Writing vs. The Holiday Festivities Guest Post

Hey Everyone

Along with doing Author Interviews and trying to balance my day job with my writing, I completed a Guest Post at Christmas, which discussing the issues self-published authors face over the festive period.

Although it discusses the Christmas holidays, it can apply to all holidays and outlines my difficulties with trying to remain focused on writing, helpful hints and tips on trying to stay organised, getting creative and using the holidays as inspiration for your stories, plus much more!

It was very trying to ignore the egg nog, and sweet treats, when trying to write the next chapter of my latest book but it is possible (even for someone with such little willpower as myself when it comes to becoming distracted by all unhealthy delights! lol) and I have found some easy ways to do it.

Click Here to read my Guest Post on the Between the Pages Blog

I would like to thank April on the Between the Pages Blog for giving me the opportunity to discuss this topic and I hope to work with her further in the future.

Happy Reading!

Author Interview by Horror Maiden's Book Review Blog

It's the start of the weekend and I'm so happy to kick it off with this Author Interview by Angela on the Horror Maiden's Book Review Blog.

This week has been so tiring with working my full time job, trying to do some more chapters of my Teen Fiction story, 'Love Bite' and my car deciding to throw a wobbly and not start due to the cold UK weather.

So, it was so refreshing to get the link to my Author Interview to remember the fun I had answering Angela's questions.

To find out more about why I write? Where my ideas come from? Future Plans and much more, please click the link below.

Click Here to read the Author Interview on Horror Maiden's Book Review Blog

I want to give a big thank you to Angela at Horror Maiden's Book Review Blog and I hope to work with her further in the future.

Happy Reading Guys!

The Economics of Self-Publishing a Book Guest Post on A Life Amongst The Pages Blog!

Hi everyone

It has been a few weeks since I have published a Guest Post but I'm happy to say I have finally done another one and the topic is very important for me to discuss.

Many people have their own opinions about self-published authors!

Whether it be:

• Anyone can self-publish their work

• The quality of work is not as good as a traditionally published books

• If you hammer social media sites with your books then you will become a success

• All of the above and more...

In my Guest Post, I discuss the misconceptions about self-publishing, along with some helpful hints and tips for anyone thinking about publishing their own book (based on my mistakes).

I also explain the basic costs to self-publish a book and the essentials of what you need to include in your budget and what you may want to avoid.

I want to thank Robert for allowing me to have this opportunity on his blog, A Life Amongst The Pages and I hope to work with him further in the future.

Click Here to Read my Guest Post on A Life Amongst The Pages Blog

Hope you find the post informative and enjoyable to read and if you have any questions or want to join the discussion, feel free to leave a comment on Robert's blog or under this post.

Happy reading guys! :-)

Snowy Sunday?

Hi Guys

It's another Sunday and it's not very warm in the UK so I know what that means...snow will be coming!

At least I cannot be distracted to go out if the weather is rubbish so... more work here I come!

I have just finished the pre-production stage of the Split Blood: The Ancient Codex - Part One book trailer and will be starting to look for the actors soon but because we are getting into the bad weather season here, I don't think I will start filming until April.

I will keep you all updated and I'm looking forward to seeing what you all think.

I am also finishing the first draft of chapter one of Spilt Blood 3 and will be sending it off to my copy editor soon so I'm excited to actually get everything in motion.

And lastly, I will be looking for some reviewers in the next few months to give feedback on Wattpad, Goodreads, Amazon and Smashwords, so if you think you would be interested in being a reviewer, please email me to express your interest.

That's all for now! :-)

Author Interview by LPC Book Reviews

Happy Friday everyone!

I'm so happy it is the end of the week!

Going back to work has been so tiring this week, along with trying to update my Teen Fiction Wattpad story, Love Bite.

So, I'm happy to announce I have had the opportunity to do another Author Interview by Casey on the LPC Book Reviews Blog.

The site refurbishment looks great and it was fun to answer her questions to reveal a little more about myself.

So, click on the link below if you want to find out more about what I wanted to be as a child when I grew up? Are the characters a reflection of anyone in my life? Do I write full time or part time + Much More…

Click Here to read the Author Interview on LPC Book Review Blog

I want to give a big thank you to Casey at LPC Book Review Blog and hope to work with her further in the future.

Happy Reading!

Sex and Violence in YA Books on the Prone to Crushes on Boys Blog!

Hey Everyone

How is your first week of 2016 going?

For myself, it is the first day of trying to post the author interviews and guest posts, I participated in last week, whilst trying to continue with writing Split Blood 3.

So, I apologise if some interviews or guest posts are not published immediately this week but it is because I have had a lot that came back at the same time and I want to give each amazing blog their own space on my site to shine!

On that note, I have completed a Guest Post on the Prone to Crushes on Boys blog last week and the topic I chose to discuss was, 'Sex and Violence in YA Books'.

I chose this topic because I have read a few books that many other readers have commented, in their reviews that these books are:

"Not suitable for those under 16 years"

"It is glorifying abuse in relationships"

"There is unnecessary violence which has been put in for shock value"

"It is not romantic, it is creepy and stalker-like!"

I love reviews because everyone is entitled to their opinion and I find reviews helpful when they provide constructive criticism but I find this topic especially interesting because of the age range of the YA audience and how the genre has developed over the years with the popularity of books such as Harry Potter, Twilight and The Hunger Games.

Please check out my Guest Post by clicking on the link below and feel free to join in the discussion either on this post (in the comments section below) or on the comments section on the Prone to Crushes on Boys blog  

Click Here to read the Sex and Violence in YA Books Guest Post on the Prone to Crushes on Boys blog

I would like to say a big thank you to Sonyetta at the Prone to Crushes on Boys blog for the opportunity and hope to work with her further in the future.

Happy reading my magical friends!

Author Interview by A Cheeky Book Addict's Thoughts!

Hey everyone!

Well it's the first day of 2016 and I am happy to announce my first author interview of the year.

Amongst the celebrations of yesterday, I have been able to start the year as I mean to go on by focusing on my work and regularly updating my social media sites.

I am happy to say Sophie at A Cheeky Book Addict's Thoughts blog has given me the opportunity to do an author interview and I must admit it is a nice start to the year.

Click below to find out more about why I became an author, my writing style and the books I am aiming to read this year.

Click Here to read the Author Interview on the Cheeky Book Addict's Thoughts blog

I would like to say a big thank you to Sophie at A Cheeky Book Addict's Thoughts blog for the opportunity and I hope to work with her further in the future.

Happy New Year everyone!

Author Interview by Ms. ME28 Blog

Hi everyone!

I have found the last few days very odd because it's like there is a slump period between Christmas and New Years Eve, where no one really knows what day it is, what to eat or what to do, so I'm glad I have had these fun interviews and guest posts to concentrate on!

Luckily, I have had the opportunity to do an Author Interview with Myra at the Ms. ME28 blog and had so much fun revealing more information about my work, my interests and my upcoming book.

Click Here to read the Author Interview on the Ms.ME28 Blog

Click here to find out more about my inspirations, my background, my upcoming book and much more...

I would like to say a big thank you to Myra at the Ms.ME28 Blog for the opportunity and I hope to work with her further in the future.

Hope you all enjoy it!

Happy Holidays!

Author Interview by the Reading for the Heck of it Blog

Happy Holidays everyone!

I hope your all having a fun time, enjoying the festivities and over indulging like myself! lol

I have had an extra special Christmas treat and had the opportunity to do an Author Interview with Alicea at the Reading for the Heck of it Blog.

Click Here to read the Author Interview on the Reading for the Heck of it Blog

Click here to find out more about my books, was I good at English at school, more about Split Blood 3 and much more...

I would like to say a big thank you to Alicea at the Reading for the Heck of it Blog for the opportunity and I hope to work with her further in the future.

Hope you all enjoy it! 

Happy Holidays!

Baking Breaks!

Hey everyone,

Although, I have been participating in some Author Interviews, I have also completed a few more pages of Split Blood 3, however 'Debbie the Doubtful Dragon' appeared on my shoulder and made me rethink half of the pages!

I think I've been on overload for the past few weeks because I've been trying to fit my writing in with marking all my students work, getting the reports done and attending meetings.

Looking at my writing timetable, I tried to keep up with the schedule but wasn't happy with the quality, so I've decided to have a break until after Xmas and go back to it (I will still do some interviews though).

Unfortunately, I get bored very easily and had to do something so I figured I would do a little baking and after two attempts (I don’t think I could get away with the burnt on the outside and raw on the inside first attempt!), I managed to make the cake below...

It's a marble cake (plain and chocolate sponge swirled together) with a chocolate fudge centre, chocolate fudge frosting, chocolate finger walls and grated white chocolate topping!

Not a cake for the faint hearted but definitely worth a little indulgence at times! ;-)

I'm looking for some more cake ideas because its great to relieve some stress and get your mind refocused, so if you guys have any, feel free to comment below.

Happy Holidays and have a Magical Break! ;-)

Author Interview by The Ultimate Fan Blog

Happy Holidays my Magical friends!

I hope you are enjoying the pre festive cheer (if you celebrate Christmas) and if you do not celebrate it, I hope you are having a fun time with your nearest and dearest!

I will be posting more tomorrow, however I would just like to give a big thank you to Lisa at The Ultimate Fan Blog for hosting an interview and I look forward to working with her further in the future.

Click Here to Read my Author Interview on The Ultimate Fan Blog

Even though I have participated in a few interviews in the past, it is still quite nerve-racking to answer the questions to make sure I sound sane and am not trying to shove promotional links down the readers throat!

So far, all the interviewers have been amazing giving me direction and great questions to work with so I feel comfortable revealing more about myself and interests, instead of it fully being focused on my books.

I like to show the person behind the writing, so the readers can see where my influences and inspirations come from and I hope I get that across in these interviews.

I also love to speak with fans, new and current readers and bloggers to answer any of their questions and to speak about other interests (e.g. on my previous interview, a reader commented on his mutual interest in Anime and it was great to connect with him about my favourite Anime films and recommend some that he may enjoy).

So, that is all for tonight and I will be back tomorrow.

Stay Magical, Blessed and Happy! :-)

Author Interview by Books n Pearls Book Blog

Hi guys,

Well I haven't updated for a while because unfortunately I have not found an agent yet therefore I still need to split my time between writing and my day job.

I have been doing author interviews, (along with trying to hash through a few more ideas for 'Split Blood 3' and hope to publish it before April 2016) and have my first one posted today on BooksnPearls.com.

Click Here to Read my Author Interview on BooksnPearls.com

I have to say a big thank you to Nicole at BooksnPearls.com for the interview and hope to work with her further in the future.

I also have to thank you for all your emails and communication through social media (especially Wattpad) and if I have not replied to you yet, please be patient because I haven't forgotten you, I'm just saving the best till last! ;-)

I also have one or two surprises to come which I hope will enhance your reading experience and allow you to delve deeper into the 'Split Blood World' so I hope your ready!

Other than trying to juggle my writing with my day job, I have been slightly distracted by some great movies that I have recently seen (loving 'Crimson Peaks' but I never doubted I would since it’s from one of my favourite directors!), baking (I have just taken up the hobby and actually love it! It really helped my writers block but did not work out well for my diet! Lol) and my friend's new kitty's (pictures to come as evidence of their cuteness!).

So that's it from me for now.

I'm hoping to get better at updating my social media and will try to update this blog at least once a week!

Stay Mythical and Happy! ;-)

LH :-)