As a writer of fiction I have found over the years, that I have had to move beyond that which I know into territory that is way outside my comfort zone. My personal Christian journey started around the age of four when I first recognised that I understood and believed in Jesus, and I loved …
Category Archives: Writers Life
Writer’s Life | Boost Your Productivity and Mindfulness with Bullet Journaling
Put up your hand if you’ve heard of Bullet Journaling. I know, right? It’s not a brand new idea. It’s been around for years now. If you go to Pinterest, you’ll find oodles of articles on gorgeous layouts for calendar pages, stickers, and ways to colour code your Bullet Journal. Pinterest I resisted the siren …
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Writing Life | Idaho Women’s Statue Brings History to Life
Writing historical novels has made me acutely aware of how truly we walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before us. Without the “prints” left by earlier generations we would know nothing about the struggles and achievements of bygone generations. Nor would we be able to build for the future on their accomplishments. …
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Mark the Days
I spend most New Year’s days reflecting on the past year and all the highs and lows. I begin to plan for the year ahead, marking significant days–birthdays, anniversaries, upcoming events, work commitments holidays, travel–the knowns. I also plan for adventure, but to be honest, with 2020 and 2021 and some of 2022 being so …
Adding Front and Back Matter to Give Our Readers More
When we create a novel for our readers to enjoy, we might start with the first sentence of chapter one, but we shouldn’t consider it finished when we type “The End” after the last sentence of the story. It’s time to write the front and back matter to give our readers more. We can add …
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2022 in Review
I thought for my last post for the year I’d share about some of the things I’ve learned from releasing 11 books in this past year and writing quite a few more. There have been some wins, some losses and rejections, and lots of learning. Ready? Let’s go! Firstly, I’m going to preface everything by …
Writer’s Life | Where do ideas come from?
‘Where do you get all your ideas?’ is the most common question I’m asked. I laugh. ‘From God, I suppose. I used to tell people I was born with a pen in my hand.’ Ideas seem to be everywhere. Sometimes they interrupt me at awkward times, like when I’m falling asleep. I used to lie …
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Writers Life | Mending Holes, Writing Whole
Imagine trying to open your front door with someone else’s key. Cutting, sharpening or lubricating it will likely prove futile because it’s not your key. In the same way, attempting to mend holes in your writing schedule with strategies that have worked for other writers may not always unlock your specific-to-you writing best. A Hole …
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Fixing Logistical Problems in Fiction
Just as Jilly was about to mount her horse, something spooked him and he started going round in circles. Jilly hopped along, one foot twisted in the stirrup and the other trying to launch off the ground. With a Herculean effort she leapt onto the horse, discovering too late that she was facing the wrong …
Reviews – how to get them
You’re a new author with your first book. Everyone has told you that you need as many reviews as possible but it is so difficult to get them. Are they really so important and if so, how do you get them? Why are reviews so important? Reviews are social proof for a book. If a …