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Books I’m currently reading

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Happy Friday everybody!

What a week… talk about a Mercury Retrograde from hell!!!

The best thing that did however happen for me this week is that I picked up reading again!

I know, as a writer shouldn’t I be a reader as well?

Yeah, I should be.

But life happened the past few years and all things, and I mean ALL things were kinda upended.

But, now I’m getting back on the reading wagon.

So what am I reading right now? Hold on to your hat; I never read only one book at a time… Here goes

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits by James Clear

Progress: 42 of 298 pages

The author explained thus far his own story and then how he came to be where he is at the moment when he wrote this book.

There’s many habits I’ve wanted to embed into my life over the years, but it always seems to be sidetracked by something that seems to be out of my control.

What the author is proposing is that our beliefs play a much bigger role in even something as simple as developing habits. Our success or failure therefore sits in what we believe, mostly about ourselves and then everything that affects us.

This definitely resonates with me.

The Magician’s Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia #6) by CS Lewis

Progress: 30 of 202 pages

I read these books aloud to my boys when they were very young and we all loved it. Now I just want to read it for some light and fantastical relaxation. After reading a chapter of a heavy instructional book, this is a nice breather.

At this point in the book Polly is poof gone, Digory is seeing what a foul man Uncle Arthur is and is going after his friend.

Women Who Love Too Much: When You Keep Wishing and Hoping He’ll Change by Robin Norwood

Progress: 31 of 314 pages

A few years ago I started with therapy. After so many years, I still struggled with all sorts of challenges. So I’ve decided to DIY this as well.

One of the things causing so many issues for me is a severely flawed belief system. Enter this book…

The House at Pooh Corner (Winnie the Pooh #2) by AA Milne

Progress: 37 of 180 pages

You’ve gotta love a good Pooh story! It’s hard to believe that the story of Pooh doesn’t consist of hundred’s of books.

This little book consist of short chapters full of a day in the life of Pooh and friends. Love it.

Until now, Eeyore received a new house and Tigger was introduced.

Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most by Greg McKeown

Progress: 26 of 256 pages

I bought this book with it’s predecessor Essentialism. Hubby took that one so I decided to read this one.

It’s safe to say that ones life should be effortless. This far in the book, the author explained how he realised that we should live effortless lives but also what it looks like. We all have those moments, but as with life, an effortless life is a deliberate creation and I’m hoping to learn that from this book.

Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs

Progress: 31 of 190 pages

Did you love the movie Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children?

I did too. This little book is a bundle of short stories regarding the many many legends of peculiars through the ages. [wink-wink]

It’s a bit on the ornery side but still a fun read.

Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V Swain

Progress: 26 of 317 pages

And because I’m a writer, a book on the craft is at any given time in my periphery.

This book in its narrative form teaches at present how to arrange words in such a way that you as the reader will love the story.

GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction by Debra Dixon

Progress: 33 of 116 pages

Another craft book.

This book specifically teaches the what, who, where, how, why and why not.

I’ve learned about the goal (what) of the character as well as the motivation (why / why not).

Prayer: The Art of Believing by Neville Goddard

Progress: 56 of 304 pages

This book is also available in pdf here. Consume it in audio by Brian Scott on YouTube if you prefer.

Each and every one of us create our own reality. Mine sucks most days but I’m actively working toward changing that.

The author of this book taught extensively on this subject. The foundation of creating ones reality is the faith that goes hand in hand with the asking or prayer.

Can you see the theme in my life at present? Beliefs and faith. Let me tell you, it’s been a tough time for me, but what doesn’t kill you, make you stronger, right?

In closing…

What are you reading?

Have you read any of these books?

Do you read multiple books at the same time?

When do you read?

Do you read children’s books as an adult?

Until next time, thank you for reading.

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Vlog 15 – crappy writing weak

Hi everybody!

It’s been a less-than-ideal week of writing.

A process toward writing 2k words a day. I’ve progressed to 10,5k words in Book 1 on my cosy mystery. Not what I hoped, but progressing. I didn’t spend much time rewriting Book 4 of my SHRN series, so I’m officially much worse of in my publishing schedule.

That’s it for today!

Happy writing!

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Vlog 14 – a week of writing

Hi everybody!

It’s been a week of writing. A process toward writing 2k words a day. I’ve progressed to 9k words in Book 1 on my cozy mystery. That after I spend a few writing sessions plotting and planning. In socks and pjs of all things!

Off camera I started the process of reviewing and kinda replotting the 4th book in my Sweet Historical Romance Novelette Series. I’ve wanted it published the end of April already. Life has a fascinating way of changing plans…

Anyways, hopefully it’ll go to my Alpha and BETA readers by the end of May. If you want to be part of my BETA readers team, please find the link in my LinkTree below to join my development tree.

Thanks in advance. That’s it for today!

Happy writing!

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Vlog 13 – sprints and plotting

Hi everybody!

I’m happy to share that Book 1 in my cozy series is getting there. I’ve just hit 7 k words in the rough draft and started writing out the scene cards for those scenes I’ve written out.

Then I’ve also started building my spider diagram of the plot. I still need to finish the review of Book 4 in my SHRN series. I’m totally excited about my cozy so my sweet romance is suffering for it! Oi. But that will progress. Pinky swear!

Anyways, the rest in my Sweet Historical Romance Novelette Series is available in ebook on Apple, Kobo and Amazon.

Please follow the links below where you will find the relevant links.

Thanks in advance for your support. That’s it for today!

Happy writing!

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Vlog 11 – a way around computer problems

Hi everybody!

Today I go on planning and plotting Book 1 in my new series.

But so I had no computer to work with! There was just nothing… So I used the 2nd best option: my old ipad! yay! With a previous NaNoWriMo I typed about 30k words on my phone, so iPad is not too bad. I’m still using the Snowflake Spreadsheet for this part of my planning.

I think that’s it for today.

Happy writing!

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Vlog 12 – plotting continues

Hi everybody!

No exciting news today, just some plotting. Now I’m getting into the first official rough draft, even though it’s very much plotting.

I do however hope to get on with the review of Book 4 in my SHRN series this week. Look out for that later this week. I think that’s it for today.

Happy writing!

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Vlog 10 – planning full steam ahead!

Hi everybody!

It’s been fun planning book 1 in my new series. I’ve decided to use existing spreadsheets and guides that I’ve collected on my writing journey. Today I continued the snowflake spreadsheet from The Library Discord chat.

I love the snowflake method of plotting and planning. It’s a great way to expand on an idea. But I always use this method in conjunction with KM Weiland’s Structuring Your Novel tips as well as Sarra Cannon’s Planning Your Novel guidance.

I’ve not touched Book 4 in my SHRN series. I believe the story needs to rest a little bit longer before I review and rewrite. So much for publishing it the end of March 2021!

I think that’s it for today.

Happy writing!

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Vlog 9 – plotting & planning my new book

Hi everybody!

It’s been a while but here’s a new video with the plotting of a new book and a brand new series!

But you’ll have to wait for any more news about this book. I’ve let the typing exercises rest a bit, so I’m back to a much slower speed. In other news… Book 4 in my Sweet Historical Romance Novelette series is done!

Look out for some revision snippets in my near future vlogs. I’ll have a post up at some stage about this book, the cover and the blurb as well.

I think that’s it from me today.

Happy writing!

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Vlog 7 – sprints and article writing

Hi everybody!

It’s nice to follow my routine. It’s not rigid but I like the consistency.

My typing exercises are paying off. Slowly my w.p.m is climbing to an average of 70w.p.m. Not too shabby.

Book 4 of my series only received 1 block of sprints today. So the word-count climbed with a mere 600 words.

I finished 2 articles and send it off to the editor which I’m really happy with.

Tomorrow I want to do some more research for work, plan and write the work. I think that’s it from me today.

Happy writing!