And suddenly, just like that, we’re at the end of April, and another monthly round up of my thoughts, writing and other such things is out into the world.
A Shift of focus
Blogging for me has always been a side item in my writing life. Something to switch to from writing my novels or short stories. However, over the last two years of occasional blogs I’ve found myself enjoying writing more article type posts, especially when I’m busy. They’re easier and quicker to write when I’m busy, and act as a nice project piece to my ongoing novel work.
So, I’ve decided to write more of them!
I’m hoping for an additional two blogs every month, although that will depend on how much time each takes. I’m positive though, it will be good fun to put more thoughts into the world!
This month’s posts
Missed any of my posts this month? You can check them all out below!
Away from the Keyboard – May Thoughts
May has been taken up with other things other than writing. Good, happy, positive things, that have kept me busier than ever and have turned my world upside down. But it has meant my focus has been away from words! Thankfully I’ve been able to prepare ahead, and hopefully be able to get back to…
Edits and Upcycling
It’s been a while since I’ve written a novel update, mostly because it’s been a while since I’ve sat down and focussed some time on my novel. For me, beginnings of a story take a number (and I mean a number) of edits. They’re beastly to try and wrestle everything I need so that the…
The Runners
Winya dropped her bags on the floor. The metal floor rung out as the heavy bags slammed into the floor. Winya winced. Rugs, then, Winya thought, looking around her tiny apartment. The apartments on Esl-5 were small, expected really given the relative infancy of the nation. The habitable parts of the planet were only two…
Why Your Writing Goals are Important
I do love a good goal. I particularly enjoy setting goals, even if I know they are overly ambitious and slightly ridiculous. Here are my three reasons why writing goals are as important as ever: 1) Goals give you a location to work towards The end of your writing journey for your current project –…
Sundown Sky
“Reminds you of home, doesn’t it?” Canath remarked, kicking their legs under them. In front of them, the great City of Naithe burned into smolders, leaving trailing smoke floating high into the sky. The final home of the Regency, defeated. Tanteth gave Canath a look. “I don’t remember as much burning on Evanil,” he remarked.…
Choosing industries in your worldbuilding – Writing on Caffeine
This month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I am going to talk about different industries in your world and how you can use them to shape your worldbuilding. After all, how your world generates new materials can play a fundamental part of the politics, economics and wider social statuses in your world. Not yet…
How to write with music
Music can be a fantastic writing prompt, regardless of what genre you are writing in. Think about when you watch a TV programme or movie – music is a key part of the storytelling narrative! And there is no reason why it can’t be part of your storytelling arsenal. Music can be a great way…
A Green World
Nadine woke to the sound of birds singing. It was still weird, to hear that instead of the constant hum of the city traffic. Even after fifty years of the banning of fossil fuels, she still expected to hear the thrum of engine noise. Not that she’d change it for anything. This world was once…
Life can get illogical, and that’s okay – April Thoughts
This month has been a month of frustration, tears and joy. It’s been a lesson in patience, a lesson in bring flexible, and a lesson in life. There are many things in life that we can control and some we can’t. And this month has made me realise it’s okay to not have control, and…
Writing on Caffeine
This month’s edition of Writing on Caffeine was looking at the antagonist, why they’re important and how to write a good one!
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Other things
I’ve been watching a lot of TV recently, and a fair bit of music. Here are my favourites from April!
Line of duty
Line of Duty is back for a new Series and as always I could write a small essay about how wonderful the screenwriting and cinematography elements are on this show (I probably will one day!). It is just that good. If you haven’t watched it before, I highly recommend it.
Drive to Survive
I am not one for Formula 1, but husband is interested and when we saw this pop up on Netflix we picked it as one of our dinner TV shows. Even though I’m not a Huge Sports Fan, it was an interesting watch!
Wandavision & The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
We’ve also dived into (and then binge watched) the whole of Wandervision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. As a MCU fan, having even more TV shows in this universe was always going to be a hit, but I genuinly enjoyed these shows as excellent shows in their own right.
Fearless (Taylor’s Version)
As anyone whose followed me for a while knows, I do love a good Taylor Swift album. I love the imagery she uses in her songwriting, and she has a number of happy bops which are great mood pickups. Her newest “re-recording” album Fearless (Taylor’s Version) is another excellent set of songs which I have had on (almost) constant repeat during April.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash
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.
Alex.J.Cobalt 