As I type this post, I'm trying hard to block out the merry little nursery rhymes playing through the speakers in the house--and the responding excited squeals of my infant daughter--while also being hyper focused on her every twitch and wiggle and attending to her every need. Some days I'm more successful than others, and today is not one of those days.

Back when we decided to expand our little family of two, I was blissfully unaware that my writing routine, the one that I'd spent years fighting to carve out in blood, sweat and tears, would be obliterated so thoroughly. But as you can imagine, at the first notes of baa baa black sheep, Drayvex bids me adieu with a scathing remark and retreats back into the darkest parts of my mind. ​

These past four months have been a ride. For the first time since starting my debut novel Shadow-Stained, my writing life ground to a halt. At first I fought it. Am I still a writer if I don't find the time to write? Will I implode from within if I don't get my much needed time at the keyboard every day? I soon realised that none of that really matters, that what used to matter then is not what should matter now. So I put down my author hat, and gave our newest arrival my all.

Fast forward four months, and the initial whirlwind of sleep deprivation and dirty nappies (and losing the ability to use my arms for anything other than giving tiny cuddles) seems to have somewhat mellowed. We have a nice little daily routine that gives us much needed structure, something that both my little girl and I seem to need. Sometimes, I know what day of the week it is. There's even been the tippety tapping of keyboard keys once more! A hundred words here, a hundred words there. It may not sound like a lot in terms of an entire book, but it feels a hell of a lot like a win. And our favourite douchebag Demon Lord? Has he been thwarted by this tiny banshee with the face of an angel? Let's just say, he's pushing back in a big way. 

All this to say that yesterday I had an epiphany. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? That things often happen exactly how they're supposed to, even when it feels like everything is going wrong? I've always been inclined to think this way. After Soul-Strung's successful launch, after the good reviews came pouring in and I was able to breathe again. I'd loved writing it so much, and you also loved reading it! It's successor, however, is a different story. 

When you write a book, it's yours and yours alone. When you publish that book, it belongs to your readers, is no longer just yours, but something to share. I wrote Shadow-Stained for me. I wrote Soul-Strung for me and for every reader who enjoyed and supported Ruby and Drayvex on their previous journey. But when I sat down to write book three (the penultimate in this series of four, no less), I realised that the pressure to 'get it right' was getting in the way. Ultimately, I was at the point where I was writing solely for my waiting audience. This is actually not the good thing it sounds like and I learned very quickly that I am my very first reader. After all, the only person who will see that first draft is me. (And my husband, who reads everything I write ;-)). 

Stepping away from everything to focus on my daughter may have felt like a sacrifice at the time, but it was the best thing I could have done for myself. It was the reset button I so badly needed, and now that I am writing again, I am writing for me. The weight of expectation has been lifted, and I'm back in the world of Ruby and Drayvex, having fun once again.

   I love a good antihero. Whether in literature, tv or film, they're the sort of antisocial rogue who’s questionable methods and willingness to get their hands dirty makes everyone around them want to keep a healthy distance. Are they a good guy? Are they a villain? They certainly have a big mouth. You question their morality throughout the book as they dance back and forth across that line in the sand. But at their very core they are unwavering in their commitment to what they feel is right. Does that make them a hero or a villain, then? You may honestly never know.

   But what exactly is an antihero? Well according to Oxford Languages, an antihero is a character who 'lacks conventional heroic attributes'. With the age of the antihero, baddies and goodies become less distinguishable from another. They are the flawed protagonist. The relatable rebel, the knight in dark armour who's only here because they don't have anywhere better to be. Oh, and they may save the day, you know, as an afterthought. In a nutshell, we're talking the likes of Severus Snape, Geralt of Rivia. Delilah Bard. 

   In Shadow-Stained and Soul-Strung, we meet Drayvex. Demon Lord and snarky devil, he's really more of a villain, until he meets his match in the form of a human girl. A girl with immense stolen power at her fingertips, and a knack for  bringing out the very best and worst in him.

   To summarise, antiheroes are a lot of fun, both to read about and to write. You can read more about Ruby and Drayvex in the Stones of Power series. Shadow-Stained and Soul-Strung are out now on kindle and paperback wide.

​‘The push pull relationship between Ruby and Drayvex is unlike any other I’ve ever read. Their unique bond tests the boundaries of toxic relationships in the most extreme ways.’ - Goodreads Review, 4.5/5

One spunky, reckless human. One sarcastic, devil may care Demon Lord. Two worlds colliding with hellish consequences… 

Ruby and Drayvex will always be special to me. So much so that penning their unique brand of tangled demon-human chaos leaves me both energised and utterly exhausted! Here are some of your favourite things about this dark duo:

    • Drayvex is unapologetically demon. 
      He’s a monster through and through; quite possibly the worst of the worst. He likes who he is. And his Demon Lord brutality is not diminished in any way by the ‘light-dwelling heroine’ who earns his grudging affection. His rough edges remain rough throughout their evolving relationship as it moves from enemies to allies and beyond. 
    • Ruby, despite condemning Drayvex’s villainous behaviour, accepts him just as he is. 
      She has a good idea of what she’s dealing with. She’s seen what this monster is capable of first hand. She knows he’s bad news and has the ugly scars to prove it. And yet she faces the bad with the good, the hell-raising tyrant and the redeemable rogue again and again, in a way that no other being would dare. 
    • Their relationship is as rough and gnarly as it is electric.
      This love-hate rollercoaster is all highs and lows, soaring and crashing from one end of the spectrum to the other. There’s no in-between. In fact, no two beings push each other’s buttons, or challenge each other’s perspective, in quite the same way as Ruby and Drayvex. But within this crazy predator-prey maelstrom is two people that need each other in a deep and oddly vulnerable way. Their relationship is as beautiful as it is deadly. No two people are as terrible, or as loyal to each other, as these two.

With every additional book in the Stones of Power series, Ruby and Drayvex surprise me in exciting new ways. As I write book three, I find myself veering in a different direction again, and I can’t wait to share it with you. 

Not up to date with the first two books? Read Shadow-Stained and Soul-Strung today on kindle, paperback and hardback wide! Magic, monsters and mayhem await.

Moving on from the Veinous Gara Forest, our second stop on the Vekrodus tour is the Black Crystal Mountains. If you're jumping in just now and thinking, what have I missed?, or even, what is Vekrodus?, start here.

The Black Crystal Mountains are exactly what they sound like, and when Drayvex reluctantly tells Ruby about this natural phenomenon on his planet, she's transfixed by the picture he paints. She immediately imagines them framed by the rising morning sun in a beautiful display. What she soon learns is that this can never actually happen. The demon planet is missing one key component -- the sun.

​Charged by Vekrodusean forces hazy to even Drayvex himself, the Black Crystal Mountains thrum with raw power that bleeds up from deep within the core of the planet itself. If you were to break off a chunk of crustal from the mountains, you could harness and utilise the power contained within -- if you were to know what you were doing, of course.

Ruby doesn't get to visit the Black Crystal Mountains in Shadow-Stained or Soul-Strung, though you can take that with a pinch of salt. Will we get to visit them in book three? Now there's a question... ;-)

Our next stop on the tour is the Sea of Blood. If you've read Shadow-Stained, you'll know just how important this location is and its significance to certain events. I can't wait to share more with you. 

​If you want to be among the first to know when this next post hits, you can sign up to my newsletter here! That way, you won't miss a thing. 

Missed the previous post? Catch up here!
Ready to read the books?
>>> Catch up with Shadow-Stained
>>> Read the sequel, Soul-Strung

Enjoyed this post? Others may too! Share the love as a way of tipping your tour guide. ;) 

Welcome to our first stop on our tour of Vekrodus. Destination: the Veinous Gara Forest.

When Drayvex first brings Ruby to Vekrodus, he's got his own agenda. Still, her first real experience of this planet is one of subdued awe as he leads her into a strange alien forest that couldn't be further from the lush, green expanses of trees she has back home. 

The Veinous Gara Forest glows red from within. This eerie light not only casts everything inside under a crimson glow, but can been seen lighting up the dark, Vekrodusian sky for miles off. Despite what you might think, it's not the tharelum trees themselves that cause this effect -- it's the buds that grow on their branches. The locals take the magical properties these buds possess for granted--the buds are as common as the grass is on Earth--but don't underestimate the power of this plant. Big things come in small packages!

Thanks to Ruby's insatiable curiosity, the Veinous Gara forest is a returning topic of conversation in Soul-Strung. She has an itch to scratch, and she wants to know everything. Needless to say, she doesn't get the answers she expects! 

Let's just say, she can thank her lucky stars she had a demon guide the last time she visited. ;-)

Our next stop on the tour is the black crystal mountains. Unlike the Veinous Gara forest, this is not a place that Ruby has seen with her own eyes, but rather is teased at by Drayvex, who in typical demon fashion, is dismissive of her enthusiasm at such a place. But  Ruby is not one to be swayed!

If you want to be among the first to know when this next post hits, you can sign up to my newsletter here! That way, you won't miss a thing. 

Missed the previous post? Catch up here!
Ready to read the books?
>>> Catch up with Shadow-Stained
>>> Read the sequel, Soul-Strung

Enjoyed this post? Others may too! Share the love as a way of tipping your tour guide. ;) 

One element in the Stones of Power series many readers enjoy is the world-building. I know this because you've told me so. With this in mind, and inspired by content creator extraordinaire Hannah Richards to make my own map, I hereby welcome you to the first post of what is essentially my guided tour of Vekrodus. 

This place existed in my mind long before I had any substantial plot. At the beginning, before I had a book (or any real semblance of story, really) there was Drayvex, there was Ruby and there was this whole beautiful, violent world that was just begging to be explored. In Shadow-Stained, I barely scratched the surface with what made it into the book. It makes me happy that it left such an impression with readers.

Over the next few posts, I'm going to give you a run down of some of the key areas that are visited (and some that have only been mentioned in passing) within the Stones of Power series. Think of me as your demonic tour guide; your protector and companion as we cruise the bowels of Hell. For those of you who may not be familiar with my books, and also because we like a handy refresher, let me start with the planet itself. 

​Vekrodus, the demon planet, also known as planet of living shadows and darkness, is the domain of the Demon Lord. Drayvex has ruled this world, and the monstrous masses that populate it, with an iron fist for well over five centuries by the time he and Ruby first meet in Shadow-Stained. The biggest monster of all, he's pretty much untouchable, and boy does he know it. Untouchable that is, until fate throws a certain red-head in his path. But I digress.

Vekrodus is a savage, survivial-of-the-strongest world. Plunged into perpetual night, this planet is subjected to extreme weather, extreme rule and a local fauna with --you guessed it-- an extreme diet. If you're human and find yourself here, you'll want to pray you're part of the menu, and not a demon's plaything. Demons break their toys in all sorts of -ahem- creative ways.

To summarise, it's a deadly place where only the powerful thrive, and the weak are crushed into paste. But just ​like any toxic thing, it can also be truly beautiful. Such savage beauty is wasted on the demons that call these lands home. One person this beauty is not wasted on, however, is Ruby.

So now you have an idea of what I'm talking about, let me show you where we're heading for stop one. 

There was a point when I was writing Soul-Strung that I thought I would never finish. I believe all authors feel like this at some point, with some book. But I had every reason to believe that I would fail.

Here’s what was going on in my head:

• THAT SHADOW-STAINED WAS A FLUKE
•THAT IT WOULD TAKE ME A DECADE OF TWEAK-AND-FORGET TO TAKE IT BY THE HORNS AND GET IT DONE (like Shadow-Stained)
•THAT I NEEDED MY PERSONAL DEMONS BACK TO WRITE A GOOD DARK BOOK

The truth is, my first book was a messy, undisciplined thing. It was more a process of personal therapy than an author writing a book. But as I pushed through with Soul-Strung and kept writing regardless, I quickly came to realise that not only were my fears totally unfounded, but that I had learnt SO much from working and reworking that first book. This meant that I actually had an idea of what I was doing with the sequel – and I didn’t need to be on the verge of a mental breakdown to it justice!

Shadow-Stained will always hold a special place in my heart, but I am immensely proud of its sequel Soul-Strung. It is the physical proof that not only can I write a book, but that I can do it again. And again, and yes, you got it – AGAIN!

You can now grab the first two books in the Stones of Power series, available on kindle (and KU), paperback and hardback wide.

Shad0w-Stained: Shadow-Stained: A Paranormal Dark Fantasy | Universal Book Links Help You Find Books at Your Favorite Store! (books2read.com)
Soul-Strung: ​Soul-Strung (Stones of Power #2) by Rachel Hobbs · Boook.Link

Finishing a book, any book, is immensely satisfying. It also leaves in its wake a big sucking void that nothing else will fill. I finished Soul-Strung a while ago now, but since writing those last words, I've not really felt the desire to write. Sure, I could be writing, but do I want to? Let's just say I've been dragging my feet in the limbo between books for far too long.

I started Soul-Strung's sequel out of obligation, for you, the readers, but I wasn't really feeling it until I finished a Ruby scene the other week. And just like that, the spark was back. The pull was back. I woke up the next day excited to write my next Drayvex scene. This, to me, is exactly how writing should feel. Of course, I write for you. But first and foremost, I have to be writing for me. Because I am my first reader -- and if I'm not feeling it, then my friends, neither will you.

It's going to be a quiet year for me on the publishing front. I'm not going to lie, I've got no idea how long it's going to take me to write Soul-Strung's sequel, and I have intention of rushing it. You won't thank me for it, trust me. But I have no intention of leaving you with nothing to read either. I don't want to say too much at this point, but I've been working on something on the side. It's a fun novella project that is vastly different to the Stones of Power series. but still carries all the dark, fantastical elements you've come to expect from a Hobbs book. Just thinking about it now, I've got a smirk on my face.

All I'll say for now is watch this space! If you want to be the first to know when I post updates like this, you can sign up to my email list here. That way, you'll never miss a thing. Until next time!

I already know that book three in the Stones of Power series is going to be the darkest instalment to date. I worry that it’s going to be too dark for some, but if you’re up to date with the first two books, you’ll have some understanding of why this is necessary. It’s far too late to turn back now!

The ending of Soul-Strung left me scrambling to find Ruby and Drayvex’s new voices at the start of the next book. Of course, a new book always demands character development, and with character development must come change. Both Ruby and Drayvex underwent significant yet subtle changes from book one to two. Ruby is wiser and stronger, learning to fight for herself, while Drayvex, who is carrying quite a lot of emotional baggage moving into book two, softened far more at this point than I thought he would. I enjoyed playing with these changes a lot. Book three feels different, though. These changes have sharp corners and consequences. They are the brand new challenge that I’ve set for myself that I now have to follow through on.

Finding Ruby’s new voice was almost effortless, but it took me far longer to find Drayvex. This was a new frustrating experience for me, as it’s normally the other way around. He’s the voice in my head that flows like a scalding tap on command, the character that practically writes himself scene after scene, book after book. When I couldn’t find find him, I’ll admit I freaked a bit. Did I break him?

Readers, he did eventually speak to me. I don’t think we’re friends.

Having now written a few scenes from each point of view, I feel ready to tackle the book as a whole. I think this book is going to be a very different kind of fun to write than what Soul-Strung was! There’s so much to cover, so very many tangled threads that are just begging to be picked up and tugged on. I can almost taste the chaos, in all its varying, delicious shades. Stick with me, and I’ll take you along for the ride.

Before I go…

Book three picks up right where we left Ruby and Drayvex at the end of book two. I’m going to leave you with the opening line from each of their opening scenes (as it stands) in all their raw, unedited, first draft glory. Click on the links below to download the opening lines!*

*if you’ve not read Soul-Strung yet, please be mindful that attachments may contain spoilers. Only click 'Read More' if you do indeed want more.

I've done it. I've taken the plunge, and I'm now in talks with my cover designer. I'm waiting for that first magical look at what will be the cover for Soul-Strung, and I'm checking my emails like a mad woman.

Healthy nerves aside, I've learnt to trust the process. I know that the team I've chosen to put my faith in are a talented bunch, and I can't wait to see them take my vision to the next level. Are you as excited as I am?

My Review: Five Stars

Last month, I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of Darren Dash’s surprise new Christmas release, Molls Like It Hot, and boy did it take me on one hell of a ride. I found myself immersed in the dark underbelly of London, a world where bad things happen to good people and good people are far and few between. Our guide, Eyrie Brown, is a smooth operator; tough as nails, but human where it counts. I have to say, I enjoyed him immensely. Our female lead, Toni Curtis – yes, you heard me right – is equally as engaging, and the two bounce off each other in many interesting ways. Two hard heads clashing; sometimes with spice, but always witty banter galore.


Dash’s voice is dark and gritty, with a confidence that you know can lead you down whichever twisty garden path he chooses to lead you. Straight off the bat he sucks you into conversations with a colourful cast of characters who jump off the page at you, the dialogue peppered with dark humour and old pop culture references, sprinkled throughout with fond reminiscence. The premise is tense and exciting, and early on, I found myself imagining early on all the ways in which things could possibly go wrong. I was not disappointed.


Molls Like It Hot is a tangled maze of bonds and betrayal. A bloody masterpiece of murder and mayhem. The breakneck twist midway through kicked things straight into sixth gear, and as I sit, wondering if this is what it feels like to have whiplash, I realise that Dash is not messing around. Who’s the god guy? Who’s the bad guy? It’s not so black and white. The small tender moments amid a churning storm were an unexpected treat. The final revelation is one that you think you’ve seen coming. But once you’ve followed the breadcrumbs to the end of the trail, you quickly realise that you’re standing right where Dash wanted you to be.


Overall, Molls Like It Hot is the kind of book that I would read again. I say this, knowing that I do not reread books, and that my list of exceptions to this rule is ridiculously small. For this reason, anything less than five stars would be a crime.
​

Dialogue.

Dialogue: a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play or film. 
en.oxforddictionaries.com 

​You'd think that writing dialogue for your fiction book would be easy. After all, you've been talking for such a long time now. It's something that you do on a daily basis and most of the time, you don't even have to think about it. But in actual fact, when it come to fiction, there is a fine line between doing it right and being too realistic. 

In everyday life, people talk over each other. They fumble over their words, umming and ahhing, switching from miserable weather, to what they ate for tea last night, to the latest hot topic., to... well, you get my drift. Real conversation is messy, all over the place and often completely trivial.

​Fictional dialogue doesn't have time to be trivial. Everything you put into your book must matter, must push the story forward. A simple conversation between two characters can enlighten the reader, giving away a key piece of plot information. A difference of opinion can increase tension and add to the conflict already in play, not to mention reveal elements of your characters motivations that weren't previously clear. 

Another effective use of fictional dialogue is to focus on ​how​ your characters speak to each other. The way one character interacts with another can tell the reader a lot about both characters. For example, if your outgoing protagonist becomes tongue-tied around one particular character, it would indicate that their feelings for this individual run a little deeper than they're willing to let on.

As characters naturally develop throughout a story, the way they speak to one another should change along with them. When used correctly, dialogue is one of the many powerful tools writers have at their disposal when writing fiction. 

Got any tips on writing dialogue scenes? How do you approach them? Share below in the comments. 

Missed last week's post? Check out C is for... Characters here. Look out for the next post in the series, E is for... Emotion. 
​

Characters. 

​Character: 1. A person in a novel, play, or film. 2. The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. 
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com 

Without your characters, you don't have a story. It is as simple as that. 

Let's think about that for a second. A story is the ups and downs of an individual, or a group of connected individuals' lives. Without those characters, your story will simply be a string of events happening one after another. There will be no reactions and no emotional stakes.

Let's face it -- it's the characters in a story that have us coming back for more, time and time again. They have a big job to do, and that's to make you care. In this aspect, it goes without saying that protagonists have the biggest job to do of all. But, open any fiction book and more than likely, you'll discover that it holds a colourful cast of varied characters that all play different roles in the story. 

Some examples of character roles are: 

​The Protagonist -- the point of view character and person responsible for fixing the main problem of the novel. 

​The Antagonist -- the bad guy. This character blocks the protagonists path at every turn, making it difficult for them to succeed. 

The Sidekick -- ​the protagonist's unflinchingly loyal friend. They support the main character and their actions are often a key part of the hero's success. 

​The Mentor -- this character's role is to provide the lesson that, upon learning it, will unlock new potential in the protagonist. 

Can you think of any other fictional character roles? Let me know in the comments below. 

Missed last week's post? Check out B is for... Beginnings here. Look out for the next post in the series, D is for... Dialogue. 

Beginnings. 

Novel Beginnings: The beginning of a novel should set the tone for the rest of the book and capture the reader's attention, while not rushing into the story or giving too much away too fast. 
http://www.wikihow.com/ 

The beginning of a novel can make or break a book. The opening pages must grab the reader by the throat and never let them go, or risk losing them completely. 
​
The first chapter of any book will typically contain a hook. The hook can be something that resides within the first few pages, the first few paragraphs or even the opening line. Its single function is to 'hook' the attention of the reader in a way that encourages them to keep on reading. 

The beginning is also where the writer needs to set up the rest of the story. Where are we? Why are we here? Who should we care about? Why should we care? What's at stake? These are all questions to provide answers to within the book's opening pages, even in their most basic form. Sometimes, though, these answers are often more effectively teased at, as opposed to handing the answers over to your readers on a plate.

Giving too much information away too early on can make your story predictable, and therefore, bland. Finding the balance between an overwhelming information dump and pure guesswork is the key to writing a solid novel beginning. 

Got any tips? Share your wisdom in the comments below. 
Missed last week's post?  Check out A is for... Antihero  here. Look out for the next post in the series, C is for... Characters​.

Antihero. 

​Antihero: a main character in a story who lacks conventional heroic qualities such as idealism, courage, and morality. Although antiheroes may sometimes do the "right thing", it is often for the "wrong reasons" and because it serves their self-interest rather than being driven by moral convictions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antihero

The charming antihero is possibly one of my all time favourite story characters. Done well, they will disgust and delight you, before stealing your heart and selling it back to you in pieces. 

​They will often work alongside the hero or heroine in fiction. Their reason for doing so will be very different. In fact, it can be all too easy to mistake the antihero for the villain, especially when their worst moments paint them in a dark light. What separates them from the antagonist, though, is their ability to 'walk the line' between good and evil. 

​Yes, the antihero is fickle character. Whichever side best serves their current interest usually wins their loyalty. Despite this, though, the antihero tends to make the right decision when it counts most. Because of this, the reader can feel compelled to cheer them on throughout the story, despite the occasional villainous deed. They are redeemable. 

​Antiheroes get away with murder. Sometimes literally. Befriend one at your own risk. 

​Some examples of fictional antiheroes are: 
​

• Macbeth
• Dexter Morgan
• Rincewind
• Severus Snape

The antihero of my current book is Drayvex from Crimson Touch. If he managed to get his hands on your heart, he'd probably eat it whole. 

​Can you think of any awesome antiheroes that deserve a special mention? Sound off in the comments below. 

​Next is B is for... Beginnings. 

5) Spotify --some people write better with a little music in the background. If you're one of those people, then Spotify is definitely something that you need to check out. This programme gives you free access to virtually any song you can think of. The app allows you to play music on the go and the only limits are the occasional adverts, which you can remove by becoming a premium member. Personally, I like to mix it up a bit. As the mood calls I switch from silent, concentrated writing, to a little relaxed typing with background music when my muse is feeling bored or tired. I have personal playlists ready to go. ​

Well, those are mine. But what about you? Have I missed anything important? Sound off in the comments below!

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."- Oscar Wilde

My love of writing can be traced back to my earliest memories. English was by far my favourite subject at school, as it was the only lesson that writing stories actually classed as school work. Most groaned at the thought. I celebrated. 

A decade later, I'm still writing. The difference is, though, as a child I wasn't concerned with structure or plot. I didn't think about how well my characters were developing, or if the story made sense to anyone but me. It was the pure enjoyment that I took from bringing my stories to life that had me hooked. It was simple.
​
As grown ups, we tend to live pretty busy lives. We rush about from week to week, balancing jobs and finances, families and friends and somehow, still keep those ridiculous appointments that were squashed into the tiny gaps between. We are always pushing ourselves for more, yet rarely stop to smell the roses. 

Is this you? Are you nodding your head? Well, then I have one question I'd like you to answer.

Have you discovered the simple joys of flash fiction?


"Flash Fiction- a style of fictional literature or fiction of extreme brevity."
www.artipot.com


Yes, that's it -- flash fiction summed up in a nutshell. But flash fiction can also be a stray thought, given life when the questions what if? and how? are asked. It can be the remnant of a vivid dream or a vague memory, moulded to reflect your deepest desires. It can be a quick scribbling on a scrap of paper. A lunchtime daydream that demands to be recorded, or a bite sized break from an otherwise mundane day. 

If you 're new to the wonders of flash fiction, then I suggest that you give it a try. In fact, I'm so confident that you'll see something you like that I wrote a small book to give you a taster, and I'm giving it away for free. 

So don't forget to live every once in a while. Because life is passing is by every second and it's not slowing down. 

Click here to check out the book.

IT'S ONLY natural to want to stop when things gets tough. Because, let's face it -- putting yourself out there isn't easy. When you put your hard work and honest opinions online, people can judge you based on that work. They can tell you that you're wrong. Or that what you've got to say isn't valuable in any way. Or make you feel small.  

The thing is, we crave attention for our work, but when people start noticing you it can make you feel vulnerable. But being vulnerable isn't always a bad thing. In my personal experience, when you're beginning to feel uncomfortable, when you catch yourself thinking that maybe this wasn't for you after all, that is normally when you're on the verge of something awesome. 

However, there's a difference between having healthy misgivings about something, and being so far out of your comfort zone that you want turn and hide in a deep comfy hole for the next decade. One works on the basis of logic, the other feeds off of your insecurities and weaknesses.  We all have them.

You see, it's difficult to picture those big changes when you haven't actually experienced them. That's what makes hindsight so valuable. You can look back and think, yes, I was on the path to greatness. Silly me. But until then, it's sheer blind faith that keeps you chipping away on that project every day, despite that crippling doubt. 

Alright, that was a little cynical. It's not only blind faith. But faith does play a huge part in getting us through those uncertain times. Faith and hope. 

When setting a target, it's important not to aim too high. However, it's just as important not to aim too low, either. The idea of a target is that you work towards a goal that is slightly out of your reach. By making things too easy for yourself, you're not allowing yourself much space to grow and improve. Set it too high, and you're more likely to become discouraged and give up. You're only human, after all. 

I've come to the conclusion that change is supposed to be uncomfortable. When you throw yourself into the deep end, there are two possible ways in which you will react. You will either: 

1. Panic, flail and then sink
2. Panic, flail and then learn to swim

In order to lean how to swim, though, we must put ourselves outside out comfort zone. Give ourselves the chance to learn and adapt. Because the magic of change is that if you stick at it, even through that crippling doubt, that one day we will discover that we have grown to fill that large, scary space.

The change becomes the new comfort zone. 

What do you think? 

I've been there a lot this past year.

You're on a roll and it's all going so well. Until, you stop to consider how well you're doing. And wonder how you can keep it up for the rest of the week. And how much more you have left to do. 

Suddenly, it's there, large and looming -- that bully writer's block. And it's laughing in your face. "Get nice and cosy," it grins. "We're going to be spending a lot of time together."

Okay, so your writer's block may not be quite so rude. But none of us like being there. No one does.

Wouldn't it be great, though, if you had a ready made list of ways to eliminate that pesky problem in a jiffy?  

Well, my friends, keep reading, because that's exactly what I'm going to give you. My top 6 ways to kick writer's block to the curb. 

1/ Do more research

For me personally, writer's block occurs most often when I'm lacking information (although this is only obvious in hindsight!) If you’re writing a story, this could be a key piece of the plot, or information about a specific character, or something that sheds light on a part of plot you didn’t even realise was missing. If you’re writing an article or other non-fiction piece, it could be that you haven’t done enough background research for your project. Whatever you are working on, not having a full picture will hold you back, whether you're aware of the problem, or not.

When writing a fiction first draft I tend to just wing it. I don’t know where I’m going, but I trust the muse to figure it out, piece by piece as I go along. The problem with being a pantser, though, (see the age old pantsers vs plotters debate) is that at some point, you will inevitably hit a solid brick wall. Now, you could call it writer’s block and wait for the problem to go away by itself. Or, you could do some digging. Ask yourself questions. Do some brainstorming and make odd connections. What happens next? What if the last thing I expect to happen next, happens? I’ve learned through experience that on many occasions, what I would once call writer’s block can be easily solved this way.

Sometimes, though, you just don’t know the answer yet. And if you’re really truly stuck, then the worst thing you can do is stew on a problem. In this case, the best thing you can do is move on. Try not to stress too much over one particular element of a project. You can always go back to it at a later date.
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2/ Switch to handwritten

There's something magical about good ol' pen and paper. It's underrated and now commonly seen to be the outdated method of writing, what with so many other, simpler options available to us. But the truth is, there's much more to it than that. You may not believe me. That's quite okay. I urge you to try it yourself and find out. After all, it's natural to think, 'aren't I just making more work for myself, having to type everything up again at the end of the day?' Maybe. But would it be worth it if the words flowed like water in a tap? 

Handwriting is a sensory experience. There's the feel of the paper brushing against your hand, the smell of the paper. The weight of a good pen resting between your fingers. Maybe even the smell of the ink on the page, depending on what kind of pen you use. When you write a word down on paper, you are far more likely to commit it to memory than if you had simply typed it on a keyboard. And then there's the fact that it forces the brain to slow down and really think about the content you're coming up with. ​

​4/ Do something equally creative

Being ambitious is not a bad thing. But it’s all too easy to forget that we're human beings with both physical and emotional limits. Occasionally, we expect too much of ourselves. When we pump our creative wells dry (see 31 Ways to Reinspire the Muse, Parts 1, 2 and 3) it often has the opposite effect and, very quickly, we can become creatively blocked.
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As a direct result, our writing suffers. In other words, our efforts fail to match the expectations we have set for ourselves. Now, you could take a step back, accept that writer’s block has sunk its overgrown talons in and will only let go when it’s good and ready. Or, you could work on something equally creative while you wait. Do a finger painting, make a collage, write a diary entry. Do something that you won’t take too seriously and can have a little fun with. A creative splurge, so to speak. And it doesn’t even have to have anything to do with writing. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at the difference a change in attitude can make to that brick wall.

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​6/ Push on regardless and refuse to give in

Sometimes, you just have to push through writers block. Sometimes, there are no short cuts or quick fixes. If all else has failed you, then it may be time to simply knuckle down, despite any discomfort you feel and write anyway. Write anything. It doesn't matter if what you write is bad. It doesn't have to be something you keep. It doesn't even have to be seen by anyone but you, as its purpose is purely to  keep the words flowing. You may find that just the mere act of writing, even when the words don't come so easily, will help to shift that mental blockage. 

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 YOU SEE  it all the time. If you want to be a writer, then you must sit down and write.

​It seems to be the number one piece of advice that all experts provide. Write every day, whether you feel like it, or not. But if you’re not an expert and writing isn’t your main source of income, this advice can seem quite daunting.

​Every day? I once thought this to be an impossible ask. What about my day job? My family and friends? What about when I’m feeling tired or unmotivated? I can’t do it.

Well, I'm here to tell you that it certainly can be done. Present day, I try to write at least six out of seven days a week and today, I’m going to share with you my top ten tips for getting into a daily writing routine.

[CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF CHECKLIST!]


1) Set small goals. If you try to accomplish too much too soon then every time you fall short, it will put you off. Even if you only write for five minutes a day, consistently, you’re doing it!

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​Image Credit: Rawich via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

4) Create a reward system to encourage daily writing activity. This is a great way to inspire a daily writing routine, especially when you don’t feel like writing. For example, your reward for Monday could be a glass of wine at the end of the day. Your reward for Tuesday could be a nice slab of chocolate. Rewarding yourself when you succeed is a fun way to motivate yourself into following through with your daily writing.
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Image Credit: Stuart Miles via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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​10) Get people involved in what you’re doing. If you don’t want to post online every day, find a writing buddy, friend or family member to hold you accountable instead. This way, on your worst days where you would rather do the dreaded housework than write, you have someone to remind you that actually, you do need to grab that five minutes and yes, it is important after all.

Image Credit: ddpavumba via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Okay, still with me?

That's great. I knew you would be. That was a lot of information to take in in one go, so allow me to  summarise  the ten main points for building a daily writing routine: 

1. SET SMALL GOALS
2. DO SOMETHING EVERY DAY FOR 30 DAYS TO FORM A HABIT
3. GO FOR QUANTITY AND CONSISTENCY OVER QUALITY AND CONTENT
4. CREATE A REWARD SYSTEM TO ENCOURAGE DAILY WRITING ACTIVITY
5. DO THE WORK, THEN SET IT ASIDE
6. DON'T GET BOGGED DOWN WITH HAVING TO WRITE
7. MAKE SURE YOU ARE WRITING FOR YOU
8. GO WITH YOUR WHIMS AND PASSING FANCIES
9. HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE
10. GET OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN WHAT YOU'RE DOING

Enjoyed this post? Well, my friend, I've created a spiffy bonus, just for you. If you haven't done so already, click below to grab your free bonus checklist to help keep you right on track. 

[CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF CHECKLIST!]

When the opportunity to review Darren Dash’s latest novel presented itself to me, I snatched at it with eager grabbing hands. Having enjoyed his previous book, Sunburn, Dash had already proved to me that he’s not afraid to go in hard and fast, taking his writing to places that the average writer fears to tread. This book is no different.

I won’t be recommending this book to my mother, as An Other Place is far from a crowd pleaser. I was advised by the author before I began that this may not be my cup of tea. And that would be okay. But by golly, this book really did blow my mind. It stretched my imagination in weird new ways, made me think, sent me soaring and then crashing back down to earth (ha! Inside joke) with one hell of a bang.

An Other Place treats you to deep point of view, giving the reader an intimate seat inside the mind of troubleshooter Newman Riplan. When Riplan is transported to a strange fantastical world, both him and reader are kept in the dark as he explores. Being limited to experiencing only what our protagonist goes through makes this journey all the more effective in its delivery.

In the beginning, we get a definite sense of a situation that’s spiralling upwards, but no real idea of what’s going on or what is coming. Much of the novel is disorienting in this way. I frequently found myself feeling as lost as the main character, feeling my way through the dark with a tiny light, not quite knowing what to expect. Each page turn was both chilling and thrilling in equal measure.

The main character is generally likeable, but far from perfect. In his worst moments I found myself 
utterly repelled, and yet, he always managed to be compelling -- sometimes in all the wrong ways. My reactions to him as a character were varied, which I found refreshing.

What's more, An Other Place really appealed to my dark sense of humour and love of the bizarre. To sum this book up in three words, I’d have to go with ‘weird and wonderful’. Like a mystery slowly unravelling and tangling, it constantly kept me guessing.

Darren Dash masterfully manipulates the reader in his chosen direction, changing the mood and pace of the book at will with little to no warning. This made it difficult to put down. I found myself constantly wondering what could possibly happen next.

I really liked how truly demented this book is. The story gets weirder and weirder as you go along. I'd become used to being in one place and then the story would twist, leaving me disoriented once more. Each time you think that things can’t possibly get any worse, they do and you’re presented with a new level of worse.

Despite not agreeing with every decision our main character makes, he displays an admirable amount of grit and determination throughout which, in turn, allows us to maintain some sort of an emotional connection throughout the book. This, I feel, is very important. 

An Other Place gets darker and more grisly as the story progresses, giving a haunting, eerie sense of isolation that seeps into your bones. I spent the majority of the story feeling like something is ‘off’, but was unable to put a finger on exactly what. As a reader, there is never a moment where you are truly relaxed and comfortable. The more I discovered, the more it made my head reel.

Overall, this has to be one of the strangest book I’ve ever read. Through its ups and downs, there always seemed to be an unsettling undercurrent buzzing away in the back of my mind. Towards the end of the book, the reader is rewarded with the answers to some secrets and certain mysteries are made clear. However, these revelations only seem to offer yet more questions which, once again, send the cogs of my mind spinning at high speed.

The conclusion to this strange tail left me with goosebumps, chilling in impact and meaning. I felt oddly pensive as I read the last sentence, unsure of exactly how to feel. Dash leaves the reader with lots to think about. I now want to start again from the beginning, reading with the hindsight and prior knowledge I have. 

My overall score? 5/5! 

You can grab yourself a copy of An Other Place from the links below in ebook or paperback format. Let me know what you think!

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Last year, I had the pleasure of receiving an advance copy of Darren Dash's latest novel, Sunburn. With only the author's vague description, 'Bigfoot in Bulgaria' to prepare me, I eagerly jumped in with both feet, completely unaware of the sheer chaos waiting in the wings.

I discovered early on that this book has a serious case of one-more-chapter-itis. Sunburn is the kind of story that makes you want to read on into the night, despite having to get up early for work the next day. Reading away my precious sleeping hours, I had no idea how tense I had become until my phone pinged and I jumped out of my skin.

The elements of classic horror are very much present here, and at the core of every horror theme is the simple struggle for life. Darren Dash isn't afraid to go in hard with this or tread where other are afraid to go, with moments of dark humour providing light, albeit brief relief which I often caught myself smiling to. There is an underlying edge of something sinister building throughout the book. The tension increases like a slowly boiling kettle -- you know early in that at some point, it's going to reach boiling point. But not before its time.

My love of horror stems back to my childhood. Barely a teenager, I would sit alone in the dark, watching films that thrilled and tortured me in equal measure. There was something about that raw mix of adrenaline and fear that always kept me coming back for more. Sunburn gave me that same thrill, with Mr Dash taking no prisoners in this dark and compelling tale.

I immediately felt attached to the main characters, each interesting in their own way but very different from the other. The story also flows nicely, each transition feeling smooth and unhurried, yet pulling me ever onward. I often find when reading a good book, my attention splits at some point or other. Half my attention will be focused on the chapter I'm reading, the other half hovering somewhere near the end, mithering over how current events will effect the final outcome. But Sunburn held me firmly in the moment, demanding my full attention right to the very last page. Then, just when you begin to think you're safe, unholy bloody mayhem ensues.

Every now and again we gain insight into a primal mind, the mind of a somewhat sentient beast. What I found fascinating are the ethical questions that sprung to mind while reading from this unique point of view. Can a beast be seen as evil for carrying out basic instincts? Is is close enough to the human being to be compared to our murderers, killing for pleasure? Personally, I found myself fluctuating between the two throughout the book. However, by the time I reached the final quarter, there was no doubt in my mind about the beasts true colours.

The ending comes full circle in a satisfying, bitter sweet way that feels complete and not left dangling for the sake of it. Overall, I really enjoyed Sunburn and look forward to reading many more Darren Dash books to come. Just don't expect a gentle ride!

You can buy the book in physical or ebook format from your Amazon of choice. Enjoy!

WRITING HAS always been my go to place when life gets tough. I struggled a lot with my sweet sixteen and, looking back now, writing was actually one of the few things that helped to diffuse the self-destructive cloud that frequently converged around me.

But this post is not about me. This post is about you.

I felt overwhelmed the other week so, naturally, I began to write. This blog post is that result.


Why you feel rubbish...

Overwhelmed -- life has been a bit hectic lately. Even though you're not Superwoman (much to your surprise), your life often requires you to be many things to many people. As well as this, you're juggling a hundred and one different responsibilities that all need your precious time and attention. But that's okay, you're going to be awarded your red cape any day now. You can feel it. Or, at least, next week has to be easier. You hope.

Things build up over time -- those little things that you swept under the rug didn't go away. They're still there, hidden beneath a good, safe layer of 'out of sight, out of mind.' But now, there isn't much room left under the rug. And people are soon going to start seeing those lumps...

Stress and misfortune -- you're having a bad run. Illness, loss, debt. Maybe it's the stress of a good relationship turning sour. Or maybe you're haemorrhaging money and can't keep up with the bills. Despite being a rational person, it feels like the world is out to get you. Yes, Lady Luck owes you, big time.

Having no one to talk to -- we all need someone to talk to every now and again. Whether that be to discuss a festering issue, or simply to air out our frustrations from the day. But the people you'd normally talk to are busy with their own problems, or no longer around. Or maybe you find it difficult to open up to anyone at all. Either way, you're bottling and at some point, you're going to overflow.

Overachiever -- busy, busy, busy. You're always running late and there's never enough time to get everything you want done in the day. After all, life is too short to sit down and do nothing, right? But not providing yourself with adequate down time leaves you scraping the bottom of the barrel far too often. And we both know the quality of those last few dregs, don't we?

Stuck in a rut -- you've spent more time moping this week than actually sitting down to figure out what's wrong. You assumed it would be something you just snapped out of when you're ready, but in fact, it's become a bit of a habit. An unproductive one.

Feeling vulnerable, fragile -- your partner has a moan and you take it personally. Your boss pulls you up over something small and you have to fight not to fall apart. Things that you would normally take in your stride are hitting you much harder. This is because your life worn exterior has been temporarily replaced with a softer, more fragile skin. The cause, though, is less obvious.
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Beyond your control -- powerless. That sensation of negative things happening all around you, despite your best efforts. You feel small, almost as though you're a small fish trying to navigate its way through a raging current -- in the wrong direction. Whether you want them to or not, bad things happen to good people. And it sucks.

Putting others first all the time -- helping people is what you do. In fact, people seem to be drawn to you, laden with all kinds of problems and woes. Of course, you always do everything in your power to help them out. Even if it means skipping your coffee break every now and then, or dragging yourself out after a long, hard day. That warm bath and glass of wine will still be there tomorrow. That is, if someone else doesn't need it more.

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What writing can do for you

Declutter your mind -- as you go through life, your mind will inevitably collect its fair share of junk. And like a messy desk, it's almost impossible to find the one particular thing you need amongst all that clutter. So, how do you stop this from happening? That's right, by keeping a diary. Even if only for a week or two, dumping the small, trivial things down onto paper will do wonders for the cluttered mind. The important things will stick with you. Do this on a regular basis and you will find that not only do you have a much clearer head, but that all that useless junk is right there in writing, just waiting for you to pick through at a later date.

Make the invisible visible-- remember all that clutter you dragged from your mind and put down onto a blank page? Well, guess what -- it may not all be junk. The average passing thought is there one second, then gone the next. Lost to the depths of your mind, where sometimes, it festers in a dark corner. Small and unnoticed, but most definitely still there. Make time to read back through your previous entries. Your subconscious may be trying to tell you something. Maybe that you're unhappy with your current situation, or that you're pushing yourself too hard. Or maybe it's time to swallow your pride and make peace with that old, stubborn friend.

Take a proactive approach -- being able to see your problems isn't the only benefit to writing them down. Take everything that's bothering you, no matter how small each thing may seem, and write them all down in one list. Then work your way down the list, taking each problem one at a time. Find a simple solution for each and write it next to the problem in question. Now, not only have you made a great start on banishing those things that are dragging you down, but you also have a point of reference if you decide to come back to them at a later date.

Acknowledging a problem -- how are you supposed to fix a problem if deep down, you're still denying its existence? The short answer is, you won't. Now, it may be hard to accept the need for help, or that you have an issue that needs attending to, but try to think of your problem simply as a bump in the road; you can go around it, but only if you notice it in time to do so. When you don't, it will take you by surprise. It may even damage you in the process, but the only way to fix a problem is to first acknowledge it. You'll be surprised at the relief you feel from this alone. Your subconscious was never fooled. Write down your problem in as much detail as you can muster. Don't hold back or cringe at your own thoughts, just allow yourself to say what it needs to.

Simply unload -- sometimes, taking the opportunity to get things off your chest can make you feel lighter. Write a letter or draft a blog rant, for your eyes only. You can always decide to publish at a later date if you feel it will help others in your shoes. Also, recording your thoughts on a regular basis will help you to pick up on any unhealthy patterns, if there are any. Reading your entries back with hindsight can often provide some much needed clarity.

Speed up the healing process -- your brain is amazing. There has been so much uncovered about it and yet, science has barely scratched the surface of what the human mind is truly capable of. Take your subconscious, for example. After acknowledging an issue through the method of writing, your mind will immediately start to figure out what to do next. You may have dismissed it from conscious thought, but working away in the background while you get on with your life, is your subconscious mind.

Extra benefits -- The simple action of writing is therapeutic in itself. This fact is not well known, but it has been proven again and again through many different types of research. I'll say it again -- writing is therapy. Writing down your thoughts and feelings on a regular basis can boost your mood and lower stress levels. It can encourage you reflect on your life, both the good and the bad, and help you to move on from a particularly traumatic event. Fiction writing can also have the same positive effects, which I can personally vouch for.

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​What are your personal experiences with writing?