Sara Martin's Blog, page 2

Out of a slump and into a streak

Dear reader,

It’s been a wee while. Writing update: I’m still re-outlining. This is the most extensive outline I have ever done for a book. I’m nearly halfway through. I lost some writing time due to a family holiday in late January, which has put me behind where I wanted to be at the stage. I also can’t deny this process feels like a slog sometimes. But I think it will be worth it in the end.

As always, I’m working in Scrivener (where would I be without Scrivener?). I’m writing a short overview o...

A writing studio of one's own

Dear reader,

For the longest time, it’s been a dream of mine to have an office (“writing studio”) of my own, where I can write undisturbed for long periods and achieve flow more easily.

My dream came true when I moved into my new house last year. No more having to share an office with my partner who likes to laugh loudly at YouTube videos and click click clack clack on his mouse and mechanical keyboard in the most irritating manner. Now I have peace and quiet (Well, except when T comes to annoy me...

A review of my year

Photo by Crazy nana on Unsplash

Dear reader,

2024 sure had its ups and downs. Among the highlights, I finally published my fifth book, Clashing with the CEO. I believe it’s my best book. It’s certainly my longest! I learned so much about my writing process, and I levelled up my craft big time. A huge accomplishment.

I also bought my first home. What a whirlwind that was. Two or three years ago, I couldn’t have even dreamed I’d be able to afford a house. But for the first time in a long time, house ...

Happy holidays!

As this newsletter goes out, I'm on my way to my hometown to spend the Christmas holidays with my parents.

It's going to be strange this year. My parents have moved out of the family home. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now it feels a little bit sad - no longer getting to visit the house where I grew up... Well, I can probably still visit because it turns out that I know the woman who bought the old house - I went to school with her - but still. It’s going to be weird.

Christmas is kin...

Rough Draft Challenge progress update

Dear reader,

As at 22 November, I’m 25,732 words through my 30,000-word target for the Rough Draft Challenge. So it’s safe to say I’m on track to win the challenge! The only problem is that this story keeps growing and growing. I don’t think 30,000 words is going to be enough to be able to complete the first draft. I will likely keep working on it into December.

All in all, progress is good. I’ve resisted the urge to edit, found my rhythm and some good forward momentum. There are gaping holes in p...

What I'm working on

Dear reader,

It’s getting close to the end of the year. I used to be one of those organised people who has all their Christmas shopping done by now. Somehow, I lost that habit. At least there’s still plenty of time left.

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

Since I finished Clashing with the CEO, I’ve been working on a shorter story as an interlude before my next full-length novel. Problem is, this is turning out to be a longer story than I thought it would be—novella length, at least. That’s why I d...

October = Preptober

Dear reader,

It’s been about 6 weeks since we moved in to our new house. We’ve finally acquired all the needed furniture, and we’re feeling much more comfortable and settled. Biggest win is the washing machine and dryer. No more laundromat for us!

For many writers, the month of October means “Preptober” — doing all the prep work for a writing challenge in November (NaNoWriMo or others). I’m going to be doing the Heart Breathings Rough Draft Challenge with a goal of 30,000 words for my WIP. I’m aro...

I'm back!

Dear reader,

It’s been a while. Truth be told, I had the last two newsletters drafted, I just never got around to sending them. I don’t know why! Overwhelm, I guess. Anyways, I’m back today with a bumper update.

T and I bought our first home and moved in late August. It’s a three-bedroom townhouse in an awesome neighbourhood. We feel incredibly blessed—just a couple of years ago, we thought we would never be able to afford to buy a house.

Things changed early this year. Everything just happened to ...

Clashing with the CEO release day

Today’s the day! Clashing with the CEO is officially live on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited. I’m so excited to share this story with you.

via GIPHY

If you like…

💖 Grumpy boss trope
💖 Standalone
💖 Slow burn with amazing payoff
💖 Age gap
💖 Corporate intrigue
💖 One bed trope
💖 Cute pets

…you’ll love this book!

Ebook, paperback, KU

A tragedy sends my New Zealand workplace into chaos. Enter Neil Kingston: the new CEO, more stealth assassin than stuffy bigshot. Guarded, prickly, and enigmatic...

Moving house and releasing my book

Dear reader,

We're inching closer to settlement day for our new house! While it seems unlikely anything will go awry at this stage, I don't think it's going to feel real until we've got the keys in hand, and we're actually moving in.

Photo by Michal Balog on Unsplash

Meanwhile, I've started outlining my next book, and wow, I'd forgotten how challenging this stage can be. I'm pushing myself to do more detailed planning this time around, and I'm finding that coming up with ideas takes so much more en...