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World Book Day-For the love of books

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Today it is World Book day and my son has gone school dressed as a chef because he has a book called Chef Henry which my mum made for him. I can't remember having World Book day when I was at school, I remember at Nursery School dressing up as Aladdin and at school doing fancy dress and it such a fun day, but not based on books. Book given to my son for his birthday about Space  It is great to find a book you love and can pass down to the next generation and this week I plan on going through my sons books and glad books like the Famous Five are still being read and the book I bought for my son once he is older is Charlottes Web. I love that story and why I still read today.  Reading is so important and read different type of books and as a writer is important that I do read. Not to copy but look at the style and the words used and inspiration that a book can give. I am at the moment reading one of the books called The Walking Dead. It is a bit gory and not my usual sort of boo...
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Getting into the right mindset to write

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To write is easy but it also challenging. You want to capture people with your book but with kids and life experiences it can make us leave it for another day. When I write I will watch writing videos and do sprints, with other writers on Youtube and think about why I love to write and why I love books and developing stories.  I like to read different genres from crime to chick flick, like Bridget Jones and currently reading a book called The Luckiest Girl Alive and I like to write thrillers/serious books to comedy but I write under two names to help separate them out and I will get myself a drink, like a cup of tea or coffee, may be a biscuit, listen to some music and then have my notebooks where I have written about the characters in the books I write and begin.  I am now on the sofa in the living room with a blanket and watching a bit of Youtube whilst my son is playing football, because his school has an inset day and thought I'd use the time to write this blog and then l...
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Writing in the holidays

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Well the October half term is coming to an end and the shops are getting out their Christmas themed products and it can be tricky to plan your writing over the Christmas period, especially if you have friends and family visiting, writing Christmas Cards along with gift shopping.  I like a quiet Christmas and just sleep in, watching some TV, go for a walk and will be writing on Christmas day and as soon as Halloween hits and Fireworks night goes I begin to plan.  So I get things done by using google calendar to workout of the blocks of time I have and this morning did a bit of writing and during the half term whilst my son was at his holiday club and was trying to finish a first draft of a book which is part of a series, but was forcing myself rather than relax and plot and go through my notes and would like to spend time plotting and brainstorming and have begun to read another novel I have written and move this along to complete. I also will be making sure that I add in fun t...
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Getting in the mood to write

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Today after not working on it for a while came started continue writing my second book of a series I am creating, ( Mum&Me ) and it was while I was watching a travel vlog that gave me the idea to continue writing the story.  Today outside Pauls in Wimbledon with current book I am reading It is so surprising how ideas are formed and when you aren't thinking about it, it comes. I like to change my environment and work in a coffee shop, brainstorming and visioning the scenes, the dialog and if I feel good about it.  Is the book going as you want it to?  I am writing a book called Behind the Eyes of the Other Woman and it started off good, but not gone the way I wanted it to, but going to break it up and add bits and just get the idea out on the page and print off and rather than typing up I am going to write the entire first draft in ink. To also get in the mood of writing is by watching Writing vlogs and listen to writers who have made success and learn tips from them, ...
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Writing in the summer school holidays

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When it comes to children they become the priority especially when if they are in school are full of energy and have 6 weeks off, so how can you fit in some writing?  Yes you can plan ahead, but life as a mum can be unpredictable and so it is more prepping. So go through your schedule and mark out the blocks of time that you have free and if a friend or family can help you, take them up on it. Of course we don't all have that luxury, so just when you have a spare time and have a notepad near by you to help with writing and print off your manuscript, if it makes it easier, in fact Dawn French writes with pen and paper still. There are holiday clubs, and the one my son goes to have been a godsend. They are called Youngstars and have catered to my son who has ADHD and development delay so it has been brilliant and they do offer early bird discounts, and just to say, I am not sponsored but Henry loves going.  I negotiate with my husband and when he can look after Henry so I get so...
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Spend time planning your book

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My journal and a drink I like to drink when writing  As a child I loved to write and always wanted to write a book, which I have using Amazon. I have two parenting books, Self Help books and novels and on my third one. My book Mum&Me is going to be a series and so going to work on the second book this year to be published in 2025. The Parenting Adventures Pregnancy to the first 9 months The Parenting Adventures Baby to Toddler years   Being Bullied In At A Workplace   A Lonely walk to Happiness Mum&Me  I like to go through the dialog and make sure its a real conversation and going to do another writing course to help me and continue to read books and build my books and is about real topics, in a fictional story and non fiction writing parenting books, and will be writing a new one, but working on three other books I plan to release going to spend time reflecting on my writing as it can really help. Keep a log of words, and cut it down once you begin to e...
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Getting ready to write in 2024

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So it is time to plan my writing and my aim is to complete another book to publish, and then start on another set of books. I have so many ideas, that it is hard to know where to start. I write comedy and serious style books, based on real issues. Check out my books on amazon, under the name Carrie Challoner and Carrie Holmes, along with nonfiction, talking about being a parent and work issues.  Lonely walk to happiness:  https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/sports-and-fitness-coaching/ The Parenting Adventures:  Pregnancy to first nine months:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parenting-Adventures-first-nine-months-ebook/dp/B00KJJLFME/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Z0R3AVVRIWVY&keywords=Carrie+Challoner+The+Parenting+Adventures&qid=1703489853&sprefix=carrie+challoner+the+parenting+adventures+%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-1 Baby to Toddler years:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parenting-Adventures-Baby-Toddler-years-ebook/dp/B078KFHXRH/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2Z0R3AVVRIWVY&keywo...
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