How To Get Past Writers’ Block

How do you get past writers’ block? You know, those moments when you sit down with the intention to spill your creative mumblings out onto paper so that other people can enjoy them too, and no matter what you do, the page stays blank.

Ideas might flit in and out of your mind, or you might feel like there’s something just there on the tip of your tongue, but you physically feel like you just can’t set pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard if you are a digital writer.

Well, unfortunately, there is no magic answer that will cure it, other than to sit down, or stand up and force yourself to write anything. Literally, anything.

If you are a writer of poetry like me, just start talking either in your head, or out loud, and every single rhyming couplet that pops up, write it down. Or if rhyme isn’t your thing, any string of words will do.

In fact, if you are writing on your computer, have a special file or document simply for this purpose.

If you are still analogue, have a particular notebook that isn’t too precious for you to completely let yourself go.

And if you are stuck for creative inspiration, read something you wouldn’t normally read, or hop onto wikipedia and page surf until you find an idea that you think you can run with. It doesn’t have to be a fully fledged idea, but gather those seed of inspiration where you can!

how to overcome writers' block and get back into your creative flow ~ poem by Ms Moem @msmoem

10 Questions with Elisabeth Hobbes

Last year I was lucky enough to get a scoop from debut author Elisabeth Hobbes on the release of her book, Falling For Her Captor. The 1st of July 2015 saw her second book, Wager For The Widow published and she’s agreed to come back again and fill us in!

elisabeth hobbes ~wager for widow ~ 10 questions with elisabeth hobbes on @MsMoem's blog

Welcome back Elisabeth and congratulations on your second title being published!

How has life been since your first book was published? In a lot of ways it hasn’t changed. I haven’t been recognised in the street or rubbed shoulders with celebrities. I still work, though now I can legitimately spend time writing rather than having to fit it into odd bits of time here and there. I’ve enjoyed the ride so much though. I’ve been on the radio twice and filmed a video for the So You Think You Can Write blog. I’ve loved reading the reviews for Falling for Her Captor, which have been so positive.

Tell us a bit about your new book. It’s set in Cornwall in the middle of winter, so ideas for reading during a heatwave. Eleanor is a widow who has sworn off men, living independently in her home on a rocky island cut off by the tide and trying to evade her mother’s attempts to marry her off to a nobleman. Will is her father’s steward who wagers he can get her to kiss him before the end of the Midwinter Night feast. Though initially she sees him as arrogant and disreputable Eleanor begins to discover the honourable man beneath the bravado. Will has never failed to get any woman he wants so when Eleanor initially rejects him he’s even determined to win her over. He soon discovers his own heart is not as safely locked away as he believes it to be and always in the back of his mind is the worry of what will happen if she ever finds out about the wager.

Where did the inspiration for this come from? In my first book Falling for Her Captor I threw in a line about the hero Hugh being the son of a noblewoman and her family’s steward and thought there was an interesting story in there. I’ve always loved Cornwall and looking through some old photos I came across one of St Michael’s Mount and knew immediately it would make a perfect basis for Eleanor’s home. I use music for inspiration and the song that fitted this when it popped onto my iPod was Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen.

How long did it take you to write? I started writing it in the February after I got the call from Harlequin offering me the two-book deal and sent it to my editor in December so around ten months. Because I teach part time I give myself one day a week to write and whatever time I can find in the evenings. Fortunately I had the rough plot it in mind otherwise I’d have panicked otherwise.

Are you doing anything special to celebrate the book’s release? On publication day I treated myself to a long overdue massage (on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year) and followed it up with a ginger mojito which is my current favourite drink. It’s my 40th birthday next week so I’m celebrating that this weekend and will remember to raise a glass to Eleanor and Will too.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned since being published? I’ve become much more aware of the amount of research that goes into writing historical romance. The copy editors have a sharp eye for the smallest anachronism so with each book I’ve become a lot more obsessive. This book found me researching tide times, winter flowering plants and oyster farming. I’ve also discovered what an amazingly supporting, enthusiastic group romance readers and writers are. I’m honoured to be a part of the world.

Where can we buy Wager For The Widow? It’s available as an ebook and paperback from Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wager-Widow-Mills-Boon-Historical-ebook/dp/B00VS0FV5U and other online retailers, including Mills & Boon’s own website. It’s also available in bookshops including WHSmiths.

Are you working on anything else at the moment? I’ve just finished the first draft of my third book, currently called The Blacksmith’s Bride and am about to start reworking that. It’s my third medieval for Harlequin and is due to my editor by the end of August.

Aside from your own books, if you could have written any other book in history, which would it be? Persuasion by Jane Austen. It’s such a wonderful story of second chances and characters facing up to the part they played in their own situation. The letter from Captain Wentworth to Anne Elliot is one of the most romantic pieces of writing I’ve ever read.

What’s next for Elisabeth Hobbes? Falling for Her Captor is going to be translated and published in French in October, which is very exciting. Once I’ve handed in my current work I’ve got one more book to write for Harlequin. After that I have a whole folder of stories I want to write so I’m not going to be giving up any time soon!

So if you fancy a spot of historical romance, do get your hands on a copy of the book, or even download it from itunes!

If you’d like to keep up with Elisabeth Hobbes, here’s where you can find her:

Elisabeth Hobbes facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/ElisabethHobbes
Elisabeth Hobbes twitter ~ http://www.twitter.com/ElisabethHobbes
Elisabeth Hobbes website ~ http://www.ElisabethHobbes.co.uk

 

An Interview With Elisabeth Hobbes

This is a very exciting week for author, Elisabeth Hobbes. Friday sees the release of her very first novel, Falling For Her Captor, published by Harlequin Mills & Boon. Elisabeth won a two book publishing contract following an entry  submitted to So You Think You Can Write! – an annual writing competition run by Harlequin, the publishers.

Elisabeth Hobbes, author of Falling For Her Captor

I caught up with Elisabeth for a quick interview to find out a little more about her writing career and I’d love to share it  with you!

Over to Elisabeth……

How does it feel to be a published author?
It feels wonderful, though still not entirely real. Even though I now have a huge box of books in my living room I can’t quite believe that someone is paying me to share something I loved doing. Every step of the way from the initial call onwards has been exciting and a real learning curve. I’m also pleased that I can now legitimately ignore the housework for a while and write.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always enjoyed writing in one form or another. As a child I used to write adventure stories involving my friends and family and when I became a teacher I enjoyed the creative writing part of English lessons and seeing the response from the children when I invented stories (I have a couple I’d love to see in print one day). I never thought I’d end up writing romance though, in fact people who know me would probably say I’m the last person they would expect to do it.

How did you get started?
My husband was working away and I was at home alone with two small children. I needed something to keep me busy rather than slumping in front of the TV once they’d gone to bed. After a conversation with a friend about whether it was easy to write a romance novel thought I’d give it a try. I posted the story a chapter at a time on Wattpad where it received enough positive comments to keep me going and it gradually expanded into a fully blown novel.

Where do you write?
I’d love to be able to spend more time writing than I do now but real life has a habit of interrupting. Because I have youngish children have to grab moments when I can. My favourite time for editing is with a cup of tea before anyone else wakes up in my favourite armchair with a cat on my lap. When I really need to get on with a chapter I go to a café or the library- anywhere where I won’t be able to get onto the internet!

Where did the inspiration come from for Falling For Her Captor?
I grew up in York which is a beautiful medieval city so was immersed in history from an early age. I spend a lot of time visiting castles and stately homes and wondering who lived in them. I wanted to write a heroine who was the archetypal damsel in distress but who was more than capable of holding her own so I had to put her into a situation where she would need to do that. I also wanted to explore the themes of trust and loyalty so having Aline fall for someone who may or may not be loyal to her enemy gave me that.

Falling For Her Captor by Elisabeth Hobbes

Sum up your first novel in 5 words.
Shorter than Game of Thrones!

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Falling For He Captor is medieval though and involves an ambitious duke trying to gain power though abducting the heiress to the throne. The comparison ends there though. There is a lot more romance of course but the characters are still faced with danger and have to choose between loyalty and personal desires. I was almost finished writing this when the first series came out and I loved the scale and worldbuilding of it. I know most people think of Regency romances when they hear the word ‘historical’ so I hope the popularity of GoT will tempt people to pick up another medieval book.

Have you any more books in the pipeline?
I’m writing my second book at the moment for my two-book contract for Harlequin. It’s another medieval romance. I know what I’m writing after that and have the general synopsis worked out for it. After that things get a bit more vague. I have a two-paragraph idea and a one-line note for books four and five. I hope I’ll get the chance to write them but that will all depend on how many readers I get I guess!

What tips would you give to would-be authors?
Write a lot, whenever you can. It’s better to get anything down on paper and delete it all a day later than not start in case it isn’t any good. Join a writing group or website and try get some critique. It’s nerve-wracking to put your work out there for people to read but finding out what readers think is the only way to improve. Planning helps too but I don’t always stick to what I’ve written.

Name your three favourite books.

Persuasion by Jane Austen. Captain Wentworth’s letter to Anne is one of the most romantic passages ever written. I read it around once a year and notice something new each time.

The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis. I’m cheating a little here as I’d like the whole series if I was being greedy. It’s a book I picked up when I was around 14 and it immediately set the bar for historical novels and tough heroes with a soft inside.

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome. One of the funniest books I’ve come across. The use of language is so precise and no words are wasted.

What’s the best way to follow your progress?

I have a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ElisabethHobbes and a blog http://elisabethhobbes.co.uk

I’m on Goodreads too https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8390155.Elisabeth_Hobbes for anyone who wants to ask me further questions (or leave me a review when the book comes out).

Falling for Her Captor can be pre-ordered via the Mills and Boon website http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/falling-for-her-captor or via Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Falling-Captor-Mills-Boon-Historical/dp/0263909891

 ~*~

So a big congratulations in advance to Elisabeth ahead of the release of Falling For Her Captor, on Friday the 3rd of October 2014 and here’s to the start of a lengthy and profitable writing career!

 

I’ve Written Some Children’s Books

my children's books coming soon | ms moem

I’ve written some children’s books.

I’m ridiculously proud of them.

So this week, I took the next step and approached the best illustrator I know to help me bring them to life. I can honestly say that there is nobody else I would rather work with on this project and so I was delighted that they have agreed to hop on board!

Writing books for children isn’t like just writing poems or even adult fiction. Whilst the words are important, to make the thing complete, the visuals are going to be a key part of the finished books’ appeal. It’s a nerve wracking moment sharing your stories with other people, yet I knew it was in the hands of a very talented creative who I trust and whose work I have admired for years.

Seeing the initial original sketches for the first time was a very emotional moment for me; everything I had hoped for and then some. Words are my thing, and I was speechless! I cannot wait to hold the finished book in my hands and share it with the world! So watch this space!

More details to follow as the project progresses!

This is post 80 of the 100 blogs  in 100 days challenge

 

66 6 word story starters

Getting started is the most important part of writing. For your inspiration, here are 66 6 word story starters and prompts. They can be used as the opening lines of your story, or you could use them to build a scene, which you’d later incorporate into a longer story. However you like to use writing prompts, enjoy!

  • I didn’t mean to do it.
  • This was risky. Getting involved with…
  • “Turn round” he said “and walk….”
  • Her heart was well and truly…
  • Rage bubbled daily. It burned like….
  • The day he didn’t come home…

6 word story starters

  • She’d always liked diamonds but this…
  • The greatest love story ever told
  • A piercing scream and then silence
  • Waiting for the bus, she looked like…
  • I’m (*name). This is my story.
  • It was done, and he was….
  • Today is the day that I
  • Ring Ring. “Hello, is he there?
  • Once upon a time, down by….
  • Twice she knocked on the door
  • It was a beautiful little trinket
  • The sun rose over the village

6 word writing prompts

  • The door slammed shut behind her…
  • “What do you mean by that?”
  • It was not really a shock.
  • He said he hated wearing ties
  • The explosion boomed across the valley
  • She’d regret drinking that second cocktail
  • There was nothing but silence. Nothing
  • (*Insert Name) was not to be messed with
  • The advert was placed in the……
  • Midnight. What happened next would be……
  • It was a totally normal day
  • She always said she would meet……

story starters blogged

  • Four hooded figures slipped across the….
  • Any second now, life would change..
  • It was now or never. Nervously she…
  • He’d escaped. He breathed in deeply.
  • Flashbacks. The never-ending circle of….
  • Turns out the car wasn’t stolen

writing prompts to start your story

  • I never knew what it felt…..
  • The garden was beautiful at night.
  • Choices aren’t always easy. This was…
  • You’d be surprised if I said…
  • We woke up with only one….
  • “This better be good” she sighed.
  • It was the night before the….
  • She thought she was invincible
  • The letter arrived on the Monday…
  • Certainty would have been a bonus.
  • At least he was still alive
  • Hurtling towards earth, he had a

how to start writing a story

  • Wedding bells chimed. People threw confetti.
  • Looking back, it was never likely…
  • “Were you followed?” he asked menacingly.
  • It was a chance meeting online…
  • He had promised to find her
  • I got all the winning numbers!
  • The aeroplane was delayed. Great start!
  • One word. Just one single word.
  • Hurting him was not an option
  • A great friend is a blessing
  • “So, what’s it to be sunshine?”
  • Being woken up by shouting was

This is post 24 of 100 blogs in 100 days.

100 blogs in 100 days

 

100 Writing Prompts

If ever there is a time when your creativity seems to be in a trough, why not look towards a writing prompt to give you a bit of inspiration and get you into flow. Here are 100 writing prompts for all types of writing, whether you are writing a novel, a short story, a sketch, a script or poetry. You can use each of them as a starting point and see where your writing takes you! It could be a trigger to a memory of your own, or you could delve straight into the world of fiction. Whatever you do, try and relax and enjoy it! Happy writing!

1. A current news story 100 writing prompts for your inspiration
2. A stranger
3. A family member
4. A pet
5. A garden
6. A building
7. A pop star
8. A neighbour
9. A job
10. A secret
11. A dream
12. A phone-call
13. A letter
14. A closed door
15. A mystery
16. A holiday
17. A craft
18. A superstition
19. A fairytale
20. A flight
21. At the bus stop
22. Roll the dice
23. A song
24. A photograph
25. A quote
26. An ambition
27. A race
28. An ex friend
29. A crush
30. A wedding
31. A new baby
32. A new outfit
33. A journey
34. Motivation
35. A lesson
36. School
37. University
38. First date
39. Best friends
40. A break-up
41. A video
42. An album
43. A suitcase
43. An embarrassing tale
44. A proud moment
45. A surprise
46. Christmas
47. A boat trip
48. A locked drawer
49. A lost key
50. A work ‘do’
51. A reunion
52. A new job
53. A street
54. A landmark
55. A badge
56. A pair of shoes
57. A fictional character
58. A reflection
59. A cup of tea
60. A collection
61. A hard decision
62. A light
63. A box
64. The weather
65. A hill
66. Flowers
67. At the beach
68. A day out
69. 4 generations
70. Emotions
71. A promise
72. A speech
73. A conversation
74. A toy
75. A smell
76. A wrong number
77. A meal
78. A nickname
79. A window
80. Yesterday
81. A town
82. The theatre
83. A precious gem
84. A kiss
85. An unexpected event
86. A treat
87. An offer
88. A hug
89. A sensitive subject
90. Sunrise
91. A view
92. One moment in time
93. Your super power
94. A game
95. A competition
96. A new world
97. A sound
98. A battle
99. A look
100. A time

I hope these writing prompts give you a little food for thought for your poems, short stories and novels. Do let me know!

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