genre you love to read?
Not entirely. I enjoy watching scifi movies or on TV, but hadn't thought I'd write about time travel. I enjoy action thrillers or comedy. I enjoy scifi but I like other genres as well.

Do you have any favourite authors to read?
Currently my favourite is David  P Perlmutter, JK Rowling, A A Milne.

Are you an organised writer or not?
Organised?  My ideas arrive haphazardly, when I least expect them, so I always have a pen and paper ready.  I'm organised in that way.

What's your idea of a perfect writing day?
A perfect writing day is when i have been for a walk, have nothing else nagging me to be done and a head full of ideas.

Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?
Yes I like editing.  I can sift out what I don't want to keep, and strengthen what I like, or leave it if it's 'just right'.

What's your favourite social media? And why?
Twitter.  I can connect with heaps of writers and find out about their books. I like Facebook as well, but it seems to be far less interactive.

Do you do character profiles? If so, why/why not?
I sure do.  Every character has a back story/bio and speak for themselves.

How would you describe your writing process?
I have a 'roadmap' showing me in a sketchy way where the story is going. I tick off each idea as I complete it.

Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
Ebooks.  I love my Kindle. It's small, handy, can go with me where I go.  A book is at risk of being marked or damaged if I take it in my bag.  I like books as well, but ebooks are far more convenient.

How do you plan a book launch?
I haven't had a book launch as yet.  Part 1 and 2 of my trilogy left the tarmac fairly quietly.  I plan to change that for Part Three, due out in 2018.  It would be nice to have a gathering of interested people to celebrate with.

Do you have a favourite writing food? Drink?
A cup of tea or a fruit smoothie.

What's your favourite idea of a cozy afternoon?
Relaxing on the couch, reading..or at my laptop, writing...listening to the rain.

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?
I try and write something every day or so.  But if the ideas aren't there, I find it's futile to push them. When they are there, I write until they fizzle out.


Felicity is a Senior Caregiver in an elite Rest Home. When she has her curiosity aroused by a poster placed the wrong way round in a window across the valley from her work place, she organises an investigation. Little does she know that what she finds will change time itself, both for the elderly residents in her care, and those she knows and loves. In a story that breaks down the boundaries of time, the future is threatened by jealousy and greed, the present is fuelled by passion and love while the past is eased by the healing powers of memories finally understood.
My review: 4 stars
This was an interesting read. The story develops quickly from normal every day carer to suddenly involved in time travel and the success that came from that. There were numerous obstacles in their way and all were cleared. I enjoyed reading it, and have picked up the second in the series to read as well because I came to love the characters and all their various flaws and quirks. It's not my usual kind of book, but one I did enjoy.

You can follow Fleur on Facebook and Twitter

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Thursday 21 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


And four more days of work until my break. Watching #MissViolet and #MissPenne snuggle by the window. On with work. #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #kitty #snuggles #catsofinstagram #pastacats #christmasiscoming

From Joey's Instagram


And it's that time of the week and the year! Vlog is live! And I'm reviewing the goals for 2017. Check it out here: http://ift.tt/2kvgD7U #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #writersofinstagram #writerslife #amwriting #authortuber #writingvlog #vlogger #writingtips #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #bookgoals

Review Of The Year - 2017 [CC]


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Wednesday 20 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


And it's almost Christmas! I have five more days of work before I break for the holidays! Planning to get some writing done today! ⌨⌨💻💻📚✒✒✒ #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #christmasiscoming #booksinprogress

Monday 18 December 2017

The Trials of a Crime Writer - Getting Merry With It

GETTING MERRY WITH IT

Something I know a lot of people struggle with during the holidays is keeping on top of their goals, as well as all the other stresses that come from Christmas, the new year and all of that. If you're like me and someone who still writes during the Christmas period and still has page counts to meet and murders and crimes to plan (fictionally of course!) then you'll know that sometimes it means writing about the gruesome sides of the human condition while everyone is mostly out celebrating the time of year. I thought I would do a piece about how I handle dealing with the gruesome while also staying in the mood for Christmas and all that comes with it.

#1. PACE YOURSELF
This is my number one tip for so many reasons. Not just because it helps you stay focused and on top of everything, but also because it means you're listening to your body about what it can and can't handle. So if for example, you've got presents to wrap and a child running around all excited, then make sure you set yourself a manageable goal. There's nothing fun about stress and there seems to be a lot of it go around this time of year.

#2. UTILISE YOUR STRESS
Say you have a character you have to kill, or a crime to plot out and you know it's gonna be gruesome and difficult. If you're someone who can channel that stress into your writing, then use it to write that scene. Not only will it be doing something positive, like getting a difficult scene out of the way, but it'll also help your stress levels once you're done. If you're someone who can't write when they're stressed or you don't have a scene you can use, then sit back and see if any of the other tips will work for you.

#3. REMEMBER IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY
Yes, it comes once a year and it's huge and difficult, and you've got the kids home from school and all your relatives are wanting this and that from you, but remember to breathe. Before long the day is over, the season is done and life will return to normal. The best thing you can do is have fun and enjoy yourself while you're there. I know it's easier said than done, but yet it is true. If you find you can't write during the holiday period and that crime you were planning to research seems a bit too much, just breathe and either work through it, or set it aside for a few days time.

So those are my three top tips for getting through the holiday period and still having a shred of dignity left at the end of it. I plan to have a quiet Christmas, but I've also planned to get some serious writing done. If you find that you're thinking your storyline is a little too dark and horrific to be writing over this period, then take a breath and realise that it's probably going to feel like that come the new year. One thing I've learned in my years of writing dark fiction is that it's always going to be dark, bar possibly Halloween time, and sometimes you just need to buckle down and get on with it.

The big thing to remember is that it is fiction. Whether you bang away at the keyboard or mull over scenes in your head during some quiet moments, there's nothing wrong with that. I remember once getting a comment on a blog post that because I wrote young adult and also wrote crime, that I was making the young people of today more likely to get into a murderous rage and carry out the crimes committed. I raised an eyebrow and shrugged, laughing a little because that's not how it works. There's nothing wrong with writing dark fiction, whether that's crime, paranormal or anything like that. As I've grown as a writer and author, I have found that I have a taste for the dark side of fiction, and I do love telling it. It's not for everyone and that's completely okay, but it's also okay for those of us who like it, to enjoy writing it.

So that's all I've got for you today. I hope you have a wonderful holiday period and I will see you again after the big day. Since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, the Monday blog post next week will be up on the 26th instead. Hope you all enjoy yourselves, and as always, feel free to leave a comment below.

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books. You can also sign up to her newsletter here.

Friday 15 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


I am feeling bad from my Mepo dose today so #MrDash has come to purr me better and be cute. Hoping to be back to work tomorrow! #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #writersofinstagram #writerslife #amwriting #spoonie #chronicillness #brittleasthma #kitty #snuggles #catsofinstagram #spoonielife

Interview with Jamie Summer & Review of Dalysian Hope



I'm delighted to have Jamie Summer on the blog today for an interview and my review of her book - Dalysian Hope. Here's a little about Jamie.

Jamie Summer is a native of Germany, where she lives with her husband and son. "Dalysian Hope" is her debut novel and the first book in a YA fantasy trilogy. It’s a story that came to her in a very vivid and unforgettable dream. She's currently working on her next book and wishes there were 48 hours to the day so she could do everything she sets her sights on. Besides writing Jamie enjoys watching her son grow up, reading and watching way too many TV shows.

And onto the interview!

How long have you been writing?
I've been writing ever since high school. My best friend Sam Destiny was the one who got me started and eventually pushed me to do more and actually publish something I'd written.

Do you write in the genre you love to read?
Yes, absolutely. Which is probably also the reason why I don't only write one genre but a few. YA fantasy is among my favs, though, so it'll always have a special place in my heart.

Do you have any favourite authors to read?
Any Sam Destiny books are always on top of my reading list. Another one would be Colleen Hoover and Jennifer L. Armentrout. Truth be told, though, I haven't had much time to read lately as I focused on writing, but I hope to get back to it eventually.

Are you an organised writer or not?
Definitely not. I start writing with the most basic idea and then go from there. I'm a pantser all the way.

What's your idea of a perfect writing day?
Getting up, making coffee and just sitting down to write. Turn some music on, and I'm happy. I do my best work in the morning (most efficient, too).

Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?
I actually like it. I like being able to see--already within those few weeks of writing the book and leaving it on the table for a bit--how much I can already change and hopefully make better.

What's your favourite social media? And why?
Facebook. It's just the best place to communicate, have fun and meet people. I love Instagram as well for the mere aspect of all the pretty pictures.

Do you do character profiles? If so, why/why not?
No, I don't. Never really thought about it (pantser shines through here) but maybe it'll be something I'll do eventually.

How would you describe your writing process?
Fast and all over the place. Like I mentioned, I usually write with a basic idea and let the characters tell me what to do. It works out in most cases. ;)

Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
Both. I'm a fast reader so for a two week vacation I need an ereader. Plus, a paperback can get heavy depending on the size. But I also love the feel of an actual book in my hand and still get my favs in paperback. The majority of my books are ebooks, however.

How do you plan a book launch?
I try to get as much interaction on the book before it releases and just hope it goes well. That's about all the plan I usually have. Definitely something I need to get better at, but I found a few very helpful groups where I'm getting lots of advice.

Do you have a favourite writing food? Drink?
Coffee. Coffee all the way.

What's your favourite idea of a cozy afternoon?
Sitting in my bed with a good book and coffee at hand. Alternatively I'd watch TV.

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?
I usually use my commute time for writing, so almost daily I get some words down. I need to find some kind of routine and my best friend has been helping me actually getting there. Haven't managed completely, but small process is still process in my mind.


One night can change everything.

For seventeen-year-old Sophie Evans life is completely average. And she likes it that way.

Until one night, her apartment is attacked. Out of nowhere, creatures climb through her windows with only one goal in mind: to kill her. Only with the help of two handsome strangers and her next-door-neighbor does she make it out alive.

While the immediate danger is gone, Sophie finds herself thrown into a world she didn’t even knew existed — dealing with powers she knows nothing about and a race counting on her to save them.

How can she be the only hope of a race she never even knew existed? When pressure threatens to suffocate her, can Sophie fight the odds stacked against her, or will she lose herself in the process?
My review: 5 stars
I picked up this book because the cover is amazing. I read the blurb and decided that it would be a good read, and I wasn't disappointed. Summer tells a story that unfolds before your eyes, keeping you on the edge of your seat and wishing there were more. Sophie almost dies, and then suddenly she's thrown into a world where everything she knows about herself, about the world around her proves to be wrong. She's got loads of questions, but no one seems to want to answer her. I loved the story and the writing, it was beautifully written! Highly recommended and I plan to pick up book two asap!

You can follow Jamie on Facebook

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

Thursday 14 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


Vlog is up and live! It's that time of the month where we talk about what I've been up to writing wise! #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #writersofinstagram #writerslife #amwriting #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #writingtips #authortuber

Life Of Joey - December 2017 [CC]


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Wednesday 13 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


When it gets to the stage where you have to get the blanket to stay writing at your desk! It's cold! #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #writersofinstagram #writerslife #amwriting #booksinprogress #wheelchairuser #wheelchairlife

Tuesday 12 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


I got up for like a minute and now my chair is filled with a #MissPenne. Gotta get that chapter written! #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #kitty #snuggles #catsofinstagram #pastacats #wheelchairuser

From Joey's Instagram


#TEASERTUESDAY Tara has been getting notes that she's mostly ignored. Only now her stalker is getting serious. Buy here: http://amzn.to/2mOMy1O #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookboost #bookworm #amreading #readersofinstagram #youngadultbooks #paranormalbooks #mysterybooks

Monday 11 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


I've finished my first chapter of my newest WIP and #MissViolet has come for #cuddles. Next chapter tomorrow and then another new book to start on Wednesday. #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #writersofinstagram #writerslife #amwriting #booksinprogress #kitty #snuggles #catsofinstagram

Writing Around The Holidays - The Creative Process


WRITING AROUND THE HOLIDAYS

So if you're like me, you'll be planning to continue writing during your down time. That includes during a holiday period. I don't just mean the big ones like Christmas, but all those weeks the kids spend off school as well. Because if, like me, you have a teenager running around in the background, life gets stressful when you're home working and they're around too. But for now I'll focus on the other parts of writing around holidays. And I'll try and give you some tips on how I manage.

Christmas for me has always been the time to see my family. As you all know, I use sticky notes to denote what I'm doing when and all of that. I have a colour coded system that allows me to tell at a glance what days are for what. Right now I have three white sticky notes. One is for a medical reason, the other two are Christmas and Boxing Day, which is when I plan to go and see my dad and step-mum for our Christmas get-together. My issue is that I also plan to try and get vlogs recorded, blogs written and some actual book writing too, since that's my job after all. So here are my five tips for getting work done during one of the most stressful times of year.

#1. BE KIND TO YOURSELF
No one can work every single day without a break ever and not have problems. You need to make sure that you take time to just have some moments to yourself when you're not being asked to do something, or feeling pressured to write. If you plan like I do, then you'll probably have some days off, right? If not, be aware that even if you really really really want to get that thing done by the end of the month, it is supposed to be fun, and you will want to spend some time with your family. So be kind to yourself and even if it's just slotting some time to watch a movie or take a nap, do it!

#2. SLEEP ISN'T OPTIONAL
I know, I know, insomnia sucks, but even if you find yourself at a loss of how to spend any of your awake time writing, you still need to sleep. That goes for writers who work through the night and then try to attack the day without any. The world will not end if you take a nap. And it helps you stay on top of things and be more creative when you have time to do so. It goes with my first post about being kind to yourself. Self care can be any number of ways, and sleeping can be one of them. Writers deserve that too!

#3. MANAGE YOUR TIME
Whether that's my adopting a schedule or just setting aside a certain time every day that you will spend writing, do whatever works for you. Like I said, I use sticky notes and I've found enormous leaps in my productivity. I spend more time writing and less time wondering what I should be doing. It's changed my working life completely. And I was organised before, I just never really went this deep into the rabbit hole. Now I'm there, I can't even think about changing how I'd do it. I feel lost without my plan of attack.

#4. IT'S OKAY TO GET STRESSED
Everyone gets stressed at times, no one is immune to it. At this time of year, even more so because there's presents to buy, things to wrap, gatherings to attend. All of that is stressful, when you add it trying to write, it's no surprise that some people lose it for a second or two. I know I've struggled in the past with the same thing. Everything is going on and none of it is an easy fix. So if you do get stressed, don't be too hard on yourself about it. Take a breath and take a moment and then get on with what you're doing.

#5. MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS
This is a big one for me. I know that I set sometimes unreasonable goals for myself. Other times I set them too low, but for the purpose of this piece, I'll stick with the unreasonable ones. If you've told yourself that you're going to finish this book by the end of the year and you're only just starting, think carefully about it. There are some people who can write a whole book in a month or less and my hat goes off to them. For me it takes between four to five months. If it's something you've never done before, don't set yourself up to fail no matter how tempting it may be. Manage your expectations by knowing what you can achieve in that time rather than go nuts and then feel like a failure.

So those are my five tips on writing around the holidays. Do you have any tips to share? Leave them in the comments below!

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Sunday 10 December 2017

From Joey's Instagram


And yesterday marked the last words of #CrampingChronicles2! That means I have two new projects to start in the coming days! #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #writersofinstagram #writerslife #amwriting #bookfinished

Friday 8 December 2017

Guest Blog - Trish Beinato



I always get stumped when others ask me, what is your writing process? Why? Because honestly, I’m not sure I have a process. I sometimes feel more like someone who just has this crazy idea out of nowhere that drives me crazy. It could be just that I wish they would make a story like this and then my crazy imagination goes off on a tangent of the main character would be perfect like this and so on. And then the story kind of tells itself. At least until I finish it, then I go back and make magic happen. I say magic, but what I really mean is tons of un-fun editing. 

Stories, in written form always have come easy for me. Since I was a little girl, I would fall asleep to a story that I dreamed up inside my head or I would sneak a light in the night as I finished a new book obsession. I would like to say I always wanted to be a writer, but that’s not true. I wanted to an artist and a teacher. It wasn’t until I decided to start putting the stories that were in my head down on paper and bravely had someone read- and they didn’t hate it, that I finally found my passion. This was finally the creative outlet I had been searching for. 

For those of us that are creative, it’s almost like a need. I have to create, I have to make things- stories, or paintings. Otherwise, I am would probably go crazy! Or maybe I am and I don’t realize it. Either way that was how I found my love of writing. All of the beauty I hind inside my head began to stream out onto my computer as if there was finally a sigh of relief. I have found what I truly was meant to do in this life.

So, no I don’t have a particular style. I follow the story and the characters journey. I record it, and I let them reveal to me what they want as the story unfolds. Then I go back and make it something people want to read. Hopefully, people actually like. So far so good. I do in my stories prefer strong female leads. I lean towards my stories having a romance in the story, but at the same time I don’t want my characters to be reliant on their love interest in the thank you for saving me with your love kind of way. I like my female characters to just choose love, and maybe even save the guy for once. I also like to find out what my readers like and try to write (using also the things I love) and try to incorporate them into my writing. 

If you read my first book, Acceptance you will notice that they all have super natural powers they have to learn to use and come to terms with. Sometimes their powers even create tragic events unintentionally. The reason for this is I am a huge fan of Marvel. Since I was a child and before it was cool to be a comic nerd, I was toting around Marvel, DC and Top Cow comics. My most prized possessions are a Wizard signed by Chris Claremont and my photo with Stan Lee. I’m still fangirl-in' all over it. 

Yet, we can’t be successful floating around on a whim with our fan girl (or boy) loves and sheer luck. So, I have for the production of book three incorporated a lot of Derek Murphy’s tips for writing from his Dot Plot, which can be found on his website creativindie.com. And I think it is helping to focus the book more and leading up to a nice epic battle, that even I’m looking forward to! But the characters in my crazy head are still driving the bus and at times scaring the shit out of me in the process! I’ll let you be the judge of if it ends well.


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