Author: Yolandie Horak
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A Writing Update
So, I mean, we all know there was supposed to be another book by now. The crickets that used to hang around A Curse of Venom & Scales have either died or moved along to chirp in some other tardy writer’s office. 😅 And I’m lucky to have a really supportive group of readers, who […]
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Signs of Life
Okay, you guys. This is not a drill. I’m glad to announce I’m officially back on the blog. I dropped off of the face of the planet without much of an explanation, and I’m sorry about that. My Patreon tribe still saw posts, art, and heard my chancing accent via podcast episodes, but I just […]
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Point of View (Podcast Episode #5)
I’m super excited to be back with another podcast. In this one, I chat about why I write in deep third point of view and how I choose characters for each scene. I hope you enjoy it! Links mentioned in this one: A Study of Ash & Smoke purchase links: https://yolandiehorak.com/books/a-study-of-ash-smoke A Trial of Sparks […]
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Pretty, Pretty Books
Honestly, there’s no other point to this post than to show off my pretty book babies. A Trial of Sparks & Kindling came in the mail a week or two ago, and I pulled out the props for a quick photoshoot. I just love the way the two books look together, and am once again […]
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Bookish News
Folks, it’s been a long while since I’ve had any news to share with you, but I have a few things I want to let you know about today. 🙂 A Trial of Sparks & Kindling is officially available in paperback! The new cover edition of ATOSAK has me swooning all over the place. The […]
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Writing Retreat to Rocky Mountain House
My family and friends were lucky enough to go on a mid-week retreat to a fantabulous cabin just outside of Rocky Mountain House. My plan for this retreat was to WRITE and I’m happy to report I managed to revise a few chapters of Book 3. The setting was ideal for writing. Loads of gorgeous […]
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My Publishing Journey (Podcast Episode #4)
In this episode, I talk about why I chose to indie publish my books, and some of the obstacles I’ve faced along the way. 🙂 The links mentioned: Nerine Dorman, author and editor: https://nerinedorman.wordpress.com/editing/ My Patreon (LuminLore): https://www.patreon.com/luminlore Episode 4: And just in case you’d prefer to read the episode: *Music* Hello, and welcome to […]
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A 2021 Writing Update
This is a bit weird, I’ll concede. It’s mid-August and I’m posting a writing update that will cover all of 2021 so far. The timing is wonky, but it’s been a wonky kind of year. For the greater part of 2021, I was unable to write. There were moments in between, a week here and […]
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July in Photos
The month of July was heatwave upon heatwave, with the odd smoggy day thrown in the mix due to many raging wildfires in North America. You’ll clearly see the effect of those in the final handful of photos, though the photos do look worse than it was IRL. The air smelled of smoke for a […]
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Weekend in Cold Lake
We went away for the first time in, like, ever, and it was incredible. Worth every second of the 6-hour drive, worth every mosquito bite, and worth the ‘spot the *insert colour here* car’ games born out of serious boredom. That said, I don’t want to come off as insensitive. It’s starting to feel something […]
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Dedications (Podcast Episode #3)
In this episode, I talk about the wonderful women who inspired the dedications of my books. I hope you enjoy it! The links mentioned in the podcast: https://yolandiehorak.com/2019/06/13/ideas-for-writers-of-instagram/ https://yolandiehorak.com/2016/02/24/a-tribute/ https://yolandiehorak.com/2019/07/15/we-had-more-time/ In case you’d prefer to read the episode, here you go: *Music* Hello, and welcome to Book Talk with Yolandie. This is the place where […]
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June in Photos
It’s been a busy one, folks. My kid finished Gr 2 (with three dress up spirit days thrown into the mix), Jan and I were fully vaccinated, and we’re surviving an intense heatwave. There was a lot of drawing, yummy treats, and time spent outdoors. Here are some highlights. Have a good one. Yolandie
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I’ve Added a Social Media Manager to my Team, Introducing LuminLore, and Other News
Friends, it’s been a WEEK. In fact, it’s been a few weeks, and I kind of feel like scrambled eggs. So much has happened, so I figured it was about time to fill you in. I’m fully vaccinated I’m so happy that the second vaccination has officially been crossed off my list, though I will […]
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Why I Write (Podcast Episode #2)
I’m really excited about this second podcast episode! I had so much fun recording it for you, and I hope you love it too. So, we’re talking about what drives me when it comes to writing, but let’s keep the conversation going! What drives you to chase your passion pursuit? Please let me know in […]
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May in Photos
I did a photo a day challenge in May, and I’m happy to say I actually stuck with it! Up until the last few days, anyway. Still, I did better than I imagined I would, and I’m proud of that. Most of these photos were featured on my Instagram as part of the challenge, though […]
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On Gaslamp Fantasy and Steampunk (Podcast Episode #1)
It’s official, I’ve started a podcast. I recorded a test episode for my patrons (who will receive an exclusive episode every month) and worked up the confidence to record my first ‘public’ episode. I really hope you enjoy it! Just in case you’d prefer to read it rather than listen, this is how it goes: […]
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Chalk Fun Day
I’m in that weird ‘just finished a book’ phase of the writing cycle. During this time, I struggle to focus on anything for long periods of time and my mind constantly wanders. I reckon it’s because so much of my brain capacity is allocated to storylines and keeping the plot together while I’m writing. My […]
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Writing During a Pandemic
After writing for over a year, I finally finished A Curse of Venom & Scales on the 6th of May. Once I’ve finished a book, I’m usually a bundle of excitement. I almost immediately start plotting the next book in the series, and I gush to everyone who will listen about my upcoming novel. This […]
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Let’s Get Inspired
IDK what it is, but I’m feeling a bit low creatively. It’s like I can only make stuff if someone tells me what to make. It’s that weird low-energy after-anxiety thing that happens. So, I figured if I needed to be told what to create, I’d best turn to something I know will help. Lists. […]
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Some Weekend Stuff
It was a busy one, folks. Kayla wanted a girls’ day, so that’s how my Friday went down. In the late afternoon, I had another buddy write with the fabulous JR Rainsville, and actually got some stuff done! With the lockdown restrictions tightening again, the only time we can see other people is while outdoors. […]
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Cover Reveal
If you read Friday’s blog or noticed my Facebook post on Saturday, you knew this was coming. Fall of the Mantle got some brand new covers. Now, I know the old covers have a cult following (there’s like 5 of you, so it’s definitely a cult 🤣) but I’d like to assure you this wasn’t […]
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A Summary
I feel like this is the first time this week I’ve sat down and attempted to actually get my ducks in a row. At this stage, they’re all over, running and quacking and pooping wherever they want. It’s chaos. Feathers everywhere. Please send help and or coffee. A lot has been happening. I’ve been revamping […]
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I Fell, And Other Life Stories
This post will come to you in four parts. Part One – I Fell People who know me well know I’m super clumsy. I can trip on air (and I have). I’m hasty by nature. Everything has to be done quickly, so it’s quickly this, quickly that, and scurrying in between. Ents would hate me. […]
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My First Buddy-Write Session
I mean, not my first. I’ve written in sprints and have had accountability partners before, but this was the first time I wrote during a zoom sesh. My partner was the ever-fabulous J.R. Rainville, one of my fellow Skolion members, who remains one of the greatest sources of encouragement and support during my writing (and […]
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The Random Photo Post
Just a collection of random shots from my last few weeks. Enjoy! Have a good one, folks! Yolandie
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My Week as a List
And so begins the season of sludge. It’s no fun to see photos of babies in hospitals. (Get well soon, Joshua!) My kid gives the best hugs. Yay, a new patron! Clients who settle their accounts immediately are unicorns, and must be celebrated and protected at all times. My new glasses are so much comfier […]
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Do You See Books?
One of my writer friends shared this meme on Facebook, and it’s been swimming in my head since. Which one of these are you? People often ask me if I see the things I write, and the answer is no. With the exception of single scenes here and there, I don’t visualise. I don’t know […]
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My Glasses Broke & Other Life Snippets
Do I like change? No. And especially not while my anxiety is breaking free of its adamant prison in my head, but hey? Whatcha gonna do about it? So, new glasses. The old ones broke so randomly I’m still not exactly sure what happened. Maybe the cold? Old age? Eh. But I think I’m mostly […]
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Look At My Babies
As one does, I had a photoshoot with my books sometime last year. I was just so excited about the paperback of A Trial of Sparks & Kindling that I couldn’t not take photos of the two books together, but then the self-doubt set in, which is why I haven’t shared the photos. Until now. […]
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Finding Myself Again
So, I’ve been doing yoga. This is a massive first for me, made interesting by the fact that I’m not the most active of people. I bought the yoga mat last year and signed up for a class with a friend, but then 2020 did its thing and we never made it to class. As […]
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What Can You Tell Us About A Curse of Venom & Scales?
There’s more sex and swearing in this book. The general idea was that Cara is really innocent in book 1, and the adult themes will multiply as she gains experience.
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The Currents Post
Friends, one of my cousins asked me to pick up these currents posts last year sometime, and it just slipped my mind. Sorry, Tanja. Better late than never? Let’s jump right in. For the first time in many, many years, I’m listening to an audiobook. I don’t have anything against audiobooks, really, it’s just that […]
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The Update Post
What exactly happened while I was away? So. Damn. Much. Let me catch you up. With the virus gaining momentum in South Africa, the risk grew for my loved ones (and is still growing). We’re lucky enough to have no Covid-related deaths in our direct family, but people I care about were now exposed, some […]
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While I was Away
This post is basically a collection of random photos. I took some with my Instagram account in mind, but most are just spur of the moment, hey-look-a-shiny! pics. Did they make it to Instagram? Nope. Still, this is a pretty good collage of my quiet, uneventful lockdown life, and I figure I should document it […]
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Two-Oh-Two-One
Call the Ghost Busters or a necromancer–it’s me. For realzies. I’ve been the rarest of online sightings in the past few months, but the blog suffered most. So, allow me this moment to dust off the cobwebs and breathe in the stale air… Yes, I’m back. I’d tell you about the incredible lows my mental […]
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Now Available – Faux Stained Glass Bookmarks
Yay! I have a brand new online store here on my website, from where you can purchase my original design bookmarks. There are fifteen different designs, available as complete bookmarks or line art, so you can colour them yourself. I have three inspired by books or characters I love, a bunch of nature-inspired designs, and […]
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Trip to Blackshale Suspension Bridge
Last weekend, we went hiking with friends. Why? Because Canada is a peacock on show this time of year. Blue skies, golden trees, and glittering water. Folks, I love it here. Anyway. We visited the suspension bridge first, walked around the area there, then decided to find another, slightly longer hiking route. Unfortunately, this idea […]
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And, Scene.
The internet is full of it. Do this to attract followers. You are the brand. Here’s the key to understanding the algorithms. Put this in your newsletter. Use these hashtags and you’ll be successful. Everybody tells you not to compare yourself to others. Heck, I’ve even written those very words in blog posts. The problem […]
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Five
It was unreasonably sunny, after the ordeal we’d had. Kayla–not yet two–had experienced the worst possible first flight. She’d been sick and unable to sleep, and while I’d struggled to soothe her, the creepy flight attendant had flirted with me all night. I’d also been motion sick, overheated, and generally uncomfortable, but all of it […]
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Let’s Write PTSD
I touched a slight bit on PTSD in the Let’s Write Fear post, but I figure this is a complex emotional state and needs more detail. Of course, I’m not a mental health professional, just a writer, so this is in no way aimed to be an educational post for someone in the clutches of […]
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Down the Rabbit Hole, We Go
As a writer, I have to know about writing, tropes, self-editing, working with professional editors, and that kind of thing. The obvious stuff. What they don’t tell you when you enter this rabbit hole, is you also have to know about cover trends, blurbs, sensitivity readers, trigger warnings, marketing, and how to unravel the algorithms […]
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Hello
It’s me. I’m still on a high after Friday’s release of A Trial of Sparks & Kindling. I honestly still can’t get over the fact that I now have two books out there. Two. It’s surreal. Maybe it’s because of this high that I have the energy to blog. 🙂 I’m not going to lie, […]
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PUBLISHED! 2.0
Folks, the day has finally arrived. A Trial of Sparks & Kindling is out in the world! I can’t believe this, but I’m a twice published author. 🙂 I’d like to thank everyone who made this possible. My husband and daughter, family and friends. Thank you for your constant support and love. <3 Everyone over […]
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An Update
Friends, it’s been a hot minute. My mental state has been especially low, and I’ve just not had the capacity to put myself anywhere online. Both my Instagram accounts have been abandoned, my Facebook page gathered cobwebs, and though I’ve made a lot of little tweaks to the website, I’ve basically ghosted the blog. But […]
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A Trial of Sparks & Kindling Playlist
I was a bit disorganised with this, I have to admit. I have this general playlist in which I just dump all of the songs that stir up a certain emotion in me, and I always have this on in the background while I write. A while back, my cousin suggested I actually share the […]
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Have a Free Colouring Book
A Trial of Sparks & Kindling is set to land in July! The first ARC’s have gone out and are already being read. Eek. This part of the publishing process is both my favourite and what freaks me out most. Like, the book is done. Out there. It’s out of my hands now, and that’s […]
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I’ve Been Busy
Friends, I think a great many of us vote to have 2020 struck from the record. It’s only June, and most of us feel aged by ten years, never mind six months. It’s been strange in my house, too. To summarise, my mental state hasn’t been what it should be, and I’ve been beyond tired. […]
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Giveaway Winner!
Last week, A Study of Ash & Smoke turned one. I still can’t believe it’s been a year, but here we are. To celebrate, I ran a little giveaway. The grand prize was a signed paperback copy of A Study of Ash & Smoke, with some added merch. I also gave away 10 electronic copies […]
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Birthday Giveaway
A Study of Ash & Smoke is one today! One year ago, this debut of mine first entered the world. I can hardly believe how the time has flown. Can you? Anyway, to celebrate, I’ve put together a little giveaway. You can check out the rules and terms and all the details on this giveaway […]
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A Trial of Sparks & Kindling Trailer
Folks of the world, I’m super excited to share the book trailer for A Trial of Sparks & Kindling with you! Do be advised that the video contains a minor spoiler. I had so much fun putting this together. I used a lot of stock videos from Pixabay and Pexels (sources attributed below) and made […]
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About Yesterday…
So, yesterday. One of my author buddies, Suneé le Roux, posted the book trailer for her upcoming novel, Myth Hunter, on Facebook. Seeing the video reminded me that I started working on a book trailer for A Trial of Sparks & Kindling aaaaaages ago, and promptly forgot about it. Here’s a disclaimer for you. This […]
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Face Claims – Fall of the Mantle
This post is brought to you by random discussions. A bunch of my writer friends and I were talking about whether we base our character descriptions on real-life people and actors, and it got me thinking about where I got inspiration for my characters. Now, though I do have a Pinterest mood board for A […]
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The New Normal
Welcome to my captain’s log, day who the hell even knows anymore. We’ve been isolating since mid-March and are officially in the third new month of doing this weird thing. Seven weeks. But I guess it’s normal now? Everything is weird. My husband had a birthday this week, but it didn’t really feel that way. […]
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Sexuality — Fall of the Mantle
Someone asked me the other day if the Fall of the Mantle series is LGBTQIA friendly, and if any of the viewpoint characters are a part of the community. The answer to both questions is yes. Before I get into this post, however, I want to make it clear that members of the LGBTQIA community […]
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Hello From the Inside
This weekend, we went for a drive. We didn’t get out of the car, we just drove. It had been so long since I’d been out of the house, I almost felt weird leaving. Which got me thinking. (In my head, I hear Lefou singing it’s a dangerous pastime.) But I’ve realised I’m one of […]
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Why Does Fandom Forget Ron Weasley?
These are the kinds of questions flitting about in my brain when I’m awake at 3am. Riveting stuff, am I right? Do note that this post contains major spoilers, and is basically one long opinionated ranty rant. Anyway. The backstory. I don’t really read a lot of fanfiction, except if it concerns Dragon Age. And […]
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Last Week Wasn’t a Good Week
Let’s not play games, we all get depressed sometimes. And it’s no wonder so many of us are feeling the strain, considering how we are now, cut off from each other except through screens. Last week was my strain week. It’s been weird. We’re healthy, so I can’t complain, but we’re suffering this collective trauma […]
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An Enchantment of Ravens – Book Review
Okay, so I’ve been flipping out over this book alone for too long now. It’s time to grow the fandom. Did I just reveal my evil plan in the first paragraph of this post? Oops. Before we begin, check out An Enchantment of Ravens on Goodreads, and this will be a spoiler free review. The […]
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Growing Out a Pixie Cut & Other Random Tales
Hey, I’m growing out my pixie. My hair is now at that awful stage where it’s really thick in the back and not yet long enough to make a ponytail–which, by the way, it the only reason I’m growing it out. I love the pixie cut, make no mistake, but short hair is a lot […]
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Art Inspired By A Trial of Sparks & Kindling
I mentioned a while back that I’d commissioned the epic Doodleeeeeeeee to create a doodle artwork inspired by my favourite line in A Trial of Sparks & Kindling. Doodleeeeeeeee (check out this awesome insta account) worked fast, and I got to see this artwork last weekend. And let me tell you, it blows my mind. […]
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7 Easy Tutorials to try During Isolation/Lockdown
With more places around the globe entering states of lockdown, I figure we might as well make art. I haven’t uploaded a tutorial in forever, because my wrist hurt too much to actually make anything. Now that I’ve regained some range of movement, I’ll get on a few tutorials for you again. So, if you […]
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I Haven’t Left the House in 9 Days
What I miss is walking. Up until last Friday, I walked every single day. Making my steps was important to me, so I made sure I made them. Then my kid woke up sick. Last Sunday, while I’d been up since before dawn to write, the house had been quiet. I’d expected just another day, […]
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Tales from Self-Isolation
Honestly, as someone who spends the greater part of her day typing away in the basement and avoids going out as far as possible, this isn’t much different than business as usual for me. Sure, my kid isn’t going to school, so I can now get up at odd hours to write and pass out […]
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Fangirling
You know the writing is at that intense stage when I can’t sleep in on a weekend. For the third morning in a row, I was up at 5. On Friday and Saturday, I tried (in vain) to fall asleep again, and finally got up at 7. This morning, I held out until 6, then […]
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Rot – An Illness Based on the Bubonic Plague
A major plot arc in A Study of Ash & Smoke is about a mysterious plague that breaks out in the kingdom of Aelland. Under normal circumstances, it shouldn’t be strange that an unknown illness spreads to a new kingdom, except Aelland is closed off from the rest of the world by an impenetrable forcefield, […]
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This Post Comes to You in Four Parts
Totally paraphrasing John Green there. 🙂 DFTBA, people. Anyway. Part One – Writing By last Tuesday, I had five complete chapters written for Book 3. By last Friday, I’d rewritten all five. That’s all fine and dandy, but now I’m stuck on chapter 6, which I’ve rewritten no less than three times, and poor chapter […]
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This is Me
So, I’m about to try something I’ve never done before. I’m going to pop onto the blog from time to time with short-form content about what’s going on behind the scenes with my writing or my life in general. Basically, the idea is to keep my regular Tuesday and Thursday posts, but add the shorter […]
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The Book was Better – My Thoughts on Adaptations
I recently reread the Harry Potter series, and watched the movies available on Netflix at the time (from The Goblet of Fire and on). Of course this started a debate. Wherever I expressed my love for the series, people from ‘the books were better’ camp collided with people from ‘the movies were great’ camp. The […]
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A Study of Ash & Smoke – 7th Annual WD Self-Pub e-Book Awards
Sometime around September last year, I got an email about the Writer’s Digest Self-Published e-Book Awards (I’m subscribed to WD’s newsletters). I made the mistake of opening this email in front of my husband, who was immediately of the opinion that I should enter. I didn’t want to. My feelings of inadequacy make these kinds […]
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It’s Happening Again (A Life Update)
I guess you all know by now that when I disappear from cyberspace, it’s because I’m up to my eyeballs in either A) a new manuscript, B) revisions, or C) obsessed with reading. For the past few weeks, it’s been C. I’ve reread the Harry Potter series, and spent every moment not reading working on […]
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Five Easy Ways to Combat Writer’s Block
Ah, writer’s block. The bane of many a writer’s existence. It’s that feeling of shock and having no direction when the inspiration suddenly runs out. It happens to all of us at one point or another, so we all know it’s real. Personally, I just don’t believe in it. Yes, having no inspiration is a […]
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A Trial of Sparks & Kindling Cover Reveal
I should probably have waited with this until a bit closer to publishing day, but hey, who cares. I can haz cover, and it is glorious. That glorious, BTW, sounds in my head as Varvatos Vex would say it. For the design of this cover, I once again teamed up with the endlessly talented and […]
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We Want Spoilers! A Trial of Sparks & Kindling Edition
So, recently, quite a few folks have been asking me for anything I can tell them about my upcoming novel, A Trial of Sparks & Kindling. Anything at all. And this is where it gets super tricky, because there are literally spoilers from the first chapter. Now, since I don’t want to put a bullet […]
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Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy – Book review
It’s only because of my fabulous book-recommending genius of a friend, Tallulah, that I even glanced in the direction of Daughter of Smoke & Bone. The Smoke & Bone covers do nothing for me. In fact, if I’m being totally honest, I despise these covers. Tallulah compares the different covers over on her blog, if […]
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On Perspective
Just the other day, my fellow blogger and author, SM Mitchell, asked me for my thoughts on impostor syndrome for a blog post. This is the quote she included from yours truly: “No critic can tell you how much is wrong with what I’ve written better than I can. It’s so hard for me to […]
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Let’s Write – Common Mistakes
Welcome back to another post in our self-editing miniseries. It’s been a hot minute since we last talked about this, so if you want to catch up on the first three posts, here are the links. The Basics of Self-Editing The Structural Edit (pt 1) The Structural Edit (pt 2) Today, we’re going to have […]
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Spot the Differences – Writer vs Main Character
I posted an excerpt from A Study of Ash & Smoke over on Instagram yesterday, and wrote a bit about the anxieties that Cara and I share. Which got me thinking. People often assume that authors base protagonists on their own personalities. While I suspect there are loads of authors out there who do just […]
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SA Bookswap – December 2019
I was lucky enough to take part in another South African Bookswap as 2019 ended. This time, the theme was Baby it’s (not) Cold Outside. It’s summer in South Africa, but this theme also allowed participants to do a Christmas themed box if they chose to. Since the two of us who participate in this […]
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New Year’s Eve 2019
We entered 2020 in one of the most beautiful places in the world–right at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Banff. Can you say incredible vistas, the freshest air, and fabulous company? For us, this little trip was brimming with new experiences. We got to stay at the Rimrock hotel with friends, and we […]
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Hello 2020
New year, new decade, new opportunities. How lucky am I to be able to write that statement? I won’t lie, 2019 was tough. Full of head-in-hands moments. Times when loved ones were critically sick and in the hospital–loved ones at the peak of their health. Kids. The worry associated with a sickbed is never easy. […]
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Montecasino Bird Gardens (Vacation Pics Part Two)
I mentioned in the first vacation photo post that we did one touristy thing while in South Africa, and this is it. When Kayla was about a year old, we also visited the bird gardens. Since she doesn’t remember that, and she’s quite the zoology buff, we reckoned she might enjoy going again. So, on […]
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Vacation Pics (Part One)
Aren’t you proud that we managed to take some photos on this last visit to South Africa. You know, amid the chaos that was this last visit to South Africa. 🙂 We managed to do a total of one touristy thing, the pics of which I’ll share with you next week. Brace yourselves for lots […]
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Miss Me Much?
Why hello! It’s good to see you again. We’re officially back from our little trip to South Africa, and it’s seriously good to be home. We’ve spoken about me and my routine before, but you don’t really realise how much you cling to your routine until it’s broken. Friends, much as I loved seeing family […]
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Leaving on a Jetplane
This is really just a quick note to say I’ll be MIA for the next few weeks. In other words, some cobwebs might gather around the blog, my newsletter, and my social media platforms, as I probably won’t make an appearance on any of these in the near future. Except maybe the odd story on […]
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Warcross – Book Review
About a year ago, my cousin sent me a series of texts telling me I have to read this book NOW. She knows the kinds of books I like, so I knew I’d read anything that came with her recommendation. Only, I didn’t read the book last year. We were amid another big move (yes, […]
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Behind the Scenes – Editing
I figure I might as well clue you all in on how it goes behind the scenes. You know, the stuff you don’t see on my posed and filtered Instagram feed. Everybody who knows me knows I’m currently editing A Trial of Sparks & Kindling. I haven’t been shy about that fact so far. But […]
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November Life Update
The last time I wrote a life update, I had a wrist injury. Guess what. Funny story, but I tend to fall a lot. I’m a pretty clumsy human, which means I spend way too much crashing to my butt or knees. Yay me. So, the other day, I eye this set of stairs, decide […]
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How AHA moments changed A Study of Ash & Smoke
We all have little aha moments while writing. Those moments come to us either through brainstorming, talking to others about our work, feedback from betas or editors–heck, even the most random of places–but those aha moments spark the changes in the story that pull everything together. You could probably guess I had plenty of aha […]
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Inktober 2019
I want to start by saying I don’t feel like a failure this time. But that makes no sense, so I’ll elaborate. 🙂 Whenever I take part in something online, something with deadlines and prompts and goals, I get totally crazy. I have to reach each goal and tick them off as done. It’s an […]
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Let’s Write – The Structural Edit (Continued)
In the last post, we talked about the first two elements we must revise during the structural edit–plot and setting, and characters. Today, we’ll wrap up the last three. Flow and pace Conflict and resolution Voice and style Let’s get right to it. Flow and Pace I’ve grouped these two elements together, because most of […]
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Let’s Write – The Structural Edit
Welcome back to the self-editing miniseries. 🙂 It’s good to have you. Last time, we summarised the self-edit. Feel free to check that out if you want to brush up first. In the next two posts, we’ll be looking in-depth at the first big part of the self-edit–structural editing. (Quick note. I wanted to keep […]
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The Lie Tree – Book Review
I’ve been sharing many reviews from those books randomly picked at the library. I’ve honestly had pretty fabulous luck when it comes to choosing a book by its cover. Which is great, you know? It means exposure to authors I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. The Lie Tree is one of those books by one of […]
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What’s Happening with A Trial of Sparks & Kindling?
As you all know, my summer was a whirlwind of writing. I wrote the first draft of A Trial of Sparks & Kindling (and then some) in 7 weeks. It was intense. I’m still not fully human after that sprint. Now that I have one book out, I have a teeny tiny itty bitty fanbase, […]
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Let’s Write – Basics of Self-Editing
Something about the editing process has always intrigued me, and I’ve wanted to take an editing course or two for ages. Yet, I’ve always had an excuse why not to take that course. I sent off A Trial of Sparks & Kindling to my editor at the end of September, which meant I had nothing […]
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How I Paint Auroras
My husband is pretty much obsessed with the northern lights, or aurora borealis. He’s one of those people who will jump in his car in the middle of the night to chase auroras, and talks about the beauty of this phenomenon basically non stop. I really appreciate the gorgeousness of the auroras too, but folks, […]
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Fawkes – Book Review
I’ve heard only good things about Nadine Brandes‘s writing, so I bought a copy of Fawkes when I found it on sale. This isn’t my usual genre–I don’t typically read historical fantasy. Yet, something about the familiarity of the story of Guy Fawkes appealed to me. I call it historical fantasy because this book includes […]
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Exploring Lake Minnewanka
As with most of the well-known tourist spots, we’ve visited Lake Minnewanka before. Just a quick stop, though, as the sheer mass of tourists kept us from exploring the area last time we were there. This time, no such thing happened. We drove mountain-side last weekend, stopped at Minnewanka, and could finally see what the […]
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Losing Sunshine
In Johannesburg, where I grew up, the seasons turn in such a predictable manner. You know that the sun will almost always shine, and even in the heart of the winter, the days are basically the same length as those warm, blessed summer days. At the most, summer and winter days differ in length by […]
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Quick Watercolour Lightning Tutorial
It’s been pretty much forever since I’ve last done a watercolour tutorial. Aside from the wrist injury that has kept me from making art, everything else comes in second while I’m writing. Still, I keep getting requests for stuff, and I feel guilty for not blogging about art for so long. The request for a […]
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Rise – Book Review
This was probably one of my most anticipated sequels of 2019. I picked up Rule from the library earlier this year, and really loved getting to know Zofi, Akeylah, and Ren. I couldn’t wait to read how their stories ended. The Blurb Sisters Akeylah, Ren, and Zofi are all a step closer to their dying […]