Kate Alton 📚🌈
@KateAltonWrites
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Kids' writer, teacher, nerd. Mum of one snuffpuff. I tweet about writing, motherhood, & mental health. @OcTBRChallenge co-founder. @LitKidsMagazine mentor.
Bristol, England
Joined September 2014
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I may have suffered a needle through my thumb, sawdust in my hair, and aching hands from extracting and redoing a gazillion staples BUT I have fully reupholstered a chair that would have otherwise been binned. Behold!
#upcycling
#furnituredesign
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Please - DON'T. DO. THIS.
Anonymised, to prevent any bite back, but seriously...
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Eddie Izzard, for decades: *Is genderfluid* *describes self as male lesbian* *wears a vast array of feminine styles and make up*
Eddie Izzard, in 2020: My pronouns are she/her 💖
The world: WHAT!? THIS IS A TOTAL SHOCK!! HOW VERY DARE YOU!!
#GetOverIt
#LoveYouEddieIzzard
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If it ain't got subtitles, I'm not watching.
Can anyone else understand a show better with the subby-ts on? I'm not hearing impaired. It just... helps? Is it another ADHD thing!?!
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From all your responses and solidarity, I think we need DM bouncers - tech guys who can step in and be like "Is this person bothering you, miss?"
Or, you know, people could stop being creeps/scammers in the first place. Seems it's alarmingly common. (Like me, apparently!) 😂
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'Strong' female characters do not have to:
- kick ass
- have typically masculine traits
- be outspoken
- be coarse
Strength of character can be quiet, understated and 'typically' feminine: Princess Marya (W&P), Jane Bennett (P&P) and Elinor Dashwood (S&S) are all so strong.
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Things I didn't realise were PURE LUXURY until I had
#kids
:
Sex
Hair removal
A bath (alone)
Having a pee (alone)
Pretty much anything alone
Washing hair (properly)
Wearing make-up
Removing make-up
Decent clothes
Eating something to oneself...
Have I missed any?
#amparenting
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So my autistic daughter (8) has never drawn pictures, or understood colouring in. Sometimes she grabs a pad and free writes her thoughts tho. I put it down to her way of offloading, but I think it's more than that - I think it's her self-expression; it's art.
What do you think?
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Can anyone else hear electricity? Even when something is switched off, if it's on at the plug I can hear it ringing and I can't concentrate!
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My daughter's school has burned down. 😥
A fire broke out Monday; consumed at least 2/3rds of the building, including the library.
If any writers/publishers/booksellers have kids books (age: 4-8ish) that they could donate, could you DM me? Pls RT
@Waterstones
@AmazonUK
#kidlit
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Does anyone else feel caught in a time trap!? Like - time is whizzing on, and you're aging, and life around you is progressing at an alarming rate, but everything *you* do feels frozen in time; constantly waiting for things that are beyond your control!?!
No!?! Me being weird!?
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Wow this exploded! Truly awful that these kind of manipulative, boundary-breaking messages are so common, but glad people aren't alone and can share experiences.
Going to bed now so won't get to respond to everyone. I appreciate the discourse; Be kind to each other.
Kate 💕
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Just a thought - what if we set up a
#WritingCommunity
convention? Like, where we can all meet each other for realsies? People could do talks or workshops, and we could finally meet our internet buddies!?
Just a thought. 💕
#writersoftwitter
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What am I missing? Twitter makes total sense as a brand name. It's a site where people literally twitter away into the void. Like a flock of birds. Like a silent cacophony.
X?
That sounds like cancellation, deletion, making someone mute. It sounds like secrets, whispered. Why?
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All the authors: I got an agent! I've got a publishing deal! My book comes out today! OMG I'M A NYT BESTSELLER!!!
Me: I stared at my WIP for a while and drank tea...
#writingcommunity
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I am always worried about being misunderstood. Like - if someone doesn't like me or my opinions then fine. But I worry constantly about upsetting someone by something I said (or wrote) and feeling like my intent was so different to what they took away.
Can I shake that somehow!?
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Being a parent of a disabled child is difficult. Not necessarily because the child is difficult (though all kids can be!!) but that all the extra stuff that happens to a child *because* they're disabled can be difficult to bear.
Today was a difficult day. Hugs appreciated. 💕
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@TeiaOKOK
As a young woman, I was told not to be too friendly in case a man got the "wrong idea", to never let a drink out of my sight and bin ones that do, that after dark I should walk with my keys between my fingers like claws.
We're vigilant because there's a sense of perpetual threat
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@lololeereverie
I think I'm going to have to do the same. I usually give the benefit of the doubt, but pretty tired of this kind of behaviour, to be honest. 🙄
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Why is everything so anxiety-inducing right now!? Can you lot post some calming pics for me? Cute pets or landscapes or something? 💕
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Maybe it's time to just write for me. Writing what I love, what intrigues me, or frightens me. To try to abandon the idea of writing something saleable. Perhaps even abandon the goal of being published full stop. Just write. Even if I'm the only one who sees it.
#WritingCommunity
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Professional human tweet:
So, I am THRILLED to announce...
I HAVE AN AGENT!!! The amazing
@AbiRFellows
from
@thegoodagencyuk
! I could not be happier!
Don't give up, folks. Your perfect match is out there.
#WritingCommunity
#amagented
(GIF: Snape and Dumbledore partying)
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@TeiaOKOK
As a very young kid (under 5) I was told not to be alone because I might get snatched. As a kid and then a teen, I was warned by a friend who had been raped to never approach the window of a car that pulled up to ask for directions, or cross behind a van if its doors were open.
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People who don't take water to bed: HOW!?!
I drink at least a glass of water overnight, but my mum doesn't even have a glass of water on her bedside table. Like... I'd wake up as dehydrated as a prune if I did that.
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Got my 3rd rejection today. I know that's nothing in the grand scheme of things, but I'm proud of my MS and believe in it. It's certainly the most raw and honest thing I've written. So, feeling a bit... deflated.
Tell me nice things about your w/end.
#amquerying
#amwriting
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To all NHS staff:
- You are amazing
- We see how hard you work for the people of this country, saving the lives of all you can, no matter who they are.
- You have done more than your best, and I, for one, am in awe of your empathy and tenacity.
Thank you.
#londonprotests
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@debs_cares
Return to teacher with a note from the glue sticks, apologising profusely, but they wanted a playdate with the child and got carried away with inviting their friends. But they're home now. (Sorry miss)
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@matthaig1
Many of my friendships go like this (via text):
Me: Hey, how are you? Haven't seen you in ages!
Them:Yeah, all good. Same old, you know. We should meet up soon!
M: Yes! When are you free?
T: Let me check and get back to you. Love u!
...repeat, roles reversed, every 3-6 months.
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@scamminghandles
Yeah, I've had an attempted scammer want to "buy" my work before. It actually backfired because I said they could have what I wrote for free (because I thought it was for a Kid's birthday). They argued about it; that's when I knew it was a scam! Who gets shitty about NOT paying!?
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If anyone is curious, this is what it looked like before: worn fabric, and pitted, brown varnished legs. But a good chair. She deserved to be saved.
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So this is what happens when you're LITERALLY caught between a rock and a hard place. Well, crushed between I suppose. 😬
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Writing a book is like doing a 2000 piece jigsaw when you've lost the picture on the box, and some pieces aren't for that puzzle at all and lots need shaving down or painting to fit what's in your head. And the final image isn't what you expected, but hopefully better.
#amwriting
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I know it's the day before Christmas eve...
But PLEASE BE NICE TO RETAIL STAFF. Remember:
-They're human.
-They're doing their best to serve you.
-A sucky attitude won't help; patience and kindness absolutely will.
-It's their
#Christmas
too.
#retailproblems
#kindnesscounts
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@katethorman
@hels
For me
-strangers, professional interactions with people I don't know = no x
-acquaintances, professional interactions with people I know/ have rapport with = 1 x
-friends = 2 xs
-Very lovely friends or family = many xs
-people who have crossed me = a veritable void of xs.
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I'm not worried about my kid finding out Santa isn't real.
I'm worried about the day she figures out that Justin Fletcher and Mr Tumble are the same guy (along with the rest of the Tumble family). 😬🤯
@CBeebiesHQ
#JustinFletcher
#MrTumble
#SomethingSpecial
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What if everything I make is actually crap, but everyone is too nice to tell me so!?
HOW WOULD I KNOW!?
Am I paranoid, or do other writers and creators feel like this? 😬💕
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How about a
#predictivetextgame
?
Hi, I'm [name] and I'm weird because...
Mine: Hi, I'm Kate, and I'm weird because I'm a real woman in my last year of life and I'm coming back.
😱😱😱😱
So I guess next year I'll be haunting you all!!
#WritingCommunity
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How on earth do other countries signal that it's time for a guest to leave, without the ability to offer a second cup of tea!?! Do you just... ask them to go? 🤯
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So many people thinking
#ItsOver
. All I can think is nearly 2 years of sacrifice and hard work has been wasted. We're asking for the virus to mutate, putting vulnerable at risk. By September we'll be back where we started, just so Johnson clings to what's left of his popularity.
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New post up on my blog, The Scribbling Momster! Smells Like Teen Spirit: Why Young People are Awesome, Underrated, and Deserve the Best Fiction We Can Write.
#WritingCommunity
#YA
#kidlit
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Please can we stop equating a person's value to their job or ability to work.
Work =/= worth
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@JodieMccormack
@WHO
I have been "of childbearing age" since I was 15, and will be until I'm 45ish. I have spent 3 months conceiving, 9 months pregnant, and 14 months breastfeeding. And I'm supposed to avoid alcohol for the other 28 YEARS!?! I'm not a cow!!! I'm not on this earth to just be preggo.
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To whom it may concern,
The eldest millenials are now approaching 40. We have jobs, responsibilities, families. Please stop implying we're all snowflake, hippyish-woke, avocado toast-munching kids ruining work ethic and family values.
Regards
An older millennial
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Not writing related, sorry, but feel the need to offload...
I am FED UP of feeling like shit because I am not thin. Diets make me miserable; exercise is difficult to sustain regularly. I have battled too long with eating disorders in the past to slide back into that world.Thread
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So, I have a confession...
Lately...
I've really got into Earl Grey Tea...
With sugar...
AND MILK.
IT'S NOT EVEN LOOSE LEAF!!! I USE TEA BAGS, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!
*hangs head in shame*
#badbrit
#tea
#crimesagainstearlgrey
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Two rejections in one evening, from 2 agents I really thought I was a fit for. Wizard. Starting to think this MS is destined to be shelved too. I guess I've just got to keep writing, and maybe one day I'll write something good. Meh.
#amwriting
#amquerying
#amblue
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Suddenly having a crisis of confidence. That maybe the story I'm writing is not my story to tell. That maybe I'm screwing it up. That maybe if, miracle of miracles, it ever gets published, people will rip into me because my intention will be misunderstood. 😓
#WritingCommunity
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@ItsMissJulia
I loved this dress so much. I was determined to have an empire waist, lace and not strapless. Bit tricky when the fashion was all a-line strapless princess dresses!! This photo doesn't do it justice. Gorgeous dress.
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Today, for no particular reason, I feel like:
A shit friend
A shit wife
A shit mother
A shit kid
A shit writer
Shit
guilty
anxious
Because that's what
#depressionfeelslike
. It convinces you YOU'RE shit, and ergo everything is. But it can't sustain it forever.
Hold on, friends.
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I don't often comment on stuff like this, people are ripping into Sophie Turner for this article. Here's my 2 cents:
- Women are allowed a night off (the pictures are clearly the same night)
- "Mother" isn't your only name
- There's no evidence here, only hearsay
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Depression is so weird. Sometimes you don't even realise you've hit a low point - then the house becomes a mess, you stop making proper meals, you can't sleep, can't concentrate, and although your emotions seem steady, your stomach is in knots. And you feel... nothing.
#depression
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Yay! This was a lovely thing to wake up to - one of my short stories accepted for publication! 💕🍾
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@AutisticCallum_
This is very true, especially in medical scenarios. If an autistic person says, "I'm in pain" but doesn't *look* like they're in pain, or aren't behaving like they're in pain, PLEASE STILL BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE IN PAIN.
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@DavidDabling
Yeah - sometimes the music is SO LOUD and the dialogue so soft! I have to keep adjusting the volume unless I have subtitles on.
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OK! So it seems like a critique giveaway is in order! If you'd like me to critique 1st 10 pages of your MS, or a short story of about 3000 words (as I'm on 3000 followers!), like and comment below! I'm a big SFF reader, and YA, but doesn't have to be those! I'll pick Weds eve. :)
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@blondebonce
My bubs has an advent calendar (normal type choco one) and a Christmas eve box (we all get a couple of snacks and a tree ornament) but I refuse the rest. I've even told her the elf is too scared to come to our house because I'm a teacher. 😂
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If you've never suffered with
#depression
, it can be hard to understand. It's not just feeling sad. For me, overriding feelings have been:
- numb
- worthless
- hopeless
- shutting down
- hollow
- grey
- like my soul is frozen
No, it doesn't make sense. That's why it's an illness.
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@BoltonWriter
What about
#WritersCafe
? Somewhere to chat, share tips, discuss our WIP - as if we're all writing in a cafe together?
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OK, so it goes without saying that
#coronavirus
is awful, but does anyone else think that lockdown, though challenging, is pretty amazing?
- Quieter
- Cleaner air
- More insects, birds and other wildlife
- Clearer skies
- Community spirit
- less waste
Anyone else?
#lockdowneffect
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@slipperboots
Right? This was immediately after I'd told him I could give him my husband's number if he wanted (unseen, essentially between 3/4) and this was his back pedal. Shameful.
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BTW, sorry to all my writer followers and peeps if me tweets are a bit political of late, I'm just REALLY FUTTICKING ANGRY.
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Yeah, I'm sorry but I'm calling it.
If you take part in the Mental Hospital Twitter "game" circulating, I will unfollow you, and ask that you no longer follow me. It's too upsetting. I deal with enough negative shit around disability/mental health; don't need it on my timeline.
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Me, about 6 months ago: So I've got this great idea for an MG novel. It's quite a simple concept, really...
Me, today: WHY DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT SO COMPLICATED!? NOW YOU GUYS ARE INVISIBLE AND 40000 FEET IN THE AIR IN THE CLUTCHES OF 7 CRYSTAL DRAGONS!?!
#WritingCommunity
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I keep having to remind myself that this is a 1st draft...
...and 1st drafts are allowed to suck...
...and I can't make it suck less until I've written the draft that will suck most.
Get those words on paper, sweet friends. Even if they suck. 💗
#WritingCommunity
#NaNoWriMo
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@MireMarke
You don't always have to write what you know. You can write what you love, write what fascinates you, write about two random ideas colliding. If you need to know stuff in more depth, then research. But I don't think writers should be limited to only their own lived experiences.
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This is heartbreaking. 💔 I know so many women who have gone through miscarriages, and almost always in silence. So brave for lovely Meghan to be open about it.
#MeghanMarkle
#Miscarraige
“I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second”
Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle reveals she had a miscarriage in July
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So, one of my betas finished my book in 2 days (despite children, busy life etc), said she LOVED it and gave me awesome comments for improvements.
Feeling elated and very lucky. 💕
#WritingCommunity
#amwriting
#writersoftwitter
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@matthaig1
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO, SANDRA? THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT COULD GO WRONG!?! SO MANY MISTAKES I COULD MAKE THAT WILL MAKE PEOPLE HATE ME!! EVEN A PROSPECT OF DeAtH! IF I DON'T THINK ABOUT IT, IT'LL BE MY FAULT!
Except, what I say is: "Hahaha. Yes, you're probably right."
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@sophielflynn
It seems wild. Also keeping mothers whose babies are in NICU on the ward too. I guess it makes sense - keeping all the midwives in one place - but it's still hard for women without babies.
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Red flags my
#depression
is worse, irrespective of mood:
- the house is a mess
- cancelling plans for no good reason
- want to sleep but can't
- Want to eat everything or nothing
- can't concentrate on things
A slump can be hard to spot from the inside. What are your red flags?
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I am the textbook definition of a bad idea.
Oh yikes.
I am the textbook definition of a young creator of the most important thing
welp ok!
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@cassesque
Makes me laugh too, because if he has such a fantastic immune system, why is he taking so many medicines!?
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Hear me out though...
What if it all goes RIGHT?
Do the thing.
💕💕💕
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Another rejection this morning, but a really lovely personal one. 🙃
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Guys! Guys! I thought of the opening line to my MG WIP as I was falling asleep, and when I awoke I STILL REMEMBERED IT!!!
BOW DOWN BEFORE MY MIGHTY POWER!!!!!
#WritingCommunity
#amwriting
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But know that you are SO MUCH MORE than the person in the mirror. And if you're feeling alone, or judged, or sad, I will be your friend, no matter what size the clothes are on your back.
End thread.
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Other writers: I'm tearing through my 4th novel this year!
Me: I wonder if this sentence needs a comma?
#turtlewriters
#amwriting
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What book made you fall in love with your favourite genre? How old were you?
I was 9(ish) and Dad and I were reading Rebecca's World by Terry Nation. It amazed, alarmed, and freaked me out in equal measure. But from then on Spec fic /
#SFF
felt like home.
#WritingCommunity
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Sometimes, as writers, we can forget the value of recharging. Of letting ideas percolate and reform. So today I read, baked, walked, chatted, spent time with friends, and drank prosecco. And though I didn't write, I think my writing will benefit.
Thoughts,
#WritingCommunity
?
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To everyone who is having a shitty day (like I have): This Too Shall Pass.
To everyone who has offered kindness and comfort to me today: Thank you. It means more than you know, and I'm so grateful for you. 💕
Futticking Cheers. 🥂
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Wow. Some of you are so ON IT with your writing. Tracking chapters, marking out pacing and character arcs, PLANNING.
I literally sit down and write. Chapter length? Pacing? Plot!? I just sort of... *feel* it. Like some kind of literary hippy. 😂
Am I weird!?
#WritingCommunity
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I think, when it boils down to it, I only have 1 standard when it comes to liking people:
If your priority is kindness, and in the mad chaos of this world you strive to wade through life and try to make it better, I will want to be your friend.
#KindnessRulesAll
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I have 1 more agent who I want to query, and 1 small press, and then I'm stopping
#amquerying
for this MS and moving on. If I get a +ive response then great, but extended radio silence isn't doing me good, and as writers maintaining mental health is so important. Look after you.
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If you're a writer, don't feel like you have to write ALL THE THINGS. I write novels, but suck at novellas, and am mediocre at shorts and poetry. I can't write plays at all, despite being an actor for years.
We all have our strengths; keep writing your way.
#WritingCommunity
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