Between (Writing) Jobs

 One book finished... Another to start.

Protecting Their Heart is officially released, and I've been on a bit of vaycay before getting back to writing. Even a romance writer needs a break. 

Now, though, the break is over. Time to work. Time to write that book. 

It's been quite a rest period, and I admit that there have been feelings of guilt. So how long is too long when you stop writing? I felt justified when I decided to spend some time on other hobbies, reading books, and binge-watching boxsets, after all, I don't take time off at Christmas. I just keep writing.

Now I'm getting back to it, I feel like I've taken too much time. If I hadn't had that break, think how far through my first draft I would be...

Is It Okay to Rest?

Heck, yeah. When you work a day job, as I do alongside writing, you get annual leave. You get vacation days. Because burnout is a real thing. 

You might still think about your project and that's okay, but it's also okay if you don't.

Take a break because it's been proven that those who take time off are more productive, and happier. 

Warning Signs 

How do you know it's time to take a rest? Look out for these feelings:

Writer's Block

Sure, maybe you can push through writer's block. Maybe you just need to take a walk, read something else, switch to longhand. But maybe it goes deeper. If you're stuck, deeply stuck, then don't be afraid to take some time for yourself. 

Exhaustion

This could be the border of burnout. If you can't face sitting down at the screen and getting words down, if you're looking for a way to avoid it, then it won't benefit you to force yourself. All you're doing is increasing that fatigue. 

If dread accompanies your writing then you're doing something wrong. It doesn't have to be fun every second, and it doesn't have to be easy, but you should want to do it. It should be important in the moment. You should still love being a writer. 

You Just Don't Want To

I love writing. The stories I'm plotting and planning always play in my brain, so if I don't want to do it at all, then that means there's more wrong than a lack of motivation. This isn't the same thing as being stuck on a scene, or a part of your book not being as fun to write as another. This is when there's no will at all. 

Something More Important 

Writing can't always be your first priority. It's not possible. We're adults, and we have other responsibilities. Whether that be a day job, a family, or something else... If you have something in your life that needs to be resolved first or put before your book... Writing will still be there. It will wait for you. 

How to Take a Break

I have a lot of hobbies and many things that I like to do, but most of all, my favourite thing is books books books. After all, it's why I'm a writer. So, if I have time to spare, I'm going to spend a chunk of it reading. 

I'm also going to watch TV. It's the perfect opportunity to catch up on shows you've always wanted to watch but never had the time. Binge-watch, baby. It's what streaming services are for!

There are a thousand things you can do. Go outside, get exercise, eat out, eat lots, see your friends, meditate, go dancing, drink cocktails, paint, draw, skate, ski. There are so many things in the world to do. There's no way that you won't find something you love. 

Romance Writer Clocking In

All vacations must come to an end, and mine has reached that point. That's not a bad thing. As I've already said, I love writing, and the story ideas and scenes don't stop coming because I'm doing something else. 

I've got so many stories I want to tell, and I can't wait to share them. To meet new characters, and find out what happens to them. To develop old characters and learn new things about them. 

Protecting Their Heart is on sale, but I have plenty to be getting on with. After all, the books to be written by a romance writer never ends. There's always writing to be done.  

If you enjoyed reading this blog then feel free to read some of my others, or take a look around my website and learn about my books and book extras. 

Spring Equinox

 

March is the month of the Spring Equinox, an important sabbat in the witch's calendar, and the first day of spring. 

Sabbats are celebrations for a witch to mark the passing of the year. They coincide with the seasons and rhythms of the earth, and when we celebrate them, we follow the footsteps of our ancestors. We connect to the energy of the sun and moon. 

I'm not just a writer of paranormal witch romance. I also celebrate the sabbats, so let's take a look at the spring equinox. 

What is Spring Equinox?

Equinox is a time of equal day and night, and after the spring equinox, the days get longer. For witches spring equinox is also known as Ostara - named after the Germanic lunar goddess, the embodiment of the great goddess, who gave birth to the sun god at winter solstice. 

Throughout spring equinox we get early sunrises and late sunsets, and spring is a time of rebirth, of renewal, and of balance. Honour and ruminate on everything you've achieved since winter solstice. Think of what you would like to achieve over the season, and what you hope will bloom.

Decorate Your Altar

Setting up and decorating your altar doesn't have to be difficult. Cover your altar with a cloth of your choosing, and items that represent the elements. When it comes to choosing flowers look outside at which are in bloom. 

Decorate with nature-themed items, like painted eggs, fallen feathers, flowering bulbs and earthenware with a handful of soil to represent the planting season. Include water to symbolise spring rain and don't forget candles in pastel colours. 

Non Ritual

You don't have to do a full ritual to honour the sabbat. You can do that in your daily living. Immerse yourself in nature by taking a walk outside in whatever weather you can. As a British writer, rain is almost a given for me. 

Another way, is to spring clean and donate clothing to charity. Or you can even just go into your own garden and plant flowers. Don't have a garden? Then plant pots works too. It's about your intent. Your focus. Your honour of this world and its energy. 

A Wiccan Romance Writer

There are so many ways you can celebrate the spring equinox that doesn't have to make you feel witchy if you're not. But if you are, then you can go all the way and honour spring with a ritual. 

Maybe you don't have time on the exact day, maybe your busy life makes taking time out for a ritual challenging, but that's okay too. There are no strict rules when it comes to sabbats, but it's worth taking a little time for yourself and welcoming nature into your life. 

I'm a wiccan writer with a day job, which doesn't give me much spare time, but there are always simple ways to be a part of nature and this world. 

If you liked reading about this then take a look around my blog and read some of the other wiccan posts, including a free short story set after the events of River's Heart. 

Protecting Their Heart Release

 Release day is coming!

Protecting Their Heart is the first instalment of the Lunar Falls series. It's a menage love story between Penny, Adam and Ethan.

In this paranormal romance, Adam and Ethan are wolf shifters, part of the Accalia Pack, and they're out running when their mate is literally chased into their arms. Their new mission is to keep her safe from the stalker determined to have her and to make her fall for them at the same time. 

The Lunar Falls series will be a collection of romance books that follow the shifters and their future mates who live in the small town, as their lives are transformed by love. 

It's a sexy story with lots of passion and lots of romance, and as a romance author, I love writing feisty females who don't let their alpha mates get away with being bossy. 

If you're interested in reading anything else I've written, then River's Heart is a paranormal romance about a witch coven who have their curse lifted and are now free to find love. You can even take a look around my website and get some book extras. 

Protecting Their Heart is out now and you can buy it from Amazon here if you're in the US, or here in the UK. You can also get it from Smashwords here. 

 

Sticking to Resolutions

 We're leaving December 2022...

January 1st is the start of a new adventure, or at least that's what they say. As an introverted romance author who is happiest at home, my adventures will probably happen on the page and in the paranormal romance stories I write. 

I do like to set some New Year Resolutions. 

The flaw with resolutions is that they're tough to stick to long-term. In fact, only 40% manage to maintain their resolutions beyond 6 months.

My New Year's Resolutions tend to be focussed on being less lazy, writing more, and working harder, but I like a refresh, and day one of a new year is a good time to start. The question is, what's the best way to maintain your willpower?

Choose the Best Goals

The place a lot of people go wrong is setting a lot of different goals. Taking on too much can be overwhelming, which means the easiest way is to form new habits. Be specific with what you want and plan the steps to achieve it. 

This leads to the next step...

Plan Plan Plan

Write down your goal and brainstorm how to achieve it. Make lists, prepare for obstacles that might block your path, plan ahead. Know what you want. 

Start Small

Don't jump in at the deep end. That's what your steps are for. You build to the end achievement. You might feel like it's going slowly, but that's what progress is. You're not planning on being an overnight success. You'll have to put the work in. 

Deadlines 

Deadlines can help, but they come with their own downfalls. If you're going to be disheartened when you miss one then they might not be worth it. Give yourself a contingency plan and figure out how you'll proceed even when you feel it's not going as quickly as you want. 

Keep it Fresh

Don't keep trying to achieve the same goal. You're already starting for a low point if it's something you've failed at. Make enough changes to the New Year Resolution that it truly is a fresh start. 

Be Patient

This a process and that means it won't be an instant success. There will be setbacks and missteps. It might not happen as quickly as you want, but keep your spirit, keep planning, prepare for anything, and try your best. 

On Your Way...

Now you have the basic tools to get going. All you need is to figure out what your New Year's Resolution is going to be. I'm making it easy on myself. My first one is to publish my book, which is almost ready to go. 

Keep an eye out for book extras and updates, and if you like what you read here, take a look around and read some of my other articles.  

 

 

One Broke Girl

 I'm not alone in struggling financially at the moment. I think we're all feeling the strain.

My piggy bank is empty and it will be for a while. 

I'm a struggling romance writer with a minimum-wage day job, which means, money is often on my mind. 

I've read some ridiculous tips on cutting costs and budgeting. Things like cutting down on coffee shops and instead having coffee at home, and cancelling unnecessary subscriptions. As if those aren't the first things to go. 

I was advised to find out what financial help I'm entitled to, which is zero because I have a job. Another tip was to resist splurging and save the money instead as if I can afford to splurge on anything when food and power bills just keep rising. 

I'm no money expert. If you need deep advice there are better sites to go to for that. I'm just a writer with no money., and the truth is, there really is no way to budget and save when the money isn't there, but I have found some ways to be a little thrifty. 

Yellow Stickers

That's right. I'm a yellow sticker enthusiast. There's no reason not to be. When you consider the same product was £3 at ten to five, and then at ten past five has reduced to as much as 70%. I'm buying that bad boy. And most supermarkets have reduced sections, and I've actually found toys for 40 pence that have made an activity pack. 

Saver Brands

Supermarket own brands are cheaper and a lot of them match up to more expensive brands. There are some brand names that I can't bring myself to give up - I'm looking at you Tetley and Nescafe - but there aren't many food products that I'm willing to pay so much more for. 

Another thing to think about is wonky vegetables. They're not as pretty but what does that matter once they're chopped and cooked?

Less Waste

According to the Office for National Statistics, households make up 70% of all food waste and a third of that waste is still edible. Of course you don't want to make yourself ill by eating inedible food, but think of it like this; best before is a suggestion, while use by is a rule. 

By wasting less you can save yourself a small fortune in money, and there are ways to utilize what is in your fridge. Things like chopping your veg and freezing them or putting bread in the oven to crisp it up. Make the most of what you've got. 

Track Your Spending

It's boring, and it can be frustrating, but by budgeting and tracking the money you spend, it makes you aware of where your money goes, and if there is a way to save somewhere, this is where you'll see it. I use a spreadsheet to budget but I know someone who writes it in a notebook, and there are plenty of apps. 

Pay Off Debts

They say to pay bills and debts before you save and I think it's a good idea. When you have debts you pay interest so it makes sense to get rid of the debt costing you money first. It makes more sense to prioritise that. 

Just a Writer

Like I said, I'm no money expert. I'm just a romance writer with a day job that doesn't pay a lot, so I'm learning to make the most of the money I have, and I'm sure that if you're looking for tips, you've already tried what I suggested, but maybe there's just one thing there you haven't thought of and I hope it helps. 

If you have any tips to share then feel free, and if you're here looking for writing news, then stay with me. Alternatively, you can head over to my website for homepage news and updates. You'll even find some book extras there. 

Writing the Blurb

My book in summary...

I love writing. I've loved it since I was a little girl. One of the things that's changed over the years is what I write.  As a romance author my stories have got a wee bit sexier, but that's what paranormal romance is about. 

And one of the things I don't love about writing is the synopsis and the blurb. 

When it comes to writing the blurb, I've discovered I find it so much easier to write it before I write the story. It gives me an idea of what's coming and a general outline to follow. It also means I won't get bogged down by all the things I've written. 

Writing a Paranormal Romance Blurb

Somethings I like to include when I write a blurb are:

A Tag Line

Just one line that leads into the blurb and grabs attention. It can be an intro or something from your book, but one thing it must do is grab attention. 

Your Plot

Seems like a given, I know, but your plot needs to summaries in about 150 words. What is the conflict? What are the obstacles? What is your book about?

Characters

Another one that goes without saying. You need to tell readers who these things are going to happen to. Who your characters are. 

Before I Write...

The fact that you have to put thought into those things for a blurb is why I write the blurb first. Once I have the story idea, the blurb helps me build the story, creating my paranormal romance and once the blurb is complete, I can flesh out a full outline. 

Where Have I Been?

 

I haven't blogged since July.

I've cut down social media time. 

I'm just trying to write. To finish what I'm working on. To complete projects. And I've taken a little time for myself too. 

I'm not hiding away, but I think I'm trying to be in the real world and less in a web-based world, and sometimes I think that too much social media can negatively impact me. It's about whether the benefits outweigh the negatives; lately, they haven't. 

The real world has been busy too, which hasn't allowed me a lot of free time to spend online either, so writing has been my priority. 

Protecting Their Heart, my new shifter romance is in its final edit so will be coming soon.