update

My first writing retreat!

Posted on September 28, 2018September 26, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

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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tips, update, writing

Coffee time

Posted on August 31, 2018August 30, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

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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update

Feeling a little flat

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

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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update, writing

Achievement Unlocked!

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

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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reading, update, writing

Bookstagram

Posted on August 10, 2018August 9, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

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.

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 me
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!
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.
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 down
Annnnd this is what it looks like when you cut out the ugly parts!

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

Nanowrimo, reading, update

Bittersweet Books

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

“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.

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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Nanowrimo, update, writing

A reminder

Posted on July 5, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

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

Nanowrimo, update

Camp Nano July 2018

Posted on June 29, 2018June 28, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

Hey guys! Sunday marks the beginning of Camp Nano July 2018, and hopefully the last 40% of this draft. I should have had it done ages ago but sadly, mental health has a way of, well, getting in the way. During this time though I’ll be also practicing pitching my novel, heavily editing and critiquing a friend’s MS for the upcoming Salsibury Writers’ Festival, so my blogs over the next two months should revolve around those.

As always,

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo

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Nanowrimo, update

Off break- now what?

Posted on June 22, 2018June 18, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

So my mini hiatus ended up being almost two months long, which was…well, a lot more than I intended. Sadly, a lot has happened during this time and it’s knocked me off my feet quite badly.

I lost my best friend, big fat Rini, in early May. She’d been my companion for nearly five years and honestly was the light of my life. If I had nothing else, I at least had her to wake up to.

So we’ve had a lot to deal with in the wake of her passing. We actually ended up rescuing a bun because our remaining girl was getting severely depressed and wasn’t eating or drinking. It hurt to make such a choice, but having a new friend has made her happy again.

I’ve been working on my current MS a lot, and I feel like I’m failing at it, and a lot of things. I finished group therapy this week, and there’s been a sinking feeling in my stomach. What now? What do I do with myself? I’ve honestly been scared of finishing anything or getting anywhere because I’m so terrified of failing. I think that’s why I took a break even though I was so close to a year of consistent blogging- because I was finally getting somewhere with the things I’ve been doing, and that worries me. It’s a byproduct of being mentally unwell, I know, but it’s the truth.

In the mean time, I’m setting myself smaller goals. Smaller blogs, and not feeling like I need to necessarily contribute to the writing community. So many bloggers/vloggers are already doing that, and I don’t even have a following. This is all for me. So I’ll still try to maintain a weekly blog, but I won’t be forcing anything 🙂

I have Camp Nano coming up (and my 26th birthday!) so feel free to leave your nano tag, I’ll be hosting a cabin again and I really love the community.

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo

reading, review, update

The Savior’s Champion Release

Posted on April 20, 2018April 17, 2018 by Emma-Kate Writing

Do you love cyborgs? How about Keto recipes? What about women who can curse like a sailor and write like the know danger intimately? This week’s blog may be for you.

So for this week’s blog, I’m going to post some info on Jenna Moreci’s upcoming release (due April 24th!) The Savior’s Champion. Jenna is one of my favourite youtubers and I was planning to do a review next month of TSC also. I can’t wait for my copy and to devour it, and I hope some of you will be enticed to buy it, too. Now, time for the info drop!

Title: The Savior’s Champion

Author: Jenna Moreci

Release date: 4-24-2018

Genre: Romantic Fantasy Action/Adventure

Category: Adult

Synopsis:

Tobias Kaya doesn’t care about The Savior. He doesn’t care that She’s the Ruler of the realm or that She purified the land, and he certainly doesn’t care that She’s of age to be married. But when competing for Her hand proves to be his last chance to save his family, he’s forced to make The Savior his priority.

Now Tobias is thrown into the Sovereign’s Tournament with nineteen other men, and each of them is fighting—and killing—for the chance to rule at The Savior’s side. Instantly his world is plagued with violence, treachery, and manipulation, revealing the hidden ugliness of his proud realm. And when his circumstances seem especially dire, he stumbles into an unexpected romance, one that opens him up to unimaginable dangers and darkness.

Trigger warnings: this book contains graphic violence, adult language, and sexual situations.

Sounds pretty darn good, right? Then go ahead and pre-order it, already?

Buy links:

Presale Giveaway:

Everyone who pre-orders a copy of The Savior’s Champion is welcome to enter the presale giveaway. Each participant will receive the first five chapters of TSC. Grand prize winners will be selected on the release date, and weekly prizes will be handed out to random winners up to and during the release week. ENTER HERE!

Go here for the Goodreads link, and here to read the first three chapters for free! FREE!

Now, for a little about the author. I mean, just look at this babe:

Jenna Moreci is a Silicon Valley native and Youtube sensation, dominating the authortube community with her straightforward and hilarious writing channel. A lifelong storyteller, Jenna specializes in crafting thrilling adventures with heaping doses of bloodshed and romance.

When she’s not writing or ‘tubing, Jenna enjoys angry music, potent wine, and laughing until her face hurts with her goofball fiancé.

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo