July, 2019.
Hey there readers and writers!
This month has been up and down and all over the place! We've had warm days, cold days, flooded days, windy days, and that all on top of another big change in my house. My sister has gone back to work after a stretch of maternity leave, and guess who is looking after her four-year-old lad and his cutie-pie ten-month-old sister? Yep, that's right, ME. I'm lucky to be part of a family that lives close to each other, and who juggle their time to be able able to help with kiddies. When I was teaching and had my babies, my parents and my husband's parents and sister were amazing supports for us taking the kids while I worked, and now I get to return the love. They say it takes a village to raise children, and I'm one of the lucky ones who has a village close by. I really feel for those parents going back to work without people to share the load. It's a hard road, and you don't really get that until you're walking down it with sticky jam toast finger marks on your clean shirt, odd socks, someone's delightful present of a small toy in your shoe, and cake with the icing eaten off in your hand, all while they're running ahead half-dressed with a permanent marker! I love being able to take care of 'the bubbas,' getting to know them as they grow, and giving my own kids more time with their cuzzies. It's challenging, and tiring, but so rewarding.
Now, I love creating a solid routine, but I'm not usually that great at sticking to it for any length of time. Having extra littilies to care for during the day, and sometimes after school, requires me to make the most of the rest of my time. I've got a clearer divide of days I can write on and those where I've got to snatch moments here and there to make up my self-imposed quota. I need to resist the urge to use writing days for quick trips to town (haha quick? Just getting there and home takes an hour or more, let alone parking and actual shopping), or long rambling phone calls. If you don't use writing time for writing, you lose it and you can't get it back.
Another positive change I've had this month is a pick up in social media. Twitter had started to drag for me - it's a big commitment if you're going to be serious about it, and for me it had gone stagnant. Instagram is beautiful, but finding the right people to follow was a challange. That was until some clever cookie posted to Twitter requesting our Instagram links, and I managed to be on line and find it in my feed quite by chance. Yay, new writerly people to follow and have follow back, new friends with similar interests, gorgeous images by talented people to look at, hooray! If you want to jump on the follow train, you'll find me at the links below!
I'll finish up now, since this is a writing day and I've got to make the most of it. To those working parents out there, I see you. You're doing a better job than you think. Don't be hard on yourself, you've got this! To the writers working out how to fit actual writing into your precious time, keep hunting. This time last month I'd fallen off the timetable wagon, and now, with more commitments in a week, I've found a way to dedicate more to writing. Try not to stress about it, if you're patient and keep looking, a solution will reveal itself.
I hope you, dear reader, have found some words of encouragement, or I've given you food for thought regarding the 'child's village.' Remember, that teacher that you see taking such great care of a class of kids is likely to have children of their own. To be there, they've had to trust in someone else to take care of their babies so they can educate yours. They're fabulous people who give so much of themselves to improve the learning and lives of the children in their care.
So, until next month, cheer each other on, and happy reading!
Em.
Hey there readers and writers!
This month has been up and down and all over the place! We've had warm days, cold days, flooded days, windy days, and that all on top of another big change in my house. My sister has gone back to work after a stretch of maternity leave, and guess who is looking after her four-year-old lad and his cutie-pie ten-month-old sister? Yep, that's right, ME. I'm lucky to be part of a family that lives close to each other, and who juggle their time to be able able to help with kiddies. When I was teaching and had my babies, my parents and my husband's parents and sister were amazing supports for us taking the kids while I worked, and now I get to return the love. They say it takes a village to raise children, and I'm one of the lucky ones who has a village close by. I really feel for those parents going back to work without people to share the load. It's a hard road, and you don't really get that until you're walking down it with sticky jam toast finger marks on your clean shirt, odd socks, someone's delightful present of a small toy in your shoe, and cake with the icing eaten off in your hand, all while they're running ahead half-dressed with a permanent marker! I love being able to take care of 'the bubbas,' getting to know them as they grow, and giving my own kids more time with their cuzzies. It's challenging, and tiring, but so rewarding.
Now, I love creating a solid routine, but I'm not usually that great at sticking to it for any length of time. Having extra littilies to care for during the day, and sometimes after school, requires me to make the most of the rest of my time. I've got a clearer divide of days I can write on and those where I've got to snatch moments here and there to make up my self-imposed quota. I need to resist the urge to use writing days for quick trips to town (haha quick? Just getting there and home takes an hour or more, let alone parking and actual shopping), or long rambling phone calls. If you don't use writing time for writing, you lose it and you can't get it back.
Another positive change I've had this month is a pick up in social media. Twitter had started to drag for me - it's a big commitment if you're going to be serious about it, and for me it had gone stagnant. Instagram is beautiful, but finding the right people to follow was a challange. That was until some clever cookie posted to Twitter requesting our Instagram links, and I managed to be on line and find it in my feed quite by chance. Yay, new writerly people to follow and have follow back, new friends with similar interests, gorgeous images by talented people to look at, hooray! If you want to jump on the follow train, you'll find me at the links below!
I'll finish up now, since this is a writing day and I've got to make the most of it. To those working parents out there, I see you. You're doing a better job than you think. Don't be hard on yourself, you've got this! To the writers working out how to fit actual writing into your precious time, keep hunting. This time last month I'd fallen off the timetable wagon, and now, with more commitments in a week, I've found a way to dedicate more to writing. Try not to stress about it, if you're patient and keep looking, a solution will reveal itself.
I hope you, dear reader, have found some words of encouragement, or I've given you food for thought regarding the 'child's village.' Remember, that teacher that you see taking such great care of a class of kids is likely to have children of their own. To be there, they've had to trust in someone else to take care of their babies so they can educate yours. They're fabulous people who give so much of themselves to improve the learning and lives of the children in their care.
So, until next month, cheer each other on, and happy reading!
Em.
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June, 2019.
Hi everyone,
It’s official, we've hit the middle of winter, the shortest day has passed, and finally the days are getting longer again. I find winter to be a slow time and struggle to stay motivated, so I'm working on that most of all at the moment. The part of winter I do love is the sunrises and sunsets. The clouds just light up, and the light is truly amazing, and best of all, it does it at times of day when it's easier to capture and share (apologies if you're sick of my sunset pics on social media!). I'm also part of an awesome group on Facebook that share a passion for clouds. I've been lucky to see photos of phenomena that we just don't get here in Dunedin (tornadoes and incredible storms), and have been amazed by the variety of images and settings. I find these beautiful photos refreshing after the many memes and people making digs at each other online.
This month I've finished reading the first ever novel my mother bought me (when I was about eight or ten, I think) to my children as a bedtime story. The Spellcoats, by Diana Wynne Jones has captivated the three of us (me all over again), and we've had some incredible conversations about mages, sailing, souls, the meanings of people's names, corpses (yeah, yikes!), and even story structure. My eldest sometimes pops away and I find her with bits of paper making her own books with Tanaqui in them. That poor old book has been read so many times I've had to repair the cover, so hopefully it'll be able to be handed down (but only in my will, not ready to part with it yet!).
June has been a slower month on the writing front. I've had a go at putting together a blog. It's not quite ready for unveiling to the world, and it makes me a little nervous to add another writing commitment to my routine, but I'm going to give it a go. If I can help another person out there delve into the wonderful world of writing, then it'll be worth it. Aside from the blog, I've found myself in that dreaded zone of writing stuckness. I hate the phrase 'writer's block,' but I have to admit that it feels like there's a great big brick wall between me and writing flow. I've drafted a few short stories in an attempt to sneak around the side, but I might have to just go for it and smash on through. Sounds of Home (working title) was meant to be much closer to being finished by now than it is. I've made three drafts of it but it's acting like a grumpy toddler hiding under the bed - it won't come out and tell me what's wrong, I just know it's not right. Random thoughts at odd times of the day tell me that the structure is off (I've tried to follow a more traditional path as opposed to Victory Island's unconventional layout), and that'll mean another restart. Fingers crossed this time I get it right on gut instinct! It's about time I got something fresh out to all of you too. I think my latest short will be a nice surprise; a more humorous story than I've put out before, and one loosely based on true events. I'll do my best to get it polished up and packaged nicely for you soon.
If you'd like to contact me, I've changed my contacts page to include a comments box. Please do pop on and say hi. I'd love to hear from you. You're also welcome to pop up a review if you've read a story or two. As always, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Have a great June everyone,
Emily.
Hi everyone,
It’s official, we've hit the middle of winter, the shortest day has passed, and finally the days are getting longer again. I find winter to be a slow time and struggle to stay motivated, so I'm working on that most of all at the moment. The part of winter I do love is the sunrises and sunsets. The clouds just light up, and the light is truly amazing, and best of all, it does it at times of day when it's easier to capture and share (apologies if you're sick of my sunset pics on social media!). I'm also part of an awesome group on Facebook that share a passion for clouds. I've been lucky to see photos of phenomena that we just don't get here in Dunedin (tornadoes and incredible storms), and have been amazed by the variety of images and settings. I find these beautiful photos refreshing after the many memes and people making digs at each other online.
This month I've finished reading the first ever novel my mother bought me (when I was about eight or ten, I think) to my children as a bedtime story. The Spellcoats, by Diana Wynne Jones has captivated the three of us (me all over again), and we've had some incredible conversations about mages, sailing, souls, the meanings of people's names, corpses (yeah, yikes!), and even story structure. My eldest sometimes pops away and I find her with bits of paper making her own books with Tanaqui in them. That poor old book has been read so many times I've had to repair the cover, so hopefully it'll be able to be handed down (but only in my will, not ready to part with it yet!).
June has been a slower month on the writing front. I've had a go at putting together a blog. It's not quite ready for unveiling to the world, and it makes me a little nervous to add another writing commitment to my routine, but I'm going to give it a go. If I can help another person out there delve into the wonderful world of writing, then it'll be worth it. Aside from the blog, I've found myself in that dreaded zone of writing stuckness. I hate the phrase 'writer's block,' but I have to admit that it feels like there's a great big brick wall between me and writing flow. I've drafted a few short stories in an attempt to sneak around the side, but I might have to just go for it and smash on through. Sounds of Home (working title) was meant to be much closer to being finished by now than it is. I've made three drafts of it but it's acting like a grumpy toddler hiding under the bed - it won't come out and tell me what's wrong, I just know it's not right. Random thoughts at odd times of the day tell me that the structure is off (I've tried to follow a more traditional path as opposed to Victory Island's unconventional layout), and that'll mean another restart. Fingers crossed this time I get it right on gut instinct! It's about time I got something fresh out to all of you too. I think my latest short will be a nice surprise; a more humorous story than I've put out before, and one loosely based on true events. I'll do my best to get it polished up and packaged nicely for you soon.
If you'd like to contact me, I've changed my contacts page to include a comments box. Please do pop on and say hi. I'd love to hear from you. You're also welcome to pop up a review if you've read a story or two. As always, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Have a great June everyone,
Emily.
May, 2019.
Hi readers,
A quick news update for may as I'm working on a new project that's absorbing time like a super-sponge!
If you pop on over to the Victory Island book page, you'll see it's beautiful new cover - a belated birthday present to this special wee book. I've also had some feedback about print size, so I've increased that a little too. Youll also be able to access Victory's teaser images on the same page and read some extra snippets. Enjoy!
Alongside my new project, I've been working on Sounds of Home (working title). It's been under way for over a year, and I've drafted three times. Somehow it's still not right. I hate the term 'writer's block.' I refuse to be blocked, but this project is certainly trying. Though not autobiographical, or a true story, it deals with some deeply personal issues I've experienced in the past. I'm using my experience to drive the main character, and though I'm determined to share this story, it's draining my reserves. I'll let you know how it's going again soon.
It's getting jolly cold as winter has begun here in Dunedin. We've had several days in a row of the thermometer not reaching 5 degrees celsius. We've had strong winds at times, and they're predicting snow coming into the weekend. It's been several years since we had snow down around the house and my children are hoping for a chance to get the sled out. I'm a bit jealous of the pictures my international friends are sharing of themselves in shorts and t-shirts enjoying the beginning of summer where they are, and my cousin's daughter's photos of Lizard Island (Australia) where she works. She seems to always be in togs (lucky thing!).
I'll sign off here for May's news, but keep an eye out for a new feature of my site coming soon!
Keep on reading,
Em.
Hi readers,
A quick news update for may as I'm working on a new project that's absorbing time like a super-sponge!
If you pop on over to the Victory Island book page, you'll see it's beautiful new cover - a belated birthday present to this special wee book. I've also had some feedback about print size, so I've increased that a little too. Youll also be able to access Victory's teaser images on the same page and read some extra snippets. Enjoy!
Alongside my new project, I've been working on Sounds of Home (working title). It's been under way for over a year, and I've drafted three times. Somehow it's still not right. I hate the term 'writer's block.' I refuse to be blocked, but this project is certainly trying. Though not autobiographical, or a true story, it deals with some deeply personal issues I've experienced in the past. I'm using my experience to drive the main character, and though I'm determined to share this story, it's draining my reserves. I'll let you know how it's going again soon.
It's getting jolly cold as winter has begun here in Dunedin. We've had several days in a row of the thermometer not reaching 5 degrees celsius. We've had strong winds at times, and they're predicting snow coming into the weekend. It's been several years since we had snow down around the house and my children are hoping for a chance to get the sled out. I'm a bit jealous of the pictures my international friends are sharing of themselves in shorts and t-shirts enjoying the beginning of summer where they are, and my cousin's daughter's photos of Lizard Island (Australia) where she works. She seems to always be in togs (lucky thing!).
I'll sign off here for May's news, but keep an eye out for a new feature of my site coming soon!
Keep on reading,
Em.
April, 2019.
Welcome to my beautiful new website complete with gorgeous new branding!
I can tell you, it's been a slog, and I've even asked my husband to firmly remind me just how much work it's been the next time I suggest it. As I type, I'm up to the steep bit, that last push to the top of the mountain where your lungs burn and your legs scream out for mercy (except it's my eyes burning and brain screaming!). I've got font sizes and links to check, images to align, and SEO keywords to get on with, but once they're done, I get to press publish and send this work of art out to all of you.
On the home front, things have been just as busy. Easter came and went in the whirlwind of the first term holidays. The highlight for my kids was the epic family Easter Hunt that my sister and her husband set up on the farm. Another family from school came too, so in total we had eight small people, ten adults, dogs, cats, goats, horses, sheep, and chickens involved! All those legs trekked nearly three kilometres in search of Easter treats, and luckily the forecast wet weather held off.
My big girl, now six-and-a-half, also lost her first tooth on Easter Saturday, so the Tooth Fairy made her first visit on Sunday morning along with the Easter Bunny (actually, she's been twice now since I'm a bit late with April's news. Lil' Miss lost tooth number too this week). Miss Four is rather disappointed her teeth aren't falling out too. She'd love to get some of the sparkly coloured water the Tooth Fairy leaves behind!
Earlier in the month my husband and I celebrated fourteen years married, a fact that surprises both of us. In August we will have known each other twenty-one years. It seems time flies, though it doesn't feel like that when you're young and starting out (it surely must have been a million years ago that we met at that high school dance...).
It's a bitter-sweet time of year for my family too. We've just marked the first anniversary of my father's dad's death, and the fifteenth of my mother's father's. Both strong, wonderful men, died on April 28th, fourteen years apart. April is a month of mixed celebration and remembrance, happy and sad, exciting and reflective, but such is life, I guess. It keeps on rolling in ups and downs whether you're ready for it or not.
I promised myself that this month I'd keep it short; you have a beautiful new website to explore, after all, so I'll sign off.
To those new visitors, welcome, and make sure you visit my books page. Please contact me if you have questions, or even just to say hi, I'd love to hear from you.
To returning visitors, it's lovely to have you back. I really enjoy touching base with followers and readers, and especially hearing what you think of my writing. If you've read me (which you must have if you've got this far!), please leave me a review. You'll find links on my books pages, but I'll pop one below for convenience just in case.
Thank you, readers. You really make my heart warm when you connect.
Happy reading,
Emily.
Welcome to my beautiful new website complete with gorgeous new branding!
I can tell you, it's been a slog, and I've even asked my husband to firmly remind me just how much work it's been the next time I suggest it. As I type, I'm up to the steep bit, that last push to the top of the mountain where your lungs burn and your legs scream out for mercy (except it's my eyes burning and brain screaming!). I've got font sizes and links to check, images to align, and SEO keywords to get on with, but once they're done, I get to press publish and send this work of art out to all of you.
On the home front, things have been just as busy. Easter came and went in the whirlwind of the first term holidays. The highlight for my kids was the epic family Easter Hunt that my sister and her husband set up on the farm. Another family from school came too, so in total we had eight small people, ten adults, dogs, cats, goats, horses, sheep, and chickens involved! All those legs trekked nearly three kilometres in search of Easter treats, and luckily the forecast wet weather held off.
My big girl, now six-and-a-half, also lost her first tooth on Easter Saturday, so the Tooth Fairy made her first visit on Sunday morning along with the Easter Bunny (actually, she's been twice now since I'm a bit late with April's news. Lil' Miss lost tooth number too this week). Miss Four is rather disappointed her teeth aren't falling out too. She'd love to get some of the sparkly coloured water the Tooth Fairy leaves behind!
Earlier in the month my husband and I celebrated fourteen years married, a fact that surprises both of us. In August we will have known each other twenty-one years. It seems time flies, though it doesn't feel like that when you're young and starting out (it surely must have been a million years ago that we met at that high school dance...).
It's a bitter-sweet time of year for my family too. We've just marked the first anniversary of my father's dad's death, and the fifteenth of my mother's father's. Both strong, wonderful men, died on April 28th, fourteen years apart. April is a month of mixed celebration and remembrance, happy and sad, exciting and reflective, but such is life, I guess. It keeps on rolling in ups and downs whether you're ready for it or not.
I promised myself that this month I'd keep it short; you have a beautiful new website to explore, after all, so I'll sign off.
To those new visitors, welcome, and make sure you visit my books page. Please contact me if you have questions, or even just to say hi, I'd love to hear from you.
To returning visitors, it's lovely to have you back. I really enjoy touching base with followers and readers, and especially hearing what you think of my writing. If you've read me (which you must have if you've got this far!), please leave me a review. You'll find links on my books pages, but I'll pop one below for convenience just in case.
Thank you, readers. You really make my heart warm when you connect.
Happy reading,
Emily.
March, 2019.
Hi wonderful readers,
Somehow I've arrived at the end of March with little understanding of how I got here!
It's been a busy month for my own and extended families. The start of the school year at my eldest daughter's school is always a blur of notices, trips, events, meetings, and fantastic learning programmes. We're also now well into the swing of school and kindergarten pickups and drop offs, as well as my little niece and nephew visitors during the week. There have been birthdays galore, and preparation for the final stage of electrical work on my house (lights in the garage over dark old winter will be great!). Writing wise, I'm juggling two draft novels that I've completed the first drafts of and am ready to tackle second drafts and re-writes. The struggle to pick which one got too much, so I'm going with both. I work on which grabs my imagination on each writing day!
The date of March 15th, 2019 will forever be carved into my mind.
The first reason is, it was the end of the week that my wonderful mum turned 60. My sisters and I sent Mum and Dad on a wee holiday, and while they were away, we secretly painted their house (something that's been needed since they moved in more than 40 years ago). They're farmers, so there's always something of great importance that needs done more. It's a 'to do list' job that never gets crossed off. So, during the week they were away, my youngest sister arranged for builders to come and finished off the unfinished bits, my brother in law tackled the massive job of barge boards and replacing door and window frames, and then we all (grandkids and pets included), got stuck in painting. Needless to say, the surprise/shock was great! Keen-eyed Mum spotted scaffolding as they drove down the road, but Dad was plain blindsided! It's long been a goal to get the house painted , so to come home and find it done has ticked off one massive job from the list!
The second reason is far less pleasant. On that same afternoon, in Christchurch, just 360km away, a man with a warped sense of right and wrong unleashed an attack on an unsuspecting group of people going about their daily routine. Fifty lives were lost and many, many more irrevocably changed due to plain and simple hatred. This man thought he had the right to destroy the lives of the Muslim community here in New Zealand simply because he did not like them, did not agree with their choice of religion, and rejected their right to make a home in our beautiful country. He thought his actions would divide us as a nation, breed a greater hatred for immigrants, would make his voice loud and clear. Well, HE WAS WRONG. In the wake of what happened, New Zealand, and particularly Christchurch, has done what we always do: we rallied, we supported, we grieved together. Our wonderful Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, lead from the front with compassion and a fierce determination to ensure ALL New Zealanders don't face another day like this again, ever. She will not speak his name, and neither will I. Since the attacks, New Zealanders from all walks of life, all ethnicities, religions, regions, backgrounds, and ages have flooded the streets in defiance of what that misguided man tried to do and flipped it to reflect what we really aspire to be as a nation: compassionate, inclusive, safe, welcoming, loving, caring, and generous. It's been staggering to witness the aftermath, to feel the collective mourning and see the incredible response. We are not divided, we are one. Yes, there is work to be done to educate those with extremist views or even simple misunderstandings about different cultural and religious groups that make this land home. We're a meeting place of so many cultures, languages, backgrounds, and beliefs, and for that very reason, we need to get to know new members of our communities, make the effort to ask questions when we don't understand, and celebrate diversity. Whether a person is born here, or chooses to make their home here, we should all be able to go about our business (especially the peaceful act of prayers!) safely and with acceptance.
I will walk with you.
#KiaKahaChirstchurch (in maori language, Kia Kaha means Be Strong).
It feels odd to transition from sad things to happy ones, especially in this short news post, however, I do have something pretty special to celebrate: my novel, Victory Island, has turned one year old this month! It's a milestone worth acknowledging, and so, I've decided to give anyone whom wants one, a gift! For the five days beginning Wednesday April 3rd until Sunday April 7th (Pacific Time, given I publish with Amazon), the ebook copy of Victory Island will be available FOR FREE on Amazon's online stores. I've included a link to Amazon.com, but this offer is available on all Amazon stores. Please, spread the word, the more readers, the merrier!
If you'd like to give me a Victory Island birthday gift, I invite you to review Victory Isalnd (or any of my stories!), whether you liked it, loved it, or even if it wasn't your cup of tea. Seriously, leaving a review is a big deal to writers. We appreciate it more than you can imagine. Feel free to do so directly on Amazon, and/or you can leave a review right here on my site (see button below). Just to be clear, any reader can leave a review for any of my stories that they've read whether they read them during the free period, last week, or last year!
Finally, have a great autumn (or spring, lucky northerners),
Until next month,
Emily.
Hi wonderful readers,
Somehow I've arrived at the end of March with little understanding of how I got here!
It's been a busy month for my own and extended families. The start of the school year at my eldest daughter's school is always a blur of notices, trips, events, meetings, and fantastic learning programmes. We're also now well into the swing of school and kindergarten pickups and drop offs, as well as my little niece and nephew visitors during the week. There have been birthdays galore, and preparation for the final stage of electrical work on my house (lights in the garage over dark old winter will be great!). Writing wise, I'm juggling two draft novels that I've completed the first drafts of and am ready to tackle second drafts and re-writes. The struggle to pick which one got too much, so I'm going with both. I work on which grabs my imagination on each writing day!
The date of March 15th, 2019 will forever be carved into my mind.
The first reason is, it was the end of the week that my wonderful mum turned 60. My sisters and I sent Mum and Dad on a wee holiday, and while they were away, we secretly painted their house (something that's been needed since they moved in more than 40 years ago). They're farmers, so there's always something of great importance that needs done more. It's a 'to do list' job that never gets crossed off. So, during the week they were away, my youngest sister arranged for builders to come and finished off the unfinished bits, my brother in law tackled the massive job of barge boards and replacing door and window frames, and then we all (grandkids and pets included), got stuck in painting. Needless to say, the surprise/shock was great! Keen-eyed Mum spotted scaffolding as they drove down the road, but Dad was plain blindsided! It's long been a goal to get the house painted , so to come home and find it done has ticked off one massive job from the list!
The second reason is far less pleasant. On that same afternoon, in Christchurch, just 360km away, a man with a warped sense of right and wrong unleashed an attack on an unsuspecting group of people going about their daily routine. Fifty lives were lost and many, many more irrevocably changed due to plain and simple hatred. This man thought he had the right to destroy the lives of the Muslim community here in New Zealand simply because he did not like them, did not agree with their choice of religion, and rejected their right to make a home in our beautiful country. He thought his actions would divide us as a nation, breed a greater hatred for immigrants, would make his voice loud and clear. Well, HE WAS WRONG. In the wake of what happened, New Zealand, and particularly Christchurch, has done what we always do: we rallied, we supported, we grieved together. Our wonderful Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, lead from the front with compassion and a fierce determination to ensure ALL New Zealanders don't face another day like this again, ever. She will not speak his name, and neither will I. Since the attacks, New Zealanders from all walks of life, all ethnicities, religions, regions, backgrounds, and ages have flooded the streets in defiance of what that misguided man tried to do and flipped it to reflect what we really aspire to be as a nation: compassionate, inclusive, safe, welcoming, loving, caring, and generous. It's been staggering to witness the aftermath, to feel the collective mourning and see the incredible response. We are not divided, we are one. Yes, there is work to be done to educate those with extremist views or even simple misunderstandings about different cultural and religious groups that make this land home. We're a meeting place of so many cultures, languages, backgrounds, and beliefs, and for that very reason, we need to get to know new members of our communities, make the effort to ask questions when we don't understand, and celebrate diversity. Whether a person is born here, or chooses to make their home here, we should all be able to go about our business (especially the peaceful act of prayers!) safely and with acceptance.
I will walk with you.
#KiaKahaChirstchurch (in maori language, Kia Kaha means Be Strong).
It feels odd to transition from sad things to happy ones, especially in this short news post, however, I do have something pretty special to celebrate: my novel, Victory Island, has turned one year old this month! It's a milestone worth acknowledging, and so, I've decided to give anyone whom wants one, a gift! For the five days beginning Wednesday April 3rd until Sunday April 7th (Pacific Time, given I publish with Amazon), the ebook copy of Victory Island will be available FOR FREE on Amazon's online stores. I've included a link to Amazon.com, but this offer is available on all Amazon stores. Please, spread the word, the more readers, the merrier!
If you'd like to give me a Victory Island birthday gift, I invite you to review Victory Isalnd (or any of my stories!), whether you liked it, loved it, or even if it wasn't your cup of tea. Seriously, leaving a review is a big deal to writers. We appreciate it more than you can imagine. Feel free to do so directly on Amazon, and/or you can leave a review right here on my site (see button below). Just to be clear, any reader can leave a review for any of my stories that they've read whether they read them during the free period, last week, or last year!
Finally, have a great autumn (or spring, lucky northerners),
Until next month,
Emily.
February, 2019.
Hi everyone,
Can someone please tell me why this year is marching on so fast? February is already 2/3 done and I feel like I'm still recovering from Christmas! While I write this, I'm thinking about possible causes, the main one being back into the school year for Miss Six, and Miss Four has started Kindergarten two days a week. I had intended, when I finished teaching at the end of 2016, that my girls would be at home with me full-time until they started school. When they were little and I was teaching, necessity meant that they were in daycare for the majority of the week and I can honestly say that broke my heart and contributed to a downward slide in my mental health between 2012 and 2016 (I'll talk a little more about that shortly). Now though, I've discovered I have a social little lady on my hands and she's so into exploring and learning that I can't realistically provide enough stimulation for her AND work on developing this writing career of mine. So, two days a week I drop off a keen Kindy girl who's happy to be there with her new friends AND for me to go (no clinging with this one!), and I pop home to work. I'm still finding my way with this newfound quiet time. The first week I felt off-kilter but got a bit done. The next I smashed it, working right through from arrival home to pick-up time the first day, then the second was a holiday and the kids were at home. This and last week have been a mixed bag. I've discovered that having quiet time allows me to tidy (and it stays tidy for more than half an hour), wash things (like the windows, clothes, oh, and my new car!), and bake. It's a learning curve. I have to keep in mind WHY I gave in and opted for Kindy - so I can WRITE! I'll keep you posted on how it goes!
So, as I mentioned earlier, the elephant in this post - mental health.
The delcine in your mental health can creep up on you. It sure did on me. I had no idea that I was depressed or that I experienced unnatural levels of anxiety until my doctor spoke the words. Even then I struggled for weeks to believe her. You see, I didn't recognise it in myself, and the people I worked with, my family or my friends didn't recognise it for what it was either. I was obviously down, I had a negative mindset and was very focused on how the world impacted on me. Looking back I can see the main triggers - the changes that came along with difficult pregnancies and becoming a parent, having to go back to work when all I wanted to do was care for my little girls, the growing demands of teaching (a job that changed so much over my relatively short career of ten years that it wasn't what I wanted any more but felt stuck in), and a long friendship coming to a close (that had morphed from a positive, light-hearted, fun thing into something that required me to validate behaviour that went against my core values). A lot happened in the relatively short period of about four years, and I just let the stresses pile up, not wanting to share the burden with others. I felt I had to be the super-mum that women are expected to embody in current times: being a full-time parent to two children under four and a full-time teacher (which is no 9-3 job with fantastic holidays as many people believe). I felt that people expected me to have my s*** together at home and school, and fill both roles to a high standard. Well, for me, it was impossible, only I didn't know it unitl I fell apart.
It's been a long road to where I am now. That road started with an appointment with my wonderful doctor, and acknowledging that I couldn't climb out of the pit on my own. It's a difficult thing to accept the need for medicinal help, and then to ride the rocky road of finding the right type balance of medications and get used to it. It was hard, too in the beginning, to see a counsellor. Just making that first appointment felt like I was admitting failure and that I'd be judged by the outside world for it. Once I got into the swing of it, though, I found it so freeing and beneficial, exhausting, but I was amazed by what I learned about myself and how I could change my thinking to get better. I also find now that mental health is a recurring theme in my writing - it's just another way of 'talking' about my experiences (disclaimer, not everything I write happened to me, just bits of my thought process leak into my writing).
So now I'm back on even ground. I still need to be aware of myself and watch for the downward spiral. My Shakti Mat and using an app for meditation and mindfulness have been the biggest helps so far this year (I use the Welzen: Guided Meditation app). I've learned how much I crave quiet and how not getting some quiet time in regularly drags on my positive mindset. I've thought back on my journey too, and realised that spotting mental illness can be a challenge even for people who know you. Accessing the right help can be a difficult, and incredibly expensive (I was so fortunate to be supported by my employer to get my counselling). Making big choices, life-altering ones, is so hard at the time but can improve your life considerably (for me, it was leaving my full-time, permanent teachin position, which in my part of the world is hard to come by). Stigma sucks the big biscuit. Judgement, stereotypes, assumptions etc, etc, don't help at all, and being asked to provide evidence of your 'mental status' when applying for a job (or re-registering for your practicing certificate!) is like a big stone wall.
What led me to sharing this was the outcome of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year awards last week. How proud I am to say that my country has awarded the honour to Mike King, previously a comedian and now an advocate for mental health in New Zealand. He's got a big voice and is making it heard far and wide. You may have seen profile pictures on Facebook with a frame that says "I am Hope." That's a Kiwibank initiative donating $1 to Mike's #gumbootupnz fund for every Kiwi who uses the frame. If you're a Kiwi, I urge you to do it. The fund offers young Kiwi's free counselling. How easy is that? How much hope can come from it? I'm so full of pride right now. It's one step in the right direction, even though there's so far to go to getting the right help for New Zealanders experiencing mental illness.
So, I'm going to tootle off now to pick up my kindy girl and my school girl, and get the sheets off the line before it rains.
I'll leave you with something to think about before I go though: look at the people around you. I mean really look. Ask them how they are and LISTEN to what they say (and don't say). If you notice a negative, self-focused attitude, 'I'm fine' (when you think they might not be), or 'I don't need help' (when they look snowed under), say something. Ask. Be aware, it might take a few tries, but if you have a feeling that something's not right, it probably isn't. Above all, stigma sucks, so don't feed it, break it. We all need less hurt and more hugs.
By the way, if you want to talk, ask questions, or just say hi, you can contact me via the links under 'socia media' or through my 'contact' section on this very website! I'd love to hear from you or have a chat about almost anything!
Look out for each other,
Emily.
Hi everyone,
Can someone please tell me why this year is marching on so fast? February is already 2/3 done and I feel like I'm still recovering from Christmas! While I write this, I'm thinking about possible causes, the main one being back into the school year for Miss Six, and Miss Four has started Kindergarten two days a week. I had intended, when I finished teaching at the end of 2016, that my girls would be at home with me full-time until they started school. When they were little and I was teaching, necessity meant that they were in daycare for the majority of the week and I can honestly say that broke my heart and contributed to a downward slide in my mental health between 2012 and 2016 (I'll talk a little more about that shortly). Now though, I've discovered I have a social little lady on my hands and she's so into exploring and learning that I can't realistically provide enough stimulation for her AND work on developing this writing career of mine. So, two days a week I drop off a keen Kindy girl who's happy to be there with her new friends AND for me to go (no clinging with this one!), and I pop home to work. I'm still finding my way with this newfound quiet time. The first week I felt off-kilter but got a bit done. The next I smashed it, working right through from arrival home to pick-up time the first day, then the second was a holiday and the kids were at home. This and last week have been a mixed bag. I've discovered that having quiet time allows me to tidy (and it stays tidy for more than half an hour), wash things (like the windows, clothes, oh, and my new car!), and bake. It's a learning curve. I have to keep in mind WHY I gave in and opted for Kindy - so I can WRITE! I'll keep you posted on how it goes!
So, as I mentioned earlier, the elephant in this post - mental health.
The delcine in your mental health can creep up on you. It sure did on me. I had no idea that I was depressed or that I experienced unnatural levels of anxiety until my doctor spoke the words. Even then I struggled for weeks to believe her. You see, I didn't recognise it in myself, and the people I worked with, my family or my friends didn't recognise it for what it was either. I was obviously down, I had a negative mindset and was very focused on how the world impacted on me. Looking back I can see the main triggers - the changes that came along with difficult pregnancies and becoming a parent, having to go back to work when all I wanted to do was care for my little girls, the growing demands of teaching (a job that changed so much over my relatively short career of ten years that it wasn't what I wanted any more but felt stuck in), and a long friendship coming to a close (that had morphed from a positive, light-hearted, fun thing into something that required me to validate behaviour that went against my core values). A lot happened in the relatively short period of about four years, and I just let the stresses pile up, not wanting to share the burden with others. I felt I had to be the super-mum that women are expected to embody in current times: being a full-time parent to two children under four and a full-time teacher (which is no 9-3 job with fantastic holidays as many people believe). I felt that people expected me to have my s*** together at home and school, and fill both roles to a high standard. Well, for me, it was impossible, only I didn't know it unitl I fell apart.
It's been a long road to where I am now. That road started with an appointment with my wonderful doctor, and acknowledging that I couldn't climb out of the pit on my own. It's a difficult thing to accept the need for medicinal help, and then to ride the rocky road of finding the right type balance of medications and get used to it. It was hard, too in the beginning, to see a counsellor. Just making that first appointment felt like I was admitting failure and that I'd be judged by the outside world for it. Once I got into the swing of it, though, I found it so freeing and beneficial, exhausting, but I was amazed by what I learned about myself and how I could change my thinking to get better. I also find now that mental health is a recurring theme in my writing - it's just another way of 'talking' about my experiences (disclaimer, not everything I write happened to me, just bits of my thought process leak into my writing).
So now I'm back on even ground. I still need to be aware of myself and watch for the downward spiral. My Shakti Mat and using an app for meditation and mindfulness have been the biggest helps so far this year (I use the Welzen: Guided Meditation app). I've learned how much I crave quiet and how not getting some quiet time in regularly drags on my positive mindset. I've thought back on my journey too, and realised that spotting mental illness can be a challenge even for people who know you. Accessing the right help can be a difficult, and incredibly expensive (I was so fortunate to be supported by my employer to get my counselling). Making big choices, life-altering ones, is so hard at the time but can improve your life considerably (for me, it was leaving my full-time, permanent teachin position, which in my part of the world is hard to come by). Stigma sucks the big biscuit. Judgement, stereotypes, assumptions etc, etc, don't help at all, and being asked to provide evidence of your 'mental status' when applying for a job (or re-registering for your practicing certificate!) is like a big stone wall.
What led me to sharing this was the outcome of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year awards last week. How proud I am to say that my country has awarded the honour to Mike King, previously a comedian and now an advocate for mental health in New Zealand. He's got a big voice and is making it heard far and wide. You may have seen profile pictures on Facebook with a frame that says "I am Hope." That's a Kiwibank initiative donating $1 to Mike's #gumbootupnz fund for every Kiwi who uses the frame. If you're a Kiwi, I urge you to do it. The fund offers young Kiwi's free counselling. How easy is that? How much hope can come from it? I'm so full of pride right now. It's one step in the right direction, even though there's so far to go to getting the right help for New Zealanders experiencing mental illness.
So, I'm going to tootle off now to pick up my kindy girl and my school girl, and get the sheets off the line before it rains.
I'll leave you with something to think about before I go though: look at the people around you. I mean really look. Ask them how they are and LISTEN to what they say (and don't say). If you notice a negative, self-focused attitude, 'I'm fine' (when you think they might not be), or 'I don't need help' (when they look snowed under), say something. Ask. Be aware, it might take a few tries, but if you have a feeling that something's not right, it probably isn't. Above all, stigma sucks, so don't feed it, break it. We all need less hurt and more hugs.
By the way, if you want to talk, ask questions, or just say hi, you can contact me via the links under 'socia media' or through my 'contact' section on this very website! I'd love to hear from you or have a chat about almost anything!
Look out for each other,
Emily.
January, 2019.
Happy New Year!
I hope you've all had as good a start to the new year as I have. I'm feeling great (thanks to my Shakti Mat, and the 100 Ab Challenge), and we've had relatively good weather. My girls have enjoyed family time, birthday parties, adventures with baby goats, and they've discovered the joy of sliding down hills on bits of recycled plastic! Sadly, the holiday fun is coming to an end with my youngest starting Kindy tomorrow (eek!), and my eldest back to school later in the week.
New year, new stories!
I've been hard at work in my writing room and have uploaded more for you to read. My latest two pieces, The Siren Sun and The Siren Lights, follow on from The Siren Moon (though they can be read separately). My fantastic friend, Nadia, inspired me to write more in the series. She's one of my Stunt Readers and powers through these short stories in minutes and gives me instant feedback. This, for a writer, is an absolute gift because the thought process doesn't go stale whilst waiting (usually hovering over my inbox), and I can get on with the next stage.
I'm looking ahead to 2019 with big ambitions, especially since it'll be the last year without little people at home. It's sort of a last-ditch push to make writing work as a full-time career. I'll have more time to write with my youngest at Kindy twice a week, and, with luck, the stories I've got up already will start selling more copies.
For anyone out there who wants to help me on this journey, the best and most helpful thing you can do is leave comments and reviews (on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and most especially on Amazon). This simple act takes just a few minutes and costs nothing, but makes a world of difference to an author (especially an independent one such as myself).
Happy reading!
Emily.
Happy New Year!
I hope you've all had as good a start to the new year as I have. I'm feeling great (thanks to my Shakti Mat, and the 100 Ab Challenge), and we've had relatively good weather. My girls have enjoyed family time, birthday parties, adventures with baby goats, and they've discovered the joy of sliding down hills on bits of recycled plastic! Sadly, the holiday fun is coming to an end with my youngest starting Kindy tomorrow (eek!), and my eldest back to school later in the week.
New year, new stories!
I've been hard at work in my writing room and have uploaded more for you to read. My latest two pieces, The Siren Sun and The Siren Lights, follow on from The Siren Moon (though they can be read separately). My fantastic friend, Nadia, inspired me to write more in the series. She's one of my Stunt Readers and powers through these short stories in minutes and gives me instant feedback. This, for a writer, is an absolute gift because the thought process doesn't go stale whilst waiting (usually hovering over my inbox), and I can get on with the next stage.
I'm looking ahead to 2019 with big ambitions, especially since it'll be the last year without little people at home. It's sort of a last-ditch push to make writing work as a full-time career. I'll have more time to write with my youngest at Kindy twice a week, and, with luck, the stories I've got up already will start selling more copies.
For anyone out there who wants to help me on this journey, the best and most helpful thing you can do is leave comments and reviews (on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and most especially on Amazon). This simple act takes just a few minutes and costs nothing, but makes a world of difference to an author (especially an independent one such as myself).
Happy reading!
Emily.
December, 2018.
Merry Christmas to you all!
We've finally made it to the end of December, and after daily parties from the 22nd to the 26th, I'm pleased to have a couple of days to wind down. My children are understandably fried (tired and grouchy with emotions close to the surface), and I'm beyond wanting to think about cooking. Lucky we still have left-over ham and a new toastie pie machine!
I've been totally spoiled, doubly so with a birthday so close to Christmas. Apart from a book shop voucher and several journals (stationery magnet that I am), there are three that I'd like to share that would almost certainly be of use to you, especially if you're into New Zealand made, and/or natural products.
First, my sister gifted me a Shakti (acupressure) mat, which is an intimidating piece of kit when you first try it out, but I'm now hooked. I've experienced back pain from compressed disks for years, but none this week, my tired feet have lost their aches, and as a migraine sufferer, I tried it out yesterday and the initial symptoms disappeared after just twenty minutes! I'm not one to rave about something I don't believe in, but this is seriously something you ought to try for relaxation, improved sleep, and relieving muscle tension. They’re handmade, 100% organic cotton, and ethically produced. Visit the website below to find out more, especially about how purchases empower women!
The second thing I'm loving, gifted by my Larkins family Secret Santa, is SK Lip Balm SPF 15 Lanolin with Manuka honey, bee propolis and vitamin E. Now, I've been a Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment girl for years, and I won't stop using it on my skin, but the lips have been converted! Lanolin is New Zealand made by DQ Company Ltd, and leaves your lips feeling silky and nourished. It tastes great too, and wee Kiwi's need to protect ourselves from the sun!
Lucky number three is Little Mango Natural Deodorant in Rose Geranium. Now, I hate to feel sweaty or smell bad, and usually use a clinical strength variety of Rexona or Dove. I'm so pleased (and quite surprised) to report that after having applied some to freshly showered skin yesterday afternoon, that on a warm, busy day like today, I'm still smelling and feeling fresh. In fact, I smell rather like the delicious Turkish delight my Aunt makes! The active ingredient is sodium bicarbonate (yep, baking soda), with no harsh chemicals. It's also vegan, cruelty free, and New Zealand made!
I'll pop links to all of these wonderful products at the bottom of this update. I thoroughly recommend you take a peek! (P.S, I'm sharing these products because I love them. I'm not getting anything in return for sharing).
My lucky girls were spoiled too. They've been busy with Lego, dough, drawing, and making today (phew, five minutes peace and quiet!). They're still learning about what Christmas means to the different family groups that make up their extended family, and what Christmas is to others around the world, and that it's ok to believe in Jesus or not and Santa or not. I try to teach them that we're all entitled to our own beliefs, and that others shouldn't make you feel bad about that. You should listen to their ideas, and adopt or leave what you want. It's important that we share family time, generosity, rest, fun - whatever - so long as everyone respects each other's beliefs. I explain it as sharing the 'spirit of Christmas.'
I came across a word on Pinterest not too long ago that I love: Omnism, the belief that no [one] religion is truth, but that truth is found within them all. It reflects my view that if we consider each other's feelings when discussing beliefs, and try our best to accept people for who they are and not try to change them or belittle their ideas, we'll all be better off. Just be considerate!
Anyway, my kids are crowing for food, and I have another load of washing to hang while the weather's still good. I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season and enjoy some relaxation and recovery before the New Year begins. I'm thinking, too, of those unable to due to natural disasters or displaced by conflict, or not where they'd like to be, whether they celebrate Christmas or not. I hope your situations improve and you can find some joy in your environments and the people around you.
Many thanks for your page visits and reading!
Emily.
Merry Christmas to you all!
We've finally made it to the end of December, and after daily parties from the 22nd to the 26th, I'm pleased to have a couple of days to wind down. My children are understandably fried (tired and grouchy with emotions close to the surface), and I'm beyond wanting to think about cooking. Lucky we still have left-over ham and a new toastie pie machine!
I've been totally spoiled, doubly so with a birthday so close to Christmas. Apart from a book shop voucher and several journals (stationery magnet that I am), there are three that I'd like to share that would almost certainly be of use to you, especially if you're into New Zealand made, and/or natural products.
First, my sister gifted me a Shakti (acupressure) mat, which is an intimidating piece of kit when you first try it out, but I'm now hooked. I've experienced back pain from compressed disks for years, but none this week, my tired feet have lost their aches, and as a migraine sufferer, I tried it out yesterday and the initial symptoms disappeared after just twenty minutes! I'm not one to rave about something I don't believe in, but this is seriously something you ought to try for relaxation, improved sleep, and relieving muscle tension. They’re handmade, 100% organic cotton, and ethically produced. Visit the website below to find out more, especially about how purchases empower women!
The second thing I'm loving, gifted by my Larkins family Secret Santa, is SK Lip Balm SPF 15 Lanolin with Manuka honey, bee propolis and vitamin E. Now, I've been a Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment girl for years, and I won't stop using it on my skin, but the lips have been converted! Lanolin is New Zealand made by DQ Company Ltd, and leaves your lips feeling silky and nourished. It tastes great too, and wee Kiwi's need to protect ourselves from the sun!
Lucky number three is Little Mango Natural Deodorant in Rose Geranium. Now, I hate to feel sweaty or smell bad, and usually use a clinical strength variety of Rexona or Dove. I'm so pleased (and quite surprised) to report that after having applied some to freshly showered skin yesterday afternoon, that on a warm, busy day like today, I'm still smelling and feeling fresh. In fact, I smell rather like the delicious Turkish delight my Aunt makes! The active ingredient is sodium bicarbonate (yep, baking soda), with no harsh chemicals. It's also vegan, cruelty free, and New Zealand made!
I'll pop links to all of these wonderful products at the bottom of this update. I thoroughly recommend you take a peek! (P.S, I'm sharing these products because I love them. I'm not getting anything in return for sharing).
My lucky girls were spoiled too. They've been busy with Lego, dough, drawing, and making today (phew, five minutes peace and quiet!). They're still learning about what Christmas means to the different family groups that make up their extended family, and what Christmas is to others around the world, and that it's ok to believe in Jesus or not and Santa or not. I try to teach them that we're all entitled to our own beliefs, and that others shouldn't make you feel bad about that. You should listen to their ideas, and adopt or leave what you want. It's important that we share family time, generosity, rest, fun - whatever - so long as everyone respects each other's beliefs. I explain it as sharing the 'spirit of Christmas.'
I came across a word on Pinterest not too long ago that I love: Omnism, the belief that no [one] religion is truth, but that truth is found within them all. It reflects my view that if we consider each other's feelings when discussing beliefs, and try our best to accept people for who they are and not try to change them or belittle their ideas, we'll all be better off. Just be considerate!
Anyway, my kids are crowing for food, and I have another load of washing to hang while the weather's still good. I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season and enjoy some relaxation and recovery before the New Year begins. I'm thinking, too, of those unable to due to natural disasters or displaced by conflict, or not where they'd like to be, whether they celebrate Christmas or not. I hope your situations improve and you can find some joy in your environments and the people around you.
Many thanks for your page visits and reading!
Emily.
October, 2018.
Hi,
It's all go here on the farm, and in my writing room. Spring brings tailing lambs (and keeping them out of my garden), the wind, and the start of the cruise ship season. This year it's also brought a new family member with the birth of my sister's gorgeous wee girl! In the writing room, I've put up blinds that actually work, and I've created a series of images to help promote Victory Island and give potential readers a taste of what it's about. You'll be able to see these on Instagram and Facebook soon. That job took my youngest daughter and I 'Thing Collecting' at Allan's beach, where we searched for driftwood, lupin flowers, and other treasures. The beach had been scoured clean after the incredibly strong wind and waves we've had this week, and there was a large female sealion sunning herself on the track. She attracted lots of attention from the tour group we met, as did my daughter, but she was more interested in the long strands of kelp buried in the sand than the variety of accents around her. It seemed a shame that the visitors went to the trouble of getting out to the beach (a long drive and a bit of a walk), only to stop and take a few quick pictures before trooping back to their bus. Of course their time here is limited, and there's a lot to see, but Allan's beach is definitely worth exploring, especially at low tide, and on a day as beautiful as it was. I'm sure they will have enjoyed the Royal Albatross Colony and Penguin Place, Larnach Castle, and perhaps a trip on the Monarch (wildlife cruise boat). I've done them all myself, and they're fantastic attractions, but you don't really get to know the place, and there are some wonderful hidden gems on the Otago Peninsula that only those with a bit of time, or whom ask the right questions of the right people can hunt out.
I'm at the point, this October, where I need to decide if I'm going to give NaNoWriMo a go this year. I've got two manuscripts waiting to be edited, and I'd like to get a couple of short stories out before starting something new. It's a great way to get back into routine after a writing break, but maybe it's not the most useful use of my time just now. I find the early drafting of a new piece the easier part of the writing process, and it's all wonderful and exciting to be surrounded by new stories, but the revising and editing tends to get pushed to the side. I'll let you know when I've made up my mind.
The greatest amount of work being done in my writing room has been a general (and long needed) tidy up of my desk and shelving. I did this to make space for a small order of Victory Island, which I've stocked to sell in paperback within New Zealand. Feedback I've had indicated that buying from Amazon wasn't the right option for some of my readers, and they preferred to buy directly from me. This hasn't been the easiest process to set up, with a lot of learning to be done around New Zealand consumer law, website and order form development, and researching delivery options, but I've done it, and tentatively put myself out there as being 'in trade.' I still need to do further development on the website and advertising, but hey, there's no rest for the indie writer!
As always, everyone can find my stories on Amazon, and now, New Zealand readers have the option to buy in paperback straight from me! Look under books and stories for all your options.
Happy reading!
Emily.
Hi,
It's all go here on the farm, and in my writing room. Spring brings tailing lambs (and keeping them out of my garden), the wind, and the start of the cruise ship season. This year it's also brought a new family member with the birth of my sister's gorgeous wee girl! In the writing room, I've put up blinds that actually work, and I've created a series of images to help promote Victory Island and give potential readers a taste of what it's about. You'll be able to see these on Instagram and Facebook soon. That job took my youngest daughter and I 'Thing Collecting' at Allan's beach, where we searched for driftwood, lupin flowers, and other treasures. The beach had been scoured clean after the incredibly strong wind and waves we've had this week, and there was a large female sealion sunning herself on the track. She attracted lots of attention from the tour group we met, as did my daughter, but she was more interested in the long strands of kelp buried in the sand than the variety of accents around her. It seemed a shame that the visitors went to the trouble of getting out to the beach (a long drive and a bit of a walk), only to stop and take a few quick pictures before trooping back to their bus. Of course their time here is limited, and there's a lot to see, but Allan's beach is definitely worth exploring, especially at low tide, and on a day as beautiful as it was. I'm sure they will have enjoyed the Royal Albatross Colony and Penguin Place, Larnach Castle, and perhaps a trip on the Monarch (wildlife cruise boat). I've done them all myself, and they're fantastic attractions, but you don't really get to know the place, and there are some wonderful hidden gems on the Otago Peninsula that only those with a bit of time, or whom ask the right questions of the right people can hunt out.
I'm at the point, this October, where I need to decide if I'm going to give NaNoWriMo a go this year. I've got two manuscripts waiting to be edited, and I'd like to get a couple of short stories out before starting something new. It's a great way to get back into routine after a writing break, but maybe it's not the most useful use of my time just now. I find the early drafting of a new piece the easier part of the writing process, and it's all wonderful and exciting to be surrounded by new stories, but the revising and editing tends to get pushed to the side. I'll let you know when I've made up my mind.
The greatest amount of work being done in my writing room has been a general (and long needed) tidy up of my desk and shelving. I did this to make space for a small order of Victory Island, which I've stocked to sell in paperback within New Zealand. Feedback I've had indicated that buying from Amazon wasn't the right option for some of my readers, and they preferred to buy directly from me. This hasn't been the easiest process to set up, with a lot of learning to be done around New Zealand consumer law, website and order form development, and researching delivery options, but I've done it, and tentatively put myself out there as being 'in trade.' I still need to do further development on the website and advertising, but hey, there's no rest for the indie writer!
As always, everyone can find my stories on Amazon, and now, New Zealand readers have the option to buy in paperback straight from me! Look under books and stories for all your options.
Happy reading!
Emily.
September, 2018.
Hi all!
Spring is finally here! Whilst we didn't really get much snowfall this year, we've churned through the firewood, so it's great to be on the march toward summer. The energy that comes with the sunshine must be why I feel the need to share what I've been up to.
As I write, I'm watching a sheep and her new twin lambs walk past the window. This is becoming a regular occurrence as we come to the halfway point of lambing on the family farm. I'm not so much involved in the running of the farm, my mum, dad, and youngest sister do that, but I help out where I can. My house is at one end of the farm and they live at the other end. The house that my grandfather, his father and grandfather grew up in is in the middle. Grandad passed away earlier this year, just two months shy of his 98th birthday! It's a new experience not having my grandies just over the hill.
Today I've uploaded my third published work to Amazon, The Siren Moon. It's a Flash Fiction story inspired by a story prompt I found on Pinterest (see if you can find it on my board: Write! Prompts). It's a mere 1500 words, so a super quick read, great for that trip on the bus or if you want something short before bed. You can find a blurb and links on my books and stories page above. This week I've also started a new Pinterest board: Write! Prompts by Emily. These are prompts I've invented myself and will kick-start your imagination for writing. There'll be new ones going up regularly. I'll add a link below!
I can't believe how fast time flies. This week my eldest daughter turned six, and has thus been at school for a year. She was lucky enough to have my sister (the middle of us three sisters, I'm the eldest), as her teacher until the end of last week (she's on maternity leave awaiting her second bubba). It's a busy thing being a mum of a school kid. The flexibility I've sought through writing (and no longer teaching myself) allows me to help out with school events, of which there are many at the moment, and I've even become a member of the Board of Trustees. Polyfest, the Maori and Pacific Islands festival is on next week, so poi have been on the loose as my big girl rehearses for her biggest stage performance yet. Just last month she was first up (and the youngest speaker) for her school's Spoken Word Showcase. I am in awe of her. I experience anxiety, so just the thought of speaking on stage gives me the shakes. As a child I regularly danced on stage, having taken classes and participated in Stage Challenge during my high school years, but speaking, eek, no please!
Little Miss Three (my younger daughter), is growing way too fast. She's really started to assert herself lately and has started copying phrases that her sister uses. She makes up her own stories, usually involving Paw Patrol, but sometimes of her own crack-up creation. Both my girls seem to have inherited my storyteller gene.
My next goal is to finish my second novel. I've been on procrastination strike for a few weeks as I've finished the guts of it but need to go back and fill in a couple of tricky bits that were too much of a challenge at the time. I thought, whilst procrastinating, that I was going to regret taking a break from it, but all of a sudden I'm missing the characters and have that thirst back to find out what's in store for them. I also feel a bit guilty, having become part of a large community of writers on Twitter and seeing the incredible progress they're making. I really could do better!
So that's about it for now. If you like, pop over to Amazon to check out The Siren Moon (or On Thin Ice or Victory Island), or check out my new writing prompts below. Feel free to drop me an email. I'm happy to answer questions too!
Hope you have a great spring (or autumn as the case may be!).
Emily.
Hi all!
Spring is finally here! Whilst we didn't really get much snowfall this year, we've churned through the firewood, so it's great to be on the march toward summer. The energy that comes with the sunshine must be why I feel the need to share what I've been up to.
As I write, I'm watching a sheep and her new twin lambs walk past the window. This is becoming a regular occurrence as we come to the halfway point of lambing on the family farm. I'm not so much involved in the running of the farm, my mum, dad, and youngest sister do that, but I help out where I can. My house is at one end of the farm and they live at the other end. The house that my grandfather, his father and grandfather grew up in is in the middle. Grandad passed away earlier this year, just two months shy of his 98th birthday! It's a new experience not having my grandies just over the hill.
Today I've uploaded my third published work to Amazon, The Siren Moon. It's a Flash Fiction story inspired by a story prompt I found on Pinterest (see if you can find it on my board: Write! Prompts). It's a mere 1500 words, so a super quick read, great for that trip on the bus or if you want something short before bed. You can find a blurb and links on my books and stories page above. This week I've also started a new Pinterest board: Write! Prompts by Emily. These are prompts I've invented myself and will kick-start your imagination for writing. There'll be new ones going up regularly. I'll add a link below!
I can't believe how fast time flies. This week my eldest daughter turned six, and has thus been at school for a year. She was lucky enough to have my sister (the middle of us three sisters, I'm the eldest), as her teacher until the end of last week (she's on maternity leave awaiting her second bubba). It's a busy thing being a mum of a school kid. The flexibility I've sought through writing (and no longer teaching myself) allows me to help out with school events, of which there are many at the moment, and I've even become a member of the Board of Trustees. Polyfest, the Maori and Pacific Islands festival is on next week, so poi have been on the loose as my big girl rehearses for her biggest stage performance yet. Just last month she was first up (and the youngest speaker) for her school's Spoken Word Showcase. I am in awe of her. I experience anxiety, so just the thought of speaking on stage gives me the shakes. As a child I regularly danced on stage, having taken classes and participated in Stage Challenge during my high school years, but speaking, eek, no please!
Little Miss Three (my younger daughter), is growing way too fast. She's really started to assert herself lately and has started copying phrases that her sister uses. She makes up her own stories, usually involving Paw Patrol, but sometimes of her own crack-up creation. Both my girls seem to have inherited my storyteller gene.
My next goal is to finish my second novel. I've been on procrastination strike for a few weeks as I've finished the guts of it but need to go back and fill in a couple of tricky bits that were too much of a challenge at the time. I thought, whilst procrastinating, that I was going to regret taking a break from it, but all of a sudden I'm missing the characters and have that thirst back to find out what's in store for them. I also feel a bit guilty, having become part of a large community of writers on Twitter and seeing the incredible progress they're making. I really could do better!
So that's about it for now. If you like, pop over to Amazon to check out The Siren Moon (or On Thin Ice or Victory Island), or check out my new writing prompts below. Feel free to drop me an email. I'm happy to answer questions too!
Hope you have a great spring (or autumn as the case may be!).
Emily.
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