Breathing in the Past

Nothing compares to visiting historical sites and locations used in your novels to literally ‘inhale’ the past around you. If you write about locations near to where you live, this is a boon and most convenient, and should not stop you from exploring what your characters would have explored.

Thundery skies over the Avebury Circle

However, we may write about far away places and if, for any number of reasons [national lockdown the latest barrier], you are unable to reach those destinations, there are alternatives. Consider the topography of the location: flora and fauna, how the land lies, types of trees and animals, weather. Then challenge yourself to find the same or similar in environments around you.

Stag in a misty forest

You may have to visit multiple local areas to come into contact with the sounds, sights and smells of the place you are writing about, but the important aspect here is to experience the same sensory stimulations.

Lady reclining on a hill in the sunshine

If it is a hot country, go out on a warm day and notice the difference in temperature on the skin, how sound travels in a dry atmosphere and how the heat can accentuate scents. If it is a Scandinavian country find a pine forest and visit on a cold, damp day to absorb the smell of the foliage and soil and the sound of how the wind sounds through the pine tops.

Waterfall

These will not be complete substitutes of actually going to a particular place, but it is all part of research as a novelist and making the most of what is available to you. The rest will be added using your imagination and creativity as a writer!

Once upon a time...

~   ~   ~

Blood, betrayal and brotherhood.

They come to honour a Warrior-Lord’s dream,

An ancient saga weaving their destiny,

But a treacherous rival threatens their fate.

The Wolf Sons are coming.

WULFSUNA

Creative Boost

A rainbow of journals

If, like me, you are one of the may writers who have lost momentum during lockdown (read my previous post) or you have decided to change career direction though are not sure where you want to go, or what you want to do, there is something you can try. Journalling and keeping a diary have been used for hundreds of years as an expressive art form and more recently as a therapeutic process. Documenting your daily thoughts and feelings keeps you focussed on the present and can reveal patterns in your lifestyle that you love, or that you want to change. Why not use this to your advantage?

Astronaut in space

Writing a daily journal keeps you ‘in the moment’ and distracts you from what’s happening around you. If you use the opportunity to write yourself into a preferred ‘reality’ by referring to yourself in the third person, you can escape into this make-believe world for a while. The distance you gain from daily troubles will reduce your anxiety. Also, by inserting yourself into a story of the life you want, you gain an insight into your dreams and create positive manifestation. By writing of the life you would like, you can bring about the changes to achieve it in the real world.

A beautiful garden and a gate leading somewhere...

Use positive quotes, clippings and photographs to assist you and enjoy the chance to ‘escape’ to anywhere in the world (or indeed the universe!). Make it as real or fantastical as you like, from wanting a change in home or career to a total lifestyle change such as becoming a millionaire or flying a rocket to Mars. Don’t plan it. Write it as it comes, off-the-cuff as it were. This way your subconscious will creep through and you may be surprised by what you create. If you are fortunate, you may gain insight into what makes you happy. You could unlock changes you can implement into your ‘real’ life.

Handwriting with pen on paper

While many of us prefer technology and our smartphones, this technique is best done with pen and paper. This method connects more closely to our subconscious through muscle memory and is more immersive.*

Grab a pen and explore!

• If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
• If you could be anything, what would it be?

*Mental Health Disclaimer – if you are under any medication and/or guidance for mental health issues, for safeguarding purposes please consult your GP or psychologist before trying this immersive diary technique.

~   ~   ~

Blood, betrayal and brotherhood.

They come to honour a Warrior-Lord’s dream,

An ancient saga weaving their destiny,

But a treacherous rival threatens their fate.

The Wolf Sons are coming.

WULFSUNA

NEW BOOK RELEASE!

A New Release is Coming!

I am very excited to announce a new publication, connected to my 'Wolf Spear Saga' series.

With an official release date of 1st August 2020, I shall soon be able to share more details with you.

I've seen the final cover proof and I love it - it encompasses all the ideas I wanted, linking it to 'Wulfsuna - Wolf Spear Saga 1' in terms of colours and key symbols.

Visit my website for blurb and cover reveals, as well as a forthcoming pre-order link and subscribe for regular updates - be the first to know!

Inspiration Hibernation

A blank piece of paper

You would imagine having twelve weeks at home would have been a writers' dream. No external distractions; no time wasted on journeys here, there and everywhere; no meeting friends in coffee shops or wasting time mooching around department stores. I'd been waking much earlier, often before my alarm at 6.15am, and not retiring to bed before 11pm most evenings. But... and this is the BIG 'but', I hadn't spent any extra time writing. My inspiration had gone into hibernation along with me!

Apple blossom

I have spoken with other creatives who haven’t sat at a laptop or picked up a pen or paintbrush either. Unable to go out and about, to see people or places, had sapped our spark. To rectify this I began by posting my ‘Hibernation Inspiration’ blog posts. These were a small effort to aid fellow creatives and a channel for me to kick-start some writing by creating the mini poems and prose for the posts. Here is my first 'Hibernation Inspiration post.

My little tray of filter coffee and matching mug

The ability to ‘find’ ideas comes from stimulation or solace, neither of which are always attainable when you are indoors for months with all your family! The muse wanders, so you have to find new methods. I substituted visits to coffee shops, woodland walks and running my local writing group with coffee moments at home, writing letters and spending more time in our garden for work or leisure. To maintain my writing group, I organised video meetings for my members and emailed them topics. I have found beauty and inspiration closer to home. To spur my writing, I switched to smaller projects needing less focus time and a shorter attention span. I extended deadlines on larger projects and succumbed to a slower pace of life.

Scales of work/life balance

Life is all about balance and when something is tossed at you that tips the scales, you make adjustments until you regain that balance. Sometimes it takes a while, but when you find the magical mix, mind and body relax. Relaxation of mind and body facilitates the return of the muse and eases creative production. If you are stuck in a creative rut, keep trying. Your muse it out there. You may simply need a little longer to find it. And take heart… during this time of global hibernation many people around the world have chosen the creative arts to express themselves, to entertain them and to inspire them to try new careers.

• Have you struggled to write through lockdown?
• What have you done to maintain inspiration?

~   ~   ~

Blood, betrayal and brotherhood.

They come to honour a Warrior-Lord’s dream,

An ancient saga weaving their destiny,

But a treacherous rival threatens their fate.

The Wolf Sons are coming.

WULFSUNA