I am writing

I am writing-fourteen

Today has been a productive and enjoyable day. Two more chapters have been written and I can see the story moving towards it’s ending. Ending for this book that is. In my mind, Dragon realm, it’s sequel, may have a few more instalments yet to conclude as a universe. Not a bad thing, as that’s future avenues for inspiration.

Dragon Realm was originally written as contribution to an anthology inspired by Birmingham. I think I chose the theme a city of thousand trades. As such, I wrote about lots of different people in Birmingham from a variety of jobs. It is short, compact, but could be the start of something,

This spring, I was really struggling with a WIP that I was thirty thousand words deep into. I was also feeling tired, burned out and perhaps needed to see , do something differently creatively. Dragon Realm was on my mind, and i decided to take a look at the book, the characters and see where The Muse took me.

Was a good move. My creative mojo came back, as did pleasure in writing and using my imagine. I’ve tried to be consistent and committed; to write regularly and write that which makes me happy. It’s very personal to me. To enjoy my writing, be immersed in it and above all, believe in it. I think I had displaced the joy with tiredness, burnout and not letting myself be free with my imagination.

I am enjoying it, I have inky fingers. Alas, I can see the story ending. It will complete as planned. That brings me some sadness. However, after yesterdays marathon planning session, there are two more projects to get into straight after the first draft. The mojo is there, one needs to keep a momentum. I’ve developed a detailed plan and have a strategy in how to break it all down into chunks to write. This will help set targets to maintain focus and motivation. Will have to make sure that i do prioritise time and actually bracket it off to write.

I am writing

I am writing-thirteen

Some where over there, across the pond, a football tournament has kicked off. Might account for the lower number of visitors this week, or perhaps my posts have become less interesting. Who knows! I shall persist in being committed to blogging on a daily basis during the month of June. That was the plan anyway. Let’s see if this continues. So far, I’ve missed one day, and that does bother me somewhat.

Right, today there was a plan to continue writing a WIP which is sequel to Dragon Realm. Whoops, I’ve made that public. I won’t give away the title yet. I shall wait til I have the first draft at least. I will feel a little confident about it and be more willing to share.

The plan has gone a little awry today. I’ve been thinking about Christmas. Yes, Christmas in June as we head into a summer. To be fair, a British Summer has the potential to be damp. Yesterday, and the day before were both cold and damp. Anyway, a new addition to the book oydssey 2025 is a book event which is a Christmas event, and this had me worried somewhat. I’m curious as to how many Christmas works an author, writer is supposed to have in their repertoire.

I do have a christmas title. Just the one, but I was worried that this was enough. I do have a couple of Devan Coultrie short stories too.I really enjoyed writing Padmi’s Christmas carol, but it has lingered with quite a bit. The enjoyable process, the characters and their journeys. There is something about a Christmas Carol Inspired Story, not to mention the festive season.

Over the years, I’ve tried and I’ve failed to get into and enjoy Christmas romances. I enjoy them, but I am yet to feel the power and be compelled by The Muse to write one. Until, Padmi’s Christmas carol came along. Not a romance, and there are some gothic elements to it as well.

In the last few weeks, I’ve felt haunted by Padmi’s Christmas carol, and this was also rubbed along with the attendance to the christmas book event. over the last week or so, I’ve been thinking about possible stories. I have come up with two, which have somewhat changed the writing plan for the year. There is a third, but that may be a step too far. Four projects over a summer, with a fifth creative one, might be difficult.

I’m hoping to work on them over the summer. A summer that already proposes to have something of a creative bent to it. I already feel excited to write them, there has been planning and plotting today which for the most part felt exciting. There was and is a little sadness in that those were not the three thousand words I wanted to write today. Alas, I guess this is what the Universe would have me do today.

I am writing

I am writing-twelve

Creativity comes in many forms. Over the last 18 months, I’ve been trying build up another avenue, purely for fun, through sip and paint.

Over the last eighteen months, I’ve accrued something of a collection. Last night, I added to it with a technicolour Birmingham Bull, under the watchful eye and tutelage of The Arty Chameleon. Ki is a local artist who regularly holds sip and paint events with acrylics.

Now. I don’t profess to be an expert, or any form of competent artist. These are all very much about being in the moment, enjoying the process and being creative in a different way.

I rather like my Birmingham tryptic, has been created through serendipity and enjoyment. There what is locally termed the Floozy in the Jacuzzi in a cup of typhoo. The Rotunda and St Martins as well as the Birmingham Bull.

There have been a variation of themes and I’ve usually been in the best of company, friends, soul sisters and family, Making it a thoroughly enjoyable, highly recommended experience.

I like them, even though they might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Whilst the chances of these hanging in a gallery are fairly close to zero, never say never. I do have some watercolours too that I’ve found and rather like using them.

There you go. Creativity comes in all forms.

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.

Uncategorized

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.

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