Carrie Elks's Blog, page 10
June 7, 2016
Summer Memories #LoveChatWrite Blog Hop
Welcome to this week’s Romance Writer’s Weekly Blog Hop. If you’ve arrived from Leslie Hachtel’s blog, hi, and thanks for joining me!
This week the authors of Romance Writers’ Weekly are talking about about Summer, and the warm memories that make us feel good all year round.
Ah, Summer memories! The ones where the sun is always shining, my body is always beach ready (whatever the hell that means) and there’s always something delicious cooking on the barbecue.
Um, yeah, sorry, I’m confusing memories with fantasies. My bad.
I should probably caveat this with explaining that here in the UK summer can be as short as one day. And if on that one day you happen to be at work, doing something indoors, or catching up on some sleep, then too bad. Hope you like the rain!
Okay, I’m kidding. Well kind of. But summers here in England really are a hit and miss affair. I only realized how bad we had it when I lived in Virginia, USA for a few years, and got to experience what real summers are like. In my case they were hot, humid and were mostly spent around a pool. Yep, hard times. But the thing that really separated the US summers from our UK ones was consistency. Apart from the rare thunderstorm (which was always over quickly and then the sun came out again) I wouldn’t need to check the weather forecast to see how warm it was going to be the next day. Because it was always going to be hot.
Of course, this had it’s downsides. My hair, for one, didn’t like the humidity. I’d go from sleek straightness to crazy frizz as soon as I stepped outside the door in Virginia. Ponytails became my friend. It was also too hot to do much (I’m laughing at this right now). I tended to go from my air-conditioned house into my air-conditioned garage where I’d get into my air-conditioned car. Then I’d arrive at the air conditioned building, and still manage to work up a sweat in the five or so steps it would take me to get in there.
Apart from days in the pool, we rarely spent a lot of time outside in the Virginia summer. As the sun went down and the air cooled, that’s when the insects would come out. And these guys weren’t run-of-the-mill midges we’re used to in the UK. No, they were the Arnold Schwarzenegger of mosquitos. A few seconds outside in the evening would mean a nighttime of scratching and cursing. Even the strongest insect repellent wasn’t enough to stave off those beasts.
Even so, those were some of the happiest days of my life. My kids were little, and they absolutely adored swimming in the pool. We made a lot of friends at the pool, too, and we’d sit with our legs dangling in the water while the kids splashed around, shooting the breeze (not that there was any breeze) and laughing. We’d all take our lunches there, big freezer boxes filled with sandwiches and sodas, fresh fruit and treats. And at lunchtime we’d sit at the covered tables, trying to stop the kids from running back into the water, so the poor lifeguard could have his break, too.
Then in the evening – in spite of the insects – we discovered the best side effect of the pool was the way the kids would be out like a light by eight, their bodies heavy with the exhaustion that only a day at the pool could give. That’s when my husband and I would sit in our netted lanaii – no mosquitos allowed – and stare out at the fireflies that nestled in the trees, lighting them up like it was Christmas. I think that’s the memory of summer I’ll always carry around with me. And even now – in the cold, English weather – it’s warming me up.
I don’t miss those insects, though!
Now let’s hop over to Kathryn Reynard’s blog to get some more mouthwatering recipes. And don’t forget to check out her book, Sidelined!
Until next time,
May 24, 2016
Let’s share barbecue recipes! #LoveChatWrite Blog Hop
Welcome to this week’s Romance Writer’s Weekly Blog Hop. If you’ve arrived from Jenna Da Sie’s blog, hi, and thanks for joining me!
This week the authors of Romance Writers’ Weekly are sharing recipes. We’re posting our favourite barbecue food – just in time for the sun to come out[image error]
Before I start, can I just say that I LOVE barbecues. There’s something about lighting that grill that makes me smile every time. We have a gas grill, the pride and joy of Mr Elks, and it’s a thing of beauty. So whenever I get the chance I’ll shove some food in the fridge to marinade, toss a salad together and we’ll eat al-fresco. If I can pour a cheeky glass of Prosecco to go with it, I’m pretty much in heaven. And this recipe is one of my faves. It’s loved by all the family – the kids included. Hopefully I don’t have to put a huge disclaimer, but obviously if you, or anybody you’re cooking for, has a nut allergy, then SKIP THIS ONE!
Without further ado, I present my recipe for Chicken Satay Skewers. Hope you enjoy it!
BARBECUE CHICKEN SATAY SKEWERS (feeds 4)
Ingredients
1 tbsp peanut butter (smooth or crunchy – I use both)
4 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Curry powder
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp hot sauce
4 chicken breasts cut into 1 inch chunks
8 Wooden skewers (pre-soaked)
Method
Mix the first 6 ingedients together into a satay sauce. Add the chicken pieces, and stir until all are covered with sauce. Cover with cling film and marinate in the fridge for up to 24 hours. I find the longer you marinate them, the better they taste. About 10 minutes before you’re ready to cook, thread the chicken pieces onto the pre-soaked skewers. Warm the barbecue up and then grill for around 5 minutes on each side, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
I like to serve with some boiled rice and an asian salad, but you can also eat these with wraps, grilled vegetables, or just on their own.
Now let’s hop over to Xio Axelrod’s blog to get some more mouthwatering recipes. And after that, be sure to check out some of her books!
Until next time,
May 3, 2016
Where I write… #LoveChatWrite Blog Hop
This week’s topic comes from author Brenda Margriet – and we’re talking about our perfect writing space.
One of the best things about being a writer is the versatility of it all. Unlike my previous jobs which involved being tied into a location — whether that be an office, a factory or a shop — when you’re a writer, the world really is your oyster. I’ve written in so many places it’s hard to keep track. In the kitchen, the dining room, in bed, in the garden; and that’s just in my own home. As long as I have a pen and paper (or in my case a Macbook) I can pretty much write wherever I go.
Last year on vacation I spent an hour a day writing on our beautiful patio overlooking the pool. That was pretty memorable, and I have to admit that it may be my ideal place.
I also spent a day last year writing at Hampton Court Palace. Once the home of Henry VIII (and many of his wives!) writing in the beautiful gardens gave me a sense of history and longevity that made me feel energised.
On a normal (!) day, I’ll mostly write in my dining room. Here’s a picture of my space here:
One of the things I love about writing in my dining room is the sense of light and space it gives me. I have a lovely view of the garden here, and can watch the birds, the cats, and my dog chasing around on the grass. I’m also within easy reach of the kitchen, which means coffee on tap – a must for writing days!
I also like the fact that I have a big table to spread out on. The wooden surface is usually covered in sheets of paper — character bios, locations, story plots etc. And then at the end of the day I’ll gather it all together and put on the shelf behind me, ready to serve up dinner to the masses, a real one-stop shop.
Of course, the real question is, where would my ideal writing spot be. For me there’s no question. It has to be hot, needs a good view, and most of all it needs to be comfortable. A cabana on a tropical beach springs to mind. Preferably one that has waiter service (with cocktails on tap in the afternoon). Now I just need to win the lottery!
Now let’s hop over to S.C. Mitchell’s blog to see where he likes to write. And when you’re done there, don’t forget to check out some of his books!
Until next time,
Photo credits: Depositphotos & authors own.
May 1, 2016
A Love Letter to Berlin
Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend the Berlin Loveletter Convention 2016. This is an event that brings together Romance writers, readers, bloggers and publishers, and I have to admit that it absolutely blew me away.
I was invited to attend because my book, Kiss You, will be released in Germany this June. And if you haven’t seen the cover yet, here’s a little gratuitous plug! (I love this cover!)
My lovely German publishers, Ullstein Buchverlage, were kind enough to host me in Berlin, and provided excerpts of Kiss You to every attendee of the convention in this fabulous book. Though I can’t understand much of it, I’m so excited to see Richard and Hanna’s story in another language.
The convention took place over two days, and included a mixture of workshops, q&a sessions, meet and greets and a signing. Even though my book isn’t yet released, the German readers were so welcoming and kind, and it was a real pleasure to talk to them about our shared love of romance books.
I also got to meet some of my own heroes, including the lovely Mhairi McFarlane, who I took part in a q&a session with. It took place at 10am on the Saturday (after a fairly heavy night out) but despite the early hour the audience threw themselves into the session and we had a lot of fun.
On Sunday, I took part in a workshop about agents and authors. I was privileged to meet the amazing Simona Ahrnstedt whose book, Ein Einziges Geheimnis, has recently been released in Germany.
As we had a break in the afternoon, my agent, Meire Dias, and I had the privilege to visit the Berlin Wall Memorial. Both the remains of the Wall and the stories of the German people who were affected by it were breathtaking and humbling. We were there for three hours and both of us were extremely moved by this tribute to Berlin’s recent history. It’s difficult to believe that such a historic and beautiful city was divided in such recent times (the Wall fell 26 years ago), and yet reading about the heroism and stoicism of those who lived there made me feel proud to be able to visit their lovely city.
On Monday, I had to return home, as both work and my family called. I left Berlin feeling very honoured to meet so many lovely readers, writers, publishers and bloggers, and also knowing that I will be returning to that lovely country as soon as I can. Germany, thank you so much for your lovely hospitality. I loved every minute that I spent there.
Kiss You will be released in Germany in ebook on 17th June and in paperback on 9th September by Ullstein Buchverlage.
Danke,
April 22, 2016
Nerdy Girl Scavenger Hunt
Hi! I’m delighted to be taking part in Lindsey Gray’s scavenger hunt. Read below for more details, as well as your chance to win an ebook copy of Canada Square!
Follow the clues every day at the participating sites from April 18th to 22nd to enter the daily and grand prize giveaways. 20 Clues in all! Check the Nerdy Girl Scavenger Hunt Facebook Event Page for daily links.
HERE’S THE CLUE
These pillows are a must have for a nerd girl. Lindsey Gray always imagined these lying across Emma’s bed or on the couch in her nerd cave. Emma actually receives a superhero pillow at one point in the novel. Wonder if you can guess which one.
To find out about the rest of the story, read Nerdy Girl Nation today!
Nerdy Girl Nat
ion by Lindsey Gray
Published by Gray Matters Press on October 8th 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo
Add to Goodreads
Who knew the girl who spent most of her Saturday nights watching Doctor Who marathons with her best friend would end up becoming a reality television star? Not Emma MacLean.
Emma tried to leave the nerdy girl behind as the Vice President of Operations for billionaire venture capitalist, Terrance Hunt, on the hit show Hunt for Life. When double tragedies occur on the same day, Emma is out of a job, but the cameras and a nation of fans continue to follow her.
Rob “Bobby” Breyer lived and breathed the professional wrestling circuit for five years. Rob happens to be a devoted Hunt for Life fan due to a chance meeting with Emma while in high school. When he reaches out to Emma in her time of crisis, he never imagines how much it will change his life.
After twelve years, their attraction still sizzles and this time, Rob’s not letting Emma get away. As the cameras roll, Emma’s new career and Rob’s quest for glory are in the spotlight. When the heat is on, they’ll need all the support they can get from the Nerdy Girl Nation.
About Lindsey Gray
Lindsey Gray typed her first complete novel at the age of twelve and dreamed of making her writing into a career. When her eighth grade class wrote a twenty year reunion story, casting her as a mystery novelist, she wasn’t sure she could make it a reality. After years of writing off and on, she decided to make a go of it. In December of 2010 she finally made her dream come true with her first published novel, Lies Inside. Five years and thousands of written words later, Lindsey released her seventh published work, Nerdy Girl Nation, in October 2015.
When Lindsey takes a break from writing, she spends time with her husband of thirteen years and their two children, reading all kinds of romance novels, and hosting her own weekly radio show, Gray Matters, on TMV Cafe Internet Radio.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Pinterest
ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!!
I’m giving away an eBook copy of Canada Square. To enter, post in the comments below. The winner will be picked at random (using random.org) on Friday 30th April!
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
April 15, 2016
72 Free Books to download!
Happy Friday!
To celebrate the coming weekend, I’ve teamed up with 70 Romance Authors who are offering 72 books for FREE!
Sign up to receive the link to this awesome event.
Click one, click them ALL for FREE on Amazon.
Then settle in for some happy reading.
So if like me you’re looking for some fantastic new books to read now the sun is finally showing her face, you should be able to fill your e-reader for no cost at all!
Enjoy!
April 12, 2016
Feeling Rejected… #LoveChatWrite Blog Hop
Welcome to this week’s Romance Writer’s Weekly Blog Hop. If you’ve arrived from Jenna Da Sie’s blog, hi, and thanks for joining me!
This week’s topic comes from author Leslie Hachtel – and we’re talking rejection letters (boo!!)
Credit: Depositphotos
When I saw this topic I jumped at the chance to answer it. It coincided with going out to lunch with a lovely group of writers from my local RNA chapter where we talked about writing for magazines in the old days. I’d completely forgotten about this stage in my writing career (blame old age) but boy did it bring back memories. At that time I was working around the clock (it was in my pre-mummy days) and dashing home every evening to write short stories on a very old, clunky laptop which sounded as if it had little men inside, stoking the engines.
This was back in the days when the internet was a wild west frontier, and companies put you on a training course to work out how to use it. Dial up connections at home were rare, and broadband just a dream. On the plus side, I seemed to have a lot more time on my hands back then.
Anyway, so back to rejections. As I said, I wrote a lot of short stories back then, which I submitted to magazines. They were well-paid gigs, around £350 for 1500 words, which wasn’t something to sniff at. So I wrote, I printed, and I sent off sheafs of paper (pre-internet, remember?), and waited for an offer letter to come back through the door.
Instead, what I got was these:
A few of my rejection letters, ’90s style!
So these were my first rejection letters. And thank goodness they came, because I re-read some of those short stories yesterday and they were truly terrible. They’ve been filed away in a box under my bed for the last seventeen years, and that’s where they’ll be staying!
I can laugh about it now, of course, because time is happiness’ friend, and it can give you a perspective like no other. But the first time I got a rejection letter it really hurt. I think it’s because I had been writing alone for so long, I thought I was really good. I thought I was going to take the world by storm. These are pretty much the same feelings I always get whenever I launch a new book. This time, everybody’s going to see inside to my real genius.
And yeah, that feeling usually lasts for five minutes, until I double over and laugh at myself uproariously. But that’s the thing about writing. You put yourself out there for rejection over and over again, in small hope that somebody — anybody — might find something they like about your words. It doesn’t have to be a lot of people, it doesn’t have to be an agent or publisher, you just want your story to touch somebody’s heart. And when they do, it’s as though all your Christmases have come at once, and it spurs you on to write more.
So I’m happy to keep on getting the rejection letters (or emails are they more often are nowadays), because the communication I can’t live without is from my readers. A Facebook message, a comment on an Instagram post, or like yesterday, a tweet where somebody says they loved my book. These are the things that make my day.
Long may they last!
Now let’s hop over to the lady herself, Brenda Margriet’s blog to see what she thinks about rejection. And don’t forget to check out her fabulous new release, When Time Falls Still.
Until next time,
April 7, 2016
New Release – Canada Square
I’m so excited to finally be sharing this new book with you. A year in the making, it was one of my very favourites to write. I hope you will enjoy Amy and Callum’s story as much as I have!
Here’s what advanced reviewers have been saying:
There is just something special about this story, Carrie has managed to interject the right levels of drama, twists, mean-girls, silly-boys, sexy-times and snarky asides and two really likeable and relatable characters that just keep you turning the pages. – Claire, Goodreads reviewer
I loved Amy; young and sweet with a quiet strength and temerity and she has a realistic outlook on life. And Callum; every time the man opened his mouth I fell a little bit more for him. – Nicola, Goodreads reviewer
This was a really great read and I can’t wait to go back and read Carrie’s other books. I could not put this down. The characters draw you in and refuse to let got until you have their entire story. –Joanna, Goodreads reviewer
SYNOPSIS
Secrets have a way of coming out…
Amy Cartwright isn’t sure who she’s supposed to be anymore. Her family thinks she’s flighty, her ex believes she’s a walkover (the bastard) and her friends think she’s plain crazy. But there’s a different side to her that nobody sees, nobody but the cool, sexy Scotsman who just happens to be her boss.
Callum Ferguson isn’t looking for excitement; he’s had that and it almost ruined him. He likes things calm and predictable – everything that his new PA turns out not to be. But from the moment she walks through his office door it’s as though the light has come back into his life, and he can’t get her out of his mind.
Fighting against the inevitable, they both try to ignore the attraction, but the flame of desire is too bright. They’re soon drawn into a steamy love affair that they have to hide from everybody, knowing the revelation could cost them everything they’ve worked so hard for, including each other.
Author note: Canada Square is the third in the Love in London series, but can be read as a standalone book.
WHERE TO BUY
AMAZON
iBOOKSTORE
KOBO
NOOK
GOOGLE PLAY
April 5, 2016
Guest Post – On Writing by Brenda Margriet
So without further ado, let’s see what Brenda has to say about writing!
Writing is a lonely business. Most of us sit in an empty room, being taunted by a blank screen and bombarded by the silence – at least until the voices inside our head start talking.
I’ve wanted to write a book for as long as I can remember. At first, my only goal was to finish the damn thing. I told myself I didn’t even care if it was ever published – I just wanted the satisfaction of putting thousands of words on paper in a semi-coherent format that told a story. Preferably a good story, and one that people might want to read some day. But finishing it was the goal.
I achieved that goal five years ago, and since then I’ve written four more manuscripts. My first two were published by a small press, and my third, WHEN TIME FALLS STILL (my first foray into the world of self-publishing) was released in all formats yesterday!
But here’s the point I’m trying to make: while the first draft of the words on the screen was done in solitary confinement, none of these books would have come to fruition without the community of writers I’ve discovered online, including the lovely Carrie Elks.
In a world dominated by cats on youtube and ridiculous memes on Facebook, social media is also a life-saver for those of us writers in smaller communities. I live in a good sized town in Northern BC, but finding other romance writers is difficult. Online, however, the chances to connect are endless, and I’ve made some very good virtual friends, both writers and readers, who are truly my support and my inspiration.
So thank you all – thank you very much!
One of the ways I’m hoping to connect with readers is through my brand new newsletter! You can find the sign up form on the front page of my website (http://www.brendamargriet.com/) and on my Facebook Author Page (https://www.facebook.com/BrendaMargriet/app/100265896690345). As a thank you for signing up, I will be pleased to send you a free copy of my short story, The Life She Had Before.
And one more thing! I’m giving away 5 copies of When Time Falls Still. Enter here http://gvwy.io/t9drasv by April 15th for your chance to win!
Blurb:
Professor Charlotte Girardet is focused on one thing – securing tenure at a large, prestigious university.
Her career is firmly on track, but her life is complicated by her attraction to rough and rugged security guard Justice Cooper. It isn’t only Charlotte’s heart in danger, however. Tensions blaze on campus after several students are viciously attacked.
Struggling to balance her ambitions and her growing passion, Charlotte takes a leap of faith, and trusts Justice with her deepest secret. But when the assailant’s attacks escalate to kidnapping, will Charlotte have the chance to decide between her long-held dreams or a new life with Justice?
Excerpt:
Charlotte braced herself against the motion of the elevator, but not before her breasts, protected only by thin fabric and thinner lace, brushed Justice’s chest. He was standing so close she felt overwhelmed. Not intimidated—he didn’t scare her—just…swamped by his nearness.
Or maybe it was the heat in his eyes.
Ocean depths had nothing on the blueness searing into her, she thought wildly. Vertigo weakened her knees, but she couldn’t look away.
“I—” She broke off, swallowed, and tried again. “I don’t know what to say.” He toyed with the end of her braid, and she swore she could feel the touch of his fingers fizzle up the strands, down her spine and into the soles of her feet.
“Did you honestly think I wasn’t attracted to you?” His voice rumbled, low and sexy.
The doors slid open. Thank God the hallway was empty. Her legs felt disconnected from her body, but she managed not to stumble. She unlocked her office, seeking refuge inside. Justice followed.
“Charlotte?”
He wasn’t going to let it go. Perseverance was his greatest strength—and his most irritating habit, she thought peevishly. “I threw myself at you and you walked away.”
“I just about took you up against your front door.” Frustration coloured his tone. He scrubbed his hands over his close-cropped head.
“Fine. Maybe you were right.” She lifted her satchel off her shoulder and tossed it into a nearby chair. “Maybe I wasn’t thinking clearly enough.”
“Maybe.” He crossed his ankles and leaned against the wall, the casual stance belying the tension evident in the fists jammed in his pockets, the set of his shoulders. “Now what?”
“I don’t know.” The collar of his uniform jacket had kinked up on one side. Without thinking, she stepped forward to smooth it down. He caught her hand and held it. Her fingers curled into his.
The connection felt good. It felt right. Maybe she should stop thinking altogether, and just go with her gut.
She never did that. She planned and researched and debated and planned some more. Trying to regain her equilibrium, she tugged away and escaped behind her desk.
“Let’s look at this rationally,” she said. His scarred eyebrow arched and amusement flickered in his face, but she battled on. “We are both healthy, single adults. For some reason, we seem to have strong physical chemistry.”
“Some reason?” The amusement was uppermost, now. His lips remained firm and straight, but she could see it in his eyes, as usual.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you are not the kind of man I ever thought I’d be attracted to.”
He lowered his lids and regarded her through narrow slits. “Right back at you.”
She bristled, but took her own advice and let it go. “Regardless, we could take advantage of this mutual appeal.”
“There’s the professor I know and…admire,” he murmured.
She ignored the sarcasm. “I’m only here for a few more months.” The exam today was the last she needed to invigilate. As soon as they were marked and the results submitted, she was flying out to spend Christmas with Sonny and family, returning a few days before the start of the winter session. “Are you in any of my classes next semester?”
He shook his head, watching her closely.
“Would you consider a short-term, exclusive relationship, with a predefined end date?” There, she thought. That sounded mature, sensible. No need to let emotions colour what promised to be a satisfying adult affair.
He straightened from the wall, looming to his full height. “Would this so-called relationship be strictly physical? Or could it involve social aspects as well?”
Once again, she sensed an underlying current of laughter, but she ignored it. “I can’t see why not.”
“And it would come to an end the same time as your contract?”
“Or earlier, of course, should either of us find it no longer meets our needs.”
“I thought English professors were supposed to be romantic.”
Romance. Love. That’s what hurt you. Sex, on the other hand, was just sex. “Not all of us.”
Reviews:
If you’re looking for a great contemporary romance, WHEN TIME FALLS STILL is the book for you. The romance between Justice and Charlotte was full of ups and downs but their connection, friendship and attraction a constant. A fantastic introduction to a new-to-me author, I will happily browse through Brenda Margriet’s backlist.
The Romance Reviews – 4 Stars
http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=21212
Margriet’s voice produces a smooth flowing narrative, intriguing sexual tension, and a well-plotted romance that takes it’s time developing as Margriet sets out to address and resolve the internal issues of the protagonists while flirting with a light suspense filled subplot.
Smexy Books – Grade B
http://smexybooks.com/2016/03/review-when-time-falls-still-by-brenda-margriet.html
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B01CXB7OAC
Website (with all other links): http://www.brendamargriet.com/when-time-falls-still—where-to-buy.html
Bio:
Brenda Margriet write contemporary romances with heroes you’d meet at the grocery store. And by that she means real-life men – sexy, smart and looking for the love of their life. Her heroines are bold, savvy and determined to accept nothing less than the man they deserve.
A voracious reader since she was old enough to hold a book, Brenda’s idea of the perfect holiday involves a comfortable chair near the water (ocean, lake or pool will do), a glass of wine, and a full-loaded e-reader.
She lives in Northern British Columbia with her husband, three children (all of whom are taller than her) and various finny and furry pets.
Join Brenda’s newsletter and be the first to know about new releases and other exciting news! Plus, receive a free c-copy of her short story, The Life She Had Before.
March 31, 2016
My First Month of Being a Full Time Writer
It’s been just over a month since I took the decision to give up my day time job and spend a year concentrating on writing. This wasn’t an easy decision for me. After all, having that pay cheque come in on a regular basis is certainly something to rely upon. But after long discussions with my husband and family, plus some very lovely royalty cheques that came through at the right time, I decided to take the plunge and go for it!
So what have I learned in the first month? Quite a few things, actually. Here’s a taster of them!
1. You have to have a routine
It’s all about getting your bottom on the seat in front of the laptop. Without a routine, there are so many other things you can do to procrastinate. My routine looks a bit like this:
7am – Get up and get kids up
7:30am – Feed dog, make breakfasts, keep shouting at kids
8am – Kick the kids out to school & take dog for a walk
9am – Make tea, put bum on seat, and WRITE
12 noon – lunch & play with dog
1pm – WRITE SOME MORE
3pm – Social network & Marketing
5pm – FINISH
2. You have to know when to stop
When I used to leave the office, it was easy to climb into the car and leave work behind. When you work at home, it’s not that easy. There’s always the temptation to do just one more thing, write one more chapter, and before you know it, it’s time for bed and nobody has eaten dinner! I’m as strict with my start times as I am with my finish times. I want to make this job sustainable, and that would be impossible if I work 24/7.
3. You have to tell your brain that it’s time to think about something else
This kind of ties in with the point above. I have the tendency to still think about my stories even when I’m not doing them. As well as check in on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. But it’s necessary to turn this off sometimes, and pay full attention to something else. Not only does it mean I won’t get divorced (!) but it should also allow my brain to reboot, ready to write the next day.
4. You have to spend time with your family
One of the main reasons for giving up work was to spend more time with my family. Before, when I had a job, I was spending my evenings and weekends writing, and this meant less time for them. My children are teenagers now, so need less on-time from me, but they still deserve my attention, and damn it, I kind of like them! Same goes for my husband. So we plan out some fun things to do together, like going to the movies or the theater.
5. You have to have a plan
At the beginning of this year I made a 12 month plan. This included all my marketing aims, my writing aims and things I wanted to achieve in my personal life. Each month I revisit this plan, making goals for the following 4 weeks. Each day I know what I’m going to be doing, whether that be writing 3000 words, doing a blog post or formatting my next e-book. This plan means I’ll hopefully be able to achieve my longer-term goals, as well as making my days meaningful.
6. You have to find time to read
This is one of the things I’ve found harder to do since I’ve given up work. It seems like a guilty pleasure, and time that I could productively be spending elsewhere. But this is a fallacy. Reading is one of the most important things a writer can do. It helps with the craft, with seeing trends, and also can help to inspire you. After all, the reason I wanted to be a writer was that I loved to read. I’d hate to lose this love.
After this month I’ll be adding reading into my plan. I’ll even schedule the time in if I have to. What a great job this is!
So that’s what I’ve learned over the past few weeks. And I have to say I’m loving being a full-time writer, so far. It’s by far the most enjoyable job I’ve had, and definitely the most rewarding. I can stay in my pyjamas all day (although I get strange looks on the dog walk), I can make a cup of tea whenever I want, and I get to spend time on Facebook and tell myself it’s work! All in all, a total win!
Don’t forget my next book, Canada Square, will be released on 7th April. It’s available for pre-order now, using the following links:
AMAZON| iBOOKSTORE | KOBO | NOOK | GOOGLE PLAY
