As a writer, there is nothing I like more than a good notebook. As it is National Notebook Day on May 18th (Yes, that is a thing), I thought I'd share how I use notebooks to help me as I write my stories and novels. I am, admittedly, a somewhat disorganised writer. Or, to be … Continue reading 7 Ways A Notebook Can Help You Write Your Novel
Category: All About Writing
All about writing. This is where Julia shares writing tips, shares her process, and talks about the theory behind fiction.
How To Describe Trees, Forests & Woodland In Fiction Writing
You're writing forests wrong! Here's a big list of words and considerations you need for describing forests.
Why Your ‘Great’ Story Concept Might Be Killing Your Writing
Writers are always told they need a great concept, but what if your story problems lie in a concept that's too great? Let me explain.
My 2023 Writing Resolutions (And How You Can Meet Yours)
New Years Resolutions are often met with eyerolls. It's a classic tale of promising to Not Do The Thing or to Do The Thing, a promise that lasts all of five seconds, and is forgotten about by the end of January. No surprise, I am guilty of this. And I bet you are too. Why … Continue reading My 2023 Writing Resolutions (And How You Can Meet Yours)
5 Signs NaNoWriMo Might Not Be For You
I've done NaNoWriMo a couple of times now and it has it's pros and cons. It's certainly not for everyone. Here's some signs it might not be for you.
Is Fan Fiction A Productive Use Of A Writer’s Time?
Here's some common opinions of fanfiction: Fanfiction is all, ahem, erotic. Fanfiction is badly written. Fanfic authors who go onto to be published authors write really bad books. Fanfic is dumb. It's a hobby for awkward young teens. Basically fanfic is viewed as a lesser literary form - if we dare call it literary at … Continue reading Is Fan Fiction A Productive Use Of A Writer’s Time?
How (Not) To Write Your Protagonist (Lightyear RANT)
Writing a protagonist isn't always easy. It's something I've had trouble with myself, but one thing I've always tried to do with whatever I write is to make the character likable in some way. For me, that is the number one priority.
Mistakes You’re Making With Your Author Platform
Have you built your author platform on shaky ground? I've noticed some worrying traps aspiring authors are falling into - and I know because I'm an aspiring author who has fallen into these traps myself.
4 Ways To Know If Your Opening Chapters Are Working
I have re-written my first chapter for my dark fantasy WIP In Roots They Quake a few times now, but in the past week I've hit on a version of the opening that is really working for me. Granted, it's impossible for me to know this early whether these chapters will be in the published … Continue reading 4 Ways To Know If Your Opening Chapters Are Working
Count Your Writing Achievements
I've decided to count my writing achievements. And you should too.