We’re just about done with the first month of 2018. How are we already 31 days into a new year? Someone tell me, please.

Anyway, if you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that I usually split my recap into which books I’m working on and my freelance life…

However, I’m starting to find that format a little tiresome (and frankly, overwhelming), so I thought I’d mix things up a bit this year.

For January’s recap, I wanted to ‘take stock’ as inspired by Alison Tait’s recent post (which you can find here).

Anyway, there’s a lot to think about, so I’m just going to dive right in… Here’s what I’ve been up to…

Making:

Book II in The Oremere Chronicles. Yep. Still chipping away at this beast of a book. I’ve received beta reader feedback and am going through a rather hefty structural edit.

Cooking:

Slow cooked lamb. It was heaven! I made gravy from scratch and roasted some epic potatoes as well 😉

Drinking:

I re-discovered sangria! Perfect for summer. But also my regular Saint Etienne beer from Aldi. Don’t knock it til you try it. And even then, don’t knock it.

Reading:

  • The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape
  • The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
  • A Kingdom of Exiles by S.B. Nova

Next read:

  • Mastering Amazon Ads by Brian D. Meek

Wanting:

My structural edit to be over. And my dream apartment.

Looking:

For my dream apartment. House hunting’s a bitch, guys.

Playing:

Joanna Penn’s incredible podcast.

Deciding:

Where to live. How to budget. How to balance book marketing and book writing (seriously, this one’s killing me).

Wishing:

There were more hours in the day.

Enjoying:

Jamie Oliver’s original series, The Naked Chef. So soothing.

Waiting:

For public transport. Seriously. All day e’ry day.

Liking:

All the writing and publishing resources being shared on Twitter of late.

Wondering:

If this damn manuscript will ever be done.

Loving:

Spending time with my girlfriends and sister. #girlpower is key. Thanks for the epic dinner party, Eva!

Pondering: 

ALL the finance stuff. Honestly, The Barefoot Investor has my mind in a spin about alllll the money things.

Considering:

How best to manage my money. I’m about to wrap up my regular freelance work (three days a week) and start as a full time author. Money and money management are high on my list of priorities right about now.

Buying:

Clothes. It’s been a while since I splurged. In the last week, I bought new sandals (that still need breaking in), a denim skirt and an awesome burnt orange jumpsuit. Nothing like a bit of retail therapy for keeping the editing blues away.

Watching:

The Food Network. I actually watched a show called STEAK PARADISE today and it was epic.

Next watch:

Probably more Food Network. Man Fire Food, Cupcake Wars, The Naked Chef… 

Hoping:

That I can get this book done to deadline, and that it wows the pants off my readers.

Marvelling:

At how some authors can write and publish multiple books a year.

Cringing:

At having a few too many and oversharing at parties. But also not really because FUN.

Needing:

A new office. And some awesome new staple pieces for my wardrobe.

Questioning:

Why I’ve never met up with my accountant until now.

Smelling:

Fresh flowers my mum got me for hitting #1 again on Amazon.

Wearing:

Lion King PJs from Peter Alexander (thanks Yas!)

Following:

V.E. Schwab on Twitter. Always.

Worrying:

(See hoping).

Noticing:

Holes in my clothes.

Knowing:

I need to settle back into a routine.

Thinking:

Too much.

Admiring:

V.E. Schwab. Every day.

Sorting:

Through my chaotic drawer of ‘important documents’. Halved it. Like a boss. Put stuff in labelled folders. Like a boss.

Getting:

Stressed about impending book deadlines.

Bookmarking:

88 Cups of Tea Podcast. Why can’t I listen to everything at once?

Coveting:

A striped dress from Petal and Pup.

Disliking:

Jeans with more holes than material. Like, I don’t mind a good old pair of ripped jeans, but what I’m seeing lately has me sounding like my grandma, ‘Did you buy them like that?? You’re missing half your jeans…’

Opening:

Too many bottles of wine.

Laughing:

At myself falling over 5 times when I was getting used to aforementioned new sandals.

Feeling:

Stressed. Every day. And it’s only the beginning of the year.

Snacking:

Greek yoghurt with honey.

Hearing:

Writing and publishing advice on The Creative Penn podcast!

***

Anyway, that’s about it for this post, folks. Super glad I did something different and was able to mix it up a touch 😉

Happy reading!

Until next time,

– Helen