Tag: #goals

• Yay! It’s March!!

  Posted at 10:40 pm by Jodie, on March 3, 2020

  

  So, February didn’t go quite to plan. How about yours?

  My main goal had been to reach 60,000 words on book 2, Sorceress of Flame, to stay within target of publishing in November. I knew it would be tough due to the school holidays. What I hadn’t factored in was a month of storms resulting in my daughters school being flooded and gifting her an extra week of holiday. It’s safe to say by the end of two weeks, I’d had enough.
  
  The worst part was there was never a dry day, so it really limited where we could go, but we did manage a little trip down to London and met up with fellow author and World Indie Warrior, Cassidy Reyne.

  

  A visit to the Natural History Museum and the Tower of London have certainly given me some sparks of inspiration, it’s just a shame they’re for a completely new and unrelated story idea.

  I managed to reach 54,790 words, which isn’t great, but I found the story grinding to a halt and I couldn’t figure out why. I decided my best course of action was to read through everything I had written for Sorceress of Flame and do a mini edit. After moving a few chapters around, and updating my timeline, I feel like I might be onto something.

  So, what am I up to in March? I’m glad you asked!

  The first item on the agenda is a Facebook live with Cassidy Reyne on the World Indie Warriors Facebook Group (It’s free to join!). We will be discussing the upcoming Camp NaNoWriMo, including what it is and how we are getting involved as a group.

  

  The second exciting thing is my wedding anniversary on the 14th March. And, how am I going to celebrate? I’m going to spend a night at a spa with a close friend and family, leaving hubby at home alone with Madame.

  To top it off, the following weekend (Mother’s Day in the UK), I am travelling to the Netherlands to meet up with Cassidy and another of our writing friends, Kara S. Weaver. We are crossing everything in the hopes that it can still go ahead, what with the Coronavirus trying its best to sabotage us.

  Writing wise, I really want to get past the 60,000 words mark. I have a huge gap in the middle of the book, as I knew how I wanted it to end, but I’d really like to close that up in preparation for April’s CampNaNo.

  I’m going to continue with my Author Q&A and Book Review, and I also have a book to beta read, so I’m sure there’s never going to be a dull moment. In fact, I’m so busy right now that I’m doing my best representation of procrastination by writing a huge shopping list for Ikea.

  Oh well, there’s always next month!

  Speak soon, Jodie xxx

  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged #blog, #campnanowrimo, #cassidyreyne, #catchup, #divineprophecy, #goals, #inspiration, #karas.weaver, #london, #march2020, #sorceress, #update, #worldindiewarriors, #writing

• Don’t Forget the Extra Day!

  Posted at 7:00 pm by Jodie, on February 2, 2020

  

  Yes, hello February, indeed! As the title suggests, don’t forget that it is a leap year. So, what will you be doing with your extra day?
  
  Firstly, I would like to take a look back at January and everything we have (or haven’t!) managed to achieve.

  As revealed at the start of the year, instead of New Years Resolutions I am just going to be tackling a giant to-do list, and this is what I’ve managed so far.

  Sorceress Of Flame
  * Brought first draft up to 50,000 words.
  * Arranged m/s review.

  Other Tasks
  * I got half way through a book.
  * Started to enter DofA into a competition but not sure if I will continue.

  Website
  * Monthly book review.
  * Monthly Author Q&A.
  * Post regular blog.
  * Launched new ‘Works’ page.
  * Brought all of the pages up to date.
  * Added an events page.

  Social Media
  * Spent more time interacting with the #writingcommunity on Twitter.
  * Created new aesthetics for IG.
  * Got back into having a pretty and organised grid.
  *Post more SofT snippets etc.
  * Organised my Pinterest board.

  I’m pretty happy that a lot of my ‘admin’ activities are done and out of the way, which should allow for more writing and reading.

  During January, Sorceress of Truth also made it into the Top 50 Book Covers in the Allauthor.com Cover Contest. This was mostly down to many of you supporting me and voting, so a massive ‘Thank you‘ to each and every one of you.

  My main target for February is to focus on book 2, Sorceress of Flame. I would love to reach at least 60,000 words, ideally 65,000, if I want to stick to my November release schedule. The only stumbling block is the school half term holiday, (And boy do we have a week planned.) I can’t wait! Follow my Instagram Stories to see what we get up to.
  
  I don’t think I have much else to say other than watch this space for another great Author Q&A and Book Review.

  Speak soon! Jodie XXX

  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged #blog, #catchup, #divineprophecy, #february20, #goals, #SofT, #SorceressofTruth, #update, #writing

• New Year, New…. ah, who am I kidding?

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

  

  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

• 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.

  

  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

  

  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

• J.D. Groom

  

• Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Goodreads
  • Amazon