Category Archives: Publishing

It’s publication day! Tapas and Tangelos, a summer romance

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I’m so excited to be able to say that my latest lesbian romance novel, Tapas and Tangelos, is now available in both kindle ebook and paperback!

This was a huge amount of fun to write, mainly because of the many excuses to have adventures in the name of research. I’ve eaten copious amounts of Spanish food, visited cities, mountains and beaches, gone stargazing –  all in the name of making this book realistic. In total, I’ve spent about three months visiting Europe and bringing this story to life.

Unfortunately, it’s been a tough few weeks for me on a personal level, so the final stages of this have been a case of ‘the show must go on’. Nevertheless, I’ll always be sad I never got to share the outcome of this book with someone who had been so instrumental in giving me the confidence to publish my work.

Of course, the remaining two books scheduled for 2017 release are in various stages of completion, but today I get to just celebrate this one. If you’re looking for a lesbian romance that’s perfect for a summer beach read, with a little bit of mystery and intrigue, then check out the blurb below.

Thank you again to all the amazing readers who have supported me on this journey. Reviews are everything to an independent author, so if you enjoy this (or any of my other books) then please let the world know. I really do appreciate it.

Tapas and Tangelos

Hayley Jones has made peace with the fact she’ll always be alone. Instead of pining for love, she dedicates her time to running a locals bar in a quiet little Spanish town. Over the course of a decade, she has finally found a place to call home.

The night Kate Lanthorn arrives at the newly opened backpacker’s hostel, Hayley’s world is turned upside down. The attraction between them is immediate and intense. At Kate’s touch, the rules Hayley has made to protect herself are broken. For just one night, she allows herself to be the person she could have been in a different life.

Hayley insists it can never be more than a one night stand. A mistake they shouldn’t repeat, no matter how hard Kate tries to convince her otherwise. Hayley knows she should walk away. Even being ‘just friends’ is too dangerous. But her head and her heart aren’t playing the same game. The resolve she finds when she is alone in the darkness always dissolves when Kate walks through the door.

The more Kate pushes Hayley to venture out from the security of the bar, the closer she comes to discovering the reasons why Hayley left England years ago and refuses to return.

Will Hayley find the strength to walk away before it’s too late? Or will her past finally come back to haunt her and destroy everything she’s fought so hard for?

Tapas and Tangelos is a lesbian romance set in the heat and sunshine of Spain. A sizzling summer beach read filled with desire and intrigue.

Buy now or read for free with Kindle Unlimited: Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

 

New Book Update, New Website and Time-Limited Offers

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It’s been a flurry of activity this week as we’ve been prepping for the release of my new lesbian summer romance (publish date 26th May 2017). For those of you already subscribed to the newsletter, you’ll be getting an email next week with a sneak peak of the cover and the back story to writing the book. If you haven’t signed up yet, follow the link on the sidebar over there (or click here).

 

As of today, my existing back catalogue will be available in paperback via Amazon. As much as everyone likes the convenience of an ebook, there are times when a good old-fashioned physical book is what you want. This has been on the project plan since the beginning of the year, so I’m glad they’re finally ready. Whoo-hoo!

To celebrate, I’ll be running some special promotions for the ebooks next week. Firstly, because it’s Mystery Week on Goodreads, The Crochet Killer will be free 1-5th May. As a bonus, the sequel, A Taste To Die For, will be too.

For those of you more into urban fantasy, Blood Inheritance will also be at a special sale price 1-7th May. For you lesbian romancers, Dirty Little War is up for grabs during this week too. The prices increase throughout the week and go back up to full price on Monday, so get them as soon as you can.

The website has been redesigned to put more emphasis on the books and less emphasis on my random blog updates. Those can still all be found below if you’re interested, but they’re no longer the focus of what I’ll be doing on the site. This page will now focus more directly on news than my general life activities.

We’ve put a lot of time and effort into standardising across all media. As an independent author, you learn a lot of things as you go along. I published my first book back in 2014 and had no idea really what I was doing, or if anyone would even read it. Since then, things have changed dramatically in the publishing space (although I still don’t feel like I know what I’m doing most of the time) and things needed updating. With a new book out shortly, it felt like the right time to get things set up for the next year of book releases properly.

Thank you for your support and remember, if you enjoy a book, please leave a review!

Writing, romance and sunshine

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It’s been a busy two weeks here in the sunshine. I’m almost starting to think you can have to much of a good thing. But a plan is coming together and I’m really excited for what the next few months will bring.

Creative – new ideas and first drafts

In a fit of inspiration, I’ve put together the first skeletal outline of a lesbian romance that I think will make the final cut for 2018. It’s a standalone, standard romance rather than anything of the urban fantasy, hot leather variety, so fits in neatly with the rest of my plans.

My summer romance for 2017 (title coming soon) completed the first draft and passed the alpha reader tests. The main criticism was that the sex came too quickly. I’m trying not to take that as some kind of personal judgement…

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

With the first feedback, I’ve begun the editing process and as always, it’s not quite as bad as I feared. As a writer, there is always a sense of doubt with each book that when you read it back it will be utter rubbish. Don’t get me wrong, this is far from perfect. But it does at least make sense, rather than being 200 pages of random words and punctuation.

Publishing – and all the other bits that go on behind the scenes

With the shift towards fiction, I’ve had more time to manage my existing books. Previously available as ebook on Kindle only, I’ve been working on updates that will make the shift towards paperback. My new summer romance will be the start of dual ebook and paperback releases going forwards and my entire back catalogue will also be available by the beginning of June.

I’ve been also considering the move away from Kindle only and into other ebook retailers. However, I have a huge number of Kindle Unlimited readers and I know I could lose them in the move over to non-exclusive ebook territory. So that is on hold, pending review later in the year. I’d be interested to hear what anyone else thinks though.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up in the next few weeks

A lot of details will be finalised over the next few weeks and this is one of the most nail-biting yet fun parts of being an author. The title will be set in stone, the cover finalised and the editors will be hard at work on the final copy. Once those decisions are made and available to share, I always feel the transition from idea to a real book begins.

Then it will be off to reviewers and the nerves can really kick in!

Wishing you all a fabulous, fiction-filled weekend!

Where’s Wally? (Spoiler alert – somewhere warm and sunny!)

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It’s been a while since I did a blogpost, so apologies for the lack of updates. So why have I been missing in action? It’s been a bit of a whirlwind month and I’ve finally begun a nice long writing sabbatical.

Although I released Dirty Little War in 2016, most of last year was taken up with non-fiction work. Although 2017 started out the same way, I did manage to wrap up all those annoying projects in the first quarter so I could put the second quarter of the year to good use.

Specifically, to write the lesbian romances and urban fantasy stories that had to be put aside for far too long. To get myself back in the mood, the wife and I are in Europe, working on books and  taking time out from commuter hell. With the farce that it Brexit, it makes sense to enjoy this before the British politicians ruin this forever.

So, other than sampling lots of delicious wine and tapas, what does this mean…?

Research, right?

Creative – new ideas and first drafts

I’ve started researching a new urban fantasy idea that I suspect will have romantic undertones, but the characters haven’t quite fully formed yet. There is a definite connection between them, so if it turns into something interesting then it might be a 2018 release, which sounds far away right now, but these things roll around quickly!

I’ve also been putting the final touches (helped by all that food and drink ‘research’) to the first draft of my 2017 summer romance. The plan is currently to release before June, barring any last minute hiccups or the complete thumbs down from my editor.

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

Another plan is to release the second book in The Lazarus Hunter series later this year. Full disclosure: I’m not happy with it in it’s current form, so I intend to do a serious edit before handing it over for someone else. It’s been a stumbling block for two years. Given that this is not a lesbian romance, or even with two specifically lesbian main characters, I’m also toying with branding options so people don’t leap from the romances to this expecting the same thing. It’s a tough one and I’ll probably end up reaching out to get opinions on it.

Publishing – and all the other bits that go on behind the scenes

Nothing yet, other than putting marketing plans in place and thinking about book covers. I’ve got a working title for the summer romance but again, it could get canned when my first round of test readers get to it. Instead I intend to enjoy this quiet time to actually reappear online after simply having no time for such things for months.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

It will be a ‘more of the same’ kind of week. So I probably won’t do another blogpost and instead focus on getting the first draft truly finished so I can get the edits started on that. It feels strange not to have client meetings taking up so much of my time, so I want to get a few more ideas in the bank. The third quarter of 2017 is still up for grabs, so if non-fiction takes over again for a few months, I’d like to have something to run with in the background.

But for now, more wine, more good company and more romance. Research is the best thing ever.

Dissolving into fanfic

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For the past two weeks, I have mainly been thinking about travel. Not only because I have a big trip coming up, but because it’s been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Between Brexit and Trump, travel now seems to have an added level of stress and considerations. So I am, quite frankly, looking forward to doing it while I can.

Plus donating to civil rights, emailing my MP etc etc. As daily life seems to be all about right now.

Skyline

Creative – new ideas and first drafts

I drafted out something that I thought sounded pretty good. In the cold light of day with a critical eye, I think it was actually Supergirl fan fiction. Which we need more of, by the way. I looked for some on a whim and I think the lesbians can try harder on this one. Of course, if anyone has any recommendations, I’m more than happy to take a look in the name of research.

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

Honestly, the past two weeks have been filled with editing technical papers for a soon-to-be-gone job, so the thought of editing fiction as well has been too much to bear…

Publishing – and all the other bits that go on behind the scenes

I’m in the process of getting my books for print as well as ebook. As an independent author, this is something I can do myself, thanks to my background in previous employment. However, it still takes time. I’ve had a positive test run with one of my other pen names though, so it’s convinced me that I can produce a paperback of sufficient quality to warrant the cost. Which does matter to me.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

I’ve booked another flight, semi-sorted out a visa and have a project plan in place for the 2nd quarter writing schedule. That means I can continue researching my summer romance novel next week, ready to hit the keyboard for a few hours whenever I get the chance.

Writing Best Bits

Hell, I might write that Supergirl fanfic anyway…

Weekly success score: 4/10 – Feels a bit too much like real life at the moment.

Writer Life: To begin 4 years of resistance

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I am trying to be upbeat as I write this, because as Maureen and Dan keep reminding us in the Says Who Podcast (you should go listen if you haven’t) Trump should never steal our joy. These are going to be rocky times ahead.

In response, it’s time to live my life out fully, use any platform I can to resist and get on with creating. Diverse voices are more important than ever, and as a lesbian fiction author, I need to not be scared of that. It would be easy to pretend this wasn’t really happening, but looking the other way isn’t a valid choice. That normalises the terrible and gives a free pass to those who perpetrate it, until they become emboldened to do worse things. Then before you know it, we’re living out Lord of the Flies and any one of us come end up like Piggy.

I even feel sorry for  those Trump supporters who are so angry and blinded by their decision that they refuse to see when he is doing the very things that will damage them most. You know, the ones who say ‘suck it snowflake’ when people try to point out that the Affordable Care Act covers them at the moment. And there is no credible replacement.

The people who would rather pay $1000 to be able to say ‘I shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s healthcare’ than pay $500 and everyone, including themselves, be covered. Oddly, these people seem mostly Christians, so missing the point doesn’t even begin to cover it.

If you’re reading this and feeling suicidal or helpless, support numbers will be running with extra staff this weekend around the world. Around the world – not just America. Call them if you need to. You are not alone. If you’re just feeling regular kinds of helpless, then find a cause that could use your help and go be with people like yourself. Do something.

So, onto the roundup of the week…

Creative – new ideas and first drafts

This has been an ideas and notebooks kind of week. I admit to indecision. There are two main ideas vying for my attention right now. Both are shiny and exciting. I need to make a decision on which is the strongest and most enjoyable to write.

 

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

Final edits were completed on my non-lesbian fiction novella, which was a relief. The final book cover got signed off with relative ease too, which was my biggest concern. For an independent author, these things can be surprisingly difficult. However, the best thing of all is that you get creative control – a lot of my traditionally published friends are lamenting the loss of that a lot these days.

Publishing – and all the other bits that go on behind the scenes

Another book published. Whoo hoo! Sadly, it’s not for this particular version of me. The good news if you’re reading this though is that it means I’m free to begin the next lesbian romance novel(la). I’m going to give myself the weekend off and then it’ll be into the first draft on Monday (assuming I make aforementioned decision).

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

As well as writing, I’ve got to sort out some travel bits and pieces ready for my extended research trip. Things like visas are particularly difficult. Most countries haven’t really got to grips with the fact you can be a freelancer and independent author. Given the Brexit uncertainty, I need to make sure I do things right.

 

Writing Best Bits

Sending something new out into the world is always a good thing. There are plenty of reasons to celebrate if you know where to look for them. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Weekly success score: 8/10 – A less manic right-to-the-wire publication schedule next time would be nice. Also, I’ve been enjoying the last week of the Obamas before we lose our role models of public decency.

Writer Life: Walking Away & Moving Up

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Let’s just say, this week has been one I’ve dreamed of for a long time. No, I didn’t get that life changing publishing deal. No, I didn’t win the lottery (at least, I don’t think I did, I should probably check). I did, however, make the first public step on all those big changes I keep hinting at in these posts.

When I read The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss, I was expecting to get some productivity tips. What I actually got was the notion that you could fire your clients.

For someone who likes to eat and have a roof over their head, this was a pretty radical concept. So I pondered on it and saw that my biggest source of income was the thing causing me the most stress and inefficiency. Not to mention all that travel for meetings that meant I had not real energy to make the other opportunities in my life grown. So I tried to change it to see if it could be made into something better rather than a miserable status quo.

It couldn’t.

So this week, I’ve put into place the termination of that contract. I’ve got a few smaller, but more enjoyable, things to replace some of it. But the main benefit is that I get to write more lesbian fiction this year. Which hopefully means that I will be able to share more of it with you guys.

So, onto the roundup of the week…

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Creative – new ideas and first drafts

I’ve finished the first draft of my non-lesbian short story this week. I think short story is the correct term, but it’s almost 20,000 words. So possibly a novella. Or a novelette, but I think that sounds more like a sanitary product, so I’ll stick with short story, now I come to think of it.

Anyway, I’ve really enjoyed writing in that snappy, punchy way. So I’m contemplating trying a lesbian romance of a similar length. I’ve got a story that has just enough of a plot to fit. I’m not sure if the novella market is strong (perhaps more so on kindle unlimited?), but I’ll make that my next first draft.

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

Above mentioned shorty is straight into editing. There are some time constraints on this one and I expected it to be done by now (it turned out twice the originally planned length). On the bright side, I was more conscious of style than usual, so the editing isn’t quite as painful.

Publishing – and all the other bits that go on behind the scenes

Book covers and blurbs. I have people to help me with those, but the benefit of being an independent author is that you get to maintain creative control. Which also means you at least have to have a rough idea of what you want. Artistic vision in not my strong point.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

I’ll be back in first draft mode with the lesbian novella. I’ll also be busy cutting some ties and looking for a place to spend a few months in the sun. Strictly for research purposes of course, should you speak to my accountant.

I’ve also planned out the release schedule for the next four books of The Lazarus Hunter series, which is great. Whether or not I’ll fit in the first draft of Book Five this year remains to be seen, but I really, really hope so.Blood Inheritance

Writing Best Bits

The euphoria of ending something that has been poisonous for a long time. Like any relationship, there is a time when you realise you have to let it go or it will drag you under. This is what I enjoy writing about, but it is harder to apply the same logic when it is your own life and there is money to feed your family involved. But actually making the break felt like a weight being lifted and, unsurprisingly, the other areas of my life became unstuck as a result.

Weekly success score: 9/10 – Any week when a first draft ends gets to be a good week. Throw everything else on top and it becomes a freedom champagne tonight kind of week.

New Year, New Goals

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Happy New Year Everyone!

So, the first week of 2017 is done and dusted (I’m not including the weekend – that’s fun time). Unsurprisingly, it has been back to the grindstone and the shock has been made worse by two weeks of just hanging out with family and friends.

In amongst that downtime, I was able to take a day or two to really think about what I want to get out of 2017. For anyone who has been following this blog, or any of my social media accounts for that matter, it is probably obvious that I’ve wanted to move away from technical/non-fiction projects and more towards fiction. I also want to have more autonomy over those non-fiction projects.

The first quarter of the year will therefore be all about tying up loose ends. I don’t want to abandon any existing commitments because I am not that kind of person, but I’ll start to wrap things up soon. I want to have the time to focus on my creativity and my health. Both are hugely important to me and both have slipped down the list in 2016 when more urgent things came along. I want to enter the second quarter of the year working on things that matter to me, so I’ve made that my goal.

2016 was also a terrible year when it came to the sudden and rapid rise of right wing thinking. Another thing I want to do is take some free time I gain from certain projects ending and plough it into social causes. Because we all know where this leads when we all sit back and hope someone else will stop Hitler Trump/Farage type people.

Oh, and more travel. The good kind.

So those are my overarching plans for 2017. Breaking them down, I’m planning to get back to doing a weekly recap. Hopefully this will be interesting for anyone following a writing process in general but will also keep me accountable on some level.

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Creative – new ideas and first drafts

I’ve been working on a new short story, which I’ll probably publish under a pseudonym as it doesn’t fit with my other C K Martin work (which some would argue is unfocused enough already). However, I’m challenging myself and trying to improve my writing on a technical level, which is a great way to start the year. I’m also throwing an idea around for a lesbian romance novella, so if anyone has any opinions on whether or not they like to reader shorter length fiction, then please drop a note in the comments.

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

I’ve been editing a synopsis and sample chapters for a writer friend, ready for competition submission. To be fair, I much prefer doing edits for other people than I do for myself. It’s been a struggle to do it properly through the post Christmas wine and mince pie withdrawal though.

Publishing – and all the other bits that go on behind the scenes

I’ve started to throw together some book cover ideas for the short story mentioned above. Given the length and the fact it is a little bit experimental, the goal is to move from draft to publication very quickly. I’m also trying to work out the pros and cons of Amazon’s new paperback option vs CreateSpace, so that’s a nice new challenge too.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

I’m planning to get into heavy editing and pre-publication work next week so that I can then move onto the next project. I have a few days currently unscheduled to other projects, so I am fully intending to take advantage of them.

Writing Best Bits

Getting back into the swing of things has actual felt amazing. Although a heavy cold (presumably like the one the Queen had?) dragged me down in November and then it was non-stop social events in December so I was a bit rusty, I still managed to get in 1500 words each morning before 7:15. It feels good to come back to something you love and not get the fear of the blank page when you arrive.

Weekly success score: 7/10 – The writing was good, but I still keep remembering that people voted Trump for president. It’s like a daily slap in the face with a wet fish.

Writer Life: Back To The Real World

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Of course, the ‘Real World’ and ‘Dystopian Fiction’ can be used somewhat interchangeably at the moment. I have spent much of the last three weeks offline and away from constant (social) media, but that didn’t stop several days of general anxiety taking over. It was impossible to escape the reality of the American presidential election, but having time away to focus on writing was a lovely coincidence of timing that turned out to be sorely needed.

It always helps when that writing retreat is based somewhere warm and sunny. I love Spanish food and the laid back lifestyle (although it saddens me to see that it’s become less so each year I travel there). I have enjoyed strong cups of coffee, looking out over the ocean and listening to the chatter of a language I only partially understand all around me. I loved having a notebook and a pen, rather than a screen. I have made some new characters and maybe even some new friends. It’s what living the life of a writer should be all about and I’m not ashamed to enjoy it when it happens.

So, back to the weekly recap…

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Creative – new ideas and first drafts

As you might expect from the above, lots of creative juices have been flowing since my last post. I have fully plotted out the next two lesbian romances I intend to write. One is a novella and one is a summer romance/beach read. Being me, even the summer romance will have some slightly darker undertones. I just can’t help myself.

I still haven’t quite completed NaNoWriMo, but the last few thousand words should happen this weekend. I have probably completed it already in terms of words written on other projects, but I’d rather do it properly and spend a few hours completing the it on the same novel on Sunday. Also, maths. I can’t be bothered pulling all those numbers in from various notebooks.

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

Not much editing while I was away, which is good. I only take the iPad while travelling for less than a month, and doing edits on that device isn’t the easiest. So there were some minor tweaks I needed to make, but nothing too significant.

Publishing – and all the other bits that go on behind the scenes

I hoped to be able to publish a little Christmas something, more for fun than anything else. However, with the extended travel and stress of the past few weeks, I’ve decided not to. Whilst there are many disadvantages to being an Indie author, I see this as a positive thing. I took a look at what was completed and, regardless of whether or not it was meant to be lighthearted, made a call that I wasn’t happy enough with the quality. I’d rather can thousands of words, or put them on the back burner, than release something just not right.

However, The Crochet Killer and A Taste To Die For are going to be on offer for the next week as part of a Kindle deal, so if you don’t have them yet, then head on over and grab them while they’re over 50% off. Let’s face it, most people have been rushed off their feet with either family commitments or election misery, so I’m more than happy to give people an excuse to sneak away for some solitary reading time!

I did come back to a lovely review of Dirty Little War from Planet Nation which was a great reminder of why I do this before the post holiday blues had chance to appear. I’m so grateful when people not only enjoy my books, but do so enough to review. So thank you.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

My alter ego has to do more traveling next week for some non-fiction projects. It’s getting to that time of year when I already begin planning for the next in detail. 2017 will be an interesting year as I begin to transition away from the traditionally well paying projects that I don’t enjoy and move towards the fun stuff.

Writing Best Bits

Honestly, the best bit about writing over the past three weeks is that it has been my excuse for everything. I have spent time in the sun, visited quaint cafes, eaten enough food to sink a small ship and had more alcohol experiments than any self-respecting woman in her thirties should. All in the name of research for my next novel.

Weekly success score: 10/10 – Tapas, Tales and Tequila. What more could you want?

Writer Life: Leaving on a jet plane

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Ah, now I have the John Denver song in my head. Apologies if you have too.

As you may have guessed, I am about to head off to sunnier places for a couple of weeks. This means there may not be a blog post again until the end of November. With some trips, the goal is relaxation and rejuvenation. This is one of those trips, so wifi wasn’t a ‘must have’ when looking at places to go. If I’m having fun and can post then I might. If I can’t or I don’t want to, then I won’t worry about it. Instead, I’ll be doing a little bit of research for a book I intend to publish next year. Tapas and Paella will feature heavily in this research, if that gives you a little clue.

So, time for the usual weekly recap…

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Creative – new ideas and first drafts

 

First week of NaNoWriMo is underway. I am happy to say I have made it to over 35,000 words so far, which feels like an epic achievement. I’ve spent the entire week battling with a boring winter cold, so part of me is dreading what I’ll discover when I come to read it back. I’ve been on so many different kinds of medicine I expect it will be a bit trippy. Seventies hippy fiction anyone?

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

I’ve tried to steer clear of any editing this week, but haven’t managed to escape it all. Deadlines are horrible masters but you can’t always avoid them. I find editing requires full focus and with the aforementioned sickness, I struggled to keep that up for more than 15 minutes at a time. So anything that could get put off did. I’m only human!

Publishing – and all the other bits that go on behind the scenes

I’m working to get something done that is very deadline specific. It is one hundred per cent seasonal, so much will depend on whether or not I can still get my parts done in time, given that I will be away. This is my choice to make, but it’s not an easy one. The trip is part research, part vacation. If I focus too much on this specific thing, then the vacation element gets cut smaller and smaller. I’ve had a busy six months. I know that if I don’t take a time out now, the long term quality of my life will suffer.

Not to mention the fact that my wife will be very unhappy with me. That is something to be avoided at all costs.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

I am determined to carry on with nano until it is done, however long that takes. It may have to wait until I get back, or I may enjoy tapping out the rest of the story poolside. If it has to wait, then it should still be before November 30th, which is good. I like having the flexibility.

Other than that it is sea, sunshine and sangria for me. Whoop!

Writing Best Bits

Getting the words down. When you feel physically ill for days at a time, that is a victory in itself. Never underestimate it.

Weekly success score: 5/10 – Lots of words, but gruelling. I deducted points for misery and runny eyes.