I've always kept a collection of short story ideas. For a few years now it's been in SimpleNote (so I can access it via my work computer or my phone when on the go; and my home computer has Notational Velocity set to communicate with SimpleNote and also to save its files in a spot […]
A couple of months ago I took up bullet journalling because I need to plot by pen and paper, so I succumbed to the one notebook to rule them all. In my first month, I (re-)discovered that plotting a novel burns through notebooks, so last week I succumbed to my lifelong desire to indulge in […]
I had one goal for September (which, in my defence, I set with only 5 days of the month remaining), and that was to have an outline of the next novel. Usually I write manuscripts on the fly; I have a beginning, two or three turning or high points, maybe some other beats which need […]
Over the past few years, I've had a troubled relationship with my notebook. It's the double-handling. Writing by hand necessarily entails typing it all up; and I never have enough time to keep up with it; and it seems inefficient. So I've been chasing my tail, trying to set up computer-based systems to replace my […]
Today I'm over at David McDonald's page, talking on the topic of paying for our passion — which, in my case, translates to the impact motherhood had on my writing.
It's all systems panic over this way, as I desperately try to pack up a toddler and a cat for their impending trips, one to Swancon and one to a much-needed rest at the cattery.[note]She comes home from her cattery stays reeking, for four or more days, of at least five different perfumes. I'm guessing […]
Today I'm up on Kaaron Warren's blog, talking about the spark for Cherry Crow Children: There's a distinction, for me, between ideas and Ideas… I'd totally forgotten, but her post reminded me that I met Kaaron in person through a workshop we did together. At the time, I was workshopping what would turn out to […]
Whenever I finish working on a manuscript, I give myself free reign to abandon all discipline and consume instead of create. Books, TV, films, magazines, art, museum exhibitions, live comedy, music, podcasts … any and every creative outpouring from someone else's brain that even remotely takes my interest. And of course spending extra time with […]
Ah, productivity, how I miss you. You never call, you never write… I feel like I've been spinning my wheels on this ever since Squawk was a week old and I began thinking about trying to fit my writing around her. During all this time my thoughts — thanks to my brain chemistry and a […]
The indefatigable Ellen Gregory — who is currently writing a fantasy novel with a unique magic system; she's been telling me snippets of the world and the plot over our many cafe writing dates and I really cannot wait to read the finished product — has tagged me for a blog hop about writing process. […]