From Joey's Instagram

#BAwritinglife Day 4. What ritual/habits get you in the mood to write? 💜 I always need a cup of tea. And recently got some noise cancelling headphones and the white noise app with rain, thunder and a small cafe playing. That gets me in the mood to write and helps me stay in the zone! ✒✒✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #photochallenge #joeypaul #writinglife @authorbethanyatazadeh
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From Joey's Instagram

This week I'm talking about 44 pieces of advice! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! 👍✒✒✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #writingvlog #joeypaul #smallyoutuber #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm
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44 Pieces of Advice [CC]

And today I'm giving you 44 pieces of advice about the writing journey

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From Joey's Instagram

#BAwritinglife Day 3. Where do I write? 💜 I write mostly at my desk in my office. I do have a bed desk and will sometimes write in bed but mostly here is where the magic happens! As for when, I usually do my best writing between midday and five pm. Though I have been known to write in the wee hours! ❇✨ #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #photochallenge #joeypaul #writinglife @authorbethanyatazadeh
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From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Tara misses her friend. Can she bring Kaolin home safe and sound? 😔😔😔👭👭👭 Buy here: www.books2read.com/DTFW 📚 #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #DyingThoughts4 #dyingthoughts #books #amreading #readersofinstagram #bookworm #bookboost #yalit #reading #joeypaul
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From Joey's Instagram

#BAwritinglife Day 2. WIP. 💜 I have 2 WIP right now. One is the second in a trilogy- #Translucent - and it's a sci-fi dystopian about segments in the UK being hit by bombs carrying a virus that infects the population. They all become disabled and the two main POV Zya and Jonah are both working their way through it all. What can they do to stay alive? ✒ The second WIP is #CrampingChronicles4 which is mystery and paranormal. Jessie is 15 and disabled and recently developed empath powers. She can literally feel other people's mental and physical pain. She's learning more and more about those powers and the world she couldn't see before. ✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writinglife #photochallenge #joeypaul
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From Joey's Instagram

#bawritinglife Day one. Intro. 💜 I'm Joey Paul and I write young adult fiction which ranges from crime/mystery and paranormal to dystopian and sci fi! I started writing at 19 and I'm 36 now. I have 13 books out with three more coming in 2019! ✒ Why do I write? Simply because I can't think of anything else is want to do. I have stories to tell and they gotta get out of me! ✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #photochallenge #joeypaul #writinglife
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Ideas Everywhere! - The Creative Process

IDEAS EVERYWHERE!

One thing that all writers will agree with - whether they be a planner, pantser or a hybrid - is that the ideas don't stop. They pop up at the weirdest times and you find yourself going down the plot bunny hole and seeing all the weird and wonderful twists and turns it might take should you decide to capture it and keep it for yourself. The ideas don't stop. No matter if you're in the middle of one, or two, or more, works in progress, they just keep hitting you and there's no way to get rid of them. But that's not a bad thing, because with the ideas comes new stories, new plots, new twists and turns that allow you to go a little crazy with your characters.

But what happens when you capture a bunny and don't know if you have the time and patience to get on with it? Do you set it free? If it completely excites you and pulls you away from your current work, how do restore that passion and how do you stop getting sidetracked? Never fear, for I have five tips on helping you with those ideas and how to keep focused on your current project while still allowing time for the bunnies to roam free.

#1 - THOUGHT DUMP IS YOUR FRIEND
While you may not have time to switch projects, or juggling multiples, you do have time to sit and thought dump the idea out. Whether this means taking a day or two and just getting everything out of your head and onto paper, it can be the best way to quell the urge to sit down, plan and start writing this idea when your other projects need you. Sometimes it can be the case that your new idea will be a better fit for you, but the passion that comes from thinking up something brand new can sometimes be misleading. The best thing to do is get everything out there so that you can see what the good points are, and if any bad points come up.

#2 - REMEMBER YOUR PASSION
Shiny New Idea Syndrome is a plague among writers everywhere. You get started on a project and it's all exciting and new and you're pumped to be writing it. And then along comes a new plot bunny just as you're reaching a point in your project that feels like a lot of hard work. The excitement is still there, but it's not a case of just opening word and writing to your heart's content. It can be, at times, like pulling teeth, and that can make it seem like it's better to work on something new. And while that's a sur way to never really finish anything, it's really tempting at times. The best thing to do when this happens is look back and remember why you started writing the current works. It might be that you're able to see the reason, the thrill in the story again and once you've written down your new idea, you go back to the older one refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges.

#3 - SET UP A REWARD SYSTEM
If you're unable to find the urge to ignore the new idea and you're being tempted away from your current work, sometimes a reward system can work. While I don't advocate for forcing yourself to write something you have no passion for, sometimes it's just about getting over the current rough patch and then the words flow again. For me, I keep a writing log. I know other writers who do stickers for every 500 words, some who set up rewards of shows to watch and so on. On top of that, having a group of writer friends can really help you stay on task.

#4 - SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO SWITCH
That said, sometimes it is better to move onto the new idea. It might be that it's more than the initial buzz of starting a new project, sometimes it's a case that your current work doesn't appeal to you, or isn't where you want your focus to be. There's nothing wrong with taking a step back, and sometimes it can be the reason you're able to finish something. I did this with Lynne & Hope when I first wrote it. I had a brand new idea and I was excited about getting to start it. I tried to ignore the new idea but I soon realised that I didn't actually like where Lynne & Hope was at that point. So I put it away and about two years later, I came back, revamped the storyline and boom, the book was finished. It can work sometimes.

And finally, #5 - IDEAS WON'T STOP
It's good to remember, and to remind yourself that just because you're working on one thing doesn't mean that the ideas are going to stop. You're a writer, there will be times when you go weeks without something new, but then there are other times when you won't last a few hours without a brand new plot bouncing into your head. That's completely normal. I sometimes get to the point where I don't have any ideas for a long period and then when I allow myself to branch out, they all hit me at once. Everyone works differently and just because you see other writers with all the ideas doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. The ideas are gonna come, you might just have to wait for them.

So those are my five tips when it comes to new plot bunnies. Do you have any you'd like to share? Put them down in the comments below!

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Final Tally for #JoWriMoGo August 2018

I managed 24 chapters, 109 pages and 61,825 words in August!

Looking forward to September!

Interview with M. L Kacy & Review of Living A Lie

I am delighted to welcome M. L. Kacy to the blog for both an interview and my review of her book - Living A Lie. Here's a little about her.

I have been involved in the indie community for a number of years and have always loved how everyone comes together in support of each other. I love writing and reading, living life with my family, and always coming up with new ideas and putting then in to practice. 

Words have a way of healing someone, so I will carry on writing, included events that have happened and taking you all on a journey with me.

And onto the interview!

 How long have you been writing?
I have been writing for about 2 years now and published for one.

Do you write in the genre you love to read?
I do, but I also love other genres such as paranormal, thriller etc.

Do you have any favourite authors to read?
There are too many to list, but I do make sure that I read every book they release.

Are you an organised writer or not?
I think I am, I make sure that everything is in the right order, I have folders for everything, and most definitely fact check.

What's your idea of a perfect writing day?
One where I have no interruptions, music is flowing, and words are coming together.

Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?
I edit for quite a few authors, so no I don’t mind editing.

What's your favourite social media? And why?
Facebook has to be my favourite as you’ll find me on there all the time.

Do you do character profiles? If so, why/why not?
My current series is based on my life, so I don’t need character profiles for this one.

Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
I love both, I love reading on my kindle, but also purchasing signed paperbacks for my collection.

How do you plan a book launch?
I have my own promotions service, so it is easier for me to set up a release blitz or blog tour when I need one.

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?
It would depend on what else I have going on. I wear a lot of hats. I have Obsessed by Books Designs where I edit, format, create covers and trailers. I also own Obsessed by Books Events where I organise signings. I also have my blog Obsessed by Books.

In your early adult years, you think that you know it all. Well that’s how I was looking back on my life. Nearly nineteen-years later, it’s true what they say, you always learn by your mistakes, mistakes make you into a stronger person. Boy, did I make a hell of a lot of mistakes. I never thought that my life would turn out the way that it did. There are only four things that I would never regret, my four beautiful children. They were, and still are, my saving grace, my redemption of sorts. When the darkness became too much, thoughts of them would pull me into the light.

This is my story, it’s not a story that is all sweetness and light. It’s a story of love, regret, devastation, darkness and maybe a little redemption.

So here we are, I shall start from the beginning.
Part One

***Disclaimer- Some of the content in this book can cause triggers for some. Also, contains profanity, erotic scenes and only suitable for readers 18+***

Amazon

My review: 5 stars
This book is heart-wrenching with the story, not an easy read, but when that has you along the way with the author, wanting to make it better for them. As the story of the author's early years, you have tales of lust, of love, of loss and you can't help but feel for them. You also have the story of friendship and those who stand by your side through anything. It's a story that needed to be told. 

You can follow her 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.