I am writing

I am writing-Eleven

Bit of a blip. Yesterday was a packed day, and I ran out of time to write a blog post. Feels a bit sad today having missed it. Indicative, I guess of how things can get in the way and prevent something creative happening. Also how making time to write, if only for a brief moment, can be challenging.

There are many stories of authors and their writing regimen. Of how many hours they might write, if they are governed by word counts. As well as whether they are are full time writer or have other jobs and responsibilities. These all factor in to what time, how much and how oftern.

I am trying to dedicate time around work, around family too that is writing time. There is a difficult balance to maintain. I have a good idea of how many words that I might produce if I am feeling exceptionally creative. Five thousand words a day can be done if the mood is there, if there is a spark. I am still grateful if I can get one thousand or less. Whether writing is a marathon or a sprint is an interesting thought. It is still a process with emotional, physical and cognitive demands. There is every danger that if there is intensity, there is a risk of author burnout The idea of a writer churning out project after project is also interesting. Where does one draw the line to recharge and is there a point where stopping is necessary and required.

I have stories to write, and from time to time I do wonder if the creativity will one day stop. If there are a finite amount of ideas. If I ever get to the bottom of my stack of notebooks, would that mean I’m done. I think I would miss my characters. To date, I’ve never actually called time on them properly, I mean, spoiler alert, Gorbind has died twice and I can’t seem to get out of Devan’s way.

I am writing

I am writing-Nine

I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to read about. From having a paperback/hardback, to an e-reader or having an audiobook. Read, enjoy a book in whatever medium is available to you and however you feel most engaged.

Oh, and read what you want too. There needn’t be hard and fast words about who reads what and why. I for one, have a variety of genres, fiction and non-fiction on my e-reader. Read what you fancy and form your own opinion. There are always going to be those who debate and discuss. In some part, that’s exactly what fandom’s and book clubs do and do it very well.

It’s okay to like a book, not like it, be carried away or think a book really isn’t for you. I’m not entirely sure who is served by book snobbery. Okay, it does help if readers like books. This does help market demand and readers finding your work. I guess my challenges is when comments arise such as you shouldn’t read that, read this instead. This is better, I prefer that. Why you reading that for, read something else.

Books that are banned, books that are criticised; that’s an interesting avenue to. For me personally, I do my best to respect books. For example, I was raised in a household where you didn’t put books on the floor. We might not have lots of them, but I was raised to respect them, value them; keep them safe. In many instances, I’ve done by best to donate books to a loving home once I’ve had my fill of them.

There are many people in this world who don’t have the same access to books. On a daily basis, libraries and community centres are closing down. I have fond memories of visiting the library whilst growing up. Even as an adult, I find libraries fascinating sanctuary spaces. The same goes for bookshops. As an author, I’ve had the privilege of being stocked in a couple. I dream of being in a library one day.

And if you like me, want to grab a few copies. There’s a form on here somewhere. I’ll even sign them for you.

I am writing

I am writing-Eight

Sometimes, just some times, an idea needs to percolate. To brew and unfurl. Imagination has to swirl around and go through a lot of hypothesis testing.

Which is a bit odd, when fiction is meant to be made up but has to be realistic. I suppose that means sticking to tropes and genre characteristics. Sticking to norms and conventions that make a genre what it is.

However, there is change and evolution in writing. No one might blink at the notion of Romantasy. A combination of romance and fantasy, this has seen skyrocketing interest. Of course, there harbingers of romance and there are harbingers of fantasy. I guess we all need to read more and read that which we like.

Anyway, percolation of ideas. The brewing whereby anything goes, and we as readers and writers are open to it.

I’m not all that good at staying in genre-driven lanes. I tend to pick and mix quite a bit. I mean, zombies and dragons come to Birmingham in one part of book catalogue. There’s flash fiction, Greek mythology. Even historical fiction if go find Lady Eleanor and her son, James.

Over the last few years, much of my creative thinking has come when I’ve been knitting. Knitting socks, more specifically.

Knitting and also crochet have been seen to have a profound impact. There’s a growing body of research out there that indicates significant impact upon well being. I feel I can attest to that, having knitted socks since lockdown 1.0.

Knitting is useful to help empty a busy mind, regulate thoughts and systems to think about plots, characters and events. You end up with a sock and possibly a new novel every time. Plus, if you look at a search engine long enough, you’ll find that celebs do it as well.

Knitting. Not just for your aged maiden aunt.

I am writing

I am writing-seven

Today’s creativity and writing has been centred on film making. Specifically having a discussion with Producer Chris about Pink Sari. There has been revisions and amendments to the script and we are still looking at recruiting half of the cast.

Film making has been something of an adventure over the last three years. From learning and teaching myself how to write a script to casting, getting to a set and directing. Producer Chris often tells me that it is rare for Authors to be so closely involved in filming. As such, there are lots of things to negotiate.

Whilst I’ve written stories, there’s a whole developmental process in putting a script together. There’s a casting process, trying to determine who may be the best fit. Getting everyone together and also then having a set in choosing locations. There’s a lot of think about.

The only experience I had of anything Filmy was an AS level in Media Studies nearly 20 years ago. That has been useful to be honest. Also, in making one’s own movie, you watch and listen to movies differently. To seeing scenes unfold, to listening to the sound track. The experience of creativity is different.

I have done this before, the once and that was real eye-opening experience. You will have seen references to Devan Coultrie is Unwell. What was half an idea, a short story in a collection became an eleven minute film that was entered in lots of film festival. The highlight of which was entering and being part of Birmingham film festival. There were a number of awards. For a short film and suprisigly, the music.

That said, I love the Devan Coultrie theme tune and the scene in the gunmakers pub. The piece of music in the pub is called shot gun run way and was perfect for that scene really.

I am currently trying to gain the leading actor and his film wife. In a city of 1.1million people, I need to find two who will fit the bill for this movie. Perhaps then, we shall have a movie!

I am writing, Uncategorized

I am writing-Six

How do you know that I might be writing?

Inky fingers, usually.

Don’t worry, I do wash my hands. I’m not a complete heathen.

Most of my books are handwritten. I have a clutch of ink pens and a box of Diamine Fountain pen inks. Currently, there is magenta, imperial purple and a several shades of blue. I think I finished a bottle of midnight today as I sat down and wrote a few chapters.

Ink has a tendency to stain. Becomes a testament to creativity in covering my fingertips and accenting finger prints. Most of my pens have converters, the rest are filled with a variety of cartridges.

There has been progress today, with a couple of chapters written. Whilst each chapter has a heading that is a vague plan, there is a joy when the ink flows to unexpected quarters and avenues. I’m not entirely a seat of the pants planner, but I do smile at times when The Muse discovers unchartered territory.

I won’t reveal the WIP just yet. I would like to get the first draft complete and knock it into some sort of decent shape before going public. It’s a risk crafting something, putting some part of your soul into it, before releasing it. It’s scary and exciting but can also contain feelings of vulnerability. Especially when you’re not everyone’s favourite cup of tea.

When readers find my work and invest, it’s a joy and I appreciate them all.

Not a big fan club, not yet anyway. I live in hope. Never say never, you know. I shall write what I can and I hope readers will find it. In a world where we are presented with the ‘tik tok sensation’ tags and ‘USA Today bestseller’ captions, it’s difficult being an indie author.

Even the greatest of writers, living and long gone, have once upon time been a writer who has a pen, with a dream that someone, some day they will be asked-may I have your autograph, I loved your book.

Dreams and hopes. The most curious facets of the human condition. The most powerful though. For a dream, a hope, can anything.

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I am writing-Five

What to write and when? That was today’s thought and reflection. I have a stack of notebooks, have done for a while. However, at times it can be difficult to make time, carve it out and then use it it write. Life and work often get busy, and this does then rather dull the creative spark.

The creative spark then has to be nurtured. Sometimes there has to be soul-colouring to flint the spark back as it has blow out or burned out. That does take effort, the desire to think and flesh out the spark of an idea. I do feel this is different to writer’s block. Stories can arrive from anywhere at any point. Some catch more easily than others, some are laboured and take a lot of focus and cultivating.

There are many proponents of writing everyday, a matter of a hundred words. Yet, I know of days when even one hundred words feel impossible. Writing all of eight the becomes a lead weight and altogether demotivating. Writing is indeed a process, it has its own twists and turns on almost a daily basis. For many writers there are immense difficulties in having minutes and moments to write. There is no easy way or fixed routine. I remember one very famous Psychology Textbook author being said to write his first book on the bus. This sounds perfectly plausible to me.

In writing these blogs, I have been thinking that this is ALSO writing. And I’ve not done this in a while, This has its own rhythm and reason which I guess changes on a daily basis.

I’m thinking about my current WIP, what the plan might look like. Do I have the capacity to squeeze in another Christmas Story? Yes, Christmas in July. If it works for the teleshopping channels…has been on my mind this week.

We shall see.

I am writing

I am writing-four

Good music might move you; inspire, encourage and motivate. Just look at the Chariots of Fire music. Vangelis and Conquest of Paradise is an epic piece of work. Music has meaning and can shape, create so many facets of the human condition.

Most, but not all, of my books have a playlist. Songs that are inspiring, might be a theme tune for a character or evoke something that needs to be titrated into a story. I listen a range of music, and sometimes it hits on something that stirs writing.

Even the Devan Coultrie movie had what felt like an epic soundtrack, Was really useful actually to help the film. Devan has a theme tune, but my favourite is most definitely the sounds in the Gunmaker’s Arms scenes. I only have to hear the theme tune and I am thrown back to memories of filming, of standing next to the real Devan Coultrie. I did have the writing playlist, but in a fit of pique, sadly it was deleted. I tried to recreate it, even had a paper version somewhere.

I think we all feel good music when we watch a show or a film. Just think of the theme tunes that have become iconic over the years. To think that two chords, make us think of a dangerous fish. You know the one! Or the guitar riff for a Spy on Her Majesty’s service.

The image above is an anthology, a work in progress that has been paused for some time. You’ll note that there’s a fair bit of Bollywood on there. There were a lot of movies in my childhood that left deep impressions and have found themselves somehow woven into my stories.

That said, The Beyond Kangana Series has Hallelujah and The Carol of the Bells in it. As does Padmi’s Christmas Carol, I think. One day, perhaps I should pop the songs onto the online song provider outlet thing for readers to enjoy.

I am writing

I am writing-Three

Have had some time to do a little writing in the last couple of days. Not reams and reams, but a couple of thousand words to get things going. Hopefully there is time to over the weekend to add to that tally. I don’t tend to give myself categorically imperative words counts. I find this unrealistic, and there can be a feeling of undue pressure as well. I would rather enjoy writing, retain some motivation and also go with a flow.

My current project is an expansion of corner of my writing paracosm. You may note that I have distinct Universes. I have the Fragments Universe, The Beyond Kangana Universe and then there’s the Devan Coultrie Universe. There is a picture at the top of the post of that collection as it is for the time being.

The current writing project is technically a sequel. Development and a bit more detail of the first book. I don’t want to give too much away just yet; I would rather have more concrete information before I do that. I also feel rather protective of it. To work on it, get it done and dusted before any public exposure. What I can tell you, that it is indeed set in Birmingham, once again.

Whilst I am trying to get back into writing, I am also keeping an eye on film making. There is a script, a plan and ongoing discussions with producer Chris. We are currently looking for actors with this project as detailed below.

Pink sari is a short story from Behind The Scenes and fresh off the back of the rip roaring success that was Devan Coultrie, here we go again!

We are looking for actors to participate in Unpaid/Volunteer Opportunity

Great for portfolio development/gaining experience

Actors based in Birmingham/West Midlands

‘Pink Sari’

Life is full of memories and moments. Anand is trying to remember, before he starts to forget. Trying to hold on to precious memories and moments of love and family. A moment with a pink sari, that became a life time.

Characters required?

Anand-main character (60’s)

Dipti-main character’s wife (60’s)

Contact via website.

I am writing

I am writing-Two

There was some writing yesterday. A well as a bit of organisation of writing projects. There are a number to look at.

It’s not easy to pick up a notebook, pickup where I might have left off and hurtle off at full throttle. Some of these have been sat stacked for nearly a decade, others a few years. I tend to write things down with a full head of steam. The Muse gets titrated and emptied; it all feels very hopeful. Alas, one is human and with that energy depletes.

I also never throw any writing away. I choose to come back to it at another time. This does then lead to an inevitable log jam of books and ideas. However, this does, in my opinion at least, stave off writers block a little. I have had the ideas, these have been decanted. I can go back to them, sometimes with a fresh set of eyes and have another crack.

So I have inventoried and made a vague plan of what to do over time. Each book tends to be written over a year. Typically, I start on the 6th of January, Epiphany. A good a day as any to have a bright idea. To aim for a finish on New Years Eve. Not all projects might take a year. This does depend on how long I would initially like them to be. Padmi’s Christmas Carol took a week to write. Devan Coultrie can take up six weeks. I once wrote a script for a short movie in one morning. I hasten to add, these are only ever the first drafts. I do not profess to be perfect. Not by any length of chalk. All depends on a work/life/creativity balance.

Previously, I mentioned that I would be attending book events later this year. I did post those, for information.

Book events are a really interesting part of being an indie, self published author. I get to meet new readers, readers who have decided to invest in my books; I also get to adventure across the country. Mama F or a soul sister usually accompany me and act as my glamourous assistant. I’ve been very lucky to have gone to events in Montana, USA and then across all corners of the United Kingdom. Should we get to Cardiff, then yes, I will have covered the whole of the sceptred isle.

It’s not easy reaching readers, promoting work and hoping that there will be positive reviews. In fact, I have had my fair share of one and two star reviews. These can be soul-destroying and horribly demotivating. This has been on my mind quite a bit over the last year, it’s very difficult to shake off the feeling of being diminutised. Alas, I’m trying to reconcile myself to the fact that I won’t be everyone’s cuppa tea. My books will find people, and there are readers who invest and take things from the Figments of my Imagination; reading that, is always lovely.

This year, there is a full ticket of events. Only a couple pencilled in for 2027. Nothing yet, for 2028. The future is yet to be determined.

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Book events 2026

2026 Book events:

subject to planning and change

Literary Escape Festival

Birmingham 5th July

Oxford 12th September

Cardiff 26th September

Burton Book Bash:

20th September

Sugar Pages:

Bristol 8th November

Authors at the Coast

Tyne and Wear 14th November

Book extravaganza:

Coventry 21st November

Geek Mart Birmingham

8th October

Writing and Creative Adventures

Red Maple Counselling

Counselling for Courage and Change

Chapel Orahamm

Developmental and Substantive Editing

That's All She Wrote

Confessions of A Musing Freak

Sixthform Savvy

Making the most of your time in sixth form

"Is it me or do you keep falling for our tricks?!"

The Brevity Blog

Essays Exploring Craft and the Writing Life

My Big Allotment Challenge

A fine WordPress.com site

Pushing Daisies: Gardening Blog

Daniel David Wallace

The Write Edge

Writing and Editing by Ekta R. Garg

rachelmankowitz

The Cricket Pages

digwithdorris.com

Wellie-Blog

Gunn4

allotmentinmygarden

“It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Writing by Di Drinkwater

Dreamwalker's Garden

Growing Your Own Produce and Remedies

donquiblog

A Whimsical Food and Travel Blog

Allotmentals Plot 103

Allotment, garden and other stuff

Food From 4

Recipes from my Kitchen and Cookery School at Number 4

forking belle

sow and scoff: allotmenteer meets baker