IF YOU'RE anything like me, then you'll know what it is to struggle with time.

There are so many things that I want to accomplish. My first novel is mid-revision. I'm working on a collection of short stories, while maintaining a blog. There's also a tantalizing idea for a novella, just begging to be written, buzzing around in my mind. Not to mention those half-finished stories just sitting on my hard drive and the five dozen books on my to read pile. Phew!

Having a full-time job, though, takes up a lot of my time (after all, a girl's gotta eat).

So what do you do?

First of all, check out this blog post. Today's post is an extension of that. Or, if you can't be bothered to click away, check out these five MORE ways to make time for what you love -- writing. :-)

1. Make up lists -- I tend to be more productive when I'm working through a checklist. Not only does it give you a sense of accomplishment, but you'd be amazed at how much difference a little scrap of paper can make on a busy day. It can be hard keeping track of what needs to be done and when. Your poor multitasking brain can't possibly be expected to retain all the information it's fed. At the end of each day, take some extra time to list all the things you'd like to accomplish tomorrow. When you wake up the next day, you can then work your way down your list, leaving your mind free to focus solely (almost) on the task at hand.

Wunderlist is a great task managing app that you can use with pretty much any device. Using one account, it will sync to all your devices so that you never need be without your daily lists. I can also recommend Trello, which is what I've been using for the past couple of weeks. Of course, good ol' pen and paper will also do the trick!

2. Set realistic goals -- When you have unrealistic expectations, your productivity is only going to plummet. You know where you want to be, but there's so much to do before you get there. You can't seem to make yourself focus. You put it off, promising yourself that tomorrow will be a better day. But that day never comes.

Stop, and envision where you want to be. Take a step back and start mapping how to get there. Planning is the key here. You're not being productive because you're overwhelmed by the sheer size of your target. Break it down into manageable chunks and take it step by step. Remember- slow and steady wins the race.

3. Time Management -- It's your lack of time that is holding you back. Surely, you just need to wait until you have more time, right? Wrong. You will always feel like you need more time. The fact is, you will never get it. Stop waiting for the right moment and make the present moment work for you. Manage your time to fit more into your day. What inessential things can you cut from your day, or your week, to maximise your time?

4. Pre- activity rituals -- You finally have an hour to yourself. But getting into the right frame of mind when you're not already there can be hard. It doesn't have to be an uphill battle though. By having your own pre-activity rituals or routines, you can retrain your brain to work for you. Doing the same few things before you begin each session will help you get into the right frame of mind to write. It doesn't have to be much. It can be something as simple as making yourself a cup of coffee, or setting your work space in a certain way. Make a playlist of songs that get you motivated and listen to it for 30 minutes. What ever works for you. You may subconsciously already have one. Embrace it!

5. Take time off -- Finally, take time to refuel every now and again. It's okay to push yourself. Hell, sometimes the only way to get anything done is keep going after you hit your limits. But you can't do this indefinitely, certainly not without sacrificing quality. It's important to take a step back every once in a while. Take some you time. Read a good book, have a hot soak, treat yourself to a lie in instead of setting the alarm to work on that project. When you reach burnout, it can take twice as long to refuel than if you'd just stopped a little sooner.

Here's some food for thought -- you accomplish more when you enjoy what you do. Find your passion and stoke the fire at every opportunity. Do what you love; smile, laugh, always aim for more.

Never settle for anything less.

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This past couple of weeks, I've been listing the different ways you can re-inspire your muse. Today, I'm completing that list with the final eleven points. 


1. Practice meditation -- meditation is a treat for the stressed out mind. Not only will it help to de-clutter that mental dumping ground in your poor tired head, it also promotes creativity and clarity. And that's barely scratching the surface! You may feel a little silly, to begin with, and you probably won't feel the effects straight away. But with a stronger, clearer mind, you're in a much better place to work on your projects.
2. Join a forum of like-minded people -- when you have long-term projects, a time will inevitably come when you've been looking at them for far too long. Reaching this point may feel a lot like a shortage of inspiration. However, getting a second opinion can make a world of difference and save hours, even days of frustration. Join a forum of like-minded people to bounce your ideas off, or even have a rant. It's likely that many will be in the same boat as you.
3. Create something -- what better way to refill your creative well than to do exactly that -- create? When you remove such crippling things as expectation, perfectionism and inadequacy, you may find that creating simply for the sake of creating is a pretty liberating experience. Why not try your hand at something new? No one is going to judge your finished piece. The point of this not to achieve a finished product, but to have fun. Who knows? You may even find something you're really good at.
4. Watch TED videos -- TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. It's a great website packed with short video talks on every topic under the sun. Leading experts and big thinkers from all over the world are invited to present their revolutionary ideas and theories in a short presentation and inspire their audience. Each talk is no longer than twenty minutes; the perfect length for a coffee break. Also, the queueing system inside their app allows you save interesting videos for another day.
5. Read interesting blogs -- you can find all sorts of interesting reading material when looking at other people's blogs. What kind of lives do they lead? What are they good at? Browsing at what's already out there will give your muse plenty of ideas of its own. Everything your mind absorbs gets poured into the great big oven of your mind. As you add more content to the simmering mix, its flavours start to strengthen and grow. When it's ready, the end result is a juicy pie of an idea.
6. Learn a new skill -- learning a brand new skill has many benefits. One great reason to do so is that it encourages you to step outside of your comfort zone. This can seem scary at first, and you may feel like you're doing more flailing than treading water (I know. I love analogies). But the more you practice, the more confident you get and with your brand new skill, set you'll be experiencing things you otherwise wouldn't done. 
7. Cook something delicious -- to some, cooking is simply a necessity. We eat to survive, we cook to eat. But food can also be an art form. Take a traditional dish and add your own personal twist. Add some spice to an otherwise average meal. Cooking for the experience itself is something entirely different. And the process of creating something delicious from scratch can be both inspiring and rewarding. 
8. Create a mood -- before I sit down to write, I generally go through the same few actions every time: put the table up, get my laptop out, make some coffee, check a few emails. By which time, my mind knows where I'm heading and is ready to get down to business. By experimenting with your own rituals, you can create a mood that encourages your muse to work at its optimum level. You could light a few candles, play some music or even put on your favourite comfy hat.
9. Travel -- seeing new things is a great way to soak up inspiration for those creative projects. But a more effective way to re-inspire your muse is to go out and actually experience the world first hand. Stimulate your senses by  giving them new things to smell, touch and taste. Discover new places and really dig deep beneath the surface of each place you visit. You may not be able to go far, but even heading out beyond your local area will help to recharge your creative mind. 
10. Join a group or club -- depending on where you live, meet up groups can be common, or far and few between. If you are able to find a group in your local area, it can have some great benefits. For one, discussing ideas within a group can be a great way to motivate your wavering commitment midway through a project. As well as that, any friendly assignments set within group meetings will be time sensitive, requiring completion before your next meetup. 
11. Go for a drive -- aside from the obvious fact that safe driving requires vigilance and concentration, going for a drive is the perfect way to get those cogs in your mind turning. Like taking a long hot shower or bath, a repetitive task, along with any decent length of time is a magic combination. Repetitive tasks only require a small amount of brainpower, freeing up the rest of your mind to work  on other things; such as your current project. 

Missed a post? Catch up with part one here and part two here. 
Give me your thoughts in the comments below!

THERE'S NOTHING worse than wanting to get things done, but feeling creatively dry. You're ready to write, but the words won't come. You sit down to paint, but your vision just doesn't flow. It happens to us all at some point or another.

That doesn't mean we have to accept it.

1. Make a one year plan -- Sometimes, it helps to have an idea of where you're heading. When you're making a long journey you take a map (or a Sat Nav). The same can be said for your life. Do you have any idea of where you're heading? Do you have a destination in mind, or are you simply cruising through life, stopping as you fancy? If you're feeling stuck or uninspired, it may be time to sit down and take a look at that map -- or make one! Setting physical goals not only provides you with a clear destination, it also helps you break down your journey into manageable pit stops, or smaller goals along the way.
2. Go out and socialise -- If you're an introvert, you've probably already skipped this one. But being around other people can be inspiring in itself. As a writer, I often find myself using my past experiences and interactions in my stories. Not in their initial raw form, but recycled snippets of interesting conversations, quirky mannerisms, contrasting personalities; all subconsciously stored for future use.
3. Enter a competition -- when you run out of ideas (heaven forbid!), having something to aim for can be exactly what you need to get those ideas flowing again. Competitions are great for this. You can find competitions tailored to specific crafts in specialist magazines, such as Writing Magazine. Searching online will also get you good results, allowing you to narrow down your requirements even further, for example, to flash fiction or short stories.
4. Be active -- it's easy to come home and veg out at the end of a busy day. But what about when you're not busy? There really is no excuse. But sometimes despite our best intentions we allow ourselves to fall into a rut and, because of this, bad habits. Being active encourages good habits to form and as a direct result, can also increase productivity. Try working your way down a daily check list, or forming an active morning routine.
5. Take a long hot shower/ bath -- not only does the hot water soothe and comfort, but there is something magical about the simple, repetitive action of washing that gives the muse a much needed jolt. Let your mind wander. Don't try to guide your thoughts, just be a spectator. Often, bursts of inspiration land on us when we stop trying to find them.
6. Allow yourself to daydream -- have you ever woken up from a dream mid-way through and refused to let it fade without an ending? During that transition from sleep fog to the land of the living, your brain is all fired up. Take an extra five minutes to enjoy a daydream before you get up and feed the cat. How would that dream have ended? If your mind wants to wander during that long, boring meeting, let it. You'll focus better after that quick mental reprieve anyway. 
7. Place your favourite quotes around the house -- having inspiring quotes scattered about your house will provide you with a little lift when you need it most. Different quotes will have different effects on your state of mind. For example, by propping a motivational quote on you bedroom mirror, it will be one of the first things you see at the start of the day and will give you that extra bounce in your step. 
8. Discover new places to create -- new places can often inspire new ideas and fresh ways of thinking.  When you're seeing the same four walls every time you sit down to work on a project, it's no surprise your muse feels uninspired. Shake things up a bit by switching locations.  Ever created in the garden before? How about your local park or library? 
9. Visit a coffee shop -- coffee shops are magical places that serve caffeine by the jugful and, more often than not, have a plug or two spare nearby. That's right, both you and your laptop have an unlimited supply of juice. Okay, so there may be a one small limit -- your wallet. But don't let that put you off taking a stroll down to your local coffee shop, picking a quiet corner and knuckling down on that awesome project you've been meaning to work on. The atmosphere is ideal for concentration and will inspire your muse.
10. Be spontaneous - it's normal to lean towards your normal daily routines. They're comfortable and familiar, which in turn gives you that little bit of extra confidence. Your muse, however, hates routine. It longs for the freedom to make crazy, last minute decisions. It's at its best when not boxed into the same tired old way of thinking and, like a young child, it just wants to have fun. 

Like this post? Catch up with part one here and look out for the final part next week.
Give me your thoughts in the comments below!

Sometimes, we push ourselves too much. If you insist on doing this frequently, at some point you will reach burnout. This is bad news for your muse.

But fret not. If you're stuck, this list should help your creative self get back on the right track.

1. Listen to music -- have it blasting out, or as a background murmur. Discover something new, or create a playlist of old favourite songs. Depending on what you're trying to achieve, different types of music can have varying effects on the average person. For example, classical music is said to improve concentration, whereas upbeat tunes will more likely energise and boost your mood. And new music can inspire you in wonderful new ways.
2. Go for a walk -- physical activity will get your blood pumping and send oxygenated blood straight to your brain. This will make you feel more awake, as well as help get the creative juices flowing once more. Really take a look at your surroundings. Are they peaceful and serene? Or busy and full of life? Either way, allow them to invigorate and inspire you.
3. Read something -- when you've squeezed every last drop of creativity from your being, you can always rely on words to help you put it all back. Reading a good book will often inspire the muse. Fantasy, horror, romance; mix things up by reading outside of your preferred genre. This will open your mind to new experiences, which may even inspire future projects. While the same can be said for non-fiction too, it's not just books that have this effect. Magazine articles, newspapers and blog posts are just as good for filling up that creative well.
4. Take lots of pictures -- you can do this on a camera or a phone. Whether you have a good eye for photos or not, taking pictures can be a lot of fun. From rolling landscapes to odd looking objects, the right picture can be worth a thousand words. Some of them may even have their own stories. Which leads me to my next point...
5. Make a Pinterest board -- Pinterest is a great place to be inspired. If you can think of it, you can guarantee that there will be board after board of pinned images dedicated to your relevant search, just waiting to be discovered. As a writer, I use this fantastic website to inspire my stories when I need that extra creative nudge. That alien landscape I have in mind for my fantasy book? By typing in a few relevant keywords, I have pages and pages of beautiful, inspiring pictures to search through.
6. Take a yoga class -- yoga is an ancient form of exercise that, through breath control, meditation and body posture, stills the mind and boosts mental and physical wellbeing. While being a beneficial activity all by itself, yoga can also provide  extra insight and help you tap into areas of your subconscious you otherwise wouldn't have access to.
7. Eat some exotic foods -- it's good to experience new things every once in a while, especially when it comes to food. This means occasionally breaking away from what you've come to see as safe, everyday meal choices. There's a whole world of flavours out there. Why not be adventurous and choose something new?
8. See an epic movie -- epic films can inspire in the same way as a good book. But whereas a book requires the reader to use their imagination, a film has already done all the work for you. Visually pleasing, epic movies are exciting and a treat for the exhausted mind. As someone who works with story plot, I like to break down a good film's plot and analyse it. Why does it work? Is there anything that doesn't work? What would I change if given the chance?
9. Start a blog/ post a motivational blog post -- if you don't already keep a blog, then maybe it's time to start one! Blogging challenges you to regularly pump your thoughts and opinions into one coherent piece of writing for others to read. This may sound a lot like hard work and, to be honest, it often is. But when you put your heart and soul into a blog post, not only will it feel great to have your words out there but you may even end up inspiring other people to do the same.
10. Empty your thoughts into a journal/diary -- if you're not keen on the idea of publicising your private thoughts and musings on an online blog, then this may be more your cup of tea. Not only is it healthy to empty your mind every once and a while, but it's also a good way of recording important thoughts that take up too much space. You can then go back and review them any time you want. ​

Like this post? Look out for the second part next week.
Give me your thoughts in the comments below!

It's important to take a step back every once in a while and take a look at the big picture. Why are you doing what you're doing? Is it because you enjoy it? If so, are you still enjoying it? If you can't answer that question, then it may be time to reassess your life goals.

In my case, I'd written myself into a rut. I was doing the same things every week, writing in the same two places all the time and I wasn't really enjoying it. Don't get me wrong, I DO enjoy writing. I'm passionate about the words I write. Writing is a big part of who I am today. But I stopped experiencing new things and became almost mechanical, closing myself off to the world when I write. As a direct result, I wasn't allowing myself to be inspired. 

Standing in Roath Park, it's hard to believe that you're in the city. Cardiff has lush greenery to rival any countryside view, but step outside of these bubbles of tranquillity and you'll find the concrete jungle you'd expect from any city. It seems to have the best of both worlds. 

I stumbled upon this old blog post and felt that it perfectly summed up my my reason for being a writer in a way that I can't currently top. It also gives a little insight into the process of writing a book, starting with no previous experience and the simple need to write. 

IT'S HARD TO imagine how you'll feel after finishing a long-term project, especially one that really means something. Will you feel relieved or sad? Elated, or put off the whole experience for life? Well, while plugging away at my first novel, picking it up and playing with it like a cat with a half dead mouse, only to drop it again (rinse and repeat), I never thought that I'd get to the end.

Looking back, it's easy to explain my wavering commitment.

1. I was in the wrong frame of mind.
2. I was lazy and wanted the words to flow effortlessly onto the page.
3. I was holding back.

The Wrong Frame of Mind
Crimson Touch began its life many years ago, not as book of any kind, but as a form of therapy. At the time, writing was the only thing that could give me the release I needed. I could take all the negativity in my head and pour it into the page, turning it into something positive in the process. The result of this was an amalgamation of everything I had been through -- converted into the form of a fictional character. 

Years later, that same character still buzzed around in my mind. He haunted my daydreams and plagued my thoughts, never too far away. I frequently found myself wondering what his story was. When I finally did commit to taking the character further, it was to get him out of my head.

I had no idea what I was in for.

In it for the Long Haul
I don't know about you, but before I started writing I was a different person. Aimless and bored, I found it hard to be passionate about anything. I was average at most things I put my hand to and had picked up the nasty habit of getting by on minimal effort. This made me lazy.

I wrote half a draft, then gave it up as a bad job.
​
It's difficult to pinpoint the exact moment I decided to give a damn. But that was the moment when everything changed. Starting from scratch, this time I was in it for the long haul.

Holding back
From that point on, I became someone I wanted to be. Focused, driven, passionate; I had purpose. I told anyone who would listen that I was writing a book. I got the same reaction from most people -- doubt and, god forbid, sympathy. They didn't believe I could do it. But the more people I told, the harder I was making it for myself to turn back. I read book after book on writing advice, articles on plotting and magazines that talked about style and voice. I read novels through the eyes of a writer, as well as a hungry reader. 

Slowly but surely, the words were filling the screen. What I didn't realise, though, that I was still holding back. Emotionally.

'There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed'- Ernest Hemingway

It's natural to want to shield yourself from emotional discomfort. But going to that dark place in your heart and actually living it, feeling it, is necessary if you want it to be real for others. After all, how can you convince anyone that your characters are worth the emotional investment if you're not willing to go there yourself? 

Writing the first draft of Crimson Touch has been a journey of self-discovery. I've learned what kind of person I am, as well as how to write a book (and how not to!) and actually finish what I start. Of course, writing a book is only the first step. The next few will be just as hard -- and just as rewarding. 

Revision.

IF YOU want your characters to jump off the page as your readers progress through your story, they must be believable. In fact, there are many key ingredients to creating vivid, life-like characters. I've covered  the subject of character development in a previous blog post, (you can check that out here,) but today I'm talking about fatal flaws. 

First, let's make sure we're on the same page. What exactly is a fatal flaw?

Fatal Flaws -- a Brief Introduction

Fatal Flaw -- a literary device that can be defined as a trait in a character leading to his downfall. The character is often the hero of the literary piece. This trait could be the lack of self-knowledge, lack of judgement and often it is hubris (pride). 
http://literarydevices.net/

No two characters in your world are alike. They have likes and dislikes, obsessions and fears. Their point of view of the world is unique. Their minds work in different ways. Their past experiences dictate the individual way they respond in any given situation, and it's this that makes a fatal flaw so deeply rooted within your characters. 

So, why is this important and how does it fit into my story? 
I'm so glad you asked. 

​The Varying Types of Flawed

Despite its misleading name, fatal flaws don't always have to be fatal -- they can range from minor inconveniences to major impediments. However, whatever degree of flaws your character possesses, they will always interfere with his or her journey. 

Your character's fatal flaw (or flaws) will be a part of them, a negative trait or quality that comes as naturally to them as breathing. They may or may not be aware of them. They can like or dislike them, but they can't run away from them. Examples of such flaws are a quick temper, jealousy, pride or cowardice. And they don't always have to be a directly negative trait, either. Sometimes you can take a positive quality and amplify it, until its crippling effects become indirectly negative. For example, selflessness, ambition, perfectionism, and self-preservation.

Despite its origin, though, there will come a time within your story when these fatal flaws become obstacles in your hero or heroine's path, preventing them from succeeding. Your characters will have to overcome their own personal flaws in order to achieve their main goal. 

​Choosing the Right Flaws

In order to choose the right flaws for your characters and their story, you need to know them intimately. For the most part, writing the first draft of a story is an act of discovery. Whether you outline first then write, or make up the outline as you go, (the age old pantsers vs plotters conundrum, my friends, which is another blog post!), you may not immediately have a good idea of what flaw matches up with who -- especially if you're working with multiple points of view.

But sticking any old flaw on whichever character happens to take your fancy is not the way to go about assigning a tragic flaw. Think about your character's personality, their strengths and weaknesses. The right flaw not only enhances your perfectly imperfect hero, but the story, providing internal and external conflict as a result. Play with different combinations, see how they pan out. You may find that assigning the right flaw to your character unlocks a piece of the plot you didn't even know was missing. 

Having imperfect characters with a clear weakness and blind spot also helps your readers identify with them. Think about it -- no one is perfect. Creating the a beautiful, brave hero to fearlessly jump in and save the day in every scenario may look and feel great your head, but why would we cheer him on when we know he can't fail? How can we relate to a character that seems to be perfect in every way? We as human beings don't know how to relate to perfection because we're not perfect. But failure is something that we can all relate to.  

In Summary

Flaws are vital part of any vivid character. They bring us closer to them and allow us to relate, or even sympathise, with that character. Fatal flaws are essential to plot, as well as character. They provide obstacles for our characters to overcome, or not, in order to reach their main goal. They also provide many internal and external conflict opportunities that enhance the overall reading experience. 

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 SOME PEOPLE suffer from a lack of ideas. Their well of creativity has run dry and so, they must take the time to replenish it before they try to squeeze out any more water. 

This blog post is not for them. This post is for those who suffer from the opposite problem -- too many ideas. 

But wait, you might say. How is it possible to suffer from too many ideas? Surely, that's a good thing. 

Well, picture this. Your ideas are coming thick and fast. You're excited, inspired even. They are all you can think about. At work, going to bed... Buzzing around inside you. Finally, you sit down to work on your many enticing ideas. Where should you start? Which one is most deserving of your attention? As you work on your novel, that short story idea pesters you constantly. A poem sits at the back of your mind. Oh, and don't forget about that self-help book you've been meaning to write for a while now.
You'll need a doppelganger or three to get to get everything you want to do done. 

Yes, having too many ideas can be just as crippling as having none. Indecision, that feeling of being overwhelmed by your hefty to-do list, procrastination -- some of the many negative side effects of having too many projects on the go. (Even if you haven't started them yet!) 
​
Are you listening now? Good, because I have some tips for you. 

• Take a visual approach -- Sometimes, seeing things in a different way can help to shed light on a confusing situation . Take all those ideas buzzing around in your head and write them down on paper. Make a list with a word processor or a jotter pad. Try prioritising from the most important  to the very last idea. Don't overthink this, just go with your first instinct. Which did you put first?  Now, put that list where you can't see it and do it again. Is that list any different? Have the top two ideas changed, or are they the same? There  all sorts of ways you can experiment visually. For example, colour coding, brainstorming, white boards, image association. Make a Pinterest board for your top two projects.  Prop idea cards where you see them every day. Whatever works for you, taking a visual approach can be liberating. 

• Go down the weirdest path -- When you're tossing about several enticing project ideas, it always starts well. But after a certain period of examining the same ideas over and over, you can start to lose objectivity. What did I see in this idea, again? you may ask yourself. Is this my smartest move? Okay, stop. That won't help. When you're truly stuck, what may help, believe it or not, is pursuing that strange idea you've put on the back burner. Often, the strangest ideas contain the most potential. Of course, it's hidden potential right now. But following that path will take you on a weird and wonderful journey. Who knows where it will lead you? And, if it turns out that it doesn't float, then at least you'll have crossed an idea off that long, long list. 

• Take a long walk -- When you feel like you're drowning in a sea of ideas, getting out and taking a good long walk can help in more ways than one. The fresh air and light physical activity will clear your head, allowing you to step away for a moment and gain some perspective. Also, a brief reprieve like this often encourages the best ideas to begin to germinate in your mind, while the weaker ideas stay as seeds of potential. Take a recording device, such as your phone with you on your trip. A jotter pad and pen works just as well. Record any ideas that feel big, or excite you. Other than that, don't think too hard about what comes next. Your subconscious will be on the case, working on the puzzle, even as you treat it to that long, peaceful walk. 

• Set a deadline -- There's something about a ticking clock that gives us that extra oomph. Indecision* is never in a hurry. It drags its feet, looking back, stepping forward, then backtracking to review the same options. Indecision is ruled by fear. Setting a friendly deadline will add just the right amount of pressure, encouraging indecision to pick up the pace and start making progress, without sacrificing quality ideas. With a looming deadline, there will be no time for fear. And it doesn't have to be a serious deadline, either. It can be fun and personal, with a vague end time. But what is important about this method is that you stick to it. Being lenient and extending or ignoring the deadline you set will not give you the outcome you need. 

*NB -- Indecision is not a real person. As much as I like to picture a little blue creature with a notepad running from idea to idea in our minds. 

• Follow your heart ​-- When all else fails and logic has you going round in circles, you can always rely on your heart to get the job done. Ask yourself these questions -- Which idea grabs you most? What are you passionate about?  If you're especially excited about a project or have an idea that means something to you in a personal way, that passion is likely going to carry you through the duration of the entire project. Good ideas come and go, but if your work really means something to you then the chances of you getting bored and abandoning it further down the line are pretty damn slim. Also, being passionate about what you're working on will really help to sell that project further down the line. Why should your followers get excited about this product? Why should they care? Well, where on earth do you begin? How long do they have? You really could go on all day. 

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Have a burning question for a future blog post? Post it in the comments below. I'll do my best to answer it. 

​UPDATE: My journal Get Organised! An Idea Tracker For Writers is now available to buy online. If you've struggled with the above issue, then this may help. 

"Get Organised! An Idea Tracker For Writers is the perfect way to keep track of those moments of inspiration, strange dreams, daydreams, creative ‘aha!’ moments and project ideas that you don’t have time for now, but don’t want to forget.
Each idea section contains prompts to guide your thoughts, space to doodle or brainstorm, a simple idea rating system and plenty of lines to expand on those valuable ideas. 
With this book, you need never lose an idea again!"

WHETHER YOU write fiction or nonfiction, novels or how-to guides, you are a writer. You put words on a page, one after the other, and you do so on a regular basis.

But why do you write? Is it an enjoyable hobby? A steady source of income? Do you have a message that people need to hear?

Do you write for you, or for them?

Writing for You​

• The Passion Project -- this is one of the most satisfying reasons to write. You don't need a particular reason to pick up the pen every day, other than simply because you want to. The passion project is something that means a lot to you, but won't necessarily mean anything to anyone else. It may never be read by anyone but you. But who cares? It gives you a sense of satisfaction and makes you happy. It's a pleasure to sit down and work on every day and, no matter how hard it gets to push forward, the passion you have for your project drives you onward to the finish line. Sharing your creation with the world is a bonus, not the end goal.

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• Enjoyment -- writing purely for enjoyment is good for you in many ways. Not only does it alleviate stress levels after a long day (or week) at the office, it also gives you the chance to practice your craft. The best way to improve at something is to do it over and over again. When writing purely for enjoyment, any progress you make with your project is twice as satisfying. Written a good story? Start again. Write another one. Who knows; maybe one day you'll decide to publish them.

• Artistic freedom -- when you write simply for you, you have all the creative freedom you could ask for. There are no rules and no expectations, other than the ones you place there yourself. Maybe you want to write a novella, but are torn between gore and romance. And... you have a soft spot for the Wild West. Great! Why not combine all three? If it makes you happy, then that's all that matters. Experiment to your heart's content.

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• Therapeutic -- how often do you hear the advice 'keep a diary' given out to those that are troubled? There's a reason that it's so readily suggested by others -- it's because it works. The same can be said for any piece of writing you put your heart and soul into. Writing is a form of escape. Whether your words form a world of magic and light, or a place of darkness and despair, getting those words on the page will have a positive effect. When you accept and embrace the way you feel, you project your troubles onto the page; turning the negative into something positive.

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Writing for Them

• Specific Audience/Genre Guidelines -- when you aim to publish, whether traditionally or via other means, there are specific guidelines that you're expected to adhere to. I'm talking about genre. Let me explain. A reader who buys a crime fiction book has expectations for their new purchase -- that the story will revolve around a specific crime and that it will contain the key elements, suspense and mystery. These are the basic requirements of a crime novel. But not all readers like to read the same ​kind of crime novel, and here is where subgenres play their part. Subgenres are smaller branches within a large genre, such as crime fiction, that group books together using specific characteristics and elements. So, if you decide that your book is a cosy mystery, readers will expect a likeable amature sleuth and a villain that gets his comeuppance. Whereas if your book is a thriller they will expect fast paced action and emotionally complex characters.

• Expectations -- when you publish a book, your number one goal is for other people to read it. (Obviously...) But by building a following for your books, you allow your readers to get to know you -- or, that part of yourself you share with the world, anyway -- and, after two or three books, your unique writer's voice will start to become familiar. Your style, your weird sense of humour, the rate at which you release books... When you write fiction, those expectations soar, especially when writing a series. Will Sam get the girl? Will Cara turn her back on the gang? When will we find out what happens next? You can manage reader expectations by planting subtle hints throughout the story. This is called foreshadowing. This way, when they get to the climax and it isn't what they expected, they will be able to back and track its inevitable happening. You can also use reader expectations to deliver a jaw dropping finale that you know no one saw coming!

• Solving Problems -- you can pretty much guarantee that for every common problem out there, there is a book that solves it. Go on, have a check. I'll wait. ... ... ... Okay, done? Good. Why is this? Well, it's a tried and tested system that works very well and sharing your expertise has many benefits. The obvious one is that it allows you to make a positive contribution to lives of others. Someone has a problem, you provide the answer. But, it also lends you a certain amount of authority on the subject matter and, the more problems you solve in a specific area, the bigger that reach extends.

Can You Do Both?

• Finding the Balance -- yes, I believe you can. In fact, I think it's important that a balance is found somewhere between the two. If you're not writing for you as well as them, then you must question why you are writing in the first place. Where is the enjoyment? Likewise, if you are a passionate writer that keeps the work you do to yourself, ask yourself -- why? Is it fear of rejection, or failure? Practice will only get you as far as the reach of your own limited knowledge. To truly improve, you must share your work. Allow it to take a step into the big wide world. Take on board the feedback you get from others and learn from it.

What do you think?

  MORE OFTEN than not, it only takes one great character to tell a good story. The reader sees the world through the eyes of the chosen narrator, experiencing what they see, hear, think and do from them and them only. Sure, there's often a large cast list of characters who wander in and out as the plot requires. But there is only one steady point of view. 

  Fascinating, but I came here to read about multiple points of view. Get on with it. 
  Of course. (Mutter, mutter...)

  Sometimes, though, a story can only be told well with more than one viewpoint. For example, we could write a thriller story that starts from the point of view of the victim. Then, at some point we could switch to the point of view of the offending character and continue from here. 
  There are several reasons a writer may consider doing this, one reason being to keep readers on their toes. It would be difficult to stay comfortable for too long, as just as one version of events is established, the writer can then turn the story on its head and provide a fresh, if somewhat conflicting point of view. This will leave all kinds of questions hanging in the mind of the reader, making the conclusion all the more satisfying once reached. 

I've put together a basic list of do's and don'ts, which you can follow as a rough guide. Don't let others opinions on this subject put you off attempting to write this way yourself. Practice makes better!

  DO/ Add value with each point of view -- One way to ensure this happens is to create two very different characters to give a voice to. What can they add to the story that no other character can? What do they alone know that no other character does? Their contribution must add to the story's overall value. 

  DON'T/ Give every member of your colourful cast a starring role -- You may be able to think of a few exceptions to the rule here, (ahem, G. R. R. Martin, I'm looking at you...) but I strongly advise you not to compare yourself to the pro's. Think about it. Not only will your plot be stretched thin trying to cover so many large roles, (thin enough to poke holes in?) but it will be ten times harder to create the sense of intimacy with your readers that you can achieve with one, two or even three protagonists. 

  DO/ Give each viewpoint character a unique voice and personality -- Ideally, a reader should be able to tell who's point of view they are seeing the world from within the first paragraph (or so...). The sooner the better. This avoids unnecessary confusion, especially when writing in first person style. Give each point of view their own quirks that shine through in your writing. Personality, language quirks, mannerisms, outlook on life... There is so much you can  play with here. Have your characters own their page time. 

  DON'T/ Recap an old scene from a new perspective -- Okay, I just want to clarify something before we go any further. This can work when written  in the right way and not over-used. But generally, this is not the idea of writing with multiple points of view. The idea is to use each different perspective to advance the plot in new and exciting ways. And if you really must use the same scene twice, make sure it reveals something new. 

DO/ Show one point of view character through the eyes of another -- Not only does this provide further insight on the inner workings of our protagonist's mind, it also adds depth to their character. For example, Character A may be shy and insecure. We know this, as we've been inside their head. But Character B does not know this. They see an aggressive, unfriendly person who isn't interested in being friends of any kind. Is this true? No, of course not. But Character A's insecurities are often misunderstood and their crippling shyness, in this case, is taken as standoffish. Using multiple points of view in this way adds a delicious complexity to the overall plot. 

DON'T/ Neglect  one point of view in favour of others -- There's no hard and fast rule that states how much page time each of your characters should get, but it's important not to forget about anyone.  You included each point of view for a reason and your readers will expect some level of consistency. If too much time passes without hearing from one character, then it will be difficult  to form an emotional connection to them. In other words, they will be harder to care for. Your point of view rotation doesn't have to be equal, just smart. 

I could go on and on about this huge topic, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. What are your experiences with multiple point of view?

FINISHING THE first draft of anything is a great feeling. Finishing the first draft of a novel feels like you've just climbed a mountain -- and survived to tell the tale. It's the best feeling ever.

But how exactly do you get there?

Well, one way to get through that massive task is to banish your inner editor and just get it down. In other words, give yourself permission to write a terrible first draft.
Okay, you probably saw that one coming. But stick with me and I'll show you why this works like a charm.

You can't edit a blank page -- The blank page, so white and intimidating. We've all been there. You stare at the screen for a bit, then type the first line. After reading it back, you delete it and replace it. Maybe then you get three more lines out, before deleting the first two...

Who can write this way? Perfectionism is crippling your story.

One way to combat this is to accept that you're going to make mistakes. Yes, a lot of what you write is probably going to suck. Yes, your descriptions may be lacking and that character you thought you'd love slightly overbearing. But guess what? The first draft of anything sucks.
Not convinced? How about a second opinion.

"I'm writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shovelling sand into a box, so that later​ I can build castles. -- Shannon Hale"

How about now? That makes sense, doesn't it? In other words, you can't build a sandcastle as you go. You can try -- first I'll build a tower and the windows, then the door, then the second tower... -- but it doesn't work. Your 'castle' needs to be able to support itself and in order to do that, it needs a strong foundation.
Did I lose you with the sandcastle analogies? To summarise, your novel needs a strong foundation before you can shape it and make it pretty. First drafts can be turned into sand fortresses, blank pages cannot.

You can discover what does and doesn't work -- The mind is an amazing tool. If you've read the likes of Stephen King and George Martin, you'll know exactly what it's capable of. You become truly absorbed in the stories they weave, even grow to deeply care about the characters these stories revolve around.

But how did all that come from one single mind? (And why are you comparing me to these giants?)

The truth is, even the best writers need to put their novels through a second draft. In fact, it is more common for an accomplished writer to go through at least three redrafts of their manuscript before they can think about calling a novel finished. It's also not uncommon for a writer's draft count to reach double figures.
Think about the last book that really sucked you in. These amazing words didn't arrive on the page fully formed, perfectly phrased and ready for their readers' hungry eyes. The went through a creative process of trial and error, discovery and elimination.
Take Stephen King, for example. He's surely written enough books to fill his own bookstore at this point (now there's an idea...) His process still involves a standard of three drafts before he'll consider a manuscript finished.
You won't know if your ideas will fly until you throw them off that cliff. (Or... So to speak. Okay, no more analogies. I promise!)

Your unrestricted mind is a weird and wonderful place -- When writing the first draft of a novel, we tend to have high expectations. I know I did. When I first started writing Crimson Touch, I had this awful habit of polishing as went. I was so focused on producing a quality first draft that I was restricting my novel's natural growth, without even realising it.

An idea is a wonderful, fragile thing. One moment it's there and then, if you're not quick enough, it's gone (possibly forever.) If you're filtering what kind of ideas you get at this early stage, then your novel will fail to evolve unaided.
What I mean is that when you allow your mind to be open and impartial, at some point, you'll find that your characters will begin to breathe by themselves. They'll pull you in all sorts of unexpected directions. Your sidekick may show you his true colours and out-villain the guy you actually had planned for the role. Your plot will take interesting turns that you hadn't planned for. Your landscapes will come alive.

Your creation becomes real.

Don't get me wrong -- not every plot twist will be right for your story. Some characters will mislead you, and some will fail to live upto their full potential. Your sidekick's wannabe-villain ego may be bigger than his intended role, in which case, chop him down to size in the next draft.
But the first draft of your story is a process of discovery. And your unrestricted mind is a weird and wonderful place.

​Flash fiction is a style of fictional literature of extreme brevity. There is no widely accepted definition of the length of the category. Some self-described markets for flash fiction impose caps as low as fifty-three words, while others consider stories as long as a thousand words to be flash fiction. 
(Click here to read more...)

Either way, I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Take a look and let me know what you think. 

Like what you see? Sign up to my newsletter and I'll keep you updated on my future projects. 

YOU PROBABLY ALREADY have a good idea of what character development means for your story. Here's a definition, just so we're on the same page
Character Development -- the task of creating a character and building on them (working out appearance, history, mannerisms and so on,) OR the changes a character undergoes during the course of a story.

​ I'm referring to the second kind. So, where does one start with developing their characters, you might ask? Good question.

In order to be able to effectively develop your character, they need to be as human as you or I.

Before you begin to protest, I'm not suggesting that you stick to your own species. I love elves as much as anyone. (And vampires, and aliens...) What I mean is that your characters should be far from perfect. Give them flaws and weaknesses, fears and failures. Make them real. Once you have a perfectly flawed character, you're all set.
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So, what now? Set for what?
Patience, young grasshopper. All will become clear.

Your character is going on a journey. Your story, or plot, is the road map. On their travels from A to B they may experience magical wonders, or mind-blowing atrocities. They may experience betrayal, love or fear. The people they meet may change their perspective or reveal a side of themselves they didn't know existed. I could go on. Chances are though, that they will experience something.

Why is this necessary for my story?

People change over the course of their life and so should your characters.

We are the sum of our experiences, both the good and the bad.

A one dimensional character will walk through a story unchanged, unaffected by what is going on around them or happening to them. They magically have what it takes to get through any situation and don't have to grow up, or learn any valuable lessons in order achieve their goal.
​ Is this believable? Of course not. None of us go through life this way. A two dimensional character however, is relatable. This is how we become emotionally invested in the characters we love.

Think of your favourite books. Where does your favourite character start, both physically and emotionally? Where do they finish? Are they different from when they started?

There are many different types of journey your characters can undertake. For example...

Zero to Hero -- for this journey our protagonist starts out small, but by the end of the story he becomes the hero he's always meant to be, allowing him to save the day. At the beginning, there doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary or spectacular about him. In fact, you won't find a more unlikely hero anywhere. Maybe that blonde beefcake who upstages our protagonist at every turn should have actually been made the hero of the piece.
But, every 'zero' has that something extra special locked away deep inside them and throughout the story, his character undertakes a radical transformation. From zero to hero, our protagonist's life will never be the same again.

​Personal Growth -- here, our developing protagonist faces not just external difficulties, but internal opposition also. This can be anything from a crippling phobia, to a lack of self-confidence, to the inability to let go of the past and move on. Out protagonist goes through a personal journey, battling inner demons, a perceived weakness or whatever it is that is holding them back. Simultaneously, external opposition serves to challenge the protagonist and force them far beyond their comfort zone. This will usually push them to the point where they must conquer whatever internal issues that hold them back in order to restore order or save the day.
For this type of character development, the experiences they face on their journey push and change them, forcing them to confront their outstanding internal issues in order to deal with an even bigger external threat.
Unlike the previous type, our protagonists radical transformation is, if any, internalised. Generally, they are still the same character, just a shiny new version of themselves.

Tragic Downfall -- not all characters have to develop for the better. Some protagonists are more suited to their inevitable decline rather than ascension and, instead of becoming a better version of themselves, their actions lead them down a much darker​ path. Tragic heroes see the world in a different way and often, their perception of it is distorted by their own negative traits. Here, they may choose to somewhat redeem themselves towards the end, or accept their new selves for who they are and plunge into darkness. Either way, they have a rocky road ahead of them.

Character development is a huge topic. Having a basic grasp of it though, is important for any good story.
​I'd love to hear about your characters. Who are they? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Let me know in the comments below.

   LET'S FACE IT -- we're all busy. We all have responsibilities that require chunks of our time and, more often than not, that time slowly depletes throughout the day.

   Sound familiar at all?

   With the best of intentions, it's super easy to neglect your projects. "Tomorrow will be better," you tell yourself. "I'll power through it then." And tomorrow, you're just as busy. The next day doesn't look good either. 
   Before you know it, your project is collecting dust. 

   Let me tell you something that will make things crystal clear:
​   If you don't make the time to write, then you won't write. No one else is going to do it for you.

   So, how important is your project to you?

   If you're still with me, then I salute you. More power to you! Let's see how you can make the best of your time and make your writing a priority in your life. 

• ​Planning Ahead -- One way to ensure that you attend to your writing needs is to treat each session as you would any other important item on your list. Schedule time to sit down and make some progress on your project. Stick to it. You wouldn't keep your boss waiting at the office, would you? Or leave your mother stranded at the train station? Didn't think so.

   (Okay, if you nodded just then, move onto method two... And remind me not to tick you off.)
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• De-clutter Your Day -- It's okay to get distracted every once in a while. Sometimes, distractions can be a good thing. They can let us know when it's time to take a break and give your mind some down time. They can also slow us down and limit our progress. Obviously, I'm talking about the second kind, here. By removing unnecessary distractions from your day, you're giving yourself extra time to play with. 

   (Sounds good, right?)

   For example, if you get up in the morning and watch an hour of TV over breakfast, try using that golden hour to jot some ideas down, work on a short story, contribute to the latest chapter of your novel... Your options here are endless. Yes, you may enjoy vegging out in the morning to your favourite programme, but do you need to do it every morning? Compromise. Mix your week up a bit. 
   And you don't have to be a morning person to make this work for you. Limit your Facebook time and use the extra to be productive. Use online shopping as a reward, not a distraction.

   Focus on your immediate task. Try not to let your every whim and impulse control you. 

   Don't want to give anything up in order to write? That's fine too. You just need to be a little more disciplined, my friend. 

• Optimise your time -- Some people are what you would call 'morning people'.  A morning person functions better first thing in the day and tends to get less productive as the day goes on. Others sit at the opposite end of the scale, better suited to evening activity than at the start of the day. Personally, I find I'm useless  before 9am. I also can't write when I'm tired, so I like to find my happy medium; 10am to 11am and 4pm to 6pm. These are my optimum times. 

   What are yours? Record your activity for a week. When are you most productive? Is there a pattern? If you discover your optimum time to write, protect it fiercely (where humanly possible). These are your initial go to writing times. 

• The Ever Ready Approach -- You may not have much 'breathing room' in your weekly schedule, so to speak, but at some point something unexpected is bound to happen. Say, by some unforeseen act of God, you have 20 minutes all to yourself. (Woohoo!) So, what are you going to do about it? Quick, grab your writing book and your notes -- oh, wait... You left them at home. 

      And, just like that, the moment passes you by. Well, no more. This method is for all you opportunists, and for those that like to fully plan out their day in order to make best use of their time and energy. 

   (You've made your point. Now, get on with the method!)

   Carry a note pad around with you wherever you go. It doesn't have to be big, it can be handbag sized, or even shirt pocket sized. And whatever you do, don't forget to carry a good pen, too. These are your basic writer's on-the-go tools, perfect for unplanned moments of productivity and brilliant bursts of inspiration. 
   You can also use your phone or tablet, if gadgets are more your style. Writing with a phone can be fiddly for longer paragraphs, but speaking them is easy. There are two ways you can do this: 

1. Speak into an open writing document
2. Record your voice using an app

   Both of these methods can be effectively used in a hurry. They're also good for those chaotic moments when your hand struggles to keep up with your epic imagination. 
   As for the reams of notes you may have made on your project, well... I know what you're thinking. Why should I carry them around with me all day, you say? After all, you may not even get to use them. Fear not, dear writers. You can carry them around with you without breaking your back. 

   (I'm going to go ahead and assume you have a mobile phone with a camera. If you don't, I apologise. But you really are missing out!)

   Take a picture of all important notes and keep them stored in their own folder. This way, you'll have ready access to everything you need to pick up where you last left off. You can also email yourself typed notes, or carry them on a memory stick. 

   I hope you found something useful  in all that. You can use all of these methods to make time for your writing projects, or just pick the one that suits you best. Maybe you have a better idea. In any case, I'd love to know what works for you. 
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There is one thing of which I'm absolutely certain -- writers write. 

Welcome, folks, to my brand new website. Go ahead and take a look around. Make yourselves at home because from now on, this website will be central hub for all my writerly goings on  -- for now and for the foreseeable future. 

I have lots to share with you over the coming months. I have lots to talk about. I'm looking forward to getting started and in good time, to sharing lots of great content with you. But for now, stay and have a look around. If you have any feedback, leave me a comment. I'm far from being a website wizard, but your suggestions and improvements will all be gratefully received.