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!
Give yourself Space (Monday Inspiration)
Your writing space doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be a separate space. It could be something as simple as a pair of headphones. Something to help you concentrate on your goals. Your to do list. To help block out the world around you and let yourself zone in on that moment … More Give yourself Space (Monday Inspiration)
Planet (From the Archives)
“Would you look at that,” Zeeta said from the cockpit. The spaceshuttle arced gracefully downwards towards Planet 34-5, known in previous generations as Planet Earth. Small white clouds were punctuated against the bright blue of the planet. Apparently that was called a sea. So much water, Zeeta thought. It seemed almost impossible. “I wonder what … More Planet (From the Archives)
A time of Doing Things
Whenever I look at the month of July on my writing wordcount spreadsheet, it is always a lower number, without fail, every year. Summertime, even with the hangover of the pandemic still thundering across the collective world’s mind, is a time of being outside. It’s a time of doing things, even if the things you’re … More A time of Doing Things
I can do this (Monday Inspiration)
Remind yourself: I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. If you don’t believe in yourself then who will? So repeat after me: I can do this.
Slow and Steady
The last two months of writing have been… slow, to say the least. It’s been a tough section to try and get through in the book, mostly around trying to get three key plot threads tied up and organised so that the next section of the book can happen. One thing I’ve found through this … More Slow and Steady
The Basics of a Fantasy Story
The fantasy genre may be a vast, magical landscape, but there are always three core areas of any fantasy story that are key – worldbuilding, magic systems, and themes. If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at writing a fantasy story, these areas are a great place to begin your fantasy journey – check … More The Basics of a Fantasy Story
How To: Endings
Endings of a story have a special place in my writerly heart. Finding the right ending to a story, especially a longer project that I’ve been working on for a while, is a large reason why I write. So, how do you write a good ending? I’ve got some top three tips to consider when … More How To: Endings
Try again Today (Monday Inspiration)
It’s not about winning, it’s about trying. It’s showing up, even though the last writing session knocked you back. Or the last rejection made you cry. It’s about standing up, dusting yourself off and trying again. Your dream is only possible if you keep trying. So try again today. First Posted in 2020
Quarantine (From the Archives)
Day 45. Day 45 started much the same as Day 44 and Day 43. Both boring days, with no interlude aside from when the food was un-ceremoniously shoved through the access slot next to the door. Kell stared at the ceiling, focussing on her breathing. She’d spent the first fifteen days of Quarantine being angry, … More Quarantine (From the Archives)
Wordcounts aren’t everything
Wordcounts are a stable of any writer’s life. They’re an excellent way to measure progress through a draft, and a good way of working out how your pacing is working through a story. But they’re not everything, and here are my three reasons why: You can pick other goals I’ve spoken before about writing goals, … More Wordcounts aren’t everything
Writing On Caffeine – Character Voices
This month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m looking at how to write characters, specifically how to craft a unique voice for your character. It’s one of my favourite writing adventures to work out what each character’s voice is! In this newsletter I’ll be talking about what makes up a good “Character Voice” and … More Writing On Caffeine – Character Voices
You are where you need to be (Monday Inspiration)
You might not have written your novel by the age someone else had finished three. You might have found this story later than you intended, or had taken a path that was not the shortest to get here. That’s okay. You are where you need to be, right now. And the story you will create … More You are where you need to be (Monday Inspiration)
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
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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