Authors Electric

 Do you remember a time when we believed that all the new-fangled modern devices would save us time? We seem to be busier than ever – especially as writers. We have become slaves to our phones, with algorithms that suck us into rabbit holes. It’s research we protest – who are we kidding? If we’ve actually reached the dizzy heights of publishing a book, we have to promote it, find ways to market it and of course sell it – these days being an author demands we wear so many other hats – publicist, bookseller, inspirational speaker. This is the stage I am at. My first book, my memoir, was out in January. “You can’t be a one hit wonder!” said my brother at the time – Cue Chesney Hawkes singing “The One and Only” – if you are of a certain vintage you will understand. But when do I find time to write? What better plan that to take a retreat and carve out some dedicated writing time. No dishes to wash, no meals to plan, no distractions. I’ve taken a retreat in November befo...

To retreat means to fall back, to escape, to withdraw or disentangle from daily life, I particularly like the idea of disentangling. Concentrating on the treat part, it is an indulgence, for pleasure, a delectable diversion. We were even sent chocolate as a welcome gift for booking. I have just returned from such a haven of solace in Criccieth, North Wales, a long drive for most people and I was no exception as I drove almost from the East coast of England over the hills of Snowdonia to the Western shore. Others joined in from as far North as Aberdeen and far South as Cornwall. Criccieth beach on a sunny morning Our journeys were varied as were our individual reasons for being there but the common theme was writing, particularly wanting to learn from Cathy Rentzenbrink, an author with five books to her name, memoir, self help and a novel (she is currently writing novel number two and it sounds fantastic, she even gave us a glimpse of what she would like the cover to look like – it wi...

Pushing all imposter syndrome thoughts away this month I have made the decision to properly invest in my writing future. No understanding of stock options, bonds, interest rates are needed for this endeavour although MONEY is a key part of the equation. First I picked up a light box from the charity shop for the bargain price of £3. Ruth Leigh uses one of these for her promotional events, lit up with the message Meet the Author or Me the Author, when the letters go awry. Can you spot the  Lightbox  in her latest Authors Electric blog post? I wanted to put Writer at Work on mine but settled for I Am A Writer, both to banish the imposter blues and because there are only 2 Rs in my set of letters – the joys of buying preloved! On the same day as I bagged my bargain, I splashed out on a luxurious writing retreat at the end of November with one of my favourite authors Cathy Rentzenbrink. I’ve done a few online courses with her but now I get the chance to meet her and shar...