Zoe Lea's Blog

Time Blocking Tips for Writers Who Struggle to Find Time to Write

Time blocking tips for writers who are like me and need an extra four hours in each day. I say this, because, when the alarm went off this morning, I didn’t hit snooze. I just turned it off…and then went back to sleep.

Luckily, I woke up again.

Cue the mad dash. We weren’t late, but it was chaos. And honestly? Getting back into a routine after time off, or even a weekend these days, feels like walking through treacle.

That half-asleep, half-dreamy state? Bliss. Until reality smacks you with “school...

T K Maxx Writers Edition

T K Maxx writers edition is here baby! It’s a gloriously sunny day outside, which is, quite frankly, AMAZING, considering I live in the Lake District. But am I outside enjoying it? No, I am not.

Why? I hear you shout, because I have one hell of a head cold that makes me feel like I’ve been hit by a train.
I’ve done some editing, but I’m too sniffly to write, too foggy to read, and too grumpy to do anything productive…

So naturally, I ended up shopping online. And where did I go? Straight to my ha...

Why You Keep Forgetting Books After You Read Them—And How a Printable Book Review Journal for Avid Readers Can Help

You finish a book and can’t remember the characters, that one quote that stopped your breath, or even how it made you feel.

Sound familiar?

It’s like your brain just sends the story into the abyss the moment you close the final page. Which is rude, quite honestly, because didn’t you just spend hours inside that book’s world? And now it’s… gone?

I thought this was just me, but after talking with my book club and hearing so many people say to me, ‘I read this amazing book, but I can’t remember what ...

Easter Basket for Readers: The Perfect Easter Gifts for Book Lovers

Table of ContentsFor Little BookwormsFor Tweens & Teens (aka Mini Book Dragons)Add-Ons to Make It ExtraSweet Treats & Cosy Vibes

Easter basket for readers? YES PLEASE because, let’s be honest. We all love the idea of Easter baskets filled with pastel-coloured chocolates and fluffy bunnies, but what about something that lasts a bit longer than a sugar rush and a melted Mini Egg stuck to your sock?

This Easter, whether you’re shopping for your book-obsessed bestie, a child who’s devouring chapter bo...

Your Perfect Reading Nook in 3 Simple Steps

Your Perfect Reading Corner in 3 Steps

Creating a cosy reading nook can transform your space into a haven of relaxation and inspiration. It’s more than just a corner of your home, it’s a getaway where stories come to life, and you can escape the hustle for a little while. With these three simple steps, anyone can design their perfect reading nook, whether you’ve got a spacious house or a snug apartment.

Quick note, some of the links in this post are affiliate links which help me keep this blog goi...

How to Create an Author Newsletter

How to create an author newsletter involves a lot of steps. To be honest, I started to write this three times, and then had to try again, mainly because I can’t convey just how important it is to start a newsletter.

At any stage of your writing career, even if you’re only the first chapter into your book, you NEED AN EMAIL LIST!

Building a direct connection with your readers is priceless. Creating an author newsletter is your secret weapon for fostering lasting relationships beyond...

2024 Review

This is the first time I’ve done one of these!

I’ve seen a lot of them popping up online and thought I’d do one as well. Mainly because it’s good to look back at what you’ve accomplished and what you didn’t, what worked and what didn’t and use it as some kind of base for planning 2025.

That’s the idea, anyway, so here goes…

MY FICITON WRITING

Closer Than She Thinks was released in digital format this November! Yay!

It hasn’t made that much of a splash – yet – ...

Content Planning for 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Crushing Your Social Media

Why you need to start content planning now for next year…

Content planning for 2025? Let me guess, you haven’t even thought about it yet!

You have books to finish, books to start, those pesky clients and a day job to do, but wait. Stop for a second. Content planning your 2025 social media plan now will reap so many rewards in the future.

It will give you more time, take away the overwhelm and panic, and more importantly, REALLY work for you throughout the next year.

We al...

The TikTok Ban: What Authors and Creatives Need to Know

TikTok Ban? I know it’s been talked about for what feels like an age, but, with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, facing pressure to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban, the platform’s future hangs in the balance. TikTok is now appealing to the Supreme Court to give them more time, but currently, the deadline would see TikTok banned in the US from 19th January 2025.

There is A LOT of speculation out there about if this will really happen, because if it does, the impact will be HU...

Writing Conflict Tips: Saying NO is a no-brainer

Let’s start with a confession: I’m terrible at saying no.

Not just bad, I’m atrocious!

I can’t even remember the last time I did it. I tried, honestly, but my brain came up with a blank. Which, considering how much I say yes to everything, shouldn’t be a surprise.

But December is here. It’s the month where “yes” starts piling up like glitter at a kids crafting table, and before you know it, you’re left buried in commitments that you never wanted in the first place.

And...