writing blog — Blog — Kate MacRitchie | Author of Fireside Fairy Tales

I’m going on an overdue adventure to the edge of a dark forest, where limbless horsemen canter in ghostly procession…

WritingKate MacRitchieSeptember 25, 2020writing, writing goals, path to publication, author blog, writing blog, creative lifestyle Comments

Plot A Novel - On One Page!

I’m euphoric! I’ve just finished the first draft of Against the Sun, my latest novel, and it only took four months. Scenes are (mostly) in the right place and my protagonist’s arc is solid. There isn’t a spare character in sight and I’m confident this book will take less time to edit than my last. I owe it all to Eva Deverell and her One Page Novel course.

WritingKate MacRitchieAugust 26, 2020writing, writing advice, writing blog, writers lifestyle, authorpreneur, author blog, eva deverell, one page novel, novel plotting, how to plot a novelComment

Keeping A Writer's Notebook

On Monday I asked via Instagram Stories whether you’d like a post on searching for literary agents or how to keep a writer’s notebook - as you can see, the writer’s notebook won!

WritingKate MacRitchieAugust 4, 2020writers lifestyle, writing habits, writing hacks, writing advice, writing process, writing life, writing, writing blog, writers of instagramComment

The Novel Magic Kit

Do you remember me hinting in a recent blog post about a Novel Magic Kit? Well, after months of work - it's here!

WritingKate MacRitchieJune 2, 2020novel magic kit, writing kit, writing tips, writing blog, editing a novel, writing hacks, author blog, authorpreneurComment

My Writing Process

Today I want to show you what my writing process looks like - from first idea to finished story. I’ve avoided creating these types of post in the past because, being unpublished, I don’t feel like a ‘proper writer’. But you don’t spend the majority of your life writing without developing some kind of process. I like to think mine is pretty foolproof by now, so I thought I’d outline it here for anyone who might find it useful.

WritingKate MacRitchieMay 9, 2020writing advice, writing tips, writing, writing life, writers blog, writing blog, writing process Comments

World-Building With Eva Deverell

I draw endless inspiration from my immediate surroundings, but every so often I like to escape. Usually, I do this by reading a book. I’m sure you do, too. But what if you don’t have a book? Or the worlds therein aren’t to your liking? What if you could escape to a world of your own invention with just a piece of paper, a pencil and your imagination?

WritingKate MacRitchieMarch 27, 2020writing, writing inspiration, writing tips, writing blog, writers blog, writing life, writing subtext, writing advice, eva deverell, world buildingComment

A Curious Writing Habit To Lessen Anxiety

It’s Wednesday afternoon. I’m sat at my kitchen table with a coffee, having returned from my usual river walk and a wee daunder around town.

Inspiration, WritingKate MacRitchieMarch 19, 2020writing habits, writers lifestyle, writing life, writing blog, writers blog, writing tips, anxiety tips, dealing with anxietyComment

Six Lessons I Learned From Writing A Book

Six drafts, 569 pages and 116,235 words later, I finished writing my book. It’s been a bumpy road, and a longer journey than anticipated. If this process has taught me anything it’s how to not write a novel! I thought I’d reflect on some of mistakes, and how I’ll approach book two differently.

WritingKate MacRitchieMarch 12, 2020writing life, writing, writing blog, writing tips, writers lifestyle Comments

Not Giving Up

I’m currently editing the end of my first novel. It’s a goal that’s long eluded me. My writing failures outweigh my writing successes, yet somehow I’m putting the finishing touches to a story I’ve tried to tell for years, but never had the skills to do so until recently. I’m chalking this win up to one defining trait…

WritingKate MacRitchieFebruary 21, 2020writing life, writers lifestyle, writing, writing blog, writing tips, writers blog Comments

Subtext: Diving Into My Story's Hidden Depths

I’m sitting down to type this on a peaceful, snowy day. The kind that inspires curling up with novel edits and getting lost in a world of my own invention. Editing my book used to feel daunting, but once I found a process and surrendered to diving deeper into my story, I couldn’t tear myself away.

WritingKate MacRitchieJanuary 31, 2020writing life, writers lifestyle, writing, writing tips, writing blog, writers blog, writing subtext, subtext fiction Comments

Free Things Writers Can Do In January

January: empty pockets, the sparkle of Christmas faded and old routines resumed under sunless skies. It’s the time of year we’re most in need of magic but hope and motivation prove elusive. I’ve not succumbed to January blues yet, but there’s still time for those “always winter, never Christmas” feelings to strike, so here’s a list of writerly things you can do for free to illuminate grey January days.

Writing, InspirationKate MacRitchieJanuary 20, 2020writing life, writers lifestyle, writing inspiration, writing blogComment