Zoe Lea's Blog, page 4

Is blogging worth it as a writer?

I used to think no. I’m not a consistent blogger. I have lots of ideas for posts, but I work full-time and I’ve a busy family life, so blogging has kind of been put to the bottom of the list. I’ve had this blog for a couple of years now and it’s only recently that I really took stock of it.

I got an email from a marketing company that made me take a look at my insights in a way I hadn’t really considered before. I looked at the money it makes me, the reach I get and suddenly realized that I’...

Write fast! How I wrote 15k in a week – Nanowrimo week one

It’s been one week of Nanowrimo and I thought I’d write down how I’ve been getting on because, for the first time, I think I might actually complete this!
Last time I tried to write a novel in a month, I got to the end of week one and realized it was going to be a complete impossibility. I mean, it’s writing a whole book in a month! That sounds crazy, and it kind of is. My last attempt ended in complete failure.  That was years ago and I haven’t tried it again – until now, and things are dif...

Working from home – When your office is also your home

I was having a conversation with a fellow freelancer the other day and we were chatting about working from home. I’m doing Nanowrimo at the moment and trying to work at every available opportunity – I explained my setup to her. 

One desk with my PC on, which I use for my copywriting work and the adjacent desk with my notepad on for fun fiction writing. My idea being that having two places to work, two different setups, albeit in the same place, will differentiate the tasks at hand and make t...

Prepping for Nano – How to Avoid a Saggy Middle

In my last post I wrote about why the first sentence is so important.

Once I’ve got that done, the next thing I concentrate on isn’t the opening chapter, or the first hook, or character development, it’s the middle. The ‘boring, saggy, middle’ as I used to call it. 

I ALWAYS have a problem with it.

I think it’s a really tricky part of the book to write. Mainly because you’ve done all the fun stuff, you’ve introduced who you’re writing about, got your characters into the sticky situation, sen...

Prepping for Nano – the first sentence

I’m doing Nanowrimo this year. For those that don’t know, Nanowrimo happens in the month of November where you write a novel in a month. Yep, that’s right, you write a novel in one month. Nanowrimo actually stands for National Novel Writing Month and although it sounds mental, it’s actually a lot of fun and can be very productive.

Having said that, the last time I did Nano I failed, and it was years ago.
Each November since then, I’ve wanted to take part, but something has always been in...

When it’s OK not to write. AKA: Treat Your Story Like a Stress Ball

In my last post, I wrote about what to do when you don’t want to write. Those days when the muse just isn’t with you and I shared my top five tips for getting words onto the page.

But there are days when it’s more than okay not to write anything. When you shouldn’t write and forcing yourself to get words down would be counterproductive. 

Most writing advice is all ‘write every day!’ But just this week I was working on a plot hole, and couldn’t write at all.

I’m a mix between a planner and a pan...

5 tips for writing when you don’t want to

 

I love writing, I do, but some days, for whatever reason, I just don’t want to. 

Some days the idea of writing is hard, I don’t fancy it. Can’t bring myself to the keyboard, especially if there’s a niggly plot hole I’m working on, or if the story isn’t going how I’d like.
Those days I need something to tempt me back to my work, and over the years, I’ve got a few things I do to get me writing.

Here’s what they are: 

I don’t set a writing word count

Or if I do, I set a really low one.
Like one ...

5 WRITING PODCASTS TO FUEL YOUR PASSION

 

Writing podcasts, for me, are the way to write when I’m not writing.

Let me explain a little, because I can see your brow creasing up in confusion at that sentence. So, for me, and I know it might not be the same for you, but when I have a writing project on the go, when I’m not writing, I’m thinking about it.

Not all the time, but whenever there is a lapse in the busy day-to-day, those moments when you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, the child to hurry putting on their shoes, the drive to...

Dream Of Being A Writer But Can’t Afford To Take Time Off? Here’s What To Do!

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Many people dream of being a writer.
If you ask most people, they’ll claim to having a book inside of them, just longing to get out. However, there are numerous things that can get in the way – like your full time job.

Having a full time job is great for paying bills, and if you enjoy your job, that’s even better! However, it can really tire you out and leave you wondering where you’re supposed to find that extra time to write. Some writers dedicate just 30...

Keep Your Mind Sharp, For Both Your Health And Your Career

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We’ve all left our car keys in random places and forgotten where, or walked into a room and couldn’t remember what for and most times, it’s not a big deal, but when it comes to trying to remember a story line that we had or an amazing idea for a twist in a novel, then it can be maddening!
Forgetting things can affect our personal lives too. Let’s say you had planned to visit an Audi Dealer because you’re searching for a new car and you forgot you had also booked in on the same day to meet a...