Tomorrow is Another Day

Life has fallen into a routine. I work, I take my little boy to his activities, I give him his meals, we play, and then it's bedtime. It doesn't give me a whole hell of a lot to write about. I'm an introvert, and mostly, I like being lazy at home, but it would be nice to mix it up every now and then. 

Routine or Rut

They always look alike to me. When does your daily life become something that needs to be changed? Is it when you're bored with it? When your ambition starts flagging? When it's financially not enough? What are the markings of a rut? 

My Happy Place

If I'm in a rut, I might not get out of it because my happy place is at home with my little boy and my dog, and there's never anywhere I'd rather be. Pyjamas are the best clothes, junk food is the best food, and the sofa is the comfiest place to sit. Why would I want to leave all that?

Ambition

I do, however, still have goals to achieve, and it might be time to put the doughnuts down, dress in some outdoor clothes and do what I can to achieve them. I can still be lazy in between, though, right? So, maybe this is a rut, and even though I'm okay with being in one, I might have to climb my way out. 

If you enjoyed reading this short post, then take a look at some of the others or head over to my website for book updates. 

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is fast approaching, and it's going to be expensive. With not much money free to spend, the only way to get through it is to plan ahead. Which is why I'm getting ready for Christmas in September. Also, I love Christmas, even when I can't afford it, so I get excited early.

Christmas Magic

The reason I love Christmas so much is that my mum made it something special for me and my brother, so it's important to me to make it special for my little boy. I want him to love Christmas, and I want him to find it special, which means it's down to me. 

That's not going to mean throwing money at the occasion, because that's not financially an option, but it will mean spending time with family as much as possible. Doing things together like looking at Christmas lights.

Santa's Coming

I might be financially challenged this Christmas, but I still have presents to buy for my family and friends. Santa may take care of my little boy, but I have gifts to supply from me too. That means strict budgeting and limits on spending. I'll be miserly like Scrooge, at least until I get to Christmas. 

This was just a little update so I could talk about Christmas, but if you want to read other posts then take a look around, or visit my website. 

August is for Writing...

...Because July is too hectic for it. 

I'm a romance writer who, this month, has been reduced to scrawled snippets in a notebook. I'm not complaining. It's busy with all fun stuff, but because I'm out doing all this fun stuff I'm not getting much laptop time over the next few weeks. August, however, is quiet for me, and that means that, in my spare time, I'll be trying to get some serious writing done. 

Thankful for my Notebook Collection

It's times like these that I'm glad I have a slight stationery addiction. There are a lot of notebooks in my arsenal, and they have come in handy when I have a few minutes here and there and no time to get to my computer. 

It takes me back to when I started writing, and I'd fill notebook after notebook. Now I buy them because they're pretty, but they sure are useful now. 

What Happened to July

Between little trips away and planning for the little trips away, this month is speeding along. I'm not even leaving the country. These are getaways in the UK, but with a toddler and a dog, it takes a lot of planning. We've all had haircuts, the packing takes an eternity, and it all has to be fit in between toddler groups and naps. I still have to go to work. My car has been in and out of the garage. But we're getting there. 

August is for Words

The contrast between this month and next is sharp. This month I'm grabbing minutes, next month I have hardly anything planned. As an introvert, this is the kind of month that I do better with, and my plans for downtime, I'll be getting some writing projects finished. Or at least a good chunk of the way through. 

    Alphas Make Great Romance

I'm writing a short shifter romance, and granted, I've been working on it for a while now, but August is my month to complete it. Sophia and Law will have their story told, and when they do, that clears the decks for the next Pack Untamed book. 

    Calum Needs Love Too

Once the alpha romance is written, and given a title which it doesn't have yet, then all my focus will go onto Calum and his story. It's outlined and plotted. All that remains is to get through the first draft. Well, August is the month for Calum. 

Just a Few Weeks

Over the next few weeks, to see out July, the notebooks will still be in use. I will write what I can with a pen and paper. That works better for me sometimes. I write slower, so I take more time to think, and it's my method to kickstart my imagination when I get blocked. 

In the meantime, I'll keep writing romance the classic way.

If you want to keep up to date with my writing news, then follow me on social media or visit my author website. 

Council House? Yeah, Right...

I have no home but me - Anne Truitt

This blog post might sound like a bit of a rant, but it's not meant to be. It stems from frustration. I'm a writer with a day job, and more importantly, I'm a mother. I do content writing, fiction writing, and transcribing. I work in retail. I do what I can. 

What I don't have is a house of my own. As I've mentioned in a previous post, my current mission is to get a home for my little family. Honestly, though, it's not going well. Okay, that's an understatement. It's going terribly.

Council Housing

I've been on the list for council housing for a year and a half, and I haven't got a chance in hell of getting a home with them. I'm no closer than I was when I first went on the list. I bid every week, and my position is in the thirties every week. 

Council housing is like a lottery, only the odds are worse. It's frustrating as hell to continually try when it feels so futile.

Financial Realities

It's a sad truth that with all the different avenues for earning money, I still can't afford to buy a home. I could work an eighty-hour week, but at my minimum wage job, it wouldn't be enough to become a homeowner. 

It's not just me. There are many of us in the same position, and it doesn't matter how many coffee shops I walk by, how many coffees I don't buy, that won't change. Seriously, who is spending that much on coffee? 

What Can I Do?

Honestly, I have no idea. I save every spare penny. I'm frugal. I track every penny that I spend. It won't change anything, and I'm at a loss. Really, if anyone has any suggestions, then I'm all ears, because I don't have any clue what I can do, for me, my son and my dog to get a home. 

I said before that I haven't moved any further forward with this, but at least I haven't moved back, and that still stands. I guess I'll persevere. I'll keep playing the house lottery and I'll hope for the best, but it's a hopeless situation, and I can't see it changing. 

Was this ranty? I can't tell. I feel better anyway, after venting my frustrations. In this economy, at least I know I'm not alone. We're all in this together. 

If this didn't put you off reading my other blog posts, then take a look around or visit my author website.

This is Not a New Year's Resolution

It's a goal.

I'm not actually setting any New Year's Resolutions this year. If I was then I'd be a bit late, given that it's February now. But what I am doing is setting a target to reach and then I have a point in my mind to reach where I can review and plan. 

Previously in the Life of a Romance Writer 

When I decided I wanted to try for a baby, I did everything that was within my power to work for it. I did whatever I could to get him. I lost weight, ate foods that had nutrients that increased my chances, I earned money and saved it to pay for treatment. Every penny that came from writing was saved for IVF. It wasn't always easy and it took many years, not just one, but I got my little man and he's beautiful, bright and stubborn. My little big man. 

What's Next?

Next, my goal is to get us a safe and comfortable home where the three of us can settle and live. Me, baby and dog. We want our own house. I don't care much if I own it or if it's a rental, but I want somewhere permanent for us, with our belongings and our furniture. That's my next mission. 

Throw Everything at It Again

There was nothing easy about IVF but I did love the time I put into it. The difference with this goal is that my priorities will be different. Or actually, they'll be the same. For IVF, my baby was my priority, and obviously, he still is, which means my time isn't my own. I might not be able to dedicate the same time to getting us a home, as I did to getting my baby. 

But whatever time I can scrape together needs to be for that, and any money I earn needs to be saved for that. No frivolous spending. 

The steps for getting our own home aren't quite as elaborate as going through IVF. Basically, there is just one. Money. It's the only real obstacle in my way. 

Time to Work

I'm going to have to be resourceful with my time, but I'm also going to have to gather energy from somewhere to shake off the tiredness from sleepless nights that are coming at the moment with having a one year old. But I'll do it. Because I want my baby and furbaby to be in our home as soon as possible. 

If you enjoyed reading this article then you can find others like it by taking a look around this site, or by visiting my other. 

Magic of Music

Right now, I'm lying in bed listening to music while I write, and I’ve gotten caught up in a whirlwind of songs I used to love but haven’t listened to in a long time. The thing is, that these songs are tied to past memories. Feelings, moments long gone. Even story ideas – some I recorded, others I’d forgotten.

According to the Washington Post, evidence suggests that music has such a powerful connection with our brain that listening to it can cause our brains to release dopamine, the pleasure/reward hormone, and it can reduce the impact of the stress hormone cortisol.

It’s also used as a way to reach people with dementia. Listening to a song that played at an important moment in their life, helps them find that memory. For me, it's a component of being a romance writer. 

Music Memory Evolution

There aren’t many people to whom music isn't important. My memories of it go all the way back to being 5 years old and dancing to my mum’s Diana Ross - Chain Reaction record.

I listened to her Carpenters cassette in bed and then discovered the music I love. Starting with The Backstreet Boys, taking a tour through Britney and Christina to Pink then onto Aerosmith and Queen, a detour to Michael Crawford and Michael Ball as I discovered musicals and then onto The Killers and Frank Turner.

The beauty of music is that there’s always more to discover. Classic and new. So many genres.

I’ll never forget my first time watching Wicked in the West End when Elphaba Sang Defying Gravity, I’ll never forget being at the front of the crowd to listen to Frank Turner at the Y Not Festival.

Music and Writing

Now, I use music to write. Different artists for different scenes that I’ve imagined and written. I can hear a particular song and it will take me to that specific piece of writing.

Whenever I get writer's block the fastest way to cure it is to put my earphones in and go for a walk, and that easily scenes will play out in my head.

Music and writing go hand in hand.

Music and Dreaming

It’s not only connected to memories and writing but to hopes and dreams too. There are songs that take me to places I want to go. Things I want to do. Music is so intrinsically weaved throughout our every day that it’s no surprise it has an almost magical connection with our brains.

The power of music is still being studied, along with its impact on mental and physical health, but for me, it’s tied to the imagination and to the past, present and future.

If you enjoyed reading this blog then you can read more like it on this site or visit my sister site To be a Single Mother.

 

 

 

 

 

Orange Blossom

 Sienna

Life had found a balance. For the first time in a long time she had a home, she was safe, and when she looked into her future, she saw happiness with a mate that she was obsessed with and who crazily, was just as obsessed with her.

She’d found her place in the shifter part of the town, and now she wanted to mix with the rest of the village. She wanted to open her chocolate shop again.

She’d had to close it when she’d run from an over-eager hunter, and by over-eager, she meant one who kidnapped her and stalked her. Now, though, it was time to get back to her dream career, and her hand-made chocolates.

A shop was her goal, but that would take time, and so for now she had a website, and she took online orders.

Customers built their own boxes of chocolates by choosing from the selection or they could order premade boxes.

The collection she was building now was twelve white chocolates with floral and citrus flavors.

The house she shared with Adam was currently filled with the aroma of orange blossom.

When the kitchen door swung open, she glanced up from where she was piping the orange blossom syrup into truffles, expecting to see Adam. Instead, it was his cousin Calum.

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”

“Nothing.” He perched on the chair at the kitchen counter. “What are you making?”

“You know what I’m making,” she said. “I told you I had an order to fill today.”

“Oh, was that today?” He gazed down at her array of chocolates. “Which ones are the overspill.”

She didn’t answer, but he knew and he helped himself, popping a violet crème into his mouth.

“None of it is overspill. I still make them up into boxes of chocolates.”

“And now I’m saving you a job.” His next choice was a limoncello truffle. “You’re welcome.”

“You’re costing me money, is what you’re doing.”

“It’s the price for me keeping you company.”

“Even though I was fine on my own and didn’t ask you to.”

Calum grinned. “Exactly.”

Sienna rolled her eyes. Since moving in with Adam, somehow Calum had become her bestie. He came around every day, whether it was just to hang out with her or for dinner, he was as comfortable in the home she and Adam shared as he was in his own.

And she liked having him around. Between Adam, Calum, and their brothers, the four men had ensured she found her place in their pack.

Calum stayed with her, drinking coffee and eating chocolate until he got called into work at the hotel.

 

Adam

 How did I get so lucky?

Adam leaned in the doorway and watched his female sealing up a box. He was proud of what she was doing, building up her business, even though she wasn’t taking him up on his offer to help, which infuriated him.

He could sell her chocolates in his hotel, but every time he suggested it, she always replied with, “Not yet.”

What was she waiting for?

He was especially happy watching her when she wore those shorts. She had the most perfect butt he’d ever seen, and her shorts showcased the pert ass that he loved to get his hands on.

Sienna coming into his life had blown his world wide open and in the best possible way. Everything was better with her. Everything was fun.

He stalked up behind her but judging by the way she leaned back slightly, she knew he was there.

“Hey there, Angel,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Hi, mate.” She smiled and then turned around in his embrace so that she faced him. “You look especially sexy this afternoon.”

Only she would say that when he was tired, and dressed in a crumpled shirt with his tie loosened around his neck. It had been a long, boring day of meetings with financiers and accountants, talking numbers.

He was relieved to be home.

Sienna gripped the end of his tie and tugged him down for a kiss which was exactly what he wanted. Her lips on his and her flavor in his mouth.

She tasted like fragrant orange and chocolate.

He couldn’t resist her, and he couldn’t stop kissing her.

She was the one who stopped, but she didn’t move away, mumbling against his lips, “If we keep this up, we’ll be having kitchen sex.”

“We’re good at kitchen sex,” he rumbled his reply. They were damn good at it.

“We are.” She grinned. “But I have to finish packing up these chocolates. So, hold that thought.” She whispered a last flirty kiss over his lips. “Unless you want to start removing your clothes while I do this and then we’ll be good to go.”

Adam laughed. “Firebird, I love it when you talk dirty.”

Flattening her hands on his chest, she said, “Go sit at the table before you cause me all kinds of food hygiene problems.”

He did as she commanded but not before getting a good squeeze of her butt, and she ramped up the temptation when, once she’d packaged the chocolates, she brought her laptop to the kitchen table and bent over right next to him to print a label.

He waited until he heard the whirring of the printer in the other room before he dragged her into his lap.

“Hey,” She scolded, but she wrapped her arms around him at the same time.

“Angel, why don’t you let me sell some boxes of your chocolates in the hotel.”

“Not yet,” She replied, and his frustrated growl was more panther than man. She leaned back, her luscious lips parted in surprise. "What?”

“Why do you always say that. ‘Not yet.’ What are you waiting for?”

“I don’t want to rush things. I don’t want to take on more than I can handle. That’s why I’m starting slowly.”

“That makes no sense. If you find a supplier for your product then use it.”

“When I did this job before, none of the risks were mine, but I’m on my own this time. I need to move at a pace I can control.”

“You’re not on your own. You have me. Let me help you.”

Her voice was small when she said, “But what if they don’t sell.” Her doubts slayed him.

“Luxury handmade chocolates... They’ll sell. But even if they didn’t the financial loss wouldn’t be yours. We’d buy the product from you.”

“Great.” She rolled her eyes. “So, I would just cost your business money. Sign me up.”

“Is that sarcasm, Firebird?”

She gripped his tie and held on as she kissed him. “I’m not ready for that step yet. I need more time.”

He gave a short, sharp growl. “How about we make a deal? A compromise?”

Sienna narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What kind of compromise?”

“The summer fete in the village. We have a booth there for the hotel and Krista plans to test new cocktails. You join her with chocolate samples and if they go down well, we supply them in the hotel.”

She played the end op his tie between her fingers and peered up from beneath her lashes. “Isn’t this cheating? Nepotism, or something like that?”

“Angel, this is business. Trust me.”

“You know I always do.”

He smirked. “Smart girl.” Brushing her braid off her shoulder, he said, “Now tell me you agree so we can get back to the subject of kitchen sex.”

She laughed in a way that his cat pricking its ears up. Both man and animal were entranced by her happiness.

“You’re going to get my business shut down before it gets started,” she said, but at the same time she shifted to straddle his thighs.

“You could probably convince me to move this to the living room for sofa sex.” He rose to his full height still holding onto her.

The sofa was his goal, but with the way Sienna nuzzled in at his throat, he knew it was too far away. In the end, they settled on hallway sex where he loved Sienna so well, she offered him anything he wanted. The only thing he wanted though was for her to be happy and vice versa. Which was how he got her to agree to sample her chocolates at the upcoming summer fete.  

The End

For more book extras visit my website or you can go to the Evernight Publishing website to read about Wings of Passion. 

 

 

Character Interview - Law - Part One

 

He walks in dressed in jeans, a grey t-shirt and black boots. He’s a handsome guy with sharp cheekbones, black hair and dark brown eyes. He has a scar on his jaw and another on his cheek, which gives him a rough sexiness.

I can’t help but notice that in one sweep, he takes in the room around him, which I’m guessing makes him an observant guy. It could be the shifter in him though that makes him that way.

Without a word, he takes a seat. He looks relaxed but alert. There’s an intensity to his spirit that makes me restless.

I clear my throat.

ME: Afternoon, Law. It’s good to see you.

He nods.

ME: This part of the interview is recording basic information, so even if you think I know the answer, please tell me anyway.

Another nod.

ME: What is your full name

He sighs.

LAW: Law

ME: Last name? Middle name?

Another sigh.

LAW: Law Harris

ME: How did your parents decide on your name?

LAW: I don’t have parents.

ME: How tall are you?

LAW: 6 ft 3

ME: What colour is your hair?

LAW: Can’t you just look?

I give him a stern look and he smirks.

LAW: Black.

ME: What colour are your eyes?

Law looks up as if he’s searching for patience.

LAW: Brown

ME: How much do you weigh?

(Bursts out) LAW: Fuck off, I don’t know. Been a while since my last weight watchers visit.

ME: Who raised you?

LAW: A god awful pack. I left them and went solo when I was fourteen. I do better on my own.

ME: Where do you live now?

LAW: Wherever

ME: Any medical problems?

LAW: If I say no, can I skip the rectal exam?

ME: Um… Yes. Any distinguishing marks?

LAW: (waves at his face) You see the scars. There are a few others, and I have a tattoo. You need to see it? (He’s definitely getting impatient.)

ME: Maybe just describe it.

LAW: Circles on my forearm.

ME: Any religion?

LAW: What do you think?

ME: What kind of car do you own.

LAW: BMW X3. Black.

ME: Do you have any pets?

LAW: No

ME: Are you married?

LAW: No

This seems like a natural stopping point for now. We’ll pick this back up later.

LAW: How about for good?

Before I can answer, he’s leaving.

Self Care and Writing

Odds are, if you're a writer, then you probably go out to work too. Hell, even T.S. Eliot had a day job. Whether it's full-time or part-time, working while finding time to write isn't easy and it can be tiring to have all your time allocated. 

When you work and write, keeping up your energy and health is important to consider. So, what exactly is self-care and how do you do it? Read on to find out.

What is Self Care?

In a nutshell, it means taking care of yourself by doing things that strengthen your physical and mental well-being. It's a choice you make and it's different for everyone. Maybe for you it's reading a good book in the bath, or it could be sky-diving out of a plane. It might even be as simple as putting aside your work in progress to write a poem instead. It's whatever brings you joy and improves your mood.

Self care doesn't mean you have to go out seeking adventure. It doesn't mean you have to find a dark room and meditate. It doesn't have to be expensive. It doesn't have to be difficult. 

Why is Self Care Important?

When you're a writer, or artist, or anyone with a side-gig, it means your free time isn't really free. It's already taken up with whatever you're working on. When you have a spare minute, your mind automatically goes to plot-lines and characters. 

The need to be productive all the time can be exhausting, and it can lead to burn-out, depression and anxiety. The good news is that building a self-care routine has proven to reduce stress, while improving your concentration and your energy. 

Mental health is important and by taking care of yourself, you're tackling depression and anxiety. 

How to Care For Yourself

There are different aspects to consider - Physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being - and it doesn't have to be expensive. 

Some simple and cheap ways to look after yourself can include: Going to bed early, taking a walk, watching a movie or listening to music. You could eat your favourite meal. Drink more water. If you enjoy it then do it, and don't feel guilty about not spending every minute being productive, because self-care is productive.

Maybe what you need is to get out of the house and spend time with your friends. Go for some food, have a board game night. Meet your friends for cocktails. 

Do you enjoy puzzles? Do you like spending time with your pet? How about paint-by-numbers? Taking photographs? What do you enjoy, because spending time on whatever it is... that's going to save you from burning out. 

What Works For You

Find the thing that makes you happy. We live in a time where money is short and bills are steep. It's expensive just to live, and that means we work hard for every little thing we have. That means we're tired. 

I have a baby, a dog, a day job and a writing career to nurture, so my idea of self-care is eating Maoam JoyStixx while watching Modern Family in the middle of the night as my baby sleeps on me. It also includes naps on the sofa and walking my dog. 

What is it for you? If you don't know then you're not spending enough time on self-care. 

If you enjoyed reading this article then take a look at my website and find out about my published books and author news. 

   

What's Next? Setbacks and Perseverance

Wings of Passion has been on sale since May, published by Evernight Publishing, and I immediately started to work on a short shifter paranormal romance story while I plot the next book in the Pack Untamed series. I was motivated and had my goals all set out in front of me. But things don't always go as planned and some setbacks are of the best kind. 

Writing Interrupted 

My romance book was released in May, in June I happily found out I was pregnant, and it's been a battle with pregnancy nausea ever since. Even today, six months into the pregnancy I'm lying on the sofa, my computer propped up and I'm trying to get back into the writing routine, but the morning sickness that lasts all day might disappear for days on end before it swings back around. 

My pregnancy was planned and I'm absolutely thrilled so a delay in writing is a small price to pay for something so wonderful, but when it was at its worst writing, updating my website, and posting on social media wasn't even a thought. 

Now it's easing, I'm getting back on track, but I've got a lot of catching up to do, and I'm doing it in the midst of working the day job and organising the house for my little new addition. 

Plots and Schemes

I'm re-establishing goals that passed me by while I had my head in the toilet. I'm getting my notebooks out again. I'm learning about my characters. I'm structuring plots. I'm scheduling time. I'm prioritising. I'm writing again. 

What's Next?

Currently, I'm plotting the second book in the Pack Untamed series, but while I build Calum's story, I'm also writing a short shifter romance story to fill the gap between Wings of Passion and its next book. The short story is in the writing stage, whereas my Pack Untamed book is still in the planning stages. 

I'm just glad to be back to writing and finding my way through my stories. Stay tuned for more updates. 

If you liked this blog then take a look around and read some of my other posts. 

Wings of Passion Release

An exciting day is coming...

The release day for Wings of Passion is happening on May 4th. My shifter romance novel has made it through edits and is available for preorder now. I'm very excited about its release. 

Published by Evernight Publishing, it's the first instalment of my new shifter series Pack Untamed. 

A Paranormal Romance

Sienna falls out of the sky and into Adam’s life...

She’s a shifter with the ability to turn into a golden eagle and she’s fleeing danger, but with an injured wing, she crashes onto the balcony of Adam, a man who likes to be in control.

Adam’s orderly world is turned upside down with the arrival of the golden eagle, and now that he has her, it’s clear that control is overrated. If it means keeping Sienna, then he’ll embrace the wildness.

Once they commit, Sienna and Adam will do whatever it takes to keep each other safe, and with the hunters determined to capture Sienna, that might not be easy. To stay together, they’ll have to learn to rely on each other and embrace the bond growing between them.

Romance Novel Settings

I've loved writing Wings of Passion. It's the first romance book I've written that is obviously set in Britain. The first half takes place in London, the second half in the Peak District. Both are parts of the UK that are important to me. 

London is an amazing city, and I've set the story in my favourite area Tower Hill. If I'm in London I have to go there and I have to visit St Katherine's Dock, and I have to have dinner at Butler's Wharf. Otherwise, I feel like I've missed out. 

Derbyshire is where I live. With the beautiful countryside of the Peak District national park. With wild peaks and moorland, there are picturesque villages nestled among them. There are walks and bike rides, and perfect surroundings for my dog and me.

Future Characters

There are plenty of characters in this series whose stories are waiting to be told. They're demanding their own romance books be written and released, and as a romance writer, I'm just here to do their bidding. The plotting is already happening. 

Wings of Passion Release Day

Mark your calendars for May 4th, and not just for Star Wars day, but for Wings of Passion release day. Or you can preorder the shifter romance now to read Sienna and Adam's love story. 

For updates and information on my other books, you can visit me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or go directly to my website, and reach out to me there. 

 

Don't Be a Fool

Today is April Fool’s Day! I should probably play a prank on you but I’m not going to.

The Downside 

As someone who was bullied at school, pranks aren’t something I’m ever a fan of. I’ve had a lot of cruel tricks played on me that were passed off as a joke, meaning if I didn’t laugh along with them, then I was uptight or miserable.

 

But what’s so funny about humiliating someone or making them look like a fool? Is there anyone who really enjoys April Fool’s Day?

 

You Do You

I’m not here to rain on anyone’s parade. If you’re in a social circle where this is something you like, then sure, go nuts, prank your friends, but otherwise, my one piece of advice is to think before you trick.

 

Don’t go into it blindly, thinking that everyone will find it hilarious. Are you doing it for the right reason or is your motive a little meaner than you realise? Can the target of your prank handle everyone laughing at them or are you just tearing someone down who is already low? Are you in the right environment for the type of April Fool’s jest you’re planning?

 

Just think about it first. There was a time in my life when someone playing an April Fool’s joke on me would have torn me down, and even now I suspect I would wonder why the person chose me to trick? Because they don’t like me or because they think I’m fun?

Happy April Fool's Day

Like I said, I’m not there to destroy the parts of the day people find fun. I’m just here to advise that you ensure you’re all on the same page.

But if everyone you know and plan to play a trick on is down with pranking, then have yourself an excellent April Fool's Day. 

If you liked this article then take a look at some of my other posts or visit my website. 

Goodbye 2022

For me, if 2022 was a book in a series it would be the filler book that does nothing but set up for later stories. 

I feel like I did a lot, and achieved some things, but at the same time, have nothing to show for the year that we're about to leave behind. 

Maybe I'll hit the ground running when we get into 2023 or maybe I'll plod through the start, but mostly I don't want to be in the same place this time next year. I don't want to be stuck in this limbo that 2022 was trapped in. 

It doesn't mean there was no progress, but it's all behind the scenes and that makes it feel like it didn't happen. 

I know I'm moving forward, but sometimes it's hard to see when it happens so slowly, and it's easy to get disheartened. I'm clinging to motivation through the new year. 

Earn a Reward

One of the things I do is reward myself when I achieve a task, especially if it's a boring one. I'm not saying I buy myself a bottle of champagne for every little accomplishment, but even a little extra reading time, a nice drink, watching a movie. Whatever gets the job done. 

Break Up the Goal

Big things are easier to complete when broken up into smaller tasks, so that's what I do. I figure out what I want and then build the steps to reach it. I think looking at something like losing 3 stone in weight, or publishing a book can be intimidating when looked at, but starting small like getting into healthy habits or writing character profiles make is much more realistic. 

Why Do This?

Sometimes when I'm struggling or disheartened, I have to think about why I'm pushing myself. Why am I sitting at my computer two days after Christmas working when I could be doing something else? I visualise the end result. I need to know exactly what I want so that I can keep going. 

Prepared for Set-Backs 

The trajectory of success is never straightforward. I'm not shooting straight ahead. I falter, I get rejected, I make mistakes, and I do things wrong. Sometimes, I just straight out fail. I take time to feel bad about it, I cry, I complain and then I try again. 

Still Trying

2022 is on its way out and 2023 is coming which means I'm almost onto the next book of this series called life. 

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It's Christmas Time

 It's Christmas time and this romance writer is ready for it. 

The decorations are up. Twinkling lights make the living room look warmer. I've done all my Christmas shopping. All that's left is to wait for the big day to arrive. 

Christmas Spirit

I love Christmas. The cosy nights at home with cinnamon candles, watching festive movies, wrapped up in a blanket with a hot water bottle and even better if I can have a glass of wine - which isn't always possible with the early starts at my day job. If I can't though then luckily, I'm a hot chocolate enthusiast.

I had hoped to write a festive story for Christmas this year, but time really has flown by and taken me by surprise with how quickly Christmas has arrived, so hopefully next year I'll get the idea written down. 

Keep Writing

I've got lots of story ideas, including the second book in my new shifter series, so for 2023 I'm on a mission to write as much as possible. It's not a New Year's Resolution or anything like that. It's just a hope. A wish.

I always want to write more than I do, but obviously working at a day job alongside writing severely limits my time, but there will hopefully be some new paranormal romance stories and some new fun characters coming soon. 

What the New Year Brings...

I don't have any specific plans for New Year. I'm at work in the morning and then I think I'll mostly be chilling at home, but I do love the start of a new year. It feels like wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch. A fresh outlook, new motivation, new goals... 

I'll be writing to the very end of 2022 because I'm a writer and it's what I do, and when the clock strikes midnight, it's page one of a new year. 

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Summer Holidays

 Get me to the beach...

Am I Going Abroad This Year? 

No!

It's a staycation for me. I'm heading to Skegness, and I couldn't be more excited if I was going abroad. 

It'll be donuts and ice cream, fish and chips, malibu slushies, meals out, and wine by the beach. I'll be paddling in the sea with my furbaby and buying tourist gifts. 

No Writing For Me

I'll obviously be taking my notebook with me, but my laptop is staying at home, so there will be no serious writing. There might be some serious reading though because I will be taking a few books with me. 

You have to have choice when it comes to reading, right?

Writer Not Writing

For four days. That's how long I'll be away. Four days without my laptop. I think it's the longest I've gone in a long time without it. 

No adding to WIPs. This romance writer is shutting the computer down. 

Not this week though. This week is for finishing and hitting deadlines. 

Real or Fake? Writing Characters.

 When writing, should you use real people to inspire your characters?

As a romance writer I don't use them for my main characters. I don't think I could write the kind of love scenes I write if I had a real person in my mind. Way too awkward. Not to mention, I haven't run into any alpha male sexy bear shifters lately to inspire me. 

Feral Serenity

So, character inspiration? No, not for the main ones. For side characters, though, I personally don't have any objections and I've been known to borrow a name or two for a few characters.

I may have also borrowed inspiration for some villains too. Hey, we all know the writer threat of 'be careful or I'll put you in my novel.' There have to be some perks for spending all our spare time chained to a computer or a laptop. 

When there are so many people around us, it's hard not to dip into that pool, and for writing exercises, I was advised a lot to watch people.

One piece of advice I would give, is don't make it a carbon copy. While some people might be flattered to be included in your book, may even ask to be, you don't want someone to be offended by reading themselves as an unlikeable character in your work of fiction. I feel like that might lead to some legal ramifications. 

Something we can probably agree on is that writers, and artists of all kinds, are influenced by life around them, and that means people, so there is probably a chance that you've been impacted without even realising. 

Real characters. Yes or no? My answer: Sometimes. 

So tell me, have you used any?

All Over the Place

 Organisation is key...

I feel like there's no order in my life right now.

I have to-do lists and schedules and still I've fallen into chaos. In fact, I'm so busy making check-lists and rotas that I forget to write and work toward my goals. My goal now is to keep it simple. 

This blog is specifically for updates on my writing, and I'm going to try and keep the personal parts of my life out of it a bit more than I have. I think that will help streamline things a little. I'll write about other parts in a separate blog. Of course, if anyone is interested in reading about my IVF journey you can do that by vising my site, To Be a Single Mother.

I have a few days off coming up, and I'm hoping they can be exclusively for writing, which means I need everything to be done before then. My time over the next few days will be scheduled within an inch of my life. I have the day job to contend with, and the real-life responsibilities that get in the way of writing time. 

A busy few days so I can earn my writing time. 

A Year of Writing

 An unproductive year ends...

...The next begins

Last year... What can I say? It passed by without me really achieving anything. 

I wrote, but published nothing. 

I wrote, but finished nothing. 

I wrote, but it was nothing. 

I think it's safe to say, that any plans I had this time last year, have come to zero, but that's why I'm such a fan of New Year. It's like starting a brand new book. It's like starting from scratch. 

And so as 2022 begins, have I set myself any resolutions? Yes. And they're all writing based goals. 

So many projects to finish that I have enough to keep me busy for years, but I want to finish the ones that I feel like I've been working on for years. Wings of Passion, my untitled sci fi romance, and a few others that I started but never finished. 

In 2022, these books are getting finished! They just are! I'm finishing them!

And to do that, I'm giving myself achievable deadlines, lots of free time, and a new set of priorities. Writing and publishing is my main New Year resolution!

To Write or Not To Write

 

When there's a distraction how do you write through it? I'm actually asking, because I have no idea. Is it okay to take time off when your heart's just not in it, or should you push through and force yourself to get words on blank screen. 

It's been a few weeks, and because I've had some distractions, I took  time off writing. I've read, I've watched TV. I've done practically nothing. 

Maybe I could have opened my laptop and pushed myself to work, but I felt that because my mind was on other things, that I could be forgiven for not doing that. For giving myself some time to keep my brain empty and my imagination banked. 

I take writing seriously, and hope that one day it will be my full-time career, but that doesn't mean I can do it when I can't focus. There's a part of me that thinks, keep writing, but I don't think that would have benefited my mental or emotional state. To force myself to write. So, yeah, I gave myself permission to take some time off. 

Now I'm feeling better, now my brain is back in the game, now it's time to get back to work, because I took the time I need. Now I'm ready. I'm editing and I'm writing again. 

Nine Months, Many Donuts

 

Okay, I admit it, I crumbled. I ate the donuts. It happened. I even had some muffins, some cupcakes, some chocolate, some beer. Oops.

I felt like a rebel and I ate cake. It was brilliant.

I think you can guess that the weight loss journey took a wrong turn. A massive wrong turn. I don’t know what happened, but I think I just reached a point where I’d had enough. I needed a break from the healthy eating diet, and I needed to eat some donuts. So, for a few weeks, that’s what I’ve done and in having this break from it, I’ve come to realise a few things:

Healthy eating is for life:

At least for me it has to be, because I am not responsible enough with food to be left unattended. I can easily live on takeaways, cakes, sweets and Dr Pepper and be entirely happy, but let’s be honest, even I know that every now and then you need to eat a vegetable, but once I start with the junk-food it’s hard to stop. Every day I eat more and more, and what this means is that I need the restraint of the healthy eating plan to reign in my gluttony.

 Square one isn’t far away:

I dropped from thirteen stone eight to eleven stone three. I went from the red section of obese on the BMI scale to the mix of green and yellow of the only just overweight, and then I gave into donuts and my weight crept back towards the red. It occurred to me if I carried on putting treats into my belly, it would be fun, but I’d be right back where I started and that would make the last nine months of building my will power and attending WW workshops completely redundant. I’d have wasted all the work I put into my diet. I’d be back at square one, and let me tell you, it won’t take long to get there.

 Food impacts health:

I know they say it, but I never really believed it, or maybe I did believe it, but I just thought donuts were worth it. I still kinda think that. But then I couldn’t sleep because of intense stomach cramps and I made the connection between what I was eating and how bad I was feeling. As well as the stomach cramps I was experiencing a shortness of breath much quicker after small bursts of activity and I was generally sluggish, which I admit some of which is down to chronic fatigue, but it’s much more extreme when dessert is the only food group going into my belly. Steroids and chemo messed up my body while they saved my life, but I notice the after-effects of those medicines have much less impact when I eat right.

Getting back on track was the hard part. I love food and I like it even more in large quantities, but I knew it was time to get my butt back in gear when my new jeans started to feel a little tight and when my cupboards were empty of anything healthy.

It was time to bring in the big guns.

I sought out my support system. I went to my WW workshop, surrounded myself with people in my boat. Those trying to change their lifestyle through diet. Some who are struggling like me and who can understand, those who are achieving their goals and can motivate, and my WW coach who can help me find my way again with her support.

 Because even if you’re doing a different diet plan, or if you’re trying to go it alone, or with a friend, there will be weeks when you struggle. Maybe you’ve been good all week and haven’t lost, maybe you just haven’t been able to get your head in it, maybe you don’t feel like it, maybe you’ve had a lot of fun nights out for dinner or drinks. That’s all okay.

In my opinion, a healthy lifestyle isn’t supposed to mean you give up your life to it. I don’t believe you’re supposed to be a perfect dieter. You’re supposed to do it however you need to do it, at your own pace, your own way with your own motivation.

The way I’m trying to get back into the healthy eating way of life is by thinking about why I started. The reason I made the choice to get healthy and lose weight.

My reason: Because I was unhappy. I felt like there was no point making an effort with clothes or my hair or makeup, because nothing looked nice on me. It was a foolish viewpoint, but it’s how I felt. I felt tired all the time and generally unhealthy. I was becoming more and more reluctant to go out. I knew my life needed to change and joining was step one in what will be a long journey, but it made a huge difference to my life.

That doesn’t mean I’m eating perfectly. It just means and trying, and for me, that’s enough.