Friday 21 November 2014

Focus, focus.... FOCUS!



I'm really bad at focusing on more than one thing at a time. Two is roughly possible and three is just something that never happens. Possibly it's a lack of self-discipline. Maybe I'm lazy. It's hard for me to say.

When I was younger, I would go through months-long cycles of focus. I loved reading, drawing and writing. Deep in one cycle, I couldn't make myself give much, if any, attention to the other two. There was no interest there at all. Sometimes this would worry me, what if I stopped reading or drawing or writing altogether??

Now that I'm older, not much else has changed. Of course I have to have some adult focuses in my life now so the cycles I go through aren't as deep as they used to be. I can't be completely consumed with reading to the exclusion of all else.

And I've chosen to make writing my main focus out of the three loves. But even this goes through cycles. I'm trying to train for a marathon (anyone who knows me knows this is highly ridiculous) and I'm struggling with day job issues. Writing has taken a back seat to both of these.

While away on a holiday, when I had scads of time to write and didn't manage much at all, worrying over the state of my marathon training, I realized I needed to refocus. Of course this had led to my running falling off.

Surely other people have trouble focusing too? I couldn't imagine doing any of this with a family or others depending on me. Reading inspirational messages or butt-kicking blogs have helped me maintain some focus and try to recommit but maybe this is a cycle too and I'm just on the upward ride of the ferris wheel.

And then maybe it's like that awesome quote from Zig Ziglar... "People say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing- that's why we recommend it daily."

Saturday 15 November 2014

Musicians Being Awesome


This one doesn't need an introduction. Just hit the button!




Now, how amazing was that? Talk about versatile with a whole lot of stage presence. I'm sure there's an apt comparison to writing in there somewhere but I won't bother to try and dig it out for you.

Friday 7 November 2014

The Amaranthine Dowager


What started as a flash piece ballooned into a novelette. Less of a horror than its sister piece, The Locket, The Amaranthine Dowager is nonetheless a gothic story in the same vein. There's a third one planned and eventually they'll be available as a bundle. 



The Dowager lives alone, burdened by a family that isn't hers and an obligation that she never expected. With her husband dead, her life revolves around maintaining his inheritance for its next heir. The only problem is finding the next heir before she's ready to go.




Beautiful Stories with Beautiful Art

I'm down in London for a few weeks and stumbled across this book at Chaos City. I struggle to find the kind of graphic novels and illustrated books I like because it's not a style that's trending. But this, and I think much from the publisher Improper Books, is exactly what I love. Beautiful art that enhances a story.



Saturday 5 April 2014

The Locket

I'm trying out a new style. Can't remember what inspired this, but maybe it was the Poe I'd been reading! A Gothic style horror short.


It's available online and I'm working on making it into an audio book as well. That'll probably take SOME time but for now, you can read it!