Joey Paul's Blog, page 20

Experimenting With Writing Routines - The Creative Process

EXPERIMENTING WITH WRITING ROUTINES

It took me a very long time to get to the point where I had any kind of writing routine. For a long time, writing was something I did when I felt like it. Once I started publishing and began my career, it became something I had to squeeze in somewhere. It didn't always work out though, and I ended up taking about four years off writing when I was doing my degree simply because I didn't have the spoons to do both that, and still write. I say all that to say that it's completely normal for it to take time to find a way for you. It's also normal for you to switch routines at some point in your writing life.

For example, I was always an afternoon writer after my degree. I wanted to get all the things done in the morning, the chat with a friend, and then finally, get onto the writing. In the last four or five years, I've been very much an early morning writer and worker. It's currently almost 3am and I woke up at midnight with no alarm set, my body just went: okay we're awake now!

My point is that everyone changes the way they do things, and that includes set routines. There can be changes in your life, in your health, in your priorities, all of which can lead to you needing to try and find a new routine. My big change was my sleep schedule got all switched around and doesn't seem to be going back to where it was. So I flipped to working in the wee hours, and I actually prefer it. But it wasn't an instant thing, it took time, as does any routine and finding what works for you.

So what can you do to experiment should the need arise? Glad you asked, I'm gonna give you a handful of tips to try and work with.

#1 FIND A TIME THAT WORKS FOR YOU
For me, like I said, it's been all over the place. But that doesn't mean the same will be true for you. If you know that you do better creatively first thing in the morning, see about finding a time then when you will be able to write. If that means getting up a little earlier, and you're able to do so, maybe that's how it will work for you. If you know that you much prefer writing at night, and you're able to manage to do that, then focus on setting up your routine there for a bit and see how things go. I recommend a week as a minimum just so that you have an idea of whether it's going to be something that's sustainable for you, and actually works.

#2 IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T MANAGE, KEEP TRYING
It's really rare for people to hit on the one way that works for them straight away, so if that happens to you, if you find that the way you're trying doesn't work, don't lose heart, it's normal. Keeping switching little parts of the routine, whether that's the time, or the place, and see if these changes will allow you to keep writing on a routine. Don't worry if it takes time, it will, and that's fine.

#3 CHANGE ONE THING AT A TIME
By this I mean, it's hard to know what exactly isn't working. It might be all of it, or it might just be one little part. If you can change it one at a time, then you might find out just what part isn't working for you and land on something that does help. Like I said above, it can take time, and that's okay, it's about finding a way that you can sustain and also have a good time doing it.

So yeah, those are my tips for experimenting with writing routines, I wish you all the best of luck finding one that works for you!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

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Review of The Slope Rules by Melanie Hooyenga

 Fifteen-year old Cally accepted her fate as one of the guys, so when she meets Blake, a hot snowboarder who sees her for more than her aerials on the slopes, she falls fast and hard. But their romance can only last as long as vacation.

Or so she thinks.

A twist of fate—well, her Dad opening another brewery in a new town—lands her in Blake’s school, but the charismatic boy she fell for wants nothing to do with her, and worse, the Snow Bunnies, the popular clique, claim her as their newest recruit. Cally must learn to be true to herself—all while landing a spot on the ski team and figuring out who she is without her old friends. And when she finds out what Blake is hiding, she learns the rules on the slopes apply to more than just skiing.

Amazon 

My Review: 5 STARS

I’ve seen Hooyenga’s books around before but never picked one up and this one just sounded so sweet and fun that I had to grab it. The cover and blurb pulled me in and then the story itself had me hooked from the first page. I ended up devouring it in one sitting and I plan to read the rest in this series. Cally is adorable, and her and Blake make an amazingly cute couple. I loved the heavy hitting topics dealt with in a way that allow you to sit with your feelings, and not lose the momentum of the story. I adored it and will be reading more of Hooyenga’s works! Very much recommended!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Review Of The Year: 2024 [CC]

Going over the goals I set myself last year for the year and see what I managed! #Authortube BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03BUY BLACKOUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/BOUT
BUY THE FRIENDSHIP TRIANGLE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/TFTA
BUY WAITING ON YOU IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WOY
BUY DYING THOUGHTS - SECOND SIGHT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DTSS 
BUY DESTINATION: UNKNOWN IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DUKN
BUY LIGHTS OUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT
BUY WALK A MILE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
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BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.comFACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnlineBLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/msjoeybug.bsky.social
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#TeaserTuesday

Tara isn't used to making friends easily...
BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/DTTW

[ID: A green background with yellow flowers overlaid, with the title DYING THOUGHTS - THIRD WISH at the top and out now in ebook & paperback just above the title The except reads:

I nodded just as Steve reappeared with my cup of tea and Lilly headed to her desk to start work. “What did Lilly want?” he asked, setting down my tea on my desk.
“To ask me if I’d like to get together with her sometime,” I told him, not really sure what it had to do with him.
“She must like you, Lilly rarely talks to anyone.” So, I’d made a friend, my dad would be proud. Now, if only I could stop someone killing this one, I’d be set.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

You Can't Do It Wrong: Publishing

YOU CAN'T DO IT WRONG: PUBLISHING

I've been doing pieces about how there is literally no part of the writing and publishing process that you can do wrong. I talked about editing last week (found here) and I'm going to focus on publishing this week. I will just say that I'm more talking about the publishing process, as in whether to go indie or trad, as there's a whole lot involved in publishing that would be way too extensive for me to cover in one of these pieces, so I'm honing in on that part.

For background, I have never been trad published. Early in my writing career I started off with the only option being trad, and I went for it, but it never worked out for me. I was first published in 2005 and then when the advent of indie came in 2011 time, I started being an indie author properly. That said, I do have some idea what it takes to get a trad contract, and I also know that while people look down on indie, there are some indies looking down on trad like only one option is valid.

That is completely false. There are so many reasons for making whichever choice you make. I've found success with indie, and I don't know if I would have with trad. I don't know if books I've published would have died on sub because the story and genre at the time did not meet the marketability, and so I'm happy with indie and feel like I've made the right choice for my works but that's a me thing. It's not an everyone thing.

I've always felt, and believed, that there is an audience for every story. It might not be a huge mainstream audience, but there are always people out there for whom your story will speak to them, and be the thing they crave. Yes it can take time finding them, but that's a problem that happens to both sides of the spectrum. After all, not all trad books receive the same amount of marketing and not all indie authors are able to splash out when it comes to marketing either. It's all about doing what works for you.

While both options are valid, both come with a different kind of list of pros and cons. Like I like having the control of when a book is released. I like being the one who chooses my editor, my cover designer, and while some of that is true with trad as well, at least that you have some input, it's not only your choice. Doesn't make it wrong though, there are authors who find it more stressful to have those kinds of decisions in their hands alone. They flourish when it comes to trad because people are making the hard decisions themselves. And that's valid.

Too much of the time, it gets turned into an us vs them situation and to be honest, I don't like it. I don't like the idea that one is supposed to be for the 'real' authors and the other is not. I don't like that indies sometimes talk about how they're decision to go indie should work for absolutely everyone and it just does not. I know trad authors who much prefer being trad and would never go indie, I know others who have thought about indie but have no idea where to start, because it's a lot of work.

So when it comes to publishing, just remember that YOU CAN'T DO IT WRONG. You find what works for you, and your books and go from there. All forms of publishing are valid and I wish you the best of luck no matter what path you choose to use.

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

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Review of The Keeper Of The Crystal Blade by Nathan Taylor

 Destiny balances on a dagger’s edge, and where it will tip is anybody’s guess.

The Knights of Despair are free to invade Euryma—if there is anything left to conquer. Remnant Magic continues to scour the land, obliterating everything in its path.

While the Dominion crumbles, Declan’s attention turns to the magical blade that has taken so much from him: Winterthorn.

As alliances shift, the dead rise, and the nature of magic itself comes into question, Declan is left with a terrible choice.

It is easy to kill your enemies. It is harder to murder your friends.
Amazon
My Review: 5 STARS
Having read the first two books in this series, I was happy to see the third book out and dove into reading it. I love the way Taylor has built this rich world within parts of our own and drawn you into a story that takes you through all the highs and lows. I didn’t realise there was another book after this, and I need to know what happens. The characters are engaging and relatable and the whole series just leaves you hungry for more. I ended up reading it in one sitting, and I can not wait for the finale. Very much recommended!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Life Of Joey - December 2024 [CC]

Looking back over the past month and letting you know all I got up to! #Authortube BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03BUY BLACKOUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/BOUT
BUY THE FRIENDSHIP TRIANGLE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/TFTA
BUY WAITING ON YOU IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WOY
BUY DYING THOUGHTS - SECOND SIGHT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DTSS 
BUY DESTINATION: UNKNOWN IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DUKN
BUY LIGHTS OUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT
BUY WALK A MILE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.htmlSIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h89_5fBUY TICKETS FOR WONDERLAND 2025: https://buytickets.at/wonderland1/1078461
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.comFACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnlineBLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/msjoeybug.bsky.social
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaulTHREADS: https://www.threads.net/@authorjoeypaul

 

#TeaserTuesday

Lynne has no idea how this happened, but she's going to find out...
BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/LANH

[ID: A pale pink background with the title LYNNE & HOPE at the top and out now in ebook & paperback just below the title The except reads:

“I hope you can understand why we had to pull you out of work,” he told me.
“My boss explained some of it to me, though I think this is just all some big mistake.” Even if my boss and my own frigging parents didn’t believe me.
“Yes, sure. Now, we’re going to record this interview for our records, is that okay?”
“Sure.” Like I have a choice.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the bottom left corner is the Readers' Favorite review seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

You Can't Do It Wrong: Editing

YOU CAN'T DO IT WRONG: EDITING

Last week I talked about how you can't do revision wrong (found here) and this week I thought that I would apply that to editing as well. At the moment I am going through the dev edits stage for my next book and while I've worked with a handful of editors, all of them have had a different process for how they give me their corrections and how I go about making them. None of these are wrong or less valid.

A lot of the time, writing advice, and yes this does apply to editing as well, is tailored to the mainstream, or the most common ways of doing things, and it can lead to the belief that if you don't do it the way all these other writers do it, then you are somehow not a valid writer, or doing it so wrong that everything is going to be ruined and you might as well give up now.

Over my, almost, twenty years of publishing, I have done things a myriad of ways. I've done in line comments. I've done getting the whole document back with comments, I've done making corrections with my editor there to help. I've also done getting edit letters and making those corrections on my own. None of these are wrong ways to do it. Some are more common in indie, some are more common in trad, but they are still not wrong. They are valid ways to go about the editing cycle and you gotta do what works for you.

Too often the emphasis is to emulate a popular writer with the idea that since their book(s) sells, then if you do everything the way they've done it, you'll be an instant success, and writing and creating just doesn't work like that. It never has, and it never will. One great thing about writers, about all creatives, and humans in general, is we all work differently. We all have our own unique way of thinking, of doing things, of solving problems, and of creating. And they are all valid.

I have taken literal years to find a way that works for me with all parts of the writing and publishing process, and even then, I still find new ways to make it work. I will still come across advice that sparks an idea and I sit down and try it, sometimes putting my own spin on it, and find it works, but the same can be true for finding it doesn't. It's all about finding what works best for you personally.

It's all very well and good starting out and looking for advice, I get that, I write these posts every Monday because I know how daunting it is for a newbie to suddenly be handed an edited manuscript and told to fix it, and have no idea where to even begin. When I first started publishing, way back in 2005, I didn't have things like social media for me to garner ideas and advice, I had to learn as I went. I am so happy that there's the ability to pass information onto new writers now because while not every piece of help will actually speak to you, the abundance of it means you're more likely to find a way that does, or at least, end up combining this way and that, and coming up with a brand new way that is just yours.

My point is basically that no matter how you go about it, you can not edit wrong. Lemme say that louder for the people in the back: YOU CAN'T EDIT WRONG.

It's all about finding what works for you and applying it to your own way of working. Good luck!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books. 

Review of Love And Other Champagne Problems by Sarah Sutton

She meets the only man who's ever been able to make her melt...but it's not her prince charming.

As the ice queen heiress to a multi-million-dollar luxury hotel chain, Margot always knew her parents would choose who she was to marry—whichever candidate had the deepest pockets and the most business assets. So when the time comes to either enter an engagement with a man she’s never met or lose her sparkling fortune, Margot knows there is only one answer.

To keep her impulsivity in check, and to avoid ruining the business deal of a lifetime, Margot’s parents enlist Sumner Pennington, a new hire at the hotel, to play her secretary and to keep the leash on her tight.

Sumner, part-time cater-waiter and now apparent part-time babysitter, is a breath of fresh air from the elegant and cutthroat world around Margot. Optimistic, cheery, warm-hearted—everything she isn’t. But as the two grow closer, and Margot finds herself falling for his cinnamon roll exterior, it becomes clear that there’s more to Sumner than meets the eye—and she begins to wonder if she even knows him at all.

With her first meeting with her fiancé drawing nearer, and her parents’ grip on her becoming tighter, Margot’s faced with the realization that romance isn’t always a guarantee for someone in her position, and that falling in love may be just another champagne problem.

Amazon

My Review: 5 STARS

Having read all of Sutton’s books, when this one popped up on my radar, I had to read it. I adored Margot the more you got to know her. Sumner was adorable, and you couldn’t help but cheer for him, wanting her to see that she could have a happy ending with him. Her parents and the way they controlled Margot’s life just had me floored and hoping for that happy ending. The book was beautifully written and had me laughing, crying, and hoping that things would work out for them both. That ending was perfect and it’s a book that I very much recommend.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here