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One
​Writer's ​Life

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One author helping others navigate the writing world.
​Tips, ideas, and guidance for new or experienced writers,
​shared through my experience of the writing world.

April Blog 2020: Lockdown has killed my writing grove. What can I do to reignite the spark?

26/4/2020

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Picture blog title for One Writers Life Blog - Help! Lockdown has killed my writing groove. April 2020
​So, I’ve discovered the urge to write waning as this lockdown has gone on. I’m still committed to my goals and my author business, but the actual ‘writing’ doesn’t want to happen. So, what can we, as writers, do to be productive and support our writing during lockdown when the urge to write just isn’t there? I've got a few ideas (and loads of links) for you!
Picture Instagram image - computer, beverage, person writing. Text overlay: April One Writers Live blog post 2020, Maintaining the writing spark without actually writing.

I’m stuck, I don’t want to. Is this the end for me as a writer?

So, lockdown has killed my writing groove. What can I do to reignite the spark? ​If, like me, you’re feeling a bit lacklustre, less than inspired, tired, or frustrated, but you want to keep in the groove of writing without actually putting pen to paper or fingers to keys, what can we do to keep the fire burning? I find if I step back for too long, I lose the urge completely and won’t write for several months – hardly ideal when I’ve chosen to pursue writing as my career. Allowing such a gap, even in these unusual times, could spell the end, the implosion of my goals, and I’m determined not to let that happen.
After a spell of musing, I’ve come up with plenty of activities you and I can get on with to support our writing and authorship without feeling forced. In fact, this is a great time to concentrate on growing your knowledge and expertise of your craft, and to do small things now to get ahead. I’ve put together a list of ideas (feel free to add yours in the comments) that are sure to spark interest, some of which may surprise you. I’m sure there’s something here to keep your passion alive.
Taking a break is important, but stopping completely could be detrimental. It’s possible to take a writing holiday without losing touch by shifting focus for a bit."
​- Emily Larkins, author.

A change is as good as a holiday, even if you’re stuck at home.

At this unsettled time, keeping your mind focused on the singular task of writing may be a challenge, but there are plenty of tasks you can apply yourself to that will support you as a writer, and help you get prepared for when you’re ready to tackle the manuscript again.
 
My (small and gentle) goals during this time are to:
  1. Immerse myself in story
  2. Grow my social media presence through interaction and building on my follower base
  3. Learn more about my craft
  4. Prepare for next stages

I've really only set goals for this time so I can ensure I do a bit of each. It's totally up to you if you want to work this way.
 
Here are some ideas to support each goal:

1. Immerse in story…
  • Read – start with an old favourite, then go wide and deep – try a new author, new genre…
  • Try listening to an audiobook
  • Watch – TV, Movies – pay attention to story, character development, plot…
 
2. Grow meaningful social media…
  • Be active every day on existing platforms (even for short bursts)
  • Refresh your bio, images, hashtags, etc.
  • Join a new social media platform or delete what isn’t working for you
  • Have a cull – check through your following list and see who is and isn’t active – cull those that aren’t
  • Plan ahead for new social media posts
  • Plan/build/refresh your website (check out ideas here)
  • Plan or start a blog (check out ideas here)
 
3. Learn your craft…
  • Catch up on your learning (have a look here to start... getting started, plot development, character development, setting development, short story tools)
  • When reading/viewing, take notes on how plot and character develop - pose questions to research
  • Start building your own research board/s on Pinterest (check out mine)
  • Check out other author websites – note what you like and what works well (try starting here)
  • Do some journaling (check out my blog post) – find out where your sticking points are
 
4. Prepare for the future…
  • Set up next year’s planner or journal (clever tip here) 
  • Refresh your planning documents
  • Choose some prompts that inspire you for future writing (try mine, or check out the ones I've gathered)
  • Create your own writing prompts
  • Try writing a short story or flash fiction if the mood strikes
  • Hunt out some future characters/settings
  • Start a storyboard
 
These ideas are just the beginning. I’ve caught a few other blog posts out there with more, so hunt them out if you haven’t found something that takes your fancy on mine.
Do take a rest if you need it. We can’t be totally enthralled with what we do all the time, but we can maintain forward motion. Even when we’re feeling lost or completely anti, there are small actions we can take to get through the hard spots. There’s inspiration to be found in the work of others, and through other mediums. Every little step you take now will help you get through and come out the other side in a better position to restart your writing passion.

​In the meantime, stay safe, wash your hands, take those little steps.
Happy writing,
Emily.
​
P.S. ​Do you have ideas that others might find useful? Please add them to the comments to help your fellow authors through.
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March Blog 2020: Uncertain Times call for Productive Measures

28/3/2020

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Title image for Emily Larkins's March blog: Uncertain times call for productive measures. Pink background with signature flower image in white.
​We are deep within uncertain times to say the least. Like me, you may feel unsettled, anxious, constantly on the watch for the next development. You might be in self-isolation or locked down, you’re likely out of routine, possibly jobless, or even ill. How do we cope with this reshaping of our lives, and how can we make the most of it? I’ve got a few ideas for you, especially those toying with the idea of starting writing careers.
Instagram image for Emily Larkins's March blog post, text reading Making the most of Challenging Times. Background image worried young lady.

How are you feeling? Jacinda's got my back!

​I’ll be blunt: I’m a bit of a hyper-aware mess. It’s clear, if you’ve got a keen eye: I bite my nails when stressed, my face is a blotchy mess, and I can’t stick to one task for longer than twenty minutes, and that’s at a stretch! Plus, at the time of publishing I've just been diagnosed with Shingles, so I wasn't as 'on top of things' as I thought.
​I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Just last week our Prime Minister took the unprecedented step of addressing the nation on TV. Sure, we see Jacinda Ardern quite a lot at the moment, giving press conferences almost daily, travelling from place to place to check on progress and what our country needs to be prepared for this Covid19 monster, but a direct address is rare. The last I remember happened after the March 15th Christchurch Mosque Attacks almost this time last year. She looked us straight down the camera and assured us she’s looking out for our wellbeing. Unlike some other political leaders across the world, I believe her. She’s not in this for her own gain, political or otherwise. She spends a lot of time away from her fiancé and her own bubba on the quest to slow this pandemic down and soften the blow on our small country, and we know: Jacinda’s got this.
(Side note, I feel like our Prime Minister is part of our extended family, hence the first name basis. Our previous heads have had nicknames in our house – John Key = Jonkey, Bill English = Binglish. Jacinda is Jacinda because she’s guided us through some of our toughest, most personally challenging and desperate times. She’s not afraid to put herself out there. She’s visible, she’s kind, she’s relatable, and at times, hilarious *queue the East Coast Wave!).
So if Jacinda’s got us as a whole, how can I make better use of the time I’m left with? Not by obsessively checking news headlines, that’s for sure. And what about all those people that are now jobless, in isolation, or otherwise at a loss for what to do?
First of all, back up, and take a good deep breath of some clean, clear air. Take another for good measure. Now, read on…
"Having something productive to work on takes my mind off 'real world' stresses and recharges my batteries." - Emily Larkins.

So how do we bust those worries for a bit?

Some of you out there will have been toying with writing, or the idea of writing. It doesn’t matter if you’re serious about a career at it, or just enjoy it, this applies to anyone. You might enjoy poetry, writing short stories, non-fiction, fiction, journaling, screen-writing, anything! You might have written before, or this might be a fresh start for you. It doesn’t matter. This post is about the intent, and that might relate to something other than writing too. My key point here is stepping away from mass panic buying and toward something, anything productive that settles your mind. Cue quote from Peter Drucker: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Take hold of your future and make it work for you!
So…
What can you do to switch from Covid19 jitters to a productive mind set? (The highlighted sections in this post include links to some of my blog posts and resources that you might find helpful!):
  1. Firstly, decide what you want to do. If you’re unsure, grab a sheet of paper (or similar) and throw ideas down onto it. Mine would look something like: writing (new to writing? Start here!), drawing, painting, crochet, sewing (I’ve got a great idea for Easter Bunnies for my nieces and nephews!), reading (try these!), veggie garden…
  2. Next, grab a highlighter, or put rings around the ideas that excite you. The Easter bunnies would be my first choice. If you’re looking at something that could provide income, give those an extra ring.
  3. Now you’re going to set a goal and make a plan. It doesn’t need to be complicated or even tidy, the point is to set down your intent. You might require materials, you might need to write out a procedure or even create a business plan. You might want to dedicate a block of time per day to your project, or even keep regular work hours. When this is done, put it somewhere visible to remind yourself of your intent.
  4. Create a workspace. Dedicate an area to your project so you can come and go from it as you like. You may be lucky and already have office space, you may be able to carve out a corner of the dining room, living room, or your bedroom. I find it best if I don’t have to unpack and pack up every time I want to work – that puts me off and I don’t end up doing any!
  5. Now, some sage advice: don’t overdo it! That’s a sure way to get sick of something really quick. Set your time, and stick to it. I give myself a minimum and a maximum and aim for somewhere in between. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t meet your minimum one day, balance it out the next, likewise if you go over another day because you had to complete a step. Be productive, but not obsessed or unhealthy about it. Good old moderation will see you through.

Some extra tips: timetables, calendars, allocating blocks of time (click here to see tips I use) ​to certain tasks, monitoring progress, sharing with others – any or all of these things could be useful to you. I’ll suggest journaling as a healthy way to monitor how you’re feeling. I’ve got a Quick Tip blog post on Journaling that might help – it’s quick and easy and only takes around ten minutes a week to work through.
And remember to breathe!
​So, it’s time to get your project on! It’ll keep you in a routine, keep your mind occupied on something meaningful, and potentially create some income. Now grab that paper, and let me know how you’re going in the comments. If you need a hand or advice, feel free to drop me a comment in the box or hunt me down on social media. Here are my links.
 
Until we catch up next time,
Emily.

P.S. Get in touch through the comments section if you'd like more tipes or ideas, or if you have some to share with others. Together, we'll get through this!
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February News 2020

13/3/2020

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UNIVERSE, WHY DO YOU KEEP THROWING CHALLENGES AT ME???

Title image for Emily Larkins's February news.
​I fell into that sweet, sweet trap of looking forward to quiet time and getting into routine. I could see it coming in my diary – three whole days a week without husband or kids in the house to blog and write and do writerly stuff. ‘Ha!’ said life, ‘I’ll show you!’ Oh how I wish I didn’t set myself up like that. Lesson learned.
Instagram image for Emily Larkins's February news.

The new routine at home. Routine? Haha!

​The start of the school year has come with a whirlwind of trips to kick off the year. Between my two girls (five and seven), they’ve had school swimming lessons, a Beach Education day at St Kilda (a thirty minute trip away in town) and one at the local jetty. Though learning to swim is vitally important, and especially in the different water environments we have on the Otago Peninsula, it’s been trying for a number of reasons. 1. I’m utterly sick of washing togs to get dry for the next day, 2. I’m not that confident in the sea myself and parents were required to be in the water, 3. Sand on the carpet, enough said. I also accompanied Miss Seven to Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua. We went on the Port to Port ferry service and the kids LOVED the boat ride. It’s such a special place – I can see the island from my office window at home, and I’d bet ninety percent of Dunedin residents haven’t been there. Oh how this trip reminded of what I loved about teaching, but it reminded me of the challenges too! It’s a very busy job mentally, keeping track of twenty kids, prompting, providing, reminding, answering questions, not falling over (I failed on that one), constant noise, and making sure everyone stays safe. We had a great day though, and I was lucky to be able to take part.
Right, how many days of writing time did I use up there? Three so far…
Image of the long jetty at Quarantine Island, Dunedin New Zealand, on a bright and sunny day.
Quarantine Island's jetty.
Image of the unique chapel at Quarantine Island. The small building is shaped like the upturned hull of a boat, the window is a tall triangle and frames a view looking toward the Otago Harbour heads.
A unique view from the chapel.
Hereweka/Harbour Cone viewed between old macrocarpa trees.
Hereweka/Harbour Cone from the back garden of the lodge.
Poor old Miss Five has already had two tummy bugs, (pretty standard for a new school kid), and Miss Seven, one. Five days of children at home. Luckily Miss Five loves school, and, like her sister, is hungry to read! She comes home so proud that she’s learned new letters and reads me stories. There’s something special about that first read, when they open the book and just start. Let’s hope she never stops!
That big step I was looking toward last news has happened! I put myself forward for a leadership role that in the past I vowed I’d never even consider. I always thought, ‘too big, too much responsibility!’ In short, never say never. The universe hears you and says ‘we’ll see about that!’ I’m like that though, reluctant until I’m challenged to truly think about something in depth. Once I’ve got an ounce of encouragement, talked it through with others, and considered what my role will be, my mind flips and I see my capabilities and what I can bring to the opportunity. It’s a position of responsibility, one I always considered an honour for the holder, and to be honest, out of my league. It turns out it wasn’t, I just had to believe in myself and own what I’m capable of, and in the end, I was given the role. So yes, I’m honoured, and I’ll bring my best to the position. Time to get my game face on!

How does one write amongst the chaos?

​What a mishmash I’m in work-wise! I had those romantic dreams of three blissful writing days per week, but oh how the universe likes to play games! It’s been musical chairs shifting days to fit around family commitments and school events. Then there were the school trips and illnesses. It’s meant juggling the rather full schedule of writing commitments I’ve set myself – trying to get blogs written, flash fiction and short stories ready to publish and market, AND doing my best to find time for working on The Weight of Expectation (click to view my inspiration board on Pinterest). Just when I think I’m getting into a routine, something else crops up. Such is life! I’m on track so far though, and exciting things are happening in my mind for my novel. Now to get them onto paper…
I am feeling more like a professional writer, and that I can claim that title authentically. The projects and deadlines I’ve set myself have increased my productivity. They’ve also boosted my sense of achievement. I’m learning how to grab little moments for quick tasks, like a quick social media session whilst the kids eat their morning tea, or making notes alongside them doing homework. As a result, I’ve got more works out there, being seen by more and more people. The idea that readers are entering the world of my stories is a wondrous thing!

​It’s time for a new motto.

​I think my motto needs to be ‘I can do this,’ whether it be roles of responsibility, or handling the schedule I’ve set myself, even when I’m feeling like I can barely keep up. I just have to remember I can. Sure, it’d be lovely to have a settled routine and very little responsibility outside of my own house, but where’s the life in that? Where’s the learning and the opportunity to grow? So I’m not a nine to fiver, I don’t commute to work, or work with loads of people day in, day out. No, I’m a mum that gets to help on school trips and other school roles (I wanted to be able to do that for my children, and I am!), and I don’t have to take a sick day when they’re sick; I’m an author with the responsibility of setting and achieving my own goals (how great is that?), and I’ve got a bunch of stories out there in the world with many more to come.
So, whatever I am, and whatever you are, we can achieve what we set out to, so long as we believe in ourselves. If you really want something, you’ll make it happen. Even when it’s hard and the world seems to be working against us, in time that will change, and we’ll smash it. I surely intend to!
So, for all of you out there feeling under the pump, like you’re climbing Everest in stilettos, don’t panic, take a breath, the chaos will calm, and you’ll get there.
Keep on keeping on,
Emily.

Do you have any quotes or words of encouragement for others? Drop them in the comments! If you need some, visit my Pinterest Board and check out the 'Self Care' section, or 'Words that motivate and inspire me.'

Coming up:

Flash Fiction Friday - next week's story Late.
Another Quick Tip next week too!
Check out my Prompts By Emily Pinterest board for brand new story starters every weekend.
Looking ahead to April - New short story to be released!

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SELF-REFLECTIVE JOURNALING: IMPROVE YOUR FOCUS IN JUST TEN MINUTES PER WEEK

24/1/2020

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Journaling, self-reflection, mindfulness – it’s not a new concept (and for good reason!), but you won’t believe how just five to ten short minutes per week can seriously make all the difference. I’m stunned at the change it has made to my working life in the four weeks I’ve been using it, and the positive effects have flowed over into the rest of my life too! Come along and find out how you can make it work for you!
Title image for Self-Reflective Journaling blog by Emily Larkins. Text over image of journal with pencils

​Self-reflective Journaling – a simple but effective tool.

elf-reflective ​When looking ahead to 2020 back in December, I did some research on THE traits of ‘successful’ people. A point that came up over and over again was that successful people use reflection and journaling to inform their next steps. Now I’m not talking about screeds of writing every day, not at all. I’m going to show you how you can see results in just five to ten minutes per week (though you might choose to go a little further when you see the results!).
I’ve discovered that journaling – reflecting on the past week and looking ahead to the next with specific questions in mind – provides multiple benefits:
  1. I keep tabs on how I’m feeling and the causes;
  2. I can see what I’ve achieved and where I need to try harder;
  3. I’m making a written record of progress that I can flip back to;
  4. I can monitor my goals (and celebrate my wins!);
  5. It helps me plan my week effectively;
  6. I’m motivated through capturing positives and setting up how I want to feel;
  7. I’m more relaxed and clearheaded about what I need to do.
Have I got your attention? Awesome. Let’s get on with ‘how to.’
I’ve discovered that self-reflective journaling...provides multiple benefits..." - Emily Larkins.

​How I use self-reflective journaling to improve my week, and how you can too!

​During my research, I came across a set of visuals on Pinterest that have become core to my journaling process. They were sourced from @heyamberrae on Instagram, and are quick, simple, but effective tools for my journaling process.
STEP 1: ​REFLECT.
On Saturday afternoon (the day I consider the end of my work week), I use the ‘End of WeekCheck-In’ chart. Now it’s up to you how much want to write for each of the six sentence starters, but I keep it to just one or two sentences for each – a quick snapshot of where I’m at to get me thinking. I also journal directly onto my planning page for the week so I’ve got it all in one place. I quickly get a sense of how I went over the previous week, and the final three questions put me in a positive frame of mind, even if I didn’t have the greatest week.
End of week check-in graphic by @heyamberrae. Sentence prompts as follows: I feel... I need... I forgive... I celebrate... I release... I trust...
STEP 2: ​PLAN.
On Sunday I use the ‘Start of Week Check-In’ chart. Again, six simple sentence starters, one or two sentences for each. These prompts are a little more focused and really get you thinking positively and productively about the week ahead.
Start of week check-in graphic by @heyamberrae. Sentence starters as follows: my number one priority this week is... I want to do les... I want to do more... This week I want to feel... To feel this way, I will... If I get stuck, I'll remember...
    ​STEP 3: REFOCUS.
    I have a third chart in my arsenal for those moments when reading back over my Start of Week Check-In isn’t enough - ‘Q’s to check-in with yourself.’ This is my go-to if I’m out of sorts at any stage in the middle of the week. It’s a quick re-focusing tool and a way to let go of what’s knocked me.
    Q's to check-in with yourself graphic by @heyamberrae. Questions as follows: How am I feeling? What's not working? What do I need? What am I proud of? What can I let go of?
    These ‘check-ins’ are such quick, simple tasks, but they’ve made such a huge difference to my focus and productivity. I must thank @heyamberrae and give credit for her images, and for making such a positive difference to my week. Follow her on Instagram for more great tips, and most importantly, give it self-reflective journaling a go and see great results of your own!
     
    Happy journaling,
    Emily.

    ​​How has this helped you you? Do you want more tips on planning, writing, or productivity? OR do you have any great journaling tips to share? Let me know in the comments below, and keep an eye out for my next Quick Tip!
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      Hi, I'm Emily,
      I'm an indie-published author and busy mum working hard to make my dreams come true.
      I'm passionate about helping other beginner writers find confidence and get motivated to give their writing dreams a shot with help along the way.
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