Reasons to celebrate at the end of each draft

Writing, re-drafting, and editing. It's a long cycle, but all steps involved in turning your initial idea into a fully finished story. It's always a great feeling, finishing the first draft, and cause to celebrate. But when it comes to subsequent drafts, we tend to just move on to the next step. But really, we…

3 must-have books on novel editing

Editing; it's one of those love/hate parts of being a writer. Whether you enjoy the process or loathe it, it is an unavoidable and essential part of the novel writing process. And you will likely edit the same manuscript not once, not twice, but three, four, five....you get the idea! There are many resources out…

What’s Happening? How to be sure each chapter is moving your story forward

When it comes to novel writing, each scene is about moving the plot. Every chapter should play its part in keeping the story moving; be it through action, character progression, revelation, or added suspense/mystery. It can be tempting, when we love our characters, to fill in their backstory, fluffy side plots, or general information and…

Novel Editing Mistakes to Avoid

Good morning, superstars. I hope you've all had a brilliant week. For me, it's been another week of editing. Does it ever end? With editing on the brain it seemed only appropriate for this weeks blog post to focus on editing. And so I've made a list of novel editing mistakes to avoid. Take a…

3 Reasons to Take a Break from Writing

Morning storytellers and life changers! I hope you are all a great week. I'm away at the moment, visiting a friend, so I'm keeping it short and sweet today on the blog. I want to talk about the importance of taking a break. As writer's we are told to make writing a habit, to write…

Writers: Don’t Edit Away Your Voice

Good morning wonderful writers, I hope you've all had a great week. This week I finished another set of edits, which I think puts me on draft...7? 8? I've lost count! Since I finished my first draft almost a year ago, it has been not stop edits. It's safe to say my story is a…

Novel Writing: What if it’s all for Nothing?

As a self-confessed optimist, I try to work towards everything with a sense that achievement is on the horizon. But, I'm only human, and recently something has been nagging at me. It's something that I've seen many other unpublished writers worrying about to. After years of working hard on a project, rewriting, revising, studying; what…

Creating Characters: Hobbies and Interests

Morning daydreamers, I hope you've all had a great week. I am still in the editing stages of novel 1 right now, but also using my down time to flesh out ideas for novel 2. I find this a more relaxing process, so it counts as down time and productivity all at once - perfect!…

Writers: Reasons to Seek Feedback

Morning all, I hope your week has been filled with sunshine and smiles. I'm working really hard on another round of edits at the moment, thanks to feedback from my first readers. The sheer support, useful feedback and encouragement from these readers has made this next step very exciting. Readers have included my wonderful fiance…

4 Things That Happen When You Make Writing a Habit

Good morning day dreamers and story tellers. I hope your week has been full of productivity and happiness! I have had a rather long, stressful and fatigue filled week and yet somehow between it all I have found time to work on my novel edits every day! And it is because of this that I'd…