My Writing Process #2/4: The Rewrite Phase – Step 1 “Shake, Rattle & Roll”

And so the rewrite begins. I started chronicling my writing process with a post I made last week, one that recounted the first phase of my process – the decision, design and discipline that helped me complete my first draft manuscript earlier this month. That first phase of my writing process I called “The Deadline … Continue reading My Writing Process #2/4: The Rewrite Phase – Step 1 “Shake, Rattle & Roll”

Writing is really hard work – let no one tell you different!

If you’ve been following and reading my blog for a while now, let me first say a big Thank You! Cos, make no mistake, writing IS hard work. So having an audience really affirms my efforts! Here’s hoping as long as I keep at it and keep posting, you’ll keep reading and (maybe) keep helping … Continue reading Writing is really hard work – let no one tell you different!

20 things I learned from 200 blogs (Part 3/4)

photo of man using computer

Hey glad you came back! Always thankful when readers return. After all, it’s a big ask on my part to make you wait seven days each time before I reveal the complete list of 20 things about writing I learned. After posting my 200th blog! The good news is we’re already halfway done. And by … Continue reading 20 things I learned from 200 blogs (Part 3/4)

To write well? Go from “here to there”, small and slow.

crop anonymous kid playing with toy on stones of shore

Yesterday, while trying to write well (or I should say rewrite well), it finally hit me. I had been agonising over the written drafts for my book for months, to make sense of what I wrote. The various paragraphs and chapters needed a serious re-look. Somehow, despite having followed a carefully mapped-out process and structure, … Continue reading To write well? Go from “here to there”, small and slow.

20 things I learned from 200 blogs (Part 2/4)

person writing on notebook

Today I’m sharing my second installment of 20 things I learned from blogging these past two years, by listing the next five things. This time round, #6 – #10 will focus on the technicalities of writing itself. Here’s hoping you’ll find this list as helpful as last week’s. Let’s go! #6 Know what I’m writing … Continue reading 20 things I learned from 200 blogs (Part 2/4)

2023’s been great. But I believe more’s in store in 2024!

people watching fireworks display during nighttime

On this the second last day of 2023, a most eventful year for me, I thought why not pause to recap some major milestones?! It’s also a great time to look ahead to what’s in store in 2024 as I believe there are more memorable moments to come! Ready? Then, let’s go! Remembering 2023 with … Continue reading 2023’s been great. But I believe more’s in store in 2024!

Book Review — “My Glory Was I Had Such Friends”

green plant on white ceramic pot

This has to be my most obnoxious book review ever. Why? Because I’m about to “review” a 300+ page memoir about friends that I’ve only read some 100 pages of. In other words, I’m going to talk about a book I’ve only read one-third way through. As far as book reviewers go, I must surely … Continue reading Book Review — “My Glory Was I Had Such Friends”

This new year, I’m gonna lean into what scares me!

small kid standing on planked footpath

I’m probably going to regret publishing this. Oh well, as dame Doris Day once sang (yes I’m that old), “Que Sera Sera…Whatever will be will be”. After all, the start of a brand new year is typically the time lots of people say lots of things right? Things that sound like resolutions. Or a promise … Continue reading This new year, I’m gonna lean into what scares me!

Fiction Book Review #4 – All The Broken Places

As far as any sequel goes, this one actually arrived sooner than planned. Which is more than I can say about my book reviews, the last one posted 12 months ago! Clearly, I’ve got some catching up to do. 52 year old author John Boyne had originally planned to write this sequel to his YA … Continue reading Fiction Book Review #4 – All The Broken Places

Silent writing while the world slumbers

There’s something to be said for silent writing into the dead of night and during the wee hours of the morning. Aside from the quiet and the cool, it affords the most optimal platform for the fullest formation of our thoughts. Not to mention the voices that are usually drowned out by the hustle and … Continue reading Silent writing while the world slumbers