November 2025 Writing Project Announcement

Hi all,

It's time to announce my writing project for November, the last one of 2025! My writing project will be...

Cloud's Core!

Yeah... My casual writing project hasn't worked out.

I really want to get this book done this year so I'm going to write the first draft in November. I've only written 3000 words so far, so I've still got quite a while to go until I finish.

The story will still follow Aliyah and her friends as they navigate a floating city that's on the verge of falling out of the sky. None of the plot points have changed since I last wrote it, so I'll just be finishing it off.

Although I’m still not sure about the name, so I might think of a new one while I’m writing it.

I now realise that I need structure while writing. I like writing larger amounts across a short period rather than smaller amounts across a longer period. Now that I know I won't be doing anymore casual projects. I'll stick to my method of writing books during certain months of the year.

I'll still write short stories as I don't find them as tiring as writing entire books. I'm glad that I've learned this about myself as I now know my limits in the future.

That's it for this week! See you next Sunday. 

PS; if you’re looking for some free books, check out this book bundle:

Dark Themes in Fantasy and Science Fiction (Sept-Oct)

Do Characters Need a Love Interest?

Hi all,

This week I'm going to talk about love interests. Do main characters need one all the time?

My answer? No.

I write a mix of characters. Some of my main characters do have love interests, some don't. I personally don't think that characters need to have a love interest to make a good book. If I think a character needs a love interest, I'll give them one. If I don't, they don't get one.

So far, the main characters to get love interests in my books are:

Hazel (Elemental Dragons)

Cheyenne (Years)

Shannon (Celestial Plague)

Jenna (Celestial Plague)

Tahira (Curse of Anubis)

Hailey (Street Rats)

Reema (Game of Air and Lightning)

I gave them all love interests because that's what I felt worked best for the characters. But in some cases, like Shannon, the love interest didn't work out. I personally don't think a book needs romance to be a good book. A lot of the books I've written recently haven't contained a love interest, and it hasn't effected the story one bit.

If you feel like your character needs a love interest, then give them one. But don't feel pressured to add a love interest, especially if it doesn't work. The following main characters on my work don't have love interests:

Audra (Mute)

Raya (Celestial Plague)

Ashleigh (Celestial Plague)

Laelaps (Empty Skies)

Ataraxia (Empty Skies)

Aliyah (Cloud's Core)

Imara (The Severed Pantheon)

I think a good mix of both is nice, as it allows the characters to decide as the book goes on. You might start writing a love interest and it doesn't work out. Or, you could start a book and a love interest pops up halfway through!

Books don't need a love interest to be entertaining. They're just another aspect of the story. It's your book, so you decide what happens. Don't feel pressured to add things in that you don't want to write. At the end of the day, if you don't like writing a certain book, it will be obvious to those who read it.

That's it for this week! Hope you enjoyed reading. See you next week. 

PS; don’t forget to check out these book bundles to find your next favourite author!

Kindle Unlimited with the occult and supernatural

Silver Winged September

How to Avoid Burnout When Writing

Hi all,

This week I thought I'd write a post for all the writers out there! Burnout is more common than you think. If you've ever experienced it or are currently experiencing it, then I hope some of these tips can help.

Write your favourite genre.

If you're struggling to write, then writing in your favourite genre can help you feel better about writing. Even if it's not a genre you usually write in.

Write a short story.

Start small. Instead of trying to write an entire book while burned out, try a short story instead. It can get the creative juices flowing without pushing you too much.

Take a break.

Burnout can be a horrible feeling, so don't force yourself to write if you don't want to. Partake in your favourite hobby or just relax for a bit. Take as long as you need before you start writing again.

Write in short bursts.

Instead of trying to write in one big go, try five or ten minutes at a time. It can ease you back into a writing habit and make you feel happier when writing.

Write something new.

If an old project is wearing you down, just try something brand new. Another book, a different story or even a different genre. Maybe it will make you want to revisit that previous project!

Reward yourself.

Watch a TV show, go for a walk or have something to eat. You will feel mentally better after a reward and maybe you'll want to write more after.

Plot a solid outline.

With a good plan, it will be easier to write. You know exactly what's going to happen next and can plan ahead accordingly. I find that this helps a lot when I feel stuck and drained after working on a project for so long.

That's it for this week! I hope this helps anyone who is currently experiencing writing burnout. See you next Sunday. 

Characters or Plot First?

Hi all,

This week I'm going to talk about an important part of your book. Do you come up with the characters or the plot first?

Personally, I always have the plot in mind first. Most of the time I know what the characters look like before I name them!

I like to plot the book out and the journey the characters have to take rather than focusing on the characters fist. I like to know where the story is going to before I start worrying about adding characters in the mix.

I know some authors come up with characters first and then plot around them. They come up with their backstories and personalities before knowing what those characters will do.

I don't think there's a wrong option. Some authors feel like characters want their stories told, while others tell the story before the characters get involved.

I've tried to come up with characters first but I can't do it. I need a general idea of the story before I can even dream up what the character will be doing.

For example; with Celestial Plague, I knew the story would be set in a word ravaged by a virus. Where everyone has a magical power of some sort that can help or hinder them in this new world. The four main characters came after this.

If you have a world that you want to write about, start from there. But if there's a character that's been bugging you to write a story about them, you can start there too. There aren't any rules about how you can write your own book. Do what feels best for you and your book.

That's it for this week! I hope you enjoyed reading, see you next Sunday. 

PS; there are plenty of free and discounted books in these bundles:

Dangerous Women: Fantasy and Science Fiction with Women Who Kick Butt! (March)

March Fantasy/Sci-Fi Freebies

Dark Flights of Fantasy

How Do You Name Characters?

Hi all,

This week I'm going to talk about a crucial part of writing, how to name your characters! Each character needs to have a name that feels right to you. When people read your work, you want them to remember your character and what they went through. So I thought I would discuss a few ways I give my characters first names!

There are several ways to name characters.

Name generators.

I've used name generators for a few of my characters before. I use this method mostly for side characters or antagonists.

Googling names.

With Tahira (Curse of Anubis), I wanted a name that had 'Ra' in it. I googled names that contain those letters and looked down the list until one felt right. This is especially good if you want a character's name to begin with a certain letter, but can't find a name that fits.

Use a celebrity name.

If a name calls out to you that belongs to your favourite celebrities, then go for it! Jenna (Celestial Plague), for example, is named after the actress Jenna Coleman because I absolutely loved her on Doctor Who!

After a place.

So far the only character I've deliberately done this for is Cheyenne (Years). I try not to use this method too much unless the name really suits a character.

A random name you like.

Hazel (Elemental Dragons) and Audra (Mute) are names that I absolutely loved and knew would fit a character one day! This doesn't happen too often but I love when it does.

After a pet!

So far, two of my cats, Rocky and Normie, have been featured in Elemental Dragons. Rocky is a human character while Normie is still a cat. I don't see a problem with naming characters after pets and I think it's adorable!

Surnames.

For surnames, I tend to go with surname generators. I have several ways of coming up with first names but I suck with surnames. I usually go through a list until I find one that I think fits the character. This is usually done after all the main characters have first names.

That's it for this week. I hope this post helps if you're struggling to name characters. See you next week! 

PS; there are plenty of free and discounted books in these bundles:

Dangerous Women: Fantasy and Science Fiction with Women Who Kick Butt! (March)

March Fantasy/Sci-Fi Freebies

Dark Flights of Fantasy

My Book Settings

Hi all,

This week I'm going to talk about the settings in some of my books. I try to base them on places I know, which I hope comes across in my stories! All of my books are set in the UK, but there are some that take more inspiration from my life than others.

Mute.

Mute is primarily set in a university where Audra has to fight a wendigo. I'm sure the real university doesn't have any supernatural creatures, but I've never enrolled there to make sure! The university is based off of Plymouth University. The areas surrounding it are full of shops and student accommodation, and the city centre is only a few minutes walk away. The moment that I was going to write a novel based on a university, I knew it would be this one. I've been there many times to attend my writers group and just to look around at all the buildings. But with how close it is to home, I thought it would be the perfect setting for Mute.

Curse of Anubis.

This book series is set in Plympton, in the area that I grew up. I went to a secondary school there, Plympton Academy, which is the primary basis for the setting. Only a minutes walk away is a strip full of shops and various supermarkets. But as you go further up the road, you'll come across the pub that Tahira clears out in book one. Again, when writing this book I knew I wanted to set it in Plympton. I spent my childhood wandering around the shops with my friends and taking walks through the area to visit my Granddad.

That's it so far! The more books I write, the more inspiration that I'll take. Some of it I might not even be aware of until I start writing the book! I think there's nothing wrong with basing books on areas you know. I think it can strengthen your writing and make you feel more connected to the characters.

That's it for this week, see you next Sunday! 

PS; don’t forget to check out this book bundle before you go:

A Giveaway For National Author’s Day!

How Long Does it Take to Write a Book?

Hi all,

Today I'm going to discuss a question that authors get asked constantly: how long does it take to write a book?

Just to make sure that there's no disappointment, there isn't a definitive answer. Everyone is different and writes at different speeds. There is no deadline for writing your book, you can simply take it at your own pace.

I've always been a fast writer, finishing my first book in three months at seventeen. Over the years my writing speed has increased even more, to the point where I can finish the first draft of a book in a month.

Some authors might take longer, others might be able to finish a book in even less time. It depends on the person.

So don't feel bad about your writing speed.

The book takes as long as it takes. You don't need to burn yourself out or stress about finishing it. That takes the fun out of writing.

The more you write, you might find yourself getting faster. Even a few extra words a day. Writing anything is better than writing nothing.

A lot of authors worry and compare themselves to others but it's not necessary. With your books, you can set the pace for them. Don't publish something quickly that you then have to fix later, do it right first.

If you're going to write a book, remind yourself that it's okay to go as long as you want without writing. Although some do it constantly, you don't need to. See what feels right to you and go with that rather than trying to chase after others.

That's it for this week! Please let me know in the comments if there are any writing or publishing questions that you would like me to cover. I want to use this blog as a way to help people in whatever way I can!

See you next week. 

PS; don’t forget to check out this awesome giveaway:

A Giveaway For National Author’s Day!

My Tips for Writing a Novel in a Month

Hi all,

I thought I'd share some tips for those who are thinking of writing a novel in a month or just want to get into a more active writing habit. Of course these won't work for everyone, but they might be of some use.

Have a set word count.

But, if you set yourself a goal to write x amount of words a day, you'll find as the month goes on this will become easier and easier to obtain. Even if you are just writing to your par every day. If you don't have a set word count, you may struggle to keep yourself motivated and find yourself falling short.

Take breaks.

You don't have to write everything in one go if you don't want to. I tend to split my writing into two or three sessions throughout the day. I give myself a break in between as it gives me time to clear my mind and think about what direction I want the story to go in next.

Your first draft won't be perfect.

Don't worry about writing the perfect draft, just get words on the page. You can always edit it later. Getting some bad words down is better than none.

Don't pressure yourself.

Don't force yourself to write if you really don't want to. You don't want to burn yourself out, after all. You don't need to finish the book that month if you don't want to.

Have a basic idea of the plot.

I tend not to plot my stories out too much anymore except for the bare bones stuff. I just find it easier to write whatever my mind takes my to. But make sure you have some idea of what you want to write about. Don't jump in completely blind as it might burn you out in the long run.

Reward yourself.

No matter how much writing you do, reward yourself with something. I usually watch a film, YouTube video or read a book. Sometimes I'll reward myself with biscuits! Make it a positive thing to hit your word count.

Have fun!

If you aren't having fun, it isn't worth continuing. You can write whenever you want, no-one is telling you that you have to get that book done in a certain amount of time. If it isn't working for you, then take a step back.

That's it for this week. I hope that these tips have helped! See you next week. 

PS: don’t forget to check out this giveaway for National Author’s Day!

A Giveaway For National Author’s Day!

Are Standalones Easier to Write?

Hi all,

This week I'm writing about something that I've seen has been talked about a lot in the writing world. Are standalone books easier to write than those in a series?

As a writer who has written standalone books and several series, I thought I'd wade in on the subject.

I find standalone books easier to plot as its just one book so I don't need to worry about as many subplots or characters. Whenever I've written a series, I usually move onto a standalone book next to clear my mind. In a standalone book you are only writing one story for one book. While with a series you need to worry about weaving several stories across several books.

But, I have found that I'm more satisfied after writing a series. Seeing the series done is an amazing feeling and I get so excited to read the books again when I'm editing them. I also love seeing the characters grow across each book and how they deal with all the problems they face.

To me, I find standalone books easier to write. This is because once I get to the end of the story, that's it. I can always edit it later and change bits that I'm not happy about. But with a series I find myself getting drained from writing in the same universe over and over. It's one of the reasons why I write a standalone or two after finishing a series.

The Original Elementals series is supposed to have ten books in it with seven currently written. I haven't written any Original Elementals books this year because I've become a bit burned out by it. Next year I'm hoping to pick the series up again and finish it so I can start publishing it.

In November for NaNoWriMo I'm more than likely going to write another standalone book. It also clears a bit of my book ideas folder as the series don't tend to sit there very long!

In conclusion, I personally find a standalone book easier to write as it gives me more time to jump between book to book, genre to genre. This might not be the same for everyone, but it works for me.

That's it for this week! I hope you enjoyed reading, see you next Sunday. 

PS; don’t forget to check out these book bundles before they end:

Horror Giveaway September

All Genre Boxset Readathon!

Reedsy BookEditor Review

Hi all,

This week I'm going to talk about Reedsy BookEditor. It's a tool that you can use to write, edit and format your book. I use it exclusively to format my books and all of mine have been done through this tool.

When I first learned about formatting a book I was instantly overwhelmed with how it could be done. From having to make sure that everything stayed inside the margins to using headings for chapters, I just didn't get it. I watched a tutorial on how to do it in Word and it instantly made my anxiety flare up. I was worried that this was the point where I would hit a dead end. That maybe my book wouldn't get published after all.

But then I discovered the Reedsy BookEditor and it couldn't have been more simple. I just uploaded my book and it did everything for me! The only thing that I had to do was the front and back matter, but that was easy enough to add.

If you wanted to, you could write and edit your entire book in it. I've never done this as I prefer using Word and then uploading it. The tool does do a simple spell check but I've found that usually picks up on character names and places so I've never really gone with its corrections.

It's really been a lifesaver when it comes to publishing and I can't see myself going forward without it. The only downside is that there aren't a lot of fonts to choose from. I go with the default so it doesn't bother me but it may be an issue for others.

Overall, I would highly recommend it. Even if you only use it for short stories or reader magnets. It saves a lot of hassle of either formatting your book yourself or hiring someone to do it for you. This is one of my favourite tools and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments! That's it for this week, see you next Sunday. 

PS; take a look at this giveaway before it’s over!

Epic Fantasy Spring Giveaway