April CampNaNo week 2, 2022

Tarot reading for the week: Ace of Swords (reversed), The Chariot (reversed), Ace of Cups

Reading: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas

Listening to: Your Name ost by Radwimps

It’s week 2 of Camp. Winter is coming fast– it almost feels as though it’s trying to skip over Autumn again. Every day is chilled, but it’s been nice for reading in the bath.

I’m well on track for my goal this month, which means I’m also able to take the weekends to do no writing. It’s a habit I’ve been trying to build for a while now. To treat writing, fun as it is, like work. I shouldn’t feel obligated to work on weekends, and try to only do things in the same work hours as my partner.

Other than my new draft, after a several month break+ getting most of my queries back, I’ve started tearing into W+W because I’ve had so many ideas to add that little something it felt like it was missing for me. Lauren Rose and I are also embarking on a self publishing project together and I am brimming with excitement. Balancing wanting to do all the things and feel perpertually ill is a bummer, though.

Happy writing,

E.K xo

Catch up, Camp Nano April 2022, etc

Tarot reading for the week: Page of Swords, Ten of Coins, Four of Coins.

Reading: Finished “How to Stop Feeling like Shit” by Andrea Owen. Five-seven books going currently, but going to focus on “Premonitions of the Titanic Disaster” by Terry Keefe.

Listening to: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1g7lV7wu3f7QDC6eSRivIS?si=de57070cc902474b my Camp Nano project playlist

Well, hey there. It’s been a while since I posted here. Like, four years. And the world has massively changed in that time. I don’t wanna talk about that though; we hear enough about the dreaded “C” Word and everything that goes with it.

I see a lot of authors doing newsletters, but I don’t think that’s for me. For one, I have a singularly thing ‘proplerly’ published right now. So I don’t feel allowed to bother people, I guess? It’s an odd sentiment, because I don’t think that about other authors at all. I guess that’s imposter syndrome and all of that. I did what to start plopping my thoughts down somewhere, and if someone wants to read them– good for you, and thanks for that.

Currently, I’m in a weird spot. Camp starts tomorrow, I have a fresh project with 6k words in my outline (sadly only act 1 is outlined, but I have a synopsis, so that’s something). There are a few things that make it different, though this camp. One, seasonal depression is kicking in way earlier than expected. So that’s rough. That’s probably compounded by being in the query trenches too with my urban fantasy. At least, I think it’s an urban fantasy. See, I wrote this book, and it was so weird and I was so proud of it, but the more I listen to others (ie. reddit and twitter), the more I lose faith in it. Despite querying going okay. Like, yeah, I’ve had rejections. I’ve sent out 20 since January, and I’ve gotten like 8 rejections. But I’ve had a full (that was a pass) and a partial still out there, so that’s good! Especially with how terrible it all is right now. But that’s a whole other thing, too. Maybe it would be easier if I didn’t rely on outside approval for gratification or whatever. Point is, my book is out there, and I refuse to touch it, as tempting as it is, until all the rejections come back. Because I don’t want to be somehow who keeps flinging it out there in the hopes I get a bite. I want someone to love and champion my work, right?

Anway, back to camp. I’m trying something different. Several somethings, even. One, I’m trying a new genre: Gothic Romance. That’s terrifying for me, but I want to tell this story. It’s been niggling at me, much like my urban fantasy had. Which I smashed through. However, this camp, I’ve set myself a much smaller goal than usual: 10k words only. 500 a day, with weekends to rest. I’m a classic panicker/overachiever though, so I’ll see how hard I burn myself out, panicking that I’m not good enough, that I never will be good enough.

Since I’ve got…24 hours until I start Camp Nano though, I’m going to finish critiquing the last chapter of Lauren’s draft. Then maybe have a panic attack in the bath and wonder what I’m doing with myself, the usual pre nano ritual.

Oh! Offhand, but it’s officially Titanic month starting tomorrow too. I’ve set a fun goal for myself to rate and review every Titanic game, and I recorded my first video. But that imposter syndrome is killing me and every time I try to voice over, I can’t speak. Fun. Even scripted to hell. I admire people that can just…do the thing. It’s incredible.

Anway, I’m off. Take care during camp. Writing targets aren’t everything. Remember to get some sunshine, to hydrate, and to take care of yourself for me. I’ll try and do the same.

Happy writing,

E.K xo

My first writing retreat!

Hey guys, I know I’ve been /super/ neglectful of late, but I plan to get back to my weekly blog come October (fresh month, fresh start!). This long weekend I’ll be on my first ever writing retreat with Lauren Rose (who, incidentally, is making a brand new site and it is gonna look so rad) and a bunch of others. I have a list of things I want to look into this weekend and start up on here, including critiquing, Nano stuff, and another content creation that I’m looking into. Hopefully a weekend away in the beautiful countryside will awaken the energy I need. Look forward to next week’s blog, which will basically be pretty picture and a possible vlog (Psst, I’ll also be posting a bunch on our bookstagram, if you haven’t already checked it out )! I hope those of you having a long weekend enjoy the extra day to recharge and all my love to you that have a standard weekend ahead. Make sure to take time out and take care of yourself!

As always, happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo

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Coffee time

Hey guys, I figured it was well and truly time for a catch up, so grab a coffee with me.

So the last few months have been kind of hectic. I hit 90k words and finished the first draft of my current MS, which is super exciting. I also attended the Salisbury Writers’ Festival which I think Lauren Rose is doing a blog on, so goodie. Among all of that though, I realised how little I was involved in the community. Like, yeah, I read a bunch and review stuff and leave feel good comments on twitter and my bookstagram that I run with Lauren. It still doesn’t feel like I’m participating enough. I want to know people, to help people.

I’ve decided on two long term projects that I plan to get up and running because of this (well, three, actually!) You might have already noticed some ‘under construction’ tabs in my menu, too. While I’ll be submitting to more anthologies as well as writing in general more, I’m going to be opening myself up for some critiques after some fantastic feedback from current pieces I’m working on. So I’ll be sorting all of the details for that in the near future. I’ve also decided to do a mental health and writing podcast. MH is something that I am a strong advocate for, and I feel a lot of people use writing as a way to deal with stuff, which is great, I do too. I want to be able to engage and actually connect and let people know ‘hey, it’s OK to feel crappy’. Mental health issues aren’t a death sentence, but they do need some help navigating, and I feel like I have enough tools now to help a bit. So I’ve been looking into outlining some episodes and stuff- tell me if there’s anything you’d like to hear. Finally- I started a wattpad for the stories that I maybe don’t feel as confident about, or that weren’t shortlisted. I don’t want them just ~sitting~ there, so I hope someone enjoys them at least!

I think that’s everything I wanted to chat about/update you all on. It’s weird- my mental health is probably the best it’s been in many years, but I’m trying to be over eager about stuff again and I wear out a lot. I used to take on way, way too much and I burned out hard, and it’s weird to recognise those red flags and be able to halt. All you can do is try, and that’s what I’m going to do- try to the best of my abilities without making myself sick.

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo

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Feeling a little flat

Hey guys, just wanted to check in. After my victory last week, I’ve been feeling a little flat. I’ve polished off a short story draft this week and I’ve tried to rest; despite this, I feel super flat and unmotivated for the Salisbury Writers’ Festival this weekend. I think I pushed too hard, and just wanted to give a reminder- accomplishing goals is well and good, but it’s not worth burning yourself out for them. That being said, good luck with whatever you may be working on.

As always, happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo

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Achievement Unlocked!

Hey guys, I wasn’t going to write today, but figured I would give a little update. I spent today resting because I hit 90k words on my current draft and finished the first draft of it! Yeah, this is a pretty common thing amongst writers- but this is my fourth attempt rewriting this particular piece over the course of a decade, so I’m pretty happy. Anyway, I’m off to sort out everything else while I take a break before the next stage of revising and rewriting.

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo

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Bookstagram

It’s been a while since I did a post, my bad! First things first: I smashed my camp nano goal. My draft is currently at 83k words, and has 2 and a half chapters left until completion, which is super exciting! Because my draft is almost done and I want a break to work on other things/ignore it for a bit before revising and editing, I’ve been started to look at my critiques more, and my bookstagram account.

I decided for today’s blog, I’m going to show the simple background I made to make my photos feel a little more polished. I am beyond amateur at this, but Lauren and I have a lot of fun and that’s all that matters, really.

Supplies: cardboard (free), adhesive vinyl from kmart ($3 for 2 metres), kmart twinkle lights ($5) and hotglue/gun I already had.

  1. Step one involved finding something light, portable and sturdy to use. I ended up salvaging my housemates new pc box, as we were going to recycle it either way. Note: I did cut myself slicing the piece I need, be more careful than me01
  2. Once it was all cut out (albeit roughly), it was pretty straightforward to attach the vinyl. I had to go slow to avoid creases, and make sure you have enough to fold over the edges!02.jpg
  3. Once it was all neatly covered, I arranged the lights in a spiral (I honestly just didn’t know what to do with them) and hot glued them in places, sealing the battery box onto the back.04.jpg
  4. Alright, it looks quite a bit terrible just like this. So, being the hoarder I am, I found some leftover organza from a cosplay and whacked it and hot glued the top on the back, and let it drape down06.jpg
  5. Annnnd this is what it looks like when you cut out the ugly parts!07

It isn’t anything special, but I think it’s pretty cute and a much nicer layout than what I was using. Does anyone else have a book account? If so, comment so I can follow you! I’m off to cry over my last few thousand words of this draft, wish me luck!

Happy writing,

Emm-Kate xoxo

Bittersweet Books

I pay no attention whatever to anybody’s praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings”- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

During the confusion of my week, I didn’t realise I hadn’t written a post! So, I’m going to recommend some books! I’m currently reading Shadowsong, book two in a duology by S. Jae-Jones, and I gotta tell you, it’s ripping my heart out all over the place.

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I read Wintersong last year. Sadly, my Goodreads review was lacking, as I was just learning to use the site. However, this is it in it’s entirety:

“I picked this book on a whim, and…I am so grateful to have. It is such a beautiful and unique twist on Labyrinth, so whole and so good in of its own. It was almost rough in its prose, like Liesl’s music, abandoned and wild. I cannot wait to get the second book, and my little heart yearns for resolution or absolution for the Goblin King.”

Needless to say, I’m in love with them. They’re a beautiful metaphor for mental illness, the blurring between reality and the surreal. Also, I’m a sucker for classical music, and the depth that she’s woven music into these stories makes my heart flutter. I’m hoping to finish Shadowsong this weekend; writing my draft and helping with multiple friend’s synopsis’s has been tiring, to say the least. I’m confident a lighthearted and productive weekend lays ahead for me!

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the quiet of winter to get work done- I know I am!

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo

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A reminder

I’m meant to be working on Camp Nanowrimo right now, but I can’t. I gave myself a deadline for this WIP, and I just can’t do it right now. You know what though? That’s OK. This is just a reminder that you don’t need to push yourself, or rush yourself, or make yourself feel bad. Even as I watch my friends crush their goals and feel bad that I’m not doing more /better, I have to remember- I’m doing the best I can right now. I hope you all are too.

 

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo