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 doing is making another batch of iced buns because now is the best kind of proving weather. Or out in the garden visiting the newest flowers and watching the bees flitter here and there.
Writing this month has taken somewhat of a backseat, both with my ongoing novel and my blogging. It’s been a busy month with guest posts on others blogs, as well as a time to find new TV to watch on Netflix.
Next month, I’m expecting much of the same. But that’s okay. Sometimes its okay to pace yourself. Your novel or whatever creative endeavour you’re pursuing will be there waiting for you when you get back.
This month’s posts.
Miss any of my posts this month? You can check them all out below!
The Dream
You write for the younger you. For the younger you who always dreamed but never believed you really could. For the younger you who wished with all of her heart to create a dream. For the younger you who saw no limits. For the younger you who still dreams today. For the you that still…
Having all the time in the world isn’t always a good thing
You might think that having all the time in the world to do your writing is a good thing. You have these images of people with unlimited time sitting there with a candle burning, a notebook and a pen on their desk, wistfully staring out of the window and contemplating existence. However, I don’t think…
This is not a plan
“You said you had a plan for this?! Flying into the port with no approvals is not a plan.” Taelew looked over at his co-pilot. Yivonn was not one for breaking the rules, which is why he hadn’t told her of the plan until they were on the final descent. “I do have a plan,”…
Editing a First Draft – Top Tips
First drafts are fickle creatures. They are hastily thrown together (especially if you are a “gardener” writer like myself) and need work to form the story that you see in your mind’s eye. Editing your first draft can feel like climbing a mountain without a guidebook – there is simply so much to fix, and…
Travelling around your world – Writing on Caffeine
This month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m talking about warm up exercises for your writing craft, why they’re important and a few ideas for you to use! Like any craft, you need to practice your writing muscles outside of your core projects, and that’s where little warm ups can come into help! Not…
Lessons from Flowers
Flowers can teach us a lot. They can teach us about what it takes to grow. That you have to be fed with the basics of human needs before you can truly flourish. That everyone grows at their own rate, and that other people’s journey cannot be compared to your own. They teach us that…
February Thoughts – Welcoming Spring
This month has been a waxing and waning of writing inspiration and time. Sometimes I find there are weeks I can sit at a desk and write a lot, other times I have to go and rest on the sofa. I was really struggling to get back into my novel until I spoke with one…
Travelling around your world – Writing on Caffeine
This month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m looking at worldbuilding, and the topic of conversation is how your characters travel around your world. How people travel can be intrinsic to how large or small the world they experience is – if everyone travels on foot, then journeys of a few hundred miles will…
After the Battle
“How are you doing, now?” Yinla asked. Oaleth poked the fire with the end of a stick. The smoke curled upwards into the night sky. “That’s a loaded question,” he replied, looking up at the stars above. They twinkled back, quietly watching over the world below. The world they had just saved. “Alright,” Oaleth said,…
Consume stories, regardless of the medium
There is a lot of good writing advice out in the internet ether that recommends reading a lot if you want to write a lot. This advice has a lot of truth in it, and it is important to read to help your writing craft. However, today I want to talk about the benefit you…
Arrival at Maalek
“Here we are,” their guide announced, “the legendary city of Maalek,” Serene rolled her eyes. The sprawling ruins in front of her did not look anything like the ballads that Kieraj had been singing about for the past week. They seemed old, realistic, and, well normal. Nothing like the soaring towers and gilded halls that…
How to write food and drink into your fantasy world
Food and drink is a vital part of any society. What we eat and drink depends on the land around us, the trade we have with other countries (or lack of), access to certain ingredients and cooking tools. If we have food from a street vendor or food from a five start Michelin restaurant, then…
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…
Writing on Caffeine
If you’re a new follower to my blog, do check out my writing advice newsletter Writing on Caffeine. It’s packed full of useful writing advice for any budding or experience fantasy writer, written in the same style and tone as my blogs!
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What I’m listening to
This month has been back to the Batman Soundtracks. I love the heavy beats throughout these scores, perfect for writing some action scenes!
What I’ve been watching
The Chef Show
As someone who is getting more and more into All Things Food, I’ve spent a lot of time binging this show on Netflix. Really friendly format, and I’ve learnt some useful tricks too!
Soul
I knew this film was good, but oh boy, watching it for the first time on an otherwise quite dire-looking Thursday evening home alone was just the antidote I needed.
What I’ve been reading
I’m still working my way through Jade City by Fonda Lee. It’s different to what I’d usually read from the fantasy genre (I’m used to a few specific POVs that you follow throughout the novel), but I’ve really enjoyed the writing and way the story is structured!
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.
Photo Credit: Ben White on Unsplash
Alex.J.Cobalt 