Writers are often told to keep every scrap of writing, every half-finished idea, every abandoned paragraph, no matter how insignificant or directionless it seems at the time. For years, I did this almost compulsively, stuffing note apps with fragments, saving hundreds of stray files on my laptop, keeping dialogue snippets on my phone, and hoarding … Continue reading Writing as Archaeology: Unearthing the Story Buried in Notes
It feels surreal, but we're just one week away from the release of my latest book, Short Sharp Shock. This collection of short stories has been a long time in the making, and now, as the final countdown begins, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that brought me here. From the initial spark … Continue reading One Week Until Short Sharp Shock Launches!
Throughout my writing career, I have tried to make my books available to a wide variety of readers and have had them up for purchase on a wide range of platforms. Still, over the past few weeks, I have been thinking about what is best for me and have to come to the decision that … Continue reading Tough Distribution Decisions
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen an increase in people talking down to or just downright insulting those of us that self-publish our books. I don’t understand this mentality. There are many reasons why someone might choose to self-publish their work and several different ways that they can do it. None of these reasons … Continue reading Publishing: It’s Your Decision
Come September I’ll become a student for the first time since I was 17 as I head off to university to study creative writing. I had my place confirmed several months back, but when this week I officially registered, it all became real; I’m actually going. Although I’m excited to go to uni and study … Continue reading University Nerves
The past few weeks have been manic - I don't mean inside my brain either. There hasn't really been a time when someone hasn't been coming and going from our house and it's taken its toll on my mood. Although I'm not hitting a full on depressive episode, I've not been feeling right. After discussing … Continue reading Getting Prepared
This morning I had some great news about something that I have eluded to in previous blog posts. From September, I will be becoming a student as I start my creative writing course at university. I didn’t want to say anything until it was all confirmed because I worried that something would go wrong and … Continue reading Learning More About My Craft
This blog is a little late today as it took me a while to write it for reasons I'll explain below. It’s been a stressful few weeks. We’ve moved into our new house, and since then, it’s been pretty much non-stop with people coming in and out doing jobs. I wish I could say that … Continue reading A Bit of a Dip: Taking a Break
Gareth Ellis - Author 