Ah November and the return of NaNoWriMo

I know we are still in October but as things turn autumnal my mind starts to think about NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month. The premise is just as the name suggests; write a book in a month. Or at least 50K words to be exact.

I did it last year. That book is currently with my agent and I'm crazy excited to share it with the wider world in the near future. And I'm all set for NaNoWriMo next month. My experience last year really helped me fine tune my writing and get used to working to really tight deadlines. I've planned out this year's project I now just need November to start so I can sit down and do it. Oh, and I also need to finish my current WIP before then...

If this is going to be your first NaNoWriMo then best of luck to you! And if you're back for another round then what's the matter with you? Gluten for punishment? ; ) In all seriousness it is a lot of fun and the camaraderie online during it all is insanely helpful and inspiring.

But, tips! Let me bestow on you some essential truths I've learned through being a writer...

Cereal.



It's a quick, easy satisfying meal. During November cereal in its variety of forms should become your best friend.

Pyjamas



Comfort is key. If you're uncomfortable at your computer/typewriter/stone tablet, whatever you write on, you won't stay there long enough to hit your target if you're not super comfy. And warm. If you're in the UK like me then staying warm can be an issue. When I write I'm beneath a duvet and snuggled in my Jedi dressing gown. Yes, I totally do channel the force as I write especially during NaNoWriMo! : )

Targets



Pick a daily target and then stick to it. No matter what! I don't care if the zombie apocalypse just broke out beneath your window. You need to get those words down dammit!

Just Write



Don't edit. Editing comes later. Accompanied by jelly babies (at least for me), lots and lots of jelly babies...

Available



If like me you're already in a relationship then I pity you. Because a spouse wants things, like your time. And time is something you just can't go giving away during NaNoWriMo! My advice during November; don't date. Just become a hermit. Live in your little writing cave and only surface to grab some cereal and an extra blanket.

But the most important thing of all is HAVE FUN. Because that's why we do this, right? Because we love it? NaNoWriMo is a great incentive to crank a book out in just a month, to do something you've always been meaning to get around to. But don't make yourself miserable. Write your book, have fun with it and then use December to recover and stuff your face with turkey when Christmas rolls around.

All images sourced online

Good luck everyone, happy writing!

xoxo

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

The Princess Trilogy

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

How to Summer in Avalon

Bring Sunscreen

The temperature in Avalon can get extremely hot so use protection. That said…

You May Need a Raincoat

Thunderstorms aren’t uncommon and they can be intense. You have been warned…

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Don’t Expect to Make Friends

Avalon isn’t known for its hospitality. If you need directions you’d best just use google maps…

Unless you have Secrets

Secrets are like currency in Avalon. If you have a good one, you’re suddenly everyone’s best friend

Secrets Stay Buried

But be careful what you do choose to share during your stay. Secrets that enter Avalon rarely tend to leave…

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Avoid the Sherriff

That sneer on his face is there especially for you, since you’re an outsider and he hates those…

Take in a Football Game

Looking for something to do? Try checking out the Avalon Angels, the town’s High School Football team. Their season hasn’t been so great this year though…

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You Can’t Escape the Past

Avalon is still haunted by the tragedies that have occurred in town. Try not to let any of the ghosts that are lingering there follow  you home…

Enjoy your Stay!

You can now buy the complete Avalon series online.

Rediscovering My Love of Reading

At the start of this year my resolution was to read more. As a writer I have to admit to a rather ironic problem - I'm a painfully slow reader. I can write a book faster than I can read one. But this year I wanted to take control and try to change that. I'm always hearing about books I'm desperate to read but then feeling sad that if they go on my TBR pile it might be years until I get round to them. So I thought enough is enough! I set myself a Goodreads challenge of reading 12 books in 12 months.

To a more prolific reader I'm sure this target seems very small but to me it was a big step in the right direction. Last year it would take me around 3 months just to read one book so I knew I had to somehow start making more time in the day for books and the best place to start was by reading stories that excited me.

I've always loved YA books so they make up a bulk of my reading. So far this year I have read the following books -

         

Images via Goodreads.com 

If I keep going at this rate I'll achieve my Goodreads target no problem! Yay! When I was younger I used to be such a voracious reader and I feel like I'm reconnecting with that love of books which feels awesome. I tend to read at night, just before I go to sleep, a throwback from my childhood routine. I think that there is something really relaxing about curling up beneath the duvet with a book you love. 

Reigniting my passion for reading has only helped me as a writer. I'm daring to take more chances in my own work and learning with each and every book I write. And soon I'll have another book unleashed in to the world! But that's for another blog post... 

Today I just wanted to share how much I'm enjoying reading. Next year I might even up my goal to 20 books, who knows? My TBR pile is looking a lot less neglected these days that makes me very happy indeed. Only now I want to - 

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Know any great books I should be adding to my reading pile? Let me know! 

xoxo

Release Day Excitement

So today is kind of an exciting day for me because Fourth to Run has been released in to the world.

I have to admit that I find publication days quite stressful, mainly because I panic about what people will think of my new book, especially when it's part of a series like Fourth to Run is. Readers have expectations about the characters and what they hope to happen.

But beyond the stress it is bittersweet to sort of bid a book farewell. Because it is no longer just mine, it belongs to everyone who reads it now.

With Fourth to Run I took everything that had been building up in the first three Avalon books and let it all just explode together. I've loved following Aiden's evolving journey from big city lawyer to his small town struggles. He is definitely a flawed character but I hope that his desire to do good will always redeem him in the eye of the reader.

Thankfully the first review to come in for Fourth to Run has been awesome and I couldn't be happier.

And if a book release wasn't enough to make this Friday fabulous, tickets have just gone on sale for an event I'm attending in Leeds next March. So if you've ever fancied meeting me in person make sure you grab a ticket. I'd love to meet anyone who can make it!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

Fourth to Run

I'm really excited today because I get to share the brilliant cover for Fourth to Run! It's the 4th book in my Avalon series and will be released on Friday 15th May with CarinaUK and you can already pre-order it.

I think the cover is really eye catching and has managed to incorporate some of the key elements within the book - like the ominous storm clouds overhead. After looking at the cover I realized that I use the weather a lot in my books, particularly in Dare to Dream. I think I've got a strange fascination with storms!

And check out Aiden dressed all casual! In my mind he was a bit of an Elijah from The Originals, always in a suit, but it stands to reason that when he's away from Avalon (slight spoiler alert) both the suit and the lawyer persona remain behind.

Let me know what you think of the cover! I hope everyone loves it as much as I do!

xoxo