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:Â
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…Â
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