Two days into NaNoWriMo and I'm still here! And I'm on (actually, slightly ahead of) target! OK, so I know it's only been two days, but I'm nonetheless pleased. For the past two days I've had the luxury of a strategically planned break from the dayjob, so I was able to indulge my predilection for … Continue reading NaNoWriMo – the beginning
Did I just sign up for NaNoWriMo?
I'm a little bit excited. This week I took the plunge and signed up for my first NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The challenge -- and readers of this blog might be aware I love a challenge -- is to write 50,000 words of a novel during the 30 days of November. (Technically the challenge … Continue reading Did I just sign up for NaNoWriMo?
The epiphany: a new perspective
I had a major epiphany while working on my WIP today. I suddenly saw a solution to several problems all at once, and it was utterly thrilling. Very sadly, I was alone in the cafe at that point , my writing companion having disappeared temporarily for an appointment. I must've looked agitated, because the serving … Continue reading The epiphany: a new perspective
The secret ingredient to productivity
They say one of the keys to being successful at any creative endeavour is perseverance. Discipline comes in handy too. Yeah yeah, there are also talent and self-belief, but they're very hard to control... There is another secret ingredient I've come to value very highly over the years -- and that's friends. More specifically, friends … Continue reading The secret ingredient to productivity
Thoughts on interval writing
It's amazing how fast two weeks can whoosh past. And I've just ducked in here to share and comment on this post from literary agent Rachelle Gardner on Interval training for writers. The basic gist (based on research) is that optimal working habits involve no more than three 90-minute sessions of high concentration, divided by … Continue reading Thoughts on interval writing
The importance of writing with joy
I've been thinking a lot about where I'm going with my writing of late. Thinking, not doing. There have been no new words on my WIP for over three weeks now. It was a conscious decision to stop. I wasn't happy with anything coming out, had been writing every scene twice, and finally reached the … Continue reading The importance of writing with joy
Four positives out of an ‘average’ WIP Wednesday
Ever have one of those days when you do all the right things -- sit down at the computer, open the WIP, block out all distractions, prepare for an unbroken afternoon of productivity -- and end up with a mere (this is almost too embarrassing to admit) 250 words? Four hours. FOUR HOURS was how … Continue reading Four positives out of an ‘average’ WIP Wednesday
Two touchstones for worldbuilding
Another WIP Wednesday, and today I'm going to talk about one aspect of the fantasy genre you just can't escape from: Worldbuilding. This is perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of writing and reading fantasy for me. I just love the opportunity to explore amazing worlds, and when an author gets it right, it's … Continue reading Two touchstones for worldbuilding
WIP Wednesday: Lucky 7 Meme
Inspired by what might have been a throwaway comment on facebook by Alvarado Frazier, I thought I'd launch a series called WIP Wednesday, when I post on aspects of my Work in Progress. I'm not sure how it's going to go, or what exactly I'll write about from week to week, but it'll be reflective of … Continue reading WIP Wednesday: Lucky 7 Meme
When you feel like you’re taking the hard path
A couple of weeks ago, Australian speculative fiction author Deborah Biancotti shared some very wise insights while guest-posting on Lisa Hannett's blog: "... But here’s what you have to remember: You’re running your own race. "This means you set the pace & the direction. YOU do. Both. Pace AND direction. "... So when you find … Continue reading When you feel like you’re taking the hard path
E V Gregory 