I knew heading into this year that finding time to write would be tough. I had my first book to promote and a tiny human who loves yelling and hates sleep. But I didn’t realise how much I would miss writing. It’s something I’ve always been able to make time for, and having a quiet hour or two alone with a manuscript at the end of the day has become ritual that’s as much about self-care as it is about creating something that, with enough work and luck, might appeal to readers. Neverland is its own entity now, and Frankie is beginning to sleep through the evenings (if not the whole night). I’m starting to get those quiet hours back and making slow progress on a new manuscript. The work isn’t easy (because writing so rarely is), but spending time in that ‘other’ place is making me feel more like myself in this one. 📝
My good friend, Ash, has a beautiful place with exceptional views in McLaren Vale, and on Friday a few of us had a study/writing day, complete with coffee and home baked goodies in her garden. I worked through a couple of tricky scenes and it was HEAVEN. Feeling very grateful this week for good friends and sleeping babies. Swipe for a postcard from writing paradise. 😊👉 .
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#writinglife #writing #writingretreat #writersofinstagram #writersofig #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #aussieauthors #YAauthors #youngadultauthor #YAwriters #writemore #lovewriting #flatlay #writingdesk #desk #deskgoals #aussieauthors #bookstagram #writingcommunity #writingpost #writingoals #wip #amwriting #amwritingya
Current tip of my TBR pile. This little stack should keep me busy for the next month or so. 😁 Have you read any of these or are any on your list?
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Also, I’m typing this while sitting with Frankie trying to get her to sleep in her cot. She’s in the habit of falling asleep in our arms, which makes it *super* hard to get her back to snoozing when she wakes in the night. And, ye gods does this kiddo wake in the night. Crossing all our fingers and toes that we can swing a new routine, because after thirteen months of this, her dad and I aren’t quite human anymore. 🧟♀️🧟♂️
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#aussiereaders #TBR #TBRpile #bookstagram #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #booklove #bookspines #bibliophile #booknerdigans #bookwormlife #bookblogger #bookflatlay #bookphotography #bookphoto #bookporn #readersofinstagram #igbooks #igreads #readmore #aussieauthors #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #yafiction #nonfiction #litfic #youngadultbooks
Friends, ICYMI, I’ve put my PhD, novel writing know-how and insatiable YA reading habit to good use and teamed up with @kyd_magazine to create an online writing workshop: ‘Introduction to Writing Young Adult Fiction’.
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The workshop helps writers develop an appropriate mindset for writing YA by exploring what makes a story ‘YA’, what responsibilities must be considered when writing for teen readers, elements of craft and, importantly, how to connect with the wider YA community.
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Through practical exercises and insights into the creative practice of developing a YA narrative, the workshop teaches writers how to create compelling narrative voices, dynamic characters and engaging plots, and provides them with resources to assist at all stages of the writing process.
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Introduction to Writing Young Adult Fiction is currently available for the introductory price of $99 (AUD). More info 👉bit.ly/2MDw8Wy or @kyd_magazine.
