I start a full-time job on Monday. I'm well aware that many people would see that as a success, and I'm even more aware that what I've accomplished since 2017 - six published novels - is also a big success. And yet. And yet, it hasn't been successful enough to keep my finances stable. In … Continue reading Defining ‘failure’
Category: Life
Yep, I've been busy. From being made redundant in May to turning in two drafted novels within a fortnight of each other in September PLUS a copy edit of another entire book, interspersed with a heatwave that was frankly rude, it's been a mad gallop through 2022. That said, all being well I should have … Continue reading What a Spring, Summer and start of Autumn that was…
There are times when having things like a strict moral code or professionalism is a hindrance. Take me, for example. I've been working for a small start up company for the last 7 months, slowly building up an audience etc etc, doing everything I can to make it a success while reminding the business owner, … Continue reading Me and my big mouth
We've all seen it floating around, haven't we? Shakespeare wrote King Lear when sheltering from the plague. Newton discovered gravity when he was in lockdown. Therefore, we all *should* finally create that masterpiece we've always known we had in us but have just never had the time for. Horseshit. Same goes for all those people … Continue reading On (not) writing King Lear
There is currently a MASSIVE fundraiser happening on Twitter in support of the professional and volunteer firefighters who are risking and losing their lives in Victoria, Australia, as they battle the worst bushfires in the country's modern history. Some extremely famous people are offering books/editorial services/the chance to be killed in a sequel/Skype chats/appearances at … Continue reading Fundraiser Roundup: AUTHORS FOR FIREYS | The Fantasy Hive
Things what I learnt in the last year about myself, publishing, writing and maybe even life. Plus other things what bear repeating. I started a Patreon. I don't believe my patrons actually read it - I think they're just supporting me because they're nice people. First instance of imposter syndrome. Finishing a trilogy is terrifying … Continue reading 2019 in review (writing stuff)
Yesterday was part 2 of my 40th birthday (which was in October). My husband took us blacksmithing for the day! It was an introductory course and while we didn't make a sword (next time!) we spent an amazing day turning four inches of rectangular steel into something altogether less angular and, if I do say … Continue reading In the Forge
The talented and delightful (I haven't met her, but she seems to be) Delilah S Dawson posted an insightful and candid thread on Twitter today about dissociation, specifically among authors, and some of the self-imposed challenges we face. You can read it here and I hope you do, because it says a lot and it … Continue reading Suckerpunch
Happy 2019! I'm starting this year's blogs with a wild tangent from my writing life into, well, the rest of my life. Gasp! No, writing is not the entirety of my life, though it occasionally seems like it (not a complaint). Like many people who watched 'that' episode of Planet Earth II by the incomparable Sir … Continue reading Plastic-free, cruelty-free, chemical-free
In no particular order and with varying degrees of importance and silliness, some things 2018 taught me. Note, these are not prescriptions for others on how to approach life, writing, or anything. My job isn't to tell you what to do; it's, hopefully, to entertain you and then tear your heart out and crush it … Continue reading Things wot I learnt or did in 2018
Anna Stephens, word seeker 