#catchup | J.D. Groom

Tag: #catchup
- New Year, New…. ah, who am I kidding?
  
  Posted at 9:45 am by Jodie, on January 11, 2020
  
  Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
  
  Here we are in 2020 already —it only feels like a few years ago when we were seeing in the millennium— and we are almost reaching the mid point of January!
  
  I’ve decided not to set resolutions this year. I don’t want to blow my own trumpet or anything but, besides being podgy around the middle and having difficulty saying no at times, I’m fairly happy with who I am at the moment.
  
  How about you? Have you set any resolutions? Do you ever stick to them?
  
  For 2020 I’ve created a list of tasks I want to work through instead, and I thought you might like to have a gander. Plus, in the spirit of accountability, if they’re out there I have to do them, right?
  
  Sorceress Of Flame
  * Complete the first draft.
  * First round edits.
  * Arrange m/s review.
  * Second round edits.
  * Beta readers.
  * Third round edits.
  * Proof read.
  * Arrange cover.
  * Arrange formatting.
  * Arc readers.
  * Publish (Hopefully Nov).
  
  Other Tasks
  * Read 20 books throughout the year.
  * Finish batching up the murder mystery for testers.
  * Attend 3 events as an author.
  * Organise some swag.
  * Take part in CampNaNo (April).
  * Take part in NaNoWriMo (November).
  * Enter DofA into competition (by Feb).
  
  Website
  * Monthly book review.
  * Monthly Author Q&A.
  * Monthly writing tip.
  * Post regular updates.
  * Redo my ‘Releases’ page.
  * Bring all of the pages up to date.
  * Add an events page.
  
  Social Media
  * Spend more time interacting with the #writingcommunity on Twitter.
  * Talk to more reviewers/book bloggers on IG.
  * Create new aesthetics for IG.
  * Get back into having a pretty and organised grid.
  *Post more SofT snippets etc.
  * Try to organise my Pinterest board.
  * Add F1 story to Wattpad.
  
  Don’t add any more books to my TBR pile!
  
  On top of all of this, I will also try to make sure I don’t lose my daughter under a mountain of washing, that everyone remains fed and watered, and the walls don’t crumble under the weight of dust and clutter.
  
  I wish you all a successful 2020. Now, what shall I tick off first?
  
  Speak soon, Jodie xxx
  
  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged #blog, #catchup, #divineprophecy, #goals, #January2020, #newyear, #novel, #SofT, #sorceress, #update, #writing
- What a November!
  
  Posted at 11:08 am by Jodie, on December 14, 2019
  
  As usual, November turned out to be crazy month for me. If I wasn’t writing birthday cards and attending kids parties, I was hiding in my office, coffee shop, bathroom…, pretty much anywhere I could spend some time writing. Why was that? Well, it was NaNoWriMo of course!
  
  What is NaNoWriMo?
  
  National Novel Writing Month takes place in November every year and it’s a special time that drives writers into a strange state of hibernation. Often it ends with them huddled in a corner under a duvet, rocking backwards and forwards, and mumbling to them selves about word counts with their hands stuck in a claw like position (Likely from holding a pen or hovering over a keyboard).
  
  It’s a challenge that we set for ourselves, with no real prize other than the sense of achievement and a partly written novel. The aim of the game is to write 50,000 words (1,667 a day).
  
  It’s not all doom and gloom though, or what would be the point in taking part?
  
  It’s a challenge that has spread worldwide. Across the website and social media platforms, it creates a buzz around an activity that, for most of the time, is seen as solitary. People talk. People encourage. And, more importantly, we support each other through the difficult times. These hints, tips and strategies can be used throughout the year and make the whole process worthwhile.
  
  Want to know how I did?
  
  That’s right, I’m a winner! I managed 50,000 words in a month for the second year in a row but this time, it certainly wasn’t easy. I had to rely massively on my support network to drag me through, but we got there in the end.
  
  Last year, I seemed to breeze through it. I wrote a large chunk of the Don of Avery (Working title), a dark mafia romance that is certainly not suitable for YA ears, and eventually wrote ‘The End’ around April time. It seemed only natural that I would continue with that series and write the second book. I even made a book cover to help, erm, motivate me…
  
  Anyway, I was really struggling. I got around 30,000 words in but every word was like pulling teeth. I just wasn’t feeling inspired at all and achieving the 50,000 word goal was looking even more unlikely.
  
  Then, something strange happened.
  
  I knew how I wanted book 2 to end, and I had an idea for a third book which takes place several years later. They are, mostly, the same characters but the storyline from book 1 and 2 has already been tied up, so it’s a brand new plot.
  
  For a non creative type, it can be hard to understand when writers mention that their characters talk to them. Well, in this case my characters completely lynched me and kept walloping me over the head with random conversations and scenes for book 3. I knew I had to get them written down before they left me completely. Unfortunately, they were more akin to a gazillion glass pieces being glued back together rather than the neat and smooth edges of jigsaw pieces.
  
  Suddenly, I found myself inspired again, which you can clearly see where my daily word count massively increases around day 18.
  
  So, what did I learn this time around?
  
  This time I learned that, no matter how well you prepare, sometimes you just have to go with the flow and not be afraid to change course. I may have spread my 50,000 words over two different projects, but I am still a winner.
  
  From now on it’s going to be a big of a struggle to pick which project to work on. I desperately want to finish Sorceress of Flame, and that’s going to take priority in the new year, but I now have two other novels to work on, plus a murder mystery to finish packaging up.
  
  All I know is, I’m going to take it easy over the next few weeks. If I feel like writing, I’ll write, but I have a huge TBR mountain waiting for me, along with two books I am eager to beta read.
  
  I hope you all have a great Christmas and I will be back as soon as I can!
  
  Speak soon. Jodie xx
  
  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged #blog, #catchup, #character, #cover, #donofavery, #inspiration, #nanowrimo, #novel, #November2019, #update, #writing
- Hello October
  
  Posted at 3:41 pm by Jodie, on October 3, 2019
  
  The time of longer nights, pumpkin spice everything and smoke lingering in the air is upon us. I absolutely love this time of year. The transition between Autumn and Winter, where the weather isn’t too bad but the heat of summer is a distant memory, is my favourite.
  
  Anyway, I’m here to talk to you about my goals for the month. I know I’m a few days late, as is tradition for me now, but I started with a bang. On the 1st October I revealed the cover for my upcoming release, Sorceress of Truth, and here it is in all its glory.
  
  Sorceress of Truth cover by Original Book Cover Design
  
  I can’t stop looking at it! Natalie, from Original Book Cover Design, did an amazing job. I really hope you like it as much as me. The release date is scheduled for 10th November, then you can get a copy of your own, and maybe find all of the hidden gems.
  
  So, that leads me nicely onto my plans for the rest of the month.
  
  Much of my list is a continuation of September’s, which is fine by me as a lot of the tasks are quite big and not something I can do in a day.
  
  The biggest change is that I’m shifting away from some of my editing as I focus on getting Sorceress of Truth loaded and the Advanced Reader Copies sent out.
  
  It’s quite nerve wracking knowing that other people out of my close circle are going to be reading it. Though, I’m going to have to get over those feelings pretty quickly once it’s launched fully.
  
  I hope you’ve been enjoying my Character Series. So far we have been introduced to Tory, Kylan and Pepper, and I’m thinking of doing one more, Lucas. All I will say is, if you’re looking for a new book boyfriend then you are too late. He’s already been claimed by a member of my indie group (I needed to add that as she would kill me if I didn’t!). He’s certainly an interesting character to get to know.
  
  Now that I’ve done my (almost) weekly ramble, I hope you enjoy the rest of your week. Please feel free to follow me on Instagram and Twitter. If you have any questions or comments, I’d love for you to get in touch.
  
  So long, for now! Jodie xx
  
  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged #blog, #booklaunch, #catchup, #cover, #divineprophecy, #goals, #novel, #october2019, #sorceress, #SorceressofTruth, #update, #writing
- How is your September?
  
  Posted at 10:31 am by Jodie, on September 12, 2019
  
  Image by James Wheeler from Pixabay
  
  We are already well into September, and it occurred to me that I haven’t spoken about my goals for the month, or let you know what’s happening in my life away from the keyboard.
  
  I posted on Instagram at the start of the month with what I was hoping to achieve.
  
  So far I’m doing well. The Sorceress of Truth edits are well under way, and we may actually be ahead of schedule.
  
  On an evening I have been re-reading Sorceress of Flame, editing, and adding bits where I feel it’s needed.
  
  Once I’ve gone through everything, only then will I know if what I already have is in line with where I want the story to go, and plot accordingly.
  
  I’m putting off the plotting of Don of Avery 2, partly because I don’t need to know until National Novel Writing Month in November. But, while I know the ending, I came to the realisation that I need to know Rafael’s story before I can finish Avery’s.
  
  Rafael is one of the main male characters, and a typical hot blooded, mafia/gang leader of Italian decent. It’s quite interesting writing from his point of view, and I’ve had to channel my inner rage, which has come surprisingly easily due to one of the obstacles I am facing in my home life.
  
  We are in the process of having a new bathroom fitted, which looks amazing, but comes with a whole host of problems.
  
  Let’s just say, three weeks without a working shower does not a happy Jodie make.
  
  I won’t bore you with the details, I’m sure my writing buddies are sick of hearing about them, but confrontation is not my thing. In fact, I ended up losing a whole weekend due to a migraine, which I’m sure was brought on due to stress.
  
  In happier news, I’ve managed to go through half a chapter of ‘Jewel of the Sea’ for Alison Aldridge. This doesn’t sound a lot but, I’m hoping to get loads more done on my trip next week.
  
  I’m going to meet some of my fellow World Indie Warriors at Ingram Sparks offices in Milton Keynes and go on a tour. I’m super excited, obviously to be meeting them in person, but also to see where Sorceress of Truth will be coming from in just a few short weeks!
  
  You can follow my adventures on Instagram, though I’m sure I will write up a blog post once I get home.
  
  Thank you for taking the time to listen to my ramblings today and, at some point in the next week, I intend to release another post in my Character Series, where you will get to know Pepper in all her glory.
  
  Speak soon, Jodie xx
  
  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged #blog, #booklaunch, #catchup, #divineprophecy, #donofavery, #goals, #ingramspark, #nanowrimo, #novel, #September2019, #sorceress, #SorceressofTruth, #update, #worldindiewarriors, #writing
- July Catch Up
  
  Posted at 3:47 pm by Jodie, on July 6, 2019
  
  Hello! July is now well under way and, if where you live is anything like Yorkshire, you’ve already experienced all four seasons. Right now the sun is shining so I’d best not complain.
  
  Just a few weeks left of school, and then summer can truly start. Are you off on your jollies? We will be heading to our usual camping spot near this amazing beach in Porthmadog, Wales. In fact, I love this part of the UK so much that it makes an appearance in book 2 of the Divine Prophecy series!
  
  Talking of Divine Prophecy, I’ve now completed my major edits of the Sorceress of Truth! Woohoo!! But, I mustn’t start the party yet, there is still a long way to go.
  
  It’s now with Beta readers who will give constructive feedback and then I can make it even better. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with it, I actually think it’s at a standard where I could launch pretty soon, BUT it wouldn’t be my best work. I want to make sure that what I release into the world is to the best of my ability and something that my readers will be excited to own.
  
  Once I’ve taken the views of my Beta’s into consideration, the Sorceress of Truth will undergo one final round of edits before landing with some ARC readers. These guys will be what hopefully propels my book into the public domain. It’s their reviews and opinions that will be on book sites, social media and across other platforms.
  
  Only then will I be ready to click the launch button. But hang on, what will you be doing? I hear you ask.
  
  There is still a lot to do behind the scenes. Everything from deciding what platform to sell my book on to print sizes, what colour and thickness of paper to pricing points, graphics to formatting, and all this whilst keeping momentum on my social media platforms and penning book two.
  
  There are other projects in the pipeline too that I keep pecking away at when I have the time, however I won’t speak about them just now. I would rather keep you in suspense a little longer.
  
  Speak soon,
  
  Jodie XXX
  
  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged #blog, #catchup, #divineprophecy, #July2019, #sorceress, #summer

Tag: #catchup

New Year, New…. ah, who am I kidding?

Posted at 9:45 am by Jodie, on January 11, 2020

What a November!

Posted at 11:08 am by Jodie, on December 14, 2019

Hello October

Posted at 3:41 pm by Jodie, on October 3, 2019

How is your September?

Posted at 10:31 am by Jodie, on September 12, 2019

July Catch Up

Posted at 3:47 pm by Jodie, on July 6, 2019

J.D. Groom

Instagram

Follow Me