Writing makes me happy. Reading makes me happy. Patterns and colours make me happy. So far I have indulged the first two but not the third. (I have the same fear of art as I used to have about writing. i.e. the thought of it makes me feel slightly queasy). This year I conquered my… Continue reading Doodling for the very afraid
I’ve just finished reading ‘How to Write a Children’s Picture Book and Get It Published’ by Andrea Shavick. When I first leafed through it I was a bit disappointed as it seemed so basic and simple. (Idiot!) This is exactly why it’s so flipping good! By the time I got to the end I was… Continue reading If you want to write a picture book, read this
I came across this line recently but for the life of me can’t remember where I saw it. “Writing makes you sit on a hill.” In other words, write, put your stuff out there and people will see you. There is nowhere to hide.That’s scary shit. Especially when they see you and then reject you.… Continue reading Writing makes you sit on a hill
Up until a year ago, getting the ideas in my head onto paper was impossible. Then writing a picture book was impossible. Then sending my manuscripts to an agent was impossible. Then being rejected by an agent was impossible (I had to get over that one quick). Now being a published author is impossible. But… Continue reading Doing the impossible
After I published my post on Monday I received an email from a friend who said, “I just read your blog and so much of it resonated with me. I have had a similar life experience.” He is a talented coach but, like me, has struggled to find his path in life. Around 10 years… Continue reading On the right track but something’s not right?
Figuring out what work I would love to do has consumed me my entire adult life.Whilst other people were out there living and getting on with things, I was obsessing over which career to choose. And life kind of passed me by.My excuse is that I am ‘an ideas person’ (I have so many product,… Continue reading Be true to yourself
I got a book out from the library about motivation recently, thinking it might help me get my arse into gear with my writing and generally sorting my life out. Weirdly, it was surprisingly unmotivating. Out of the whole book there were only 6 pages that jumped out at me. (I know it was 6… Continue reading Are you inspired or motivated?
NEWSFLASH: I have now accumulated three rejections – two from agents and one from a publisher I contacted in April (actually, the publisher hasn’t officially rejected me yet, they just haven’t got round to replying). I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I feel like a proper writer. I am following the path… Continue reading Follow your nature
I had lunch with a friend just now. He earns £60,000+ doing very little work and very few hours. He is also in a stable relationship and has a lovely 3-year-old daughter. I drove home and pondered how I had got to this stage in my life – 42, no money, no home (I rent… Continue reading Literary agent update
A few days ago I posted a blog about how daydreaming can help with creativity. As I was writing it I remembered a more in-depth article I wrote on this topic a few years ago. Here it is for anyone wanting more info (apologies if it is a little stilted in places – at the time… Continue reading A staggeringly easy way to multiply the number of ‘aha!’ or ‘eureka!’ moments you have
Katherine Bassford 