Monday 21 September 2015

When the Words Won't Come

I was inspired by my friend (and fellow Hello Kitty lover) Anabelle Bryant after she wrote a post about author's secret indulgences, and how they cope with ironing out tricky scenes and characters.

It got me thinking about the ways I tackle a nasty case of writer's block or sort out a few characters who are refusing to behave. Whenever I feel like I'm hitting or wall, or I'm approaching a really important scene that I know I need to nail I tend to do one of three things. This magical trifecta, though woefully mundane, never fails to pull me out of a slump. I've even planned out new books, extended a scene and killed people off while doing them (only in my mind, of course, lol). So let me share with you my three fail proof ways to help bring forth the words when my mind is feeling stubborn -

I take a bath.


Wallowing in bubbles seems to do more than just ease away my troubles. It helps me focus solely on what's going on inside my head which at times is actually useful. I'm a bit of a bubble bath fiend and love throwing in heavily scented bath bombs and oils.

I take Rollo for a walk.



I'm fortunate enough to live right by some really beautiful woods. Weather permitting I tend to walk my cheeky canine companion, Rollo, on a daily basis, usually after I've finished writing for the morning. Watching Rollo chase after squirrels offers my mind a chance to relax a bit, kind of like having a bath does. I tend to use the time to think about future story ideas and then come back home and jot them down.

I go for a drive.

All image sourced online

Whilst I don't advocate adopting my questionable driving style, when I'm off on a long drive my mind does tend to wander. With my music playing I find it quite easy to drift off in to my own thoughts (while, I assure you, never taking my eyes off the road). A long drive in the country can do wonders for my WIP and by the time I pull up back at home I'm refreshed and have ironed out all the annoying kinks in the plot.

So there you have it. My three go to responses to the wretched writer's block. What do you do on day's when the words just won't come? I'm always open to new suggestions : )

xoxo

Friday 4 September 2015

The Princess Trilogy

Image result for princess crown silhouette

The Princess Trilogy

I've been sitting on this news for awhile now so I'm really excited to announce that I've signed a 3 book deal with Accent YA to release my upcoming Princess Trilogy. The first book in the series, Paper Princess, is due for release next year and as soon as I have a concrete release date I'll let people know. 

Paper Princess and the other books in the series, Porcelain Princess and Plastic Princess will all be widely available in both ebook and paperback format. I'm thrilled to be working with Accent Press and unleashing a new trilogy out in to the world. 

It's liable to change but this is the working synopsis for Paper Princess to give you a rough idea of what the story is about - 

After the summer of Matilda ‘Tilly’ Johnson’s 12th birthday things are changing. Her best friend, Josephine, has left for London so might as well be on another planet. And Tilly’s about to start secondary school, the same school where her older sisters, Monica and Maria go.

But Tilly doesn’t fit in with her sisters. She doesn’t really fit in with anyone. Her head is always filled with fairy tales and potential happily ever afters. In her mind she’s still a princess trapped up in a tower waiting to be rescued.

“Tilly, you need to grow up.” And it’s not just her Mum who thinks so. Everyone is telling Tilly that she needs to stop believing in fairy tales and start being present in the real world. But with so many things changing beyond her control is Tilly really ready to give up the one thing which makes her feel safe? Can Tilly learn to accept that happily ever afters might not even exist?  

Tilly's story is definitely one that is really close to my heart and I've arguably poured more of myself in to this book than I ever have before. 

I can't wait to share her story! 

xoxo