Tag Archives: books

Writer Life: Back To The Real World

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…

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.

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?

Writer Life: New Beginnings

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Another week rolls by and my friends are all beginning the Christmas countdown. This seems absurdly early to me, but if it means mulled wine happens in October, then who am I to argue?

So, after locking myself away in a hotel last weekend, I re-entered the real world to discover it was even madder than when I left. My writing goals for next year have now been upgraded to ‘earn enough to live on a small island away from those determined to incite chaos amongst the cesspit of humanity’. It’s good to have ambition…

Creative – new ideas and first drafts

The hotel retreat did what it was intended to do. Without the everyday distractions, I was able to knuckle down and get some creative thinking done. I came away with a full plot for a new romance novel. The only thing missing is the title. It felt exceptionally satisfying and it is always nice to have a few ideas (that are slightly more than half-baked, even if they are not fully written) in the back pocket.

I did start on a new first draft. It’s been going slowly, but that is the product of these unnecessarily cold, dark mornings. I feel the lure of hibernation and it will take me a little while to get back up to full speed.

Oh, and I signed up for NaNoWriMo. Officially my favourite writing event of the year, when I get to hone my competitive skills.

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

This week I have been helping to edit something for someone else. Strange how much easier it is when you’re tearing down someone else’s baby, rather than your own…

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

Things have been quiet this week. I have stepped back a little from social media because I was getting caught up in the horror of politics. Not just with the US election. Brexit is still this huge uncertainty and although I don’t like Marmite, I respect other people’s right to abuse their tastebuds in the privacy of their own home. Who knows, over the weekend I might allow myself back out into the world. It is terribly easy to justify that you’re actually working when you’re not doing anything of the sort though.

In actual book related things, I am beginning to think about cover designs for my next release. I’m trying to get better at running a tight ship when it comes to these things. I don’t want to put pressure on myself, but nor do I want to make things harder for anyone I’m working with. Baby steps.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

I have a huge planning and strategy session in the calendar that will map out the first half of next year. This won’t be just writing projects, but they have to fit in somewhere and at the moment, they are my priority. The one thing I’ve learned is that if you don’t actually prioritise your priority, then someone else will give you theirs instead. So next week will be planning and dreaming and then boiling it down into the nitty gritty of action. There will be calendars and spreadsheets. I might have to put the brakes on before someone pulls out a Gantt chart.

Writing Best Bits

Coming up with brand new characters and discovering their story is always an amazing thing. If I had to pick one thing, I would say that it is my favourite part of the writing process. There is none of the pressure that comes with actually having to write the damn thing, but you still get to be creative. It is like the first part of a relationship, when you’re getting to know all the things about each other, but haven’t yet had your first argument about who has to do the dishes.

Weekly success score: 6/10 (It’s been good, but the actual word count could have been higher). NOW:

Writer Life: ‘The End’ (of my first draft)

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I can’t believe this marks a month of consistent posts. That has to be a record. This week I’ve been largely getting disheartened by politics, but that doesn’t make me any different from anyone with a brain right now. 2016 will not be a glorious year to study for the history students of the future, that’s for sure.

So, other than finally getting Hillary’s shimmy song out of my head and (thankfully) not allowing Trump to get in there at all, what have I been up to?

Creative – new ideas and first drafts

I finished the first draft of Things That Die In The Light this morning. It felt fantastic to write ‘The End’. Even though no one finishes published books with ‘The End’ these days, it still feels so damn satisfying to write. It’s taken a little over two months (I think!) to get this done, which I’m very proud of. I’ve been doing a lot of other projects over the summer, so carving the time out to get this done has turned it into something of a labour of love.

Luckily, I have another idea that I’m itching to start. I’m going to give myself a few days off from writing to work out the last final plot twists and turns, but I hope to be able to get going by the middle of next week. Starting a new novel is always part scary and part exciting, but at the moment it is more of the latter.

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

This week I have been editing a competition entry. I am not a huge fan of the traditional submission process, but I do occasionally see competitions and publications that interest me. Condensing down to 1000 words is always fun, but the ruthlessness will come in handy for larger projects too. I prefer to be brutal with my editing on paper, so it is unsurprising that my printer ran out of ink. Some days, it seems like the universe just wants to jerk you around to see what you’re made of.

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

Dirty Little War has been out there for nearly a month and has done great. I’m very grateful for everyone who has bought it and given it a positive review. I’m already looking at the publication deadline for the next full length romantic novel I’ll be sending out into the world and let me tell you, it is going to be tight. But I love a challenge, so I’m determined to stick to the plan, drink copious amounts of coffee and just get sh!t done.

Oh and I also submitted my tax return. That’s four hours of my life I’ll never get back, but I’m glad it’s done for another year.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

So, the first week of the final quarter of 2016 is already over. This year is slipping away so quickly. Next week I have set myself the arbitrary yet ambitious goal of getting 5000 words of the next ‘first draft’ done. Ambitious because that’s essentially 2500 words a day by the time I actually start it. I’m also planning to get a head start on some work I need to do for December. Yes, December. I’m planning to take a break over the Christmas holidays, so I don’t want Christmas Eve to roll around and I find I still have a mountain of things left to do.

Writing Best Bits

Definitely getting to the end of a first draft. I’ve got to that stage in my life where I don’t even feel bad any more if in the future I decide that it’s rubbish and I need to start again. I know that a lot of people never make it to the end of their first draft. It’s not easy to keep going when the doubts creep in. But in the end, it’s worth it.

Weekly success score: 8/10

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.

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.

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!)

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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…

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):

Dirty Little War Playlist

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I think a lot of writers have a selection of songs they put together when they are beginning to write a novel. I know for me it is one of the key things at the beginning. When I’m actually writing, I don’t really listen to the songs at all. But a playlist gives me instant access to the themes and mood of the story, so when I’m out an about, I can put it on and instantly become immersed on the characters again.

My latest novel, Dirty Little War, is a standalone lesbian romance, set on the gritty streets of East End London. It dips into organised crime and forbidden love. We all know that forbidden women are exciting and make us lose all rational thoughts about consequences, even when they are dangerous.

So, without further ado, the playlist for Dirty Little War:

I’m On Fire, Bruce Springsteen
Blank Space, Taylor Swift
It Might As Well Be You, Del Amitri
Take Me To Church, Hozier
Tell Me, Billie Myers
Sunset (Jamie xx Edit), The xx
Casual Sex, My Darkest Days
Spring Released, Grant Lee Philiips
Coming Up From Behind, Marcy Playground
Poison, Alice Cooper
Steer, Missy Higgins
I Drove All Night, Roy Orbison
Point Blank, Bruce Springsteen

I know, it is a somewhat eclectic list in terms of musical genre and artist. But the songs work for the story I wanted to write and when I look back over the finished result, I can see the songs helped me stay true to the characters and what they were going through. Given that my characters were essentially prisoners of their families and the lives they were born into, I’m On Fire started me off in the right place for writing about the insanity of passion.

Each song had a special place too in that they directly tie up to certain key scenes. I always find this most useful when writing dark scenes about real life and the despair of escaping that comes with it. So for me it comes full circle, ending with Springsteen too…

You grew up where young girls they grow up fast
You took what you were handed and left behind what was asked
But what they asked baby wasn’t right
You didn’t have to live that life
And I was gonna be your Romeo, you were gonna be my Juliet
These days you don’t wait on Romeos, you wait on that welfare check
And on all the pretty things that you can’t ever have
And on all the promises
That always end up point blank, Shot between the eyes

It’s here! My new romance novel has been published today

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I’m thrilled to introduce my latest book to the world!

In the dark heart of the city, a dirty little war is about to begin

Evie Baedeker knows her place in the world. Born into a life of organised crime in the gritty East End of London, she has endured nothing but hardship and disappointment. Then one night, in a sleazy bar, fate sends a dangerous opportunity her way.

Carmen Trogan, daughter and heir apparent to a rival business, has no idea who Evie is when their eyes meet across the dance floor. But Evie knows all about her. The chance to bring the rich and beautiful woman to her knees – both figuratively and literally – is too good to pass up.

Sparks fly from their first kiss, but Evie is playing a dangerous game. There are consequences that come with spending the night with a woman like Carmen.

Will she be able to walk away from the best night of her life, or will she risk it all to see Carmen one more time?

A standalone lesbian romance novel, this has all the bittersweet joy that comes with forbidden love. You can pick up a copy over at Amazon now!

Big changes ahead

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As I’ve indicated a couple of times this year, I’ve been in a crazy place when it comes to work and life. The good news is, a few key projects that have been consuming so many of those projects have finally begun to wrap up.

What does this mean? It means that after a year of not publishing any fiction, I will be in a position to begin putting my time and effort into this again to a much greater degree. I still intend to work on other projects, but my C. K. Martin fiction is some of my favourite. I love to spend the hours creating these women and their lives, so the prospect of being able to indulge myself is really very exciting.

It has been a year since my last book, which in independent author terms is sometimes seen as the equivalent of being dead. My current goal is to get back to the publishing rate of three books per year, which I was on course to do until the last twelve months hit. I spent a significant amount of time over the past weekend working out how I get to schedule my time in a way that works for me and helps me to achieve a higher quality output. September to December will be the real test of this. If it doesn’t work, then I may have to go back, tweak the approach and continue to push forwards.

The most exciting thing now is the thought of finally being able to share characters and stories with you that have been more neglected over this past year than I would like. So there are exciting times ahead. Next week, I’ll be publishing my first lesbian romantic standalone novel and I’m a mixed bag of nervous and excited about the response. Regardless, I’ll be opening a bottle of wine when it appears on the kindle store, as a way of marking a new chapter in my life if nothing else.

C.K. Martin / Cas Martin

Sapphic Fiction & Fantasy Author

Tag Archives: books

Writer Life: If I Could Turn Back Time

Writer Life: ‘The End’ (of my first draft)

Writer Life: Busyness, business and books

Writer Life: Behind the scenes at author HQ week