I am writing-Six

June 6, 2026 Punam Farmah Author

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

June 5, 2026 Punam Farmah Author

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

June 4, 2026 Punam Farmah Author

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

June 3, 2026 Punam Farmah Author

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

June 2, 2026 Punam Farmah Author

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

June 1, 2026 Punam Farmah Author

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

Uncategorized

I am writing-One

June 1, 2026 Punam Farmah Author

Woke up today with the thought that I must write a blog post. It has been a while, too long perhaps. The last I updated anything was in February having written and released Padmi’s Christmas Carol.

That book was a delight to write. I’ve been trying to chase that joyful, natural high ever since. That’s not a hyperbolic or flippant set of statements to make. I really did enjoy the ebb, the flow; the hours spent writing it during the twelve days of Christmas. I was inspired whilst making stuffing balls. I know, how very curious.

There are many books to write, with life also getting busy. There has been work and adventuring which has meant a really busy diary. Again, in a good way; one is not complaining. I’m lucky to like the work I do, and from time to time, rest and recuperation are warranted.

The many books to write. That means a stack of notebooks.

Well, at the last count there were half a dozen at various stages. Some have ten thousand ones, one has nearly thirty. A couple are simply plans. I have sat down, grouped them all together to see if I can develop a plan and process. Can I get a sequence as to what I want to write and stick to it. Follow it through, get one done after the other. All whilst feeling passionate and creative.

See the other creative outlet is knitting socks. I have a lot of socks, no problem. I have also recently discovered watercolour painting, having done a few sip and paint events with acrylics.

Creativity isn’t a problem. It simply takes different forms at different points,

Yet, Padmi’s Christmas Carol was different. There a vibe that I’d not experienced for a very long time; it was delightful. I did feel a bit sad when the book was complete; there was a hole remaining. Again, not a bad thing. I just need to figure out the writing process to get that vibe again.

I have filled up my ink pens. Most of my books are after all, handwritten. Some are filled with ink, others work better with cartridges. Even that discovery was an Eureka moment. It’s not a case of a bad workperson blaming their tools. I love my pens. They deserve to be used well.

Now, I don’t do word count updates or progress reports. I aim to write a certain number; I’m aware of my maximum and minimum. I also like to experience the phenemonological process. I’m also choosing to keep the storylines to myself, in not wanting to build up hopes and then dash them. It’s not nice to mislead people.

I shall let you know what is out, if at all, when.

Whilst I am trying to write, I am also attending a few book events this year. More on those later.

Right, I shall bid you adieu.

In the meantime, there are lots of books for you to read,

Books, ebook, indie author

Padmi’s Christmas Carol 28/02/2026

January 13, 2026 Punam Farmah Author

Pre order now!

28th February 2026

https://amzn.to/49mr9ak

(this is an associate link)

Advent has been a turbulent time in Birmingham. With the Carnage at Coppice Mayhew, Gorbind Phalla has left the mortal plane. His family are devastated. None more so than his loving wife Padmi.

Christmas approaches and Padmi is struggling to process her grief. She would like nothing more than to be left alone. Difficult as what could be a special time of year.

However, The Universe has other ideas. Sending Padmi on a journey with a number of interesting visitors to walk alongside her. One of them just so happens to be Hades, Lord of the Underworld and a loving family friend.

Books, writing

ten years…this year

January 12, 2025 Punam Farmah Author

Ten years ago, I decided to write a book. A book based upon this blog. I even took all the pictures on my phone. My first book, the yellow one, was an interesting entry into the world of self publishing. The Yellow One and the Green one, remain two of the most popular books. (all right, the reviews for the green one, say otherwise.)

That was how my writing journey started. I was new, naive to the whole world of writing and especially that of being a self-published Indie Author. A lot has changed since then. There are certainly more books, there have been lots of book-related adventures too. Writing books set in Montana, has led to adventures there. There lots of book adventures scheduled for this year. I am going to reflect as these will continue in the future, and what other avenues I might need to consider about making sure my stories are out there for readers to find.

I’ve learned a lot of the self-publishing indie universe, about books and the challenges that come with writing and marketing. The market is huge, diverse and there stories for everyone about anything. There’s a lot to reflect upon in approaching ten years this summer.

I don’t profess to be perfect, or a rock star, for that matter. I am eternally grateful whenever a reader chooses to pick up a book and invest in it. I’ve lots of notebooks, lots of stories; all waiting for me to attend to them.

Let’s see if these actually happen.

Books, writing

Have you seen the dragons?

January 12, 2025 Punam Farmah Author

Have you met the dragons of Birmingham?

A collection of stories that document what might happen if Birmingham played home to dragons. Everyday people find themselves trusted with eggs that help keep the skies of Birmingham safe. There are familiar landmarks, familiar settings that the winged creatures find being their home.

The dragons don’t just stay in this book. They also appear in other parts of my writing universe. If you take a look, you may find them in Chandni rises.

Dragon Realm was a really fun book to write. I was encouraged to write something different, and why not dragons? Why shouldn’t dragons also land in Birmingham. I see no reason why Birmingham should miss out on such fantasy.

The whole book universe is interconnected, so see if you spot all the links!

Punam Farmah Author and Filmmaker

I am writing-Six

I am writing-Five

I am writing-four

I am writing-Three

I am writing-Two

Book events 2026

2026 Book events:

I am writing-One

Padmi’s Christmas Carol 28/02/2026

ten years…this year

Have you seen the dragons?

Writing and Creative Adventures

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Writing and Creative Adventures