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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …