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!
New Love
“So,” Iuen asked, “what do you think?” Ealia looked over at Iuen. Part of her wondered absently if he would ever get the grass stains out of his grey officers robes. Maybe he’d get ribbed for it back at the officer’s mess, interrogated to find out who his mysterious lover was. “Think of what?” she…
Goodbye January
January has come and gone in a blink of an eye it feels like. I’ve been improving my wordcounts on my novel, and had a few plot-based breakthroughs this month that I’ll talk about more in a separate blog. For now, the focus is to try and stay on track with my novel writing, stay…
The Document
“You got it?” Fethna asked as Nattali got into the car. “Ye of little faith,” Nattali said, pulling out the folder from under her jacket. It hadn’t been a particularly hard lift, just distract the guards and the receptionist was practically gagging to get someone as important as the Lieutenant of the Fifth Quarter at…
My thoughts on Ship of Magic – beginning the Liveship Traders Trilogy
Having finished the Farseer Trilogy, I then had a decision whether I wanted to follow the rest of the Realm of the Elderlings storyline in chronological or published order. I decided to go with chronological, which then led me to the first of the Liveship Traders trilogy, the Ship of Magic. Part of my reading…
Traits of a Turned
“You don’t understand me” he said, head in his hands, “you can’t see inside my head.” Amily sighed at her brother. He was in a sorry state, not that she would tell him that. Bandaged up, more white cloth than skin was visible on his legs and arms. On his head sat a helmet covered…
Introducing your Characters – Writing on Caffeine
This month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m looking at how to introduce your characters to your reader. Let’s think about what is your elevator pitch for your character, and what scenes you’re using to introduce them. After all, the introduction is setting the stage for the rest of your story, as well as…
Using Minor Characters in your Writing
When I talk about a minor character, I’m talking about those characters who doesn’t really have a purpose beyond adding colour to a particular Point of View character’s story. Perhaps it’s the person serving coffee to our Main Character in the morning, or a fleeting mention of someone they once met. So, if our minor…
Reclaiming Ara’banthe
Fathie pulled her headphones over her ears. The noise of the city, the thrum of the cars and the rhythmic thudding of footfalls were drowned out in an instant. Breathe, she told herself. Everything would be okay, after today. Everything would be just as it should be. She turned on her music, and the sound…
Closing thoughts on 2022
It’s the end of December, and the end of 2022. This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster, and the last few months in particular have taken me away from all things writing and blogging. It’s been a time of change, a time of gratefulness, and a time to reflect on where to put…
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 