I’ve been looking forward to YALC (Young Adult Literature Convention) ever since last year when I was scrolling through pictures online and feeling as though I was missing out. As the months ticked by I got even more excited to see my writer friends in their natural habitats. But it arrived with a bittersweet feeling. … Continue reading Behind My Filters at YALC
Tag: writer
I Said This Would Be My Year
I said this would be my year, the year I got at least one duck in my row, but alas it isn't. Surprise! My mum told me today there's no way I'm going to have the money to move out in the next three months. No way I'd get one of the thousands of jobs … Continue reading I Said This Would Be My Year
Books That Defined My Life
Books have been the making and the breaking of me over the years—they’ve been the reason for losing friends and what brought me to the people who mean the most. Whenever I find myself alone, I can always turn to those fictional worlds I’ve experienced on a page. From the moment Hermione taught me it … Continue reading Books That Defined My Life
5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Mental Health
Before you roll your eyes, I’ll admit I’m usually first to exit articles claiming to help mental health in a number of easy steps. I always think what the hell do these people know? And, sure, I won’t be able to conjure up a formula to eradicate mental illness—just take a stick of asparagus dipped … Continue reading 5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Mental Health
UK YA Revolution
There’s been a bunch of talk about the YA industry plummeting to its fiery death (particularly in the UK) recently. Which, as a YA author writing in the UK, has honestly had me pretty disheartened. So, over on the social media feeds I decided we should have a UK YA revolution! The most popular books … Continue reading UK YA Revolution
Why We Need Money & Why I’m Done Apologising for It
We live in a world where mentioning money can take you out the running for a job. Fact. It’s happened to me. Mention the word ‘salary’ in a job interview and wait for the hissed intake of breath, the knowing glance at a colleague, and the vague non-answer. You can almost see them mentally scratch … Continue reading Why We Need Money & Why I’m Done Apologising for It
My Best Books of 2018
Owing to my career choice I read many more books than your average Joe. Most of them are YA because I write YA, which figures. As I read so much, though, I like to make a little list of my favourites to keep track. Thus, in no particular order, here are my best books of … Continue reading My Best Books of 2018
Tips for Handling Rejection (From One Reject to Another)
Now, I’m not just talking about writing here. I’m talking about all rejections—because at this point I consider myself something of an expert. In fact, I have enough rejections to paper all the walls of the house I’ll never afford. And it sucks. I’m not going to sit here and pretend it’s all roses—that each … Continue reading Tips for Handling Rejection (From One Reject to Another)
5 Ways to Stay Sane While Editing
As you'll know if you follow me on social media I've spent my summer editing as part of Write Mentor. In July I was paired up with the incomparable Aisha Bushby (author of 'A Pocketful of Stars', Egmont UK) and she's been working me hard. My book is a thousand times better for it, but … Continue reading 5 Ways to Stay Sane While Editing
The Truth About Failure
“You can’t live on only X you’ll need way more than that. Well, it depends what your partner earns. You know, when you eventually find one.” “There are millions of people trying to be published authors. What makes you think they’d choose you? That doesn’t happen to people like us.” “Come on. When are you … Continue reading The Truth About Failure
