This is a book I wouldn’t naturally pick up but Sarah Padfield-Neofitou sold it to me on the idea that it could help me with naming my characters. It certainly will make me think more about their surnames but there was more to this book than that.
What is it about?
The book is aimed at recently engaged, soon to be married couples. It addresses the different traditions and beliefs following marriage about names. It raises awareness that you don’t have to take your partners name and they don’t have to take yours and all the different options available to you both.
The book also has tips on how to announce your post-marriage surnames, things to watch out for like avoiding unfortunate initials.
The most eye opening part of the book was on how people judge others for their name decisions. You suddenly realise how many prejudices there are connected to a simple choice that doesn’t really affect anyone but the name bearer.
The real shocker I discovered is I have judged people for their choices and I’ve no idea where my ideals came from. I never thought I was a judgemental person until I saw myself in her words as that person. I hadn’t expected to evolve as a person from reading this but I did and I’m a better person for it.
Do I recommend it
I think this book would make a great engagement gift. When I got married I didn’t give a second thought to changing my name. It is what you do…
But now I realise how vast my choice was. I also think if I realised how difficult it is to officially change your name, I wouldn’t have bothered.
I’m not sure I would have bought this book as a writing resource, although, now I have it in my collection I’m sure I will refer to it for inspiration when coming up with surnames.
This morning my mum had Aria but I wasn’t free as I was busy having a check up at the hospital. I tried to jump on the computer to get some writing done before Aria was returned to me but by the time the housework was done, she was home.
I was worried I was never going to get to write today but once the kids were sound asleep I wrote an impressive 2,280 words before heading to bed to enjoy Crown of Conspiracy.
Sat, 2 Nov
My husband let me have a lay in today, except… I didn’t sleep. I was on my mobile making a start on my next chapter and almost got the first 1k done. Great start to the day.
Aria went down for a good nap this afternoon and I stole the opportunity to get writing. My word count is almost at the 2k mark.
I struggled to get the kids to sleep but I wasn’t too worried because of the steady progress I had made throughout the day. Once Aria gave in and went to sleep, I wrote some more but decided to go and read in bed instead of burning myself out too early in Nanowrimo.
I’m very pleased wit my 3,012 words today. I think this will be the daily count to beat.
Sun, 3 Nov
I didn’t have the best start today. Aria decided not to nap and then one of my cats had a seizure.
Evie used to have seizures as a kitten and they thought she had epilepsy but the drugs she’d take would make her drowsy. As she was young and they weren’t often, the vet suggested we see if she grows out of it and she did. She’s been fine for about 7 or 8 years, possibly more. She’s fine now the episode has passed but I’ll take her to the vets tomorrow for a check up.
I was feeling sad about Evie, exhausted because I hadn’t had a break and in no mood to write. But after dinner, Jodie held a spontaneous writing sprint on Facebook. I decided to join in and after three 5 minute sprints, I had my first 700 words of the day. I ended on a cliff hanger. It got me back in the saddle and realised I can do this!
The kids went to bed well and I finished day 3 adding 1975 words.
Mon, 4 Nov
First job of the day was to book my cat into the vets. The health of my family (including my fur babies) will always take priority over my writing. It was only recently I realised that that rule should apply time too. Recently, I’ve also been making sure I’m taking care of myself too. Evie is booked in for 12:10.
The vet was lovely. She checked Evie over and took her bloods. Then went over how to care for Evie whilst having a seizure and when to bring her in as an emergency. I had a little cry when I got home as I’m worried about her but we’ll get the results on Wednesday.
Aria napped and I wrote 600ish words.
I was supposed to host the live write-in on World Indie Warriors Facebook page. Moments before I was due to go online Evis had another seizure. I was moving furniture to keep her safe, then sitting with her whilst she came around and I totally forgot about going live. Thankfully Michelle Raab jumped to the rescue and hosted the session (with a little support from Jodie, her son and a microwave). After the evenings events I just didn’t feel like writing.
Tue, 5 Nov
We had an awful night where Aria was very unsettled. I was up every hour and then had an early start for a long day at work.
Work kept me busy and at lunch I went into town with my colleagues. When I came home I was busy with this kids as my husband nipped out for his dads birthday. Aria didn’t want to go to bed but after two bottles of milk she gave in to her weary eyes.
Then I was free to write but I hadn’t seen Evie all day. I found her hiding behind the sofa and wondered if she’d been scared by the fireworks or had another episode. I coaxed her out with her dinner then spent the evening snuggling on the sofa.
Wed, 6 Nov
Today was my short day at work but as soon as I was done I had my kids.
The vet rang to say the blood tests found nothing wrong with Evie. We discussed what to do next. They could do a scan but whether this finds something or not, the outcome will be to prescribed the same meds and this unfortunately is a trial and error thing to find the meds that work for her. We decided to go straight for the drugs and pick them up tomorrow.
Evie’s seizures have got worst. I think worrying about her is wearing me out even though I don’t feel like I’m thinking about it. I didn’t feel up to writing but wary that I am falling behind.
I sat at the computer and managed to write nearly 2k and posted it onto Wattpad.
Thurs, 7 Nov
Today, is my birthday!
There was a mad rush to drop off the kids and then my husband and I attended a spa for a day of relaxation. It was just what we needed. I made great progress reading my book.
When I got home I opened my cards and text & called people to say thank you.
I don’t know why but relaxing wears me out.I’m shattered. All I did this evening was check in on social media where I discovered some writer friends had shared my pics to help people discover me and my blog. They are good to me.
Week one total
The first week is done and my grand total is: 9,921 words.
To be on track I need to have reached 11,666 so I am a little behind.
I helped myself to one of everything. My bag was super heavy but I knew this was a very valuable opportunity and after hearing the talk I was invested in the idea of self publishing.
The Tour
Then we got to have the grand tour! This was a real highlight. Our tour guide referred to it as the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory equivalent for Book lovers and he wasn’t wrong.
It was fascinating watching the machines churning out pages on printers that were bigger than me. The ink cartridge was basically a massive barrel. Huge rolls of paper were loaded into the machine and they fed into the printer, coming out on a roll full of print. The pages were folded and chopped and moved along a conveyor belt to the next part of the production process. Another machine printed the covers to the specification requested. They then entered a machine where pages were bound and matched with the correct cover. The books continued on their conveyor belt until they reached a machine which trimmed the cover to size and sorted the books for distribution. Massive mail bags that would rival Santa’s sacks were bursting as they awaited collection.
Afterwards
We made the most of getting to meet up and Nicola (local to the area) took us to a beautiful pub for a drink. The sun was streaming and we kicked back and talked about writing. There is nothing better than being surrounded by like minded creatives who understand your crazy imagination. We took full advantage of the opportunity to connect on a more personal level offline.
I loved hanging out with them so much, I definitely want to meet up again. There have been whispering of another WIW meet at London Book Fair! I just have to figure out childcare and travel etc.
Seeing the books made, filled me with excitement. My inner voice kept squealing, “That could be your book one day!” I wish I could show you pictures or videos of the factory but they made me sign an NDA. Seeing it come to life made me eager to get my manuscript ready for print so my ink and paper creation can go for a ride on their conveyor belt.
If you ever get the opportunity to go on their tour, do it. If you are thinking about self publishing, definitely consider Ingram Spark.
During the warmer months you can post pictures of reading or writing outside, perhaps a book by a pool with a cool drink like a cocktail. In flat lays you could decorate with fresh fruit and fresh flowers.
With spring there is new life. Get out to farms to see newborn animals, meadows to see wildflowers.
Recommend books to take on holiday. Attend book festivals – check out my calendar.
Are you doing NaNo? NaNoWriMo in November is the big annual challenge to write 50k words in just 30 days.
I’ve done it a few times before but never won but that doesn’t deter me. My feeling is that as long as I take part, I am still making progress towards my goal. If you want to be buddies on NaNo, I am Redfae (add me and when I log on, I’ll add you back).
The Project
I’ve spent most of September and October plotting Diamond in the Sky ready for NaNoWriMo. I’ve been plotting using Save the Cat. I still have some work to do to develop my B Story characters but I think I am ready enough for 1 November.
Diamond in the Sky is a spin off novel from Jewel of the Sea, following Kya’s life spiral out of control after getting dumped.
Get involved
Writing can be a rather solitary experience but together with some other members of World Indie Warriors, we shall be hosting live write-ins.
I shall be doing lives every Monday in November at 9pm on Instagram. These will be a chance to chat about how our writing projects are going and get motivated for the week ahead. Even if you aren’t doing NaNo, feel free to join in the chats and cheer everyone on.
On Monday, 21 October, I did my first ever Instagram live with Jodie Groom. I was really nervous so she offered to join me online as a test run to figure things out before November and support me.
If Monday’s aren’t for you then you’ll be hyped to hear there will be other write-ins during the week. Check out the schedule to discover other days and times to join WIW online. Some members will be doing adhoc write-ins.
#nationallibraryweek (7-13 each year there’s a new theme) #libraryweek , #nationallibraryworkersday (Tuesday of library week) , #nationalbookmobileday & #supportteenliterature (Both on Thursday of library week). According to Wikipedia.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.” Sudden Death by Rita Mae Brown
50k words in 30 days!
I’ve never achieved it. If that makes me insane to keep trying then I will happily own it. I believe all writers are a little crazy. Who wouldn’t be with the powers of creation at their fingertips.
I also refuse to give up on my dream. Even if I don’t make 50k in 30 days, I will still have made progress on my project. I call it tenacity rather than insanity. I’m forever hopeful. My hope won’t allow me to give up.
Doing things differently
Okay, perhaps, I’m not doing things exactly the same as before. I do try to learn from my mistakes. Every year, I decide I will plot and plan in October but often cram in any preparation in the last week, day or not at all, like some terrible exam I forgot about.
This year, I started preparing in September!
Together with my trusty plotting partner, Save The Cat, I managed to figure out all the beats from start to finish. I have some characters I need to flesh out a bit – they don’t even have names yet! But, I am feeling much more prepared for this than ever before.
My project!
For NaNoWriMo 2019, I am going to work on finishing Diamond in the Sky.
The blurb (above) and cover needs a little work as it says nothing about the theme of the novel. The theme is about learning to love yourself and not needing validation from others. Kya starts off feeling obliged to do things her friends tell her she should be doing, she feels like she needs a boyfriend to be attractive. Over the course of a few paranormal events, deaths and more than one romance, Kya discovers herself. Well, that’s my goal.
Wish me luck…
If you would like to follow my progress on NaNo and be buddies, you can add me. My username is Redfae and you can read my stories on Wattpad.
Going Live
In addition, tonight, Monday, 21 October 2019 at 9pm (GMT), I will be going live on Instagram. Please join me.
I’ll be chatting with Jodie Groom about what World Indie Warriors will be doing for NaNoWriMo, such as live write-ins and how we can all support each other. I’m a little nervous as I’ve never done anything like this before.
Fortunately, I have never been in an abusive relationship but wanting to understanding them leaves me fascinated. There is a grip to watching shows or films about it, like a thriller. You know the person is in danger and you on the edge of your seat, wanting them to get out but knowing its not straight forward.
Shows I have enjoyed for this reason are:
Big Little Lies (2017)
I watched this because of the big names in it. The character played by Nicole Kidman is done incredibly well. I believe it was based on a book.
Dirty John (2018)
This series is based on a true story of one of John Meehan’s victims. There is also a documentary about the many victims of John Meehan.
You (2018)
I partly loved this series because it has a writer in it but that’s not what makes it compelling to watch. That would be the tension of the show told from the viewpoint of the stalker, come murdering boyfriend.
Envy by J D Groom
If you loved the above shows, then you are bound to love Envy by J D Groom. It is a a short story available on Amazon for Kindle.
Here is the blurb:
Kate had it all; a job she excelled at, friends, family and an apartment to call her own. Then she fell for her boss.
Finding herself stuck in his web, will she continue to live under his rule and be lost forever? Sometimes help can come from the most unexpected of places.
Blurb from Envy by J D Groom
What is it about?
If you haven’t figured it out yet, the story is about a main character trapped in a toxic relationship. Jodie doesn’t glamorise the situation by making it romantic or dramatise it with extreme scenes. She slowly builds the danger with all the control from the spouse, his sudden mood swings and unpredictability, the repressed freedom where the MC’s every move is tracked.
You get sucked into the dark tension and when the MC, Kate, has an opportunity to escape you feel her fear, her hesitation and you’re right there encouraging her to go but know the odds are stacked against her. Will her plan work, can she reach safety? Well… you’ll have to read to find out.
Would I recommend it?
100% Yes! This is a short story that packs a punch. If you want a quick read, then this short pacey page turner is for you.
Here is a collection of other useful hashtags that are popular with writers.
General Writing Challenge hashtags
You could take part in challenges for writers like Nano and post progress updates on IG or do a photo prompt challenge and add any of these tags that are relevant.
If you are a writer that also blogs here are some general tags for you although you will also want to add some that are specific to the content you’ve created.
I know many writers are stationery addicts and can’t resist a planner. If you are sharing your planner, here are some general tags although you may also wish to add tags relating to the type of planner you are using too.
I only discovered recently how important reviews are especially for indie books. If you can find the time, write a review, share it on IG and everywhere else to help it get discovered.
When tagging you may also want to tag the picture with the books genre, where you bought it and what media it is. See part 2 for bibliophile tags or part 3 for genre tags.
