May 3, 2021

Pep Talks

May Pep Talk – You Are The First Of Your Kind

Every month I write a pep talk to (hopefully) inspire, motivate, or pick you up if you’re feeling down. Think of it as both nurturing encouragement and your ‘kick up the butt’ to get going on your goals or dreams (or just help you feel good). There are over seven...

April 26, 2021

Blog

April Round Up

Hello sun! I cannot tell you (probably an issue, considering my profession) how excited I am about the sun starting to appear more here in the UK. I am definitely a summer > winter girl, and I am already feeling those long, relaxing evenings outside and bright early mornings. Plus,...

April 19, 2021

Five Ways To Be More

Five Ways To Be More Productive

1. Schedule things. If you want to do something, you need to set aside time to actually do it. Start by blocking out the times in your day when you’re not available (e.g., the times you’re at work, looking after kids, cooking/eating meals, sleeping, etc.) then you can see how...

April 12, 2021

How To Write A Novel

4. Options for Plotting a Novel

Welcome to my How To Write A Novel series (the title of which is rather self-explanatory). I’m taking you through the key components and most common questions I get asked about novel writing – from the very first idea to how to know when you’re done – in a way...

April 5, 2021

Pep Talks

April Pep Talk – Stop Putting So Much Pressure On Yourself

You are doing great. I bet you read that and thought “oh, everyone else who probably reads this is doing great, but not me”. You couldn’t possibly give yourself a pat on the back. You haven’t earned one yet. Listen to me: You (you) are doing great. Today’s culture has...

March 29, 2021

Blog

March Round Up

I’m currently experiencing a rather bizarre association with time lately. At random points, everything will feel like it’s moving too fast and my breathing will hitch and my stomach will get tight and I’ll feel so behind in life it’s like I’ll never be able to catch up, and in...

March 22, 2021

How To Write A Novel

Seven Books Every Aspiring Writer Should Read

 If you’re a writer, you should read. There’s a long-standing debate about that statement throughout the writing community – I fall squarely on the ‘pro-read’ side. Yes, you can be a good writer without reading (though who wants to just be good?), but immersing yourself in others’ stories, in noticing...

March 15, 2021

Five Ways To Be More

Five Ways To Be More Motivated

1. Create a plan Decide what your overall goal is, and be specific, so you have a definitive outcome to get to. That act alone makes your goal more tangible, and you’re more likely to go for something if you know exactly what you want, rather than some vague notion....

March 8, 2021

How To Write A Novel

3. Setting/worldbuilding

Welcome to my How To Write A Novel series (the title of which is rather self-explanatory). I’m taking you through the key components and most common questions I get asked about novel writing – from the very first idea to how to know when you’re done – in a way...

March 1, 2021

Pep Talks

March Pep Talk – Be What You Aspire

I want you to do something for me for a few seconds. Close your eyes (once you’ve finished reading this paragraph). Imagine that future version of yourself who’s everything you hope you’ll become. You know the version I mean – the ultimate version of you, the one who’s finally learned...