Tag: authorlife

author, Short Story, writing

Entering Short Story Competitions

emilieturner95

“A word after a word after a word is power.”

Margaret Atwood

Short stories are so incredibly different than writing novels or poems. It can be hard to incorporate everything into a short amount of words. I am much better at writing novels and creating my characters, world and plot in at least 50,000 words. But, I do enjoy the challenge of short story writing!

I’ve set myself a goal this year to enter 5 short story competitions. It’s incredibly intimidating and hard but I’m determined to get it done. I’m still writing and editing my novel, but I wanted to do something else while getting my novel ready for submission.

I do enjoy the challenge that short stories bring. Pulling together an entire world in a small word count is a hard challenge, but extremely rewarding when you do manage to nail it. I’ve enjoyed expanding my horizons by writing short stories. It’s a good break from my usual novel editing journey and a fun challenge.

It is also, admittingly, a lot easier to write a short story while my son naps. He often only naps an hour at a time (maximum) so I don’t have a huge amount of time to sit down and flesh out my novel. I still want to write though, so smashing out a short story in those nap times works really well for me.

I have a few short story competitions picked out over the course of the year that I am intending on entering. Even if I don’t win anything it’s always a fun challenge to write and test yourself by entering competitions. I am excited to be doing this throughout the year!

First one closes in a few days – I’m almost ready to submit and I can’t wait!

author, nanowrimo, Writing

Prepping For NaNoWriMo 2021

emilieturner95

“Don’t just plan to write — write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style.”

PD James

It’s that time of the year again! I wasn’t sure if I was going to participate in NaNoWriMo this year, simply because of how crazy my 2021 has been (see my previous few blog posts if you have no idea what I mean).

If you’re not completely sure what I’m talking about, NaNoWriMo stands for National November Writing Month. The goal is to write 50,000 words within the month of November. It’s hard, but participating is always good motivation to write! I’ll link the website so you can check it out if you’re interested!

http://nanowrimo.org

Feel free to buddy up with me if you decide to participate in NaNoWriMo this year! I always loved seeing what my buddies are up to and their progress! My username is emmy_lb

I decided a few weeks ago that despite everything I wanted to participate in NaNoWriMo again. It’s a yearly tradition for me, but I also want to spend a month writing and using my talents once again after months of not writing anything except University reports.

It’s not going to be easy. The first step is coming up with an idea and I’m already struggling with that (Mum brain is real). I have a week to prepare so I’m taking the time to focus and think of a basic concept before delving into writing next week.

I know it’ll be harder to write a novel in one month this time around. I now have a child to care for and it’s not going to be easy juggling a baby and writing 50,000 words in a month, but I’m determined to give it a good go! Even if I don’t hit the goal, I will have gotten back into writing again and that’s my main goal.

“Find your best time of the day for writing and write. Don’t let anything else interfere. Afterwards it won’t matter to you that the kitchen is a mess.”

Esther Freud

Once NaNoWriMo is over I’ll refocus on editing Infection Point, which has been sorely neglected over the course of this year. I’m so close to having finished the final edit and I want to finish it by January! I’ll get myself motivated through writing in NaNoWriMo and spend December editing Infection Point.

I’m looking forward to getting back into writing again. It’s been way too long neglecting one of my favourite activities and I can’t wait to get back into my created worlds again. Keep an eye on my blog for weekly updates through November of my NaNoWriMo progress!

author, Writing

Behind The Scenes – Infection Point Update

emilieturner95

If a story is in you, it has to come out.

William Faulkner

I’m getting there. I really am getting there! It was slow progress over the holidays and with work, but I’m at the home stretch! I don’t have much more to edit until my novel is done, which is so incredibly exciting!

I only have a couple of chapters left to edit, and then I’ll let some people read it and make sure it’s okay before I send it off to some publishers! It’s really improved from where it started, and I’m proud of the novel I’ve created. I am nervous for second opinions and sending it to publishers, but I am proud of my work and I do want to put it out there.

It’s been a really long haul. I’ve been working on this novel for like two years now. It hasn’t been a quick process for me, with work and studies getting in the way, but I’m excited that I can finally see that finish line!

I could just keep on editing this novel for another two years. It’s hard to stop editing and decide that enough is enough. It’s hard to end that story and be done. But I need to do it in order to get this novel into the world. I need to stop the story and be done with editing at some point.

There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.

Frank Herbert

It’ll be strange finally finishing the editing process. I’ve been editing for most of these last two years, and it’s dragged on and on. The writing was easy, the editing was definitely not easy. I’m looking forward to being able to start new things and move forward with my writing.

It’s hard to let go, admittingly. I’m kind of dreading having to let go of this novel. I’ve spent so long on it now that it feels strange to almost be at that point when I’m done with it. When I don’t need to spend time every day on it.

Finishing books – and leaving the world you’ve created – is always a kind of emotionally wrenching experience. I usually cry.

Lauren Oliver

That moment isn’t quite here yet. I’m hoping to be done by the end of February, which means I’ll have some time to send it off to people for opinions and start something new before delving into University again.

But, for now, I’m off to go edit some more!

author, holidays, pandemic, Writing

Bring On The Holidays

emilieturner95

“Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when you’ve got a Christmas tree in the living room.”

Nora Roberts

I am so excited! Christmas Day is in just 3 days and I cannot wait! I absolutely love the Christmas season and I am beyond excited that it is so close! I can’t wait to give presents to people and see their faces when they get those presents. I love being able to give and show the people I care about how much I love.

It’s such a magical, happy time of year and I’m excited to get into all the Christmas festivities.

I haven’t been writing much at all this month, just because I’ve been so busy with Christmas things and incredible amount of shifts I’ve been getting this month. It’s always ‘go, go, go’ when it hits mid-November until about mid-January.

I like to take some time out during the craziness though. It’s important to reflect on the things that matter and really enjoy time spent with family. I’m lucky enough to have Christmas Day off which means I can spend the whole day with family.

“Christmas gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us.”

David Cameron

I love being able to see my family and celebrate this season. It’s an important holiday, especially as a Christian. It’s the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and that’s always magical. It’s important for me to reflect on the birth of Jesus and Christmas’ meaning for me.

Additionally, I love the family time. It’s so beautiful to spend time with family and that we are all able to take the time away from work and spend time together, celebrating together and giving and having a good time.

I cannot wait for Christmas Day to hit! And on that note – Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to everyone!

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.”

Agnes M. Pahro