In A Life of a Writer

It is good to have time to be outside and write. I do often feel claustrophobic when indoors and will have the window open by my desk or as I am now writing in the garden.  Living in the UK you never know when the sun will come out and so when it is does the British Girl within me has to make the most of it and so here I am.  It is a day of a heatwave. The hottest day of the year so far.  We have had a lovely lunch/dinner of Chicken Steak, with salad and salad potatoes and then sandwiches later in the day with a lovely desert and perfect Saturday.  I like to write in the garden when it isn't so hot outside and when it is a cooler.  A good time to read and plane watch with my son.  It is good to just listening to the birds and the bees. It is good to see the squirrels scurraging and see them looking for food and we did have bird feed but it would be taken by the squirrels. They are little sods but great to watch and be careful of your bulbs planted as they w...

I love books which is important for someone who writes, but in bed. I sleep with them books because it is good company and I can put it down whenever I want until the next day. I have always loved reading. The best book as a kid was Lion the witch and the wardrobe, only that I thought the little girl was given Turkish Delight but its not, its her brother, to turn him against his sister. My New Book Out now on Amazon  I have had breaks from reading, but now 47 going onto 48, I read without question in the morning and the evening and its starts the day on a high and ends on a high.  There are books that I have found hard to read. I had a book called It Takes Two and just can't get into it so will be getting rid. It is rare for me. My style of reading has changed. I no longer worry about getting an image but is easy to read and I understand the story rather then picturing what is going on. Then it is pottering around the home, putting clothes away. I do a bit of dusting and clean...

 I don't really have a base. I do have a desk but I prefer to use the dining table or when in bed using a couple of pillows on my bed to write on my laptop. Or I will sit down on the sofa and when cooking I will set up my laptop to watch a bit of Youtube and if something comes to my mind I can type it up and this is even a blog, book, uploading a vlog and just use the space available.  When at the Library I will write by hand. I am working on book series at the moment and I love the way it is going, even though it is based on a serious topic of neglect and unhappiness and editing book 1 and writing 1,000 words day on the second book.  Some writers like to have a space where they will always use when writing, but I get restless so go on based on how I feel and what will help me to be productive and will often listen to a playlist that I have created for my book. For me it is getting into the right mindset. I don't really plan what I write. I will do notes along the way, bu...

Yesterday was a good day. Don't be fooled I have had bad days in my life, like we all have, but when it is good day, I acknowledge and praise that I feel someone is watching over me. I accept that everyone's views are different, but for me I am going for Simplicity this year. My word that I stand for and my word for the year is "Grow" and want to spend time helping myself and my sons education and needs, so a day indoors was just what I needed. capture of our back garden Well we both needed. We today are out but it is good to not have somewhere, where we need to be and so it is good to just chill and I didn't sit down all day. I cleaned the kitchen, dusted and did a workout and did lunch, dinner and then went to bed early and feel good that I had that time. It is good to catch up on chores. We had a simple dinner and relaxed. We watched some football and we played football during the day and I am grateful for what I have and so is good to stop in and make the most...

Well since my son has now been learning in our local library until he gets a secondary school place, I have been writing a lot. It is writing by hand, but it really is helping me to get in touch with my feelings and been such a realisation that there are things I am doing that I am not really enjoying, when I should be.  It is mainly fear. Doubting my capabilities and is how I feel this time of year that my endorphins are low. I fear what if it all goes wrong? But then I realised and Mel Robbins is right. The mind gets confused with excitement and fear. You do get the same feelings and I fear commitments. Part of that is because I am a homebody and fear the expectation.  It has also helped with my creativity and writing my first Christmas book, which I have kept saying I want to write and not getting round to it. So the wet and windy days have helped and it has saved me money. It has made me read a lot more and doing another BBC Maestro course which I am really enjoying. Fully...

I do like to write in the Autumn with a cozy jumper, a cup of tea and the heating on as it can get cold indoors. I find it hard getting things done when I am cold. Watching other writers on Youtube many have  candles lit and their favourite writing clothes. I love being in my PJ's and writing, mainly in the evenings . When I do some walking I like coming back, had a Earl Grey tea and write. I like to take a break when it is lunchtime and at dinner time. I am not always a lunch person, but when I do it is comforting meals, like hot sandwiches or soup and a roll.  Listening to slow and chill out music sometimes when writing a blog or working on a book. Having a baked good. This is not all the time, in a coffee shop and I have a scribble book and to jot down ideas as I do have three youtube channels and 13 blog sites. Please check out these links where I post them: http://www.pinterest.com/typicalLondongal.com I also post on Instagram, X and Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/ty...

I have come to realize a lot as a writer. I find it difficult to write with noise and I prefer silence. I remember listening to Larry Lamb who, when on Sunday Branch. A UK show on channel 4, saying he has to sit in a room on his own, no noise to write and I thought "Oh no I couldn't write like that" but yes I can and yes, I have realised, I need less noise and no TV or Video.  The other thing is I like to look out of the window or outside.  It is so nice with a cup of tea and take my time.  I like to do other things, like going on days outs, exercise and cleaning and tidying. The normal everyday things too. I then gain focus and also help build ideas for my books and use what is around me, to work them, into my books. It is good to do sprints with fellow writers on YouTube and spending time thinking of ideas. I like to have as many ideas as possible and thinking of the direction of the story. I am rewriting one of my books, because it was proof read and was found to be to...

It is half term and I have a book that I'm rewriting and editing another, but when I spend time having a clear up it helps to remove things that have become a burden a disruption. Clothes that cause itching, worn and dust everywhere.  I hate it when I have a lot of emails and getting a messages about my Storage being full. So I will spend time clearing and getting rid of the clutter in my inbox, unsubscribing from sites that I never read or going to read and retailers to help reduce impulse shopping and invest in my writing.  I am well known for my bad habits. Having piles of stuff, no home for anything and trying to ignore it. That never works. So I will now like to have a tidy and clean dining table where I spend most of my time writing or my desk when I'm at home in Wimbledon and I tidy up my bits once completed my writing for the day and also planning dinners and getting other bits done, like doing the laundry, washing up and reading. This week as it is half term and my so...

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...

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...

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...

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, ...

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...

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...

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...

It is up to you whether you want to write or not, some people don't and that is okay, but if you do but you find it hard to fit it in, then start to spend some time going through your diary and set a timer to write 10 mins once a day, and before you know it, you have written a lot of words, and creating it into a daily habit. Some people find it easy to do some writing in the morning, I like to do mine mainly in the afternoon or evening, and I will listen to music or a podcast, and get into the zone, and forget what is around me.  I find following the sprints by fellow authors on Youtube on Double Down Day, really resouceful and helpful.  I am now on my fourth edit and feel my book is really coming together and really wanted to complete the book and make it into a book you can't put down. I love thrillers, comedy and crime, with history included, along with self help books and managing life, type books. I am currently listening on Audible Atomic Habits , and reading book calle...

It is a busy time of year for me and so getting writing done can be challenging, because of being a mum aswell as a writer, because there are birthdays, important dates for Henry's school and then there is Christmas, and I hate shopping during the festive season, as the shops can get mobbed and I avoid Black Friday altogether, so plan ahead.  I have done a plan as I am editing my new book I am planning on publishing this year, but it is a long process, because attention to detail, making sure that the story comes together and it matches up, and is a good read. Also because it can start to get chilly I have to make sure that the rooms I use to write, are a good temperature because if not I find it hard to write and concentrate. I make sure I have a drink and that my stomach isn't empty, and I find in the Autumn I start to get extra hungry.  I also like to be in comfortable warm and in cosy clothes and wrapped up and have good lighting. In Autumn I like to go for walks, wrapped ...

As a writer it is important for me to manage my time, so I can focus on working on my blogs, books and looking after my son and creating videos. I also want to work in Healthcare or Childcare too, to help me build my content and support others.  I plan for the week ahead aswell as daily because of important dates and working around appointments and recently around train strikes and my son school holidays. This week is his last week of school and the summer holidays begin and I have to work around that and that I remember dates and making sure my son has fun and enjoys the holidays.  It means creating a different schedule so I can still get my videos up, blogs and work on my book, but managing it so I don't have so much to do. What we are avoiding is burn out.  Taking a break is important, as sitting in front of my laptop all the time can cause mind blank, so get out and I find when out is and go for a walk with my son helps to generate ideas for my books and blogs, along ...

I am writing my next book, and I really have to schedule this time to make sure I spend time with my son and do other tasks, like doing my laundry, going through emails and travelling.  What I have found to be helpful is to do sprints of writing even if it is ten minutes and by doing this I completed my first draft and now editing to do draft two and then will edit it again.  Planning helps and setting goals, I plan weekly and setting goals quarterly and monthly and now I have gotten my first draft done I am going to set further goals to get the book ready for publishing, as I really want to write a Christmas book this year and republish one of my EBooks once this has been rewritten.  Have time off. My weekends are with my son, and we go for walks, play games, sports and travelling and just getting a good amount of fresh air and will work on my book, some times on a Sunday, but is my day where I will plan and get ready for another weekend ahead.  So often I will begi...

When it comes to writing it is finding the time where you can sit down have a podcast on or some music and go through what you have written and what is left to write. I am currently working on a new book and I find writing in the mornings hard, so have been writing in the afternoon and in the evening.  It is not always possible to write at that time because I go over to wait for my son to return from school, so before I leave to get to his dads house I will do some writing and in the evening.  I can't decide if I am a morning person or a night owl, because I do like to get up early but I find it hard and now the clocks have changed in the UK it is taking me a while to adjust to that time change, but do like the lighter mornings and evenings, so soon I will be able to do some writing in the garden and be good to be outdoors with the sunshine.  Find a good location to write can really make a difference and can really help with ideas for books and reading in the park. Set th...