So my end of March blog post has become a start of April blog post. Which seems to summarise how March has gone, quite frankly.
March is one of those months, every year, almost without fail, where something changes. Whether it is the pressures of the financial year at work, or the changing of the seasons means I spent more time in the garden, March is always one of those months that flies past.
Assassins 1 Progress
Assassins 1 has stalled, somewhat. I’ve gone through an editing slump, which I am only now starting to come out of. I’ve managed to finally push past one of my key blocking stages and start to weave together the second arc which takes us into the main story. It’s exciting, difficult work, which always leaves my wordcount looking rather sad at the end of an evening.
But progress is happening. And any progress, no matter how small, is all that matters.
Writing on Caffeine
This month on my Newsletter I talked about Writing Goals, which was rather apt given that this month I have completely shot any goals and am now scrabbling around the remains to look for something to aim for April. Probably just something as simple as “write something”.
You can check out my February edition of Writing on Caffeine here if you want to get a flavour of what I write about. If you want to find out more, you can sign up by clicking the image below!
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Missed any of my posts this month?
I’ve been trying to stick to my new 2021 posting plan, which despite all of the various pressures on my time I’ve managed to just about stick too. If you’ve missed one of my previous posts, you can check them out below!
Starting the Realm of the Elderlings – Assassin’s Apprentice review
My introduction to the Realm of the Elderlings got off to a rocky start when I realised I started with the wrong book. Namely, the book that was the trilogy at the very end. I only realised this until I was almost a good 25% through (according to my kindle), which also meant I got … More Starting the Realm of the Elderlings – Assassin’s Apprentice review
You write what you read
It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these updates about my fantasy novel The Akrion Cycle (Book 1). The last six months have not got much to show in terms of words on a page, but there have been points of intensive creativity which have pushed the book forward. One of the things … More You write what you read
Writing On Caffeine – Pacing your Story
Don’t forget that this month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m talking about pacing of your story. Like the seasons, the pacing in a story will help guide the reader to key scenes and influence their interaction with a story. In this newsletter, I’m going to talk about what pacing is, why it’s important … More Writing On Caffeine – Pacing your Story
Ghosts (From the Archives)
The first ghost was an easy hit as it rounded the top of the staircase. Raela loosed the arrow and began searching for the second ghost that she could sense was lurking round the corner. Wait for it, she thought to herself. Her breathing slowed, as she concentrated on the stone bricks that made up … More Ghosts (From the Archives)
March of the Valentas
Ashayra was taller than Miaken expected. He knew that she was from the South, and like all Southeners was always going to be tall, but he did expect her to have to stoop beneath the wooden beamed ceiling to avoid hitting her head. Even Miaken who was the tallest out of most of the people … More March of the Valentas
The Light of all that Falls – a satifying end to the Licanius Triology
The concluding entry to The Licanius Trilogy was as fast paced and page-turning as the previous two books, The Shadow of What was Lost and An Echo of Things to Come. If you’ve not read the previous two books, then please do read them before reading this blog, as this is not spoiler free! What … More The Light of all that Falls – a satifying end to the Licanius Triology
Anxiety (From the Archives)
Eva squeezed her eyes tightly shut, her nails digging into the palms of her hands so hard she thought they would draw blood. Christ this was hard. It was so fucking hard. She had no idea how people just managed in their day to day lives. That’s what therapy is for, a little voice said … More Anxiety (From the Archives)
How to use description in your fantasy novel
At some point, you’re going to have to tell your reader the image you see in your mind. You’ll need to try and capture that image, to the best you can, in your words so that when your reader reads those words, they come up with the same image. At least that is what you … More How to use description in your fantasy novel
An summer’s evening thoughts
This time of year is always my favourite – before the full heat and intensity of summer has hit, but still warm enough to enjoy the outside. Whilst this month has not been one for writing, it has been one for reading. It’s quite a common saying that to be a good writer, you need … More An summer’s evening thoughts
Smoking Remnants (From the Archives)
Ia looked down on the smoking remains of their village. Even from up here, in the safety of the mountains, she could taste the ash on the air. The anger inside her was deep, she had warned the council that the humans were advancing across their borders and yet they did nothing. And still did … More Smoking Remnants (From the Archives)
My Thoughts on An Echo of Things to Come
When I started An Echo of Things to Come by James Islington, I was certain of two things. Firstly, reading a huge fantasy story that I hadn’t read before on an e-book was considerably harder because I couldn’t have easy access to the map or the glossary, and secondly I knew for certain that this … More My Thoughts on An Echo of Things to Come
Writing On Caffeine – Worldbuilding and Plants
Don’t forget that this month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m talking all about how to build the natural world into your novel. The natural world is a huge topic, so I’m going to focus on one aspect – plants. The lifeblood of anything that is alive, the crazy evolutions and tips on how … More Writing On Caffeine – Worldbuilding and Plants
Alex.J.Cobalt is a fantasy writer from the UK. When she’s not working away at her fantasy novel series, she posts free flash fictions on her website, along with regular blogs about writing.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by averie woodard on Unsplash
Alex.J.Cobalt 
Oh yeah, March really zoomed by and I have no idea where it went too. Nice monthly update, and here’s to overcoming your editing slump!
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Thank you – fingers crossed for a more productive April!
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