There’s a particular kind of unease that creeps in when you realise the monster (or antagonist, the terms are often interchangeable) isn’t lying, and everyone else is. Not because the monster is gentle or fair or deserving of sympathy, but because it never pretends to be anything other than what it is. The fear doesn’t … Continue reading When the Monster Is the Most Honest Character
As I near the end of editing my current book, a short story collection, the familiar feelings of excitement and anxiety have started to creep in. After months of working through drafts and revisions, the finish line is finally in sight, but that also means it’s time to think about the next step: publishing. Every … Continue reading The Journey from Manuscript to Published Book: My Self-Publishing Experience
Writing is a multifaceted endeavor that extends beyond mere communication or creative expression. For many, it serves as a profound tool for self-exploration, emotional catharsis, and mental clarity. However, the journey of writing also presents unique mental health challenges, including stress, self-doubt, and isolation. This article delves into how writing can influence mental health, both … Continue reading The Intersection of Writing and Mental Health: Benefits, Challenges, and Self-Care Tips
Chapters, some books have them, some don’t, and everyone has an opinion on them, so I asked my fellow writers over on Twitter for their thoughts. Below are some of the responses. As you can see, the responses varied. Some people like short ones, others long, others don't care as long as they work with … Continue reading Chapters: To Name or Not to Name
NaNoWriMo What is NaNoWriMo? NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. It is a challenge to write 50,000 words on a new novel or your current WIP. You keep track of your progress on the website, where you can see how everyone else is doing. You don’t lose out if you don’t manage to do the … Continue reading It’s NaNoWriMo Time Again
If you read this blog regularly, you’ll already know that I’ve recently started doing a creative writing degree at university. What I’ve not said is that I’m not yet doing my degree proper; I’m doing what’s termed a “Foundation Year”. As I’m a mature student and haven’t been in education since I was 17, the … Continue reading What is a Foundation Year at University?
Being a writer sometimes means that you have to juggle your different ideas. I recently asked my fellow writers on Twitter how they decide which idea to work on; I currently have around 9 ideas that are in various stages of development. Some are just a very basic idea, some have a number of notes … Continue reading What To Write?
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
Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Part VII Part VIII Part IX Part X Part XI Part XII Part XIII After an uneventful couple of months, things started to happen again. As always, it seemed worse in winter. Then, when November rolled around, strange things would happen daily. I … Continue reading Ghostly Occurrences in Apartment 42: Part XII
Nothing like starting the day off with a Monty Python reference. https://videopress.com/v/UiwiEEdC?loop=true&preloadContent=metadata I’m starting today what I’ve been dreading and putting off for a week now; rewriting what I have of my current WIP, And Then I Killed Her.I’m only around five chapters in, but I feel like the pace is off. Things are moving … Continue reading Rewrite!
Gareth Ellis - Author 