Mentally preparing myself to read through that failed first chapter one last time before I move on and try again. It *almost* does what I want, but nowhere near how it should. I’ve learned so much since I wrote most of those first few paragraphs. Onwards. #writing #wip

Didn’t make the shortlist. I always knew it wasn’t going to happen, but seeing it there in black and white was still disappointing. No wonder. I’ve realised my entire opening is pretty weak. It needs reworking and doesn’t really represent most of what I’ve written. #writing

Waiting for an email that I’m convinced will never come. Thought I was fine about it, as realistically there was little chance. But as the deadline draws near, I am preemptively pretty disappointed. Onwards.

Last night I scrapped an entire chapter and started it again. Better. A beat my story deserved rather than the muddled mess that had been there before. Seems like a 4 month break did something really interesting to my focus. I’m really happy with how this is turning out… #writing #writer #fiction

After a break from writing new words (the time spent mostly refining plot, smoothing out rough first chapters and so on but also a lot of not writing), I bash out 2500 new words over a couple pints and a banging spicy pizza. That felt good.

Did a thing. Entered a writing competition. One chapter, three pages. 1500 words. Now, I’m this thing I’m writing is out there. It’s a tiny, minuscule chance. But worth a shot… #thenovelry #writing #competition

RIP Ozzy. You mad bastard. King of Heavy Metal. Thanks for the tunes 🤘

A few days of work left before two weeks off. I am ready for it. Might even get some writing done too…

Been having a bit of a writing hiatus. Not so much “blocked”, but struggling to get motivated. Day job workload, family life etc has been sapping my energy. No new words written for a few weeks. I’ll get there.
#writing #motivation

I was in the shower this morning, and had my first “what the fuck am I writing? Is this any good?! What if it’s utter shit?!” moment. Then, I shaved my head. Had breakfast and thought to myself. “Wise up. Just write it.” #writer #amwriting #writing

I’m enjoying the process of writing it (although keeling on top of two timelines one of which has significant time jumps) is HARD!

My story is dual timeline. When the reader ends a chapter they pick up with the other timeline, back and forth. My hope is it builds the tension. Every chapter ends with some kick that you have to wait till the next chapter to read the continuation of.

Jeezus. Writing the most emotionally charged scene I’ve handled so far. Generational betrayal. Broken friendships and a loss that spirals into massive consequence. If I feel it when writing, people will feel it reading yes? #writing #amwriting #emotional

Writing drunk, editing… some other time.

Before that film I’d not seen anything with Pedro Pascal before. Instant fan. Brilliant.

Wrote up some notes for the next chapter (Plantsing?) & have a really good idea for what happens next. Some interesting research into primogeniture/ascension & ancient Norse custom. Took some surprising turns. Twins it is, with a touch of sibling vs sibling coup. Fun times. #writing #amwriting

A few days break from writing - family life and some space for my head. Back on it next week! #writing #amwriting #writer

800 new words, dinner with my laptop and a pint. Perfect.

Work trip tomorrow. Will be on a train for about six hours, three of which will be free time, then six more hours on the way home. This means writing time! #writing

Another 1000 words under my belt tonight. And approximately 30 of them is the kernel of an idea so good, I’m wondering where on earth it came from. Pantsing is my jam it seems… came outta nowhere as I was typing and, well, I didn’t see that coming! #writing #pantsing #pantser #amIaWriterYet

I’ve been using Writemonkey for the manuscript and take my notes in its Repository, basically snippets of dialogue, draft passages, characters and short bios/notable relationships etc.

I haven’t been following any method (on purpose). Just what feels right.

Yeah, I’ve got a LOT of notes reminding me what is going in n with who - I’ve got a dual timeline storyline (set 1000 years apart but completely interlinked) so some sort of organisation is needed!

Same! I’ve only just realised this is how I’m ending up writing. I have a couple characters who are way more likely to go off on tangents if I let them when I’m writing a scene where they feature heavily, I’m prepared! Amazing things have happened to the story because of them…

Managed to write every night this week so far (I have a day job so writing has to fit around it). My target is around 3k. Should hit that. Some good story development, increased the importance of a supporting character, which took me by surprise when I realised what I needed to do! #writing

Back on it in 2025. Wrote around 500 new words tonight starting a new chapter, edited chapters 2 & 3 adding more detail and better dialogue and fixed some inconsistencies that were bugging me. Oh and I batch made enough soup for about a week. A productive evening. #writing

@lrlam.bsky.social 👋 hallo!

Exactly. I had an idea for two different characters that turned out to be the same one, that added deception and betrayal, and a long payoff.. (sort of spoiler!)

Thanks! I’m around 12k words in… thinking it might end up 80k+ Long road to go, but what I’ve outlined is exciting…! (for me at least… I’d totally read this story if I wasn’t writing it)

I’ve yet to gear back up after a mini break over Xmas, but I’m actively writing first draft of (hopefully) first book out of - series of (hopefully!) 6… big hopes!