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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.

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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: If I Could Turn Back Time

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This post theoretically covers two weeks, but there was so little going on in the first of them that it’s probably better we all pretend that it never happened. Instead, this week has had writing, trips outside the writing room and time with family and friends. The grand planning session has led to a slight recalibration in priorities. Between now and the end of the year, I hope to be able to share a little bit more of this with you.

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Creative – new ideas and first drafts

This has been a good week for getting words down. I wrote over 10,000 words on the first draft of my next lesbian romance novel, all in those dark hours before 7am. Mostly. I allowed myself a little bit of overrun, but it sounds more disciplined and virtuous when you use round numbers. I had a little burst of joy when a character who was meant to be purely secondary came to life and was huge fun. These are the moments that keep you going when things get tough.

I also managed to get in a little bit of a field trip to do a bit of research into ancient civilisations. I’ve got a partial story and sometimes you have to find out more to know whether or not to make it into something bigger. I found a handful of nuggets that make me more inclined to try than to walk away, which is always exciting. My notebook also contains three separate one liner scribbles that are the seeds of new ideas. For people who want to know where story ideas come from, I would have to say it comes from constant new stimulation and exposure to new ideas and subjects.

Plus, of course, preparation for NaNoWriMo has been completed. Plot is outlined and typed into Scrivener, now I’m just itching to go with it.

 

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

I have been trying to polish up a YA novella I wrote some years ago. I have no idea if I want to do anything with it yet. It’s a good story, but it’s a bit raw and contains perhaps a little too much of me in it.

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

 

Shhh. Nothing. Don’t tell anyone. I only got a little bit distracted on Facebook and I’m sure that doesn’t count.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

Nano!!! My favourite writing event. I am seriously excited about it again this year. We’ve been lucky that for the past two years we’ve had a weekend to get started. Tuesday is not known for being a high word count kind of day. I’ve got travel plans the week after, so I have no choice but to get my head down and my fingers flying!

Writing Best Bits

Watching the characters of a new story come to life. I tend to have plots and themes detailed before I begin writing. Characters (apart from key motivators and history) are much, much more vague. They then get to come alive from some other part of my brain and it feels like meeting and making a new friend. This week, that happened in spades.

Weekly success score: 8/10 – mainly my favourite bits this week. Plus old worlds and secret societies. What’s not to love?

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Writer Life: Some words, but mainly yawning

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I’m very happy to reach the weekend. Yet another manic week is behind me, but then the next two are gloriously empty. I know life moves in cycles, but I seriously have to get better at managing them. Still, you live and learn. This final quarter of the year is all about experimentation and testing, so I’m braced for one or two failures along the way.

On the bright side, I had a lovely weekend exploring the very beautiful South West of England. There is nothing like sun, sea, sand and… the rest to make you appreciate life. A bit of fresh air and time to just think kept me sane for the weekdays that followed.

So, writing this week has been fractured but I’ve managed to make some progress.

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Creative – new ideas and first drafts

Things That Die In The Light has continued towards the end of the first draft, despite writing mainly from hotels and cars this week. I’m not sure that’s 100% accurate, but it is certainly how it feels.

I’ve also had a small plot bunny for a new lesbian romance that may or may not be interesting enough for me to bump it to the top of the list and the next project I work on. Only time will tell…

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. There simply hasn’t been time amongst the more mundane (yet thankfully bill paying) work.

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

Dirty Little War has continued to receive some pretty great reviews, so I am really happy with that. I’ve got some fantastic readers out there that I’m grateful for.

STILL trying to get to grips with Facebook. I keep having moments of teenage style angst. I’m such an introvert, I have utter fears about coming across as desperate. Please like me! It’s utterly embarrassing for someone my age, but there you have it. We all have our weaknesses. This is one of my many.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

It is the end of another quarter. I had some pretty big goals and dreams for the last one. I achieved most of them – even if the majority of the work I procrastinated on until September. So I will be spending some time this weekend planning how I round out the year. The remaining three months will give me the information I need to determine how many side projects I can (and am willing to) take on next year. I’ll be deciding which book to draft next as well as picking the next one to edit. Some more big decisions, but I’m sure taking the time to think about them properly will be worth it.

Writing Best Bits

The biggest win for me this week was actually getting out of bed to write despite feeling terrible. A mixture of both mental and physical exhaustion held me back. So why was this a best bit? Simply because years of training myself to this point, along with an unwavering desire that writing is what I want to do for the rest of my life, allowed me to get up when normal people would have quit. That is worth celebrating.

Weekly success score: 5/10 (Not enough sleep. Will try harder next week.)

Writer Life: Busyness, business and books

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Wow, this week has been a busy week. Between consultancy work and non-fiction, I’ve been working 16 hour days to get everything done. The reward? I get to spend the weekend exploring the beautiful south coast of England, giving my brain time to relax. I went tramping through a forest last weekend and was amazed by the boost just being outside with time to breathe and think gave me. So I’m trying to make this a feature of my life, to compensate for the hours spent in hotel rooms or chained to the desk.

I’m also now weighing up an iPad Pro for work on the road, so if anyone has any experience of whether that works or not, then hit me up.

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Creative – new ideas and first drafts

Book four in The Lazarus Hunter series – now tentatively titled Things That Die In The Light – had to go on the back burner this week. I still managed to get around 5000 words completed to keep my brain engaged with the characters and the story. I like the way it is going so far but I can already see places where I need to ramp that tension up a bit! The title definitely needs some work though…

I also pitched the idea for another non-fiction book to a couple of people, so that’s an exciting step forwards too.

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

Some final minor tweaks last weekend to the non-fiction book, but they were simply some references changes, so nothing too strenuous thank goodness!

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

In week two, Dirty Little War has received some pretty great reviews, from people I definitely don’t know. There’s always a bit of a writer’s doubt that your mum is writing good stuff to make you feel better, like when you found out those Valentine’s cards you got as an early teen was just her using her left hand to write. Unsolicited stranger reviews are always amazing.

Okay, so I am still getting to grips with Facebook. I’m still not a huge fan, but have begun to see the real value it offers in connecting people. I’ve been able to talk with readers and other authors to get valuable insights into how I can write things that excite not only me, but also the people who want to read my fiction. So I guess Facebook is going to stay part of my life for awhile.

I’ve published a non-fiction book as my alter-ego this week, which has been an altogether different experience to publishing genre fiction. It’s been exciting though and I’m feeling really positive about it.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

I’m having the weekend off now to spend time with my wife as she’s been somewhat neglected this week. Monday will bring with it a week of non-fiction marketing (honestly, no more fun for me than any kind of marketing) and getting back to Things that die in the light. If I can get 8000 words drafted in that small space between getting up and having breakfast, then I’ll count the week as a success.

Writing Best Bits

The best writing bit this week was letting something go. That sounds strange and with better timing on my part, I wouldn’t have had two large projects come to a conclusion so close together. One of my goals for next year is to better plan the contingency time so that if other people slip, then the pressure doesn’t fall on me!

Weekly success score: 7/10 (not enough downtime – even if I’ve done a lot, being a workaholic loses points, not gains them. Life is for living!)

Contact for credit

Contact for credit

Writer Life: Behind the scenes at author HQ week

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As I wrote a few weeks ago, there have been some recent changes in my life that have finally given me some space and time to get writing fiction back to the top of my priority list. So I thought I would take a few minutes each week to take a look at what that really means in my indie author life, as well as give people a sneak peek of what is coming up.

For me, ‘writing’ is no single act. There are so many stages, especially when you are making your living as an independent author, rather than simply writing for a hobby. You don’t just get to walk away at the satisfying end of writing a first draft. Much of what happens after that isn’t glamorous, but it can still be interesting.

So, broken down into it’s various parts…

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Creative – new ideas and first drafts

I’m currently working on the first draft of book four in The Lazarus Hunter series. There has been a real slow burn in the relationship between the two main characters and  this is the book where we reach a tipping point. That’s making it so much fun to write, even if I did only manage 8,000 words this week.

Plot bunnies: according to my notebook where I scribble all my potential story ideas, the idea I am most excited about this week is a four part lesbian romance novella series, tied around a key theme. Food for thought…

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

No C.K. Martin editing taking place this week. I have been spending time going through a non-fiction MS after receiving edits, so that is enough for me to handle in this particular area, thank you very much.

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

As I write this, Dirty Little War has been out for its first week and has done pretty well. It has charted as high as #5 in the US lesbian fiction charts and broke into the top 10 in the UK. As this was my first lesbian romance (rather than other genres with lesbian protagonists), I’m really pleased. I’ve also finally given in and am trying to get to grips with Facebook.

I also had to review the cover for my non-fiction book (it looks awesome).

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

Next week will be centred around non-fiction edits. In the spare time, I’ll continue to work on book 4 (really need to come up with a title, even if it is just a temporary one for this!). I’m also taking a writing mini break next weekend, so I need to be prepped for that.

Writing Best Bits

There have been quite a few ‘best’ bits this week. Unsolicited good reviews are always fab to get. Seeing people buy your book is always a thrill that makes up for the terror of letting your baby out into the wild to fend for itself.

Weekly success score: 8/10 (cute hedgehog in a cup worthy):

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