Monthly Updates
My monthly blog on what I’ve been up to, writing updates and things I’ve found interesting.
A reflection on the year
I always like reflecting on the past year as we sit in that time after Christmas and before the New Year is rung in. It’s a chance to step back and see the work and memories that you’ve made over a longer period of time – the months might fly by but the year in … More A reflection on the year
Winter Evening Thoughts
Somehow it’s already three days into December, and it’s only now I’ve realised I had yet to write a monthly blog update. It’s fitting, really, given how this month has gone. I’ve read a lot more and written a lot more, which has meant my blog break I started in October has extended into November … More Winter Evening Thoughts
Having Stepped away for a Moment
This month I’ve stepped away from the cycle of blog posts and updates. And actually, it was pretty damn good as a month. Sometimes, you have to recognise there is just not enough time in the day. October has been that month, coupled with the inevitable autumn cold and social gatherings starting to murmur into … More Having Stepped away for a Moment
A Bit Too Tired
This month can be summarised with one phrase: I am so f**cking tired. I intended to use September as an achievement month. A time to set myself a ridiculous 30k word goal and go smash out those words to get my novel to the next stage. A time to bake some more bread, finish the … More A Bit Too Tired
Blogs
My thoughts on all things fantasy, writing and anything else.
What I thought about Jade City
Armed with a new kindle and a resolution to read some more books, I went on a buying spree at the start of 2021 for some new fantasy novels and world that I hadn’t read before. Having joined “bookstagram” over the pandemic, I’ve been exposed to a lot more diverse authors and stories that I … More What I thought about Jade City
Why you should read The Shadow of What was Lost
The other month, I ventured back into the bowels of a Bookshop for the first time since Lockdown. I say the bowels of the bookshop, because fantasy books are always located somewhere in a cellar or right at the back of the shop, tucked away underneath a heading of science fiction and comic novels. It’s … More Why you should read The Shadow of What was Lost
Writers Block can be a Blessing
It’s not just all about the negative when it comes to writer’s block. In fact, I think writer’s block can be a blessing in certain circumstances. We’re too hard on our creative selves to create, create, created, and sometimes there is a point where you have to stop. You might need a break Last month … More Writers Block can be a Blessing
Monday Inspiration
My inspiration post-its, packaged as a blog post and shared with the internet.
Read More Stories (Monday Inspiration)
Reading is as important to be a good writer as it is to practice writing. You can see how other stories are constructed and written, how they’ve dealt with the same plot pains you have, how they’ve created tension and pacing. Reading also allows you to be a reader again, just a reader enjoying a … More Read More Stories (Monday Inspiration)
Each Draft is an Improvement (Monday Inspiration)
Every time you work on your draft, you make your story better. Every word, every sentence, every paragraph you look at and consider is another word closer to your final novel. Keep going. Keep editing. Keep drafting. And one day, the story on your page will match the one in your mind. First Posted in … More Each Draft is an Improvement (Monday Inspiration)
Be Kind to You (Monday Inspiration)
Writing is a creative hobby that is both individual and isolating. And there is a beauty in that, the individuality of your story is what makes it yours. And the isolation from the world is what gives your mind space to travel to far off places and create worlds so different to our own. But … More Be Kind to You (Monday Inspiration)
The First Draft (Monday Inspiration)
First drafts are supposed to be messy. They’re supposed to be full of holes and phrases that don’t quite work. The words that are in bold because you haven’t created that part of the world yet, or names of people you haven’t thought through. It’s okay if your first draft doesn’t work. Because your second … More The First Draft (Monday Inspiration)
Make Your Reality (Monday Inspiration)
You can make your dream into a reality. You can work towards it, day by day, until each tiny little change that you make, each tiny adjustment in your course, points you towards your goal. One day, you’ll stop and realise. You made it. You made your dream a reality. First Posted in April 2020
Don’t Burn Out (Monday Inspiration)
Passion projects are intoxicating because they are so involved. You can be sucked into them and loose all sense of space and time. It is just you and the words, and your act of creation. But remember to take a step back. To breathe. To give yourself time to recover. Otherwise you’ll burn out. First … More Don’t Burn Out (Monday Inspiration)
Be Limitless (Monday Inspiration)
Start showing yourself Be as limitless as your dreams. The dreams that are far beyond your reach and far beyond reason. Believe in that limitless feeling. That soaring hope you feel when you immerse yourself in that dream. You have as much chance in achieving that dream as you have any right to believe. So … More Be Limitless (Monday Inspiration)
Time Is Precious (Monday Inspiration)
There is only so much time in the day, and there never seems to be enough. And you know what, that’s okay. You can make it work for you. You can change your workspace to be more focussed. You can change your attitude to be more diligent. You can do this. You can make the … More Time Is Precious (Monday Inspiration)
What will be, will be (Monday Inspiration)
Start showing yourself It’ll be what it will be, your story. Whatever you create, even if it’s different from what you planned. Let your creativity take it’s course, and see what you can make. Featured Photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash
Anything is Possible (Monday Inspiration)
Don’t limit yourself. Don’t limit your dreams. The world is big, your drive is unbeatable, and your dreams are special. Stop telling yourself that you can’t do everything. Start showing yourself that you can. First Posted in March 2020
Alex.J.Cobalt 