KASIA RADZKA

Romantic Suspense and Thriller Author

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10 Key Insights for Authors from the Romance Writers of Australia 2024 Conference

10 Key Insights for Authors from the Romance Writers of Australia 2024 Conference

by | Aug 23, 2024 | Business, Writing, Writing conference, writing lessons

I’ve had to narrow down the key insights from the Romance Writers of Australia Conference 2024, otherwise this post would have never ended. Firstly, I never imagined myself attending a conference of this sort. I wasn’t a romance writer. I didn’t do soppy or small town or happily ever afters. I wanted crime and grime, mystery and suspense. Then I fell in love with a region and penned a small-town romance. Just another example of, never say never!

Attending the RWA 2024 Trope Actually Conference was almost a spur of the moment decision. I only became a member a few months ago by chance, and then saw that the upcoming conference and thought, why not? That’s what I’ve been working with the past nine months or so, consequences be damned. How’s it working out for me? I’ll let you know in a few months…maybe.

I’m going off track. We’re talking about the RWAus 2024 conference held at the lovely Stamford Grand in Glenelg.

1. Write down what you want to achieve from a conference before you attend

It’s easy to attend a conference and have no idea what you want to get out of it. You end up wandering aimlessly like a lost chook. That was the last thing I wanted. The conference, any conference, isn’t cheap, especially when there are flights involved and hotel bookings. You want to get your money’s worth.

This was a piece of advice I picked up before the conference and I’m so glad I took it on board because it meant that I had some sort of plan in place, an agenda, and I wasn’t going in to walk around like a headless chook.

Conferences can be overwhelming but if you can focus on three or four things that you want to get out of it, it will give you focus for the event. My things were:

  • Meet and connect with new to me writers.
  • Expand my romance writing knowledge.
  • Write lots of words during my entire trip.
  • Have a great time.
  • Step out of my comfort zone.

I think I managed to hit all five. Although, I wish that I socialised more with the authors. Next year!

2. Take notes, lots, and lots of notes

There was so much information to take in from the moment the conference started that there was no way to take it all in without taking notes. Even then, there was information that was certainly missed.

I took fourteen pages of notes on day 1, and twenty-one pages by the end of the conference, along with the pictures of slides.

There is a wealth of information to go through and process. It’s impossible to remember it all without note-taking. On top of that, I’ve noted action steps to take to level up my author business. And yes, being an author is a business regardless of whether you are independently or traditionally published.

Thanks to RWAus 2024, I have an extensive ‘to do’ list to keep me busy until the end of the year.

3. Romance readers are on the rise

Yes. I was surprised with this statistic also. Readership is growing and Elana Johnson had it down pat with ‘I don’t just write kissing books’.

Romance isn’t just about the kissing and sex. Okay, so the steamy stuff definitely is, but there are also stories of hope, redemption, growth and friendship.

Why is romance so popular? It’s a form of escapism. Especially now, with a cost of living crisis, people want stories of hope and love, and romance authors provide that in huge quantities.

Which begs the question: Is there too much romance around? Hell no. Romance readers are voracious. Some read a week, others a book or two a day. Yes, I know, that’s a lot of books.

So if you want to write romance (or any other genre for that matter), go for it. You never know when your next reader will come from.

4. Writing may be solitary but success in writing is built around having a supportive community of readers and writer friends

Being a writer can be lonely unless you’re doing a lot of collaborations. Even so, when you’re actually sitting down to write, you’re on your own, and that can mean hours of solitary work. It’s easy to fall into a trap of second guessing yourself. Having an author community is a great way to stay sane, keep yourself accountable, and have others to bounce ideas off.

It’s nice to have champions too. You know, those people in your corner who understand what you do and support you wholeheartedly.

This was something I noticed at the conference which I thought was lovely and I hope to build my own community like that one day. There were groups of writers who knew each other well and were friends, either because they met at writer groups or they had attended the conferences in previous years.

It’s vital to build a community with like-minded writers. You don’t all have to write or even read in the same genre, but you do have to respect each other and support each other in different ways whether it’s to bounce ideas off one another, speak about your wins and woes, get some words of encouragement, or anything and everything in between.

5. The RWAus Community is growing, it’s supportive, and it’s inclusive

Apparently, there was a record newbie attendance, and as a newbie myself, I have to say that the RWAus 2024 members were wonderful, welcoming and inclusive.. Not once did I feel like I didn’t belong a the conference or that I wasn’t welcome because I wasn’t traditionally published or sold a gazillion independent books.

Sitting around the tables, most of the authors in attendance were lovely and chatty and seemed like fun. I just wish I put in a little bit more effort in networking. It’s definitely something I want to work on next year. It’d be great to have writer friends all around the country and the only way to do that is to get out there and talk to people.

One of the things I wanted to do is check out the books of the authors that I found myself sitting with. As my memory for names and book titles is shocking, I shouldn’t have been surprised that at one point when I looked up an author to buy their book, it turned out that I had actually already read them all! I did pick a few new author names to extend my ‘want to read’ pile.

6. You need to take ownership of connecting with other writers

The only way to actually meet people is to make the effort yourself.

By default, a lot of writers are introverts. Not all, but a lot. Going to a conference can be overwhelming and exhausting, but if you want to network and build relationships, you have to be willing to make the first move.

Make the effort to talk with new people. You never know who you will meet, the friends and connections you’ll make, and what you’ll learn.

My biggest regret from the conference is not speaking up more. I love talking to people and making new connections, but it doesn’t come naturally to me. I have to think about what I say before hand and more often than not, my natural instinct is to sit quietly and observe – although I usually regret it afterwards. I was actually surprised that at the cocktail party I went up to a few random people and started chatting, and you know what, I wasn’t set on fire or ignored’, I was greeted with warmth and conversation.

People like conversation. We are social beings regardless of whether we are introverted or extroverted.

So next time you’re at a conference, make an effort to chat to others. The person sitting next to you staring into their phone might just be that introvert who wants to talk but is really worried about making the first move. It’s almost like being on a first date…

7. There is money to be made in independent, traditional, and hybrid publishing

The RWAus 2024 conference was packed with many successful authors. How do I know that? Well, all I had to do was search the author names on Amazon and see their book rankings.

One of my favourite moments was sitting in on the ‘Indie Evolution‘ session with Anna Hackett, a seven-figure independently published author. Yes, seven figures, go and put seven figures into a calculator if you have to.

There were many Mills and Boon authors who write lots of books. If you’re writing several books a year, then it’s highly likely that you are making good coin.

It’s not all about the money (but money helps us pay the bills), it was nice to discover that Australian authors are financially successful thanks to their amazing books.

Whether you want to go the traditional route, the indie path, or a combination of the two with hybrid, the possibilities are endless. Yes, you can make a living with your writing.

8. You have to get the basics (the foundation) in working order to expand your writing business

One of my favourite sessions was listening to Anna Hackett, the ultra-successful Australian independent author of romantic suspense, alien romance, and contemporary romance, I mentioned above. This amazing lady writes 10 books a year and sells A LOT of books. Just check out her rankings on Amazon if you don’t believe me, and her books have great reviews.

What are the basics? Glad you asked. Anna’s tips were to focus on Website, Newsletter, Story, Cover, Consistency. Get those things right and you can build a successful author business, whatever that may mean for you.

So in other words, write the best damn book you can, put a delicious cover on it, have a website that is eye catching with a link to a regular newsletter, and be consistent with your output so that your readers know what to expect.

I’m definitely going back to the drawing board and working on enhancing those basics. How about you?

9. We all suffer from imposter syndrome at one stage or another

Success doesn’t always equal confidence. Okay so the ultra-successful might be, but most of us mere mortals do suffer from imposter syndrome and self doubt to some degree. Every author has wondered at one point or another whether their book was good enough or get another idea to write the next one. It’s a natural part of the author life irrespective of where you are on your author journey.

The truth is there will always be someone who is smarter or more successful than we are. We may enter a room and feel out of our depth but we aren’t the only ones, and the only way to overcome this is to take a leap of faith and take that first step. Show up, participate, converse. Then do it again, and again, and again.

10. There is no one way to write, publish, and sell your books

Sit three authors at a table for a group chat and you’re going to find that each one has their own writing process. Some are planners, some pantsers, while others do a bit of both or something in between.

The same goes for publishing. There are those who are finding success in the independent space, then others who have hit it off with traditional, and those who like to go hybrid.

Selling is another one, some find success in ads, others word of mouth, and then there are those who have left it to their publisher.

Find what works for you, then go for it. If you need to change course down the line, that’s fine too.

It was lovely to see successful traditional authors sitting down to listen to the ins and outs of independent publishing and vice versa. We all still have something to learn. The industry is constantly evolving and if we don’t learn and adapt, we will be left behind.

The only way to stay in the game is to continue broadening our horizons, picking up new skills, and trying new things, and being an author provides much opportunity for learning and growth.

While by the end of the conference I was exhausted, I was also energised and ready to tackle my writing goals and implementing all the tips I got out of the conference. Writing is definitely what I want to continue pursuing while growing my author and reader community.

Did you attend the RWAus 2024 Trope Actually conference this year?

8 Lessons Learnt from Writing ‘A Vineyard for Two’

8 Lessons Learnt from Writing ‘A Vineyard for Two’

by | Aug 4, 2024 | Self Publishing, Writing, writing lessons

Writing ‘A Vineyard for Two’ was stepping outside my comfort zone. While I love watching a good romance movie (give those corny and predictable Hallmark ones or Christmas specials any day), a friend and I meet up every month or two and spend Friday night drinking wine and watching the cheesy ones (and trust me, most of them are), but we love it. They are predictable and a good laugh sometimes. If nothing else, we had an opportunity to catch up over a movie. If it’s really bad we just talk over it and use it as background noise.

When I was a teenager, I read all sorts of books. From the Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew series to Danielle Steele and Stephen King. I was a voracious reader of anything I could get my hands on, but writing romance was never really on the radar.

Who would have thought that 20+ years later, I’d be writing a romance series set in the stunning region of the Granite Belt? A murder mystery, maybe (that’s coming soon too!), but not romance. Yet, here we are.

8 Lessons Learned from Writing ‘A Vineyard for Two’

The setting is a character

If you’re setting your book in a vineyard, it has to play a crucial role.

When I first started writing, I set my stories in faraway places like Europe and America. My own backyard didn’t seem interesting to me. Unfortunately, the faraway places were never going to be as authentic because I wasn’t there to experience the details – taste, smell, sound, feel, and everything in between.

Setting matters. It is a character in your story and it will assist or hinder your characters.

That’s not to say you cannot write about faraway places. Of course you can. We live in the age where information is accessible with the click of a button, you can immerse yourself in books, movies, podcasts, and documentaries to learn about a setting. Often that’s enough or the only option, but when you have an opportunity to explore the place your books are set in, take the opportunity and immerse yourself.

Romance requires a formula to work

Formulas may sound boring but look at any book or movie, any story for that matter in any genre, and if it works, it follows a formula. The trick is to make the formula interesting by adding your fresh spin to it.

A romance is supposed to be predictable in its ending. The two love interests must end up together otherwise it’s not a romance. The originality comes from setting, character, interests, personalities, combination of events, and everything in between. So while yes, your two main love interests need either a ‘happily for now’ or ‘happily ever after’ scenario.

You can have the same formula, even the same place and plot, but give it to two different writers and you’re going to get two completely different stories. Try it with a writer friend. Get a short story prompt, give yourself thirty minutes to write, then swap stories, and see what I mean.

You have to enjoy what you are writing

There’s no point in writing a story if you’re going to hate it. If you’re choosing to write something, write what you love. If you love reading romance, there’s a chance that you’re going to enjoy writing it too. As a reader of the genre, you’ll also understand the necessary elements to make a romance story work.

You need to please yourself first because you are going to be spending a lot of time with your characters, the setting and your story. If you don’t enjoy it, your readers aren’t likely to either.

Research makes writing so much more fun

Researching online is one thing but actually getting out to your setting and experiencing the tastes, smell, touch, sight, can add so much more authenticity – and it gives you an excuse for a getaway!

I can’t remember the last time I had fun writing a novel as I did when writing ‘A Vineyard for Two’. A lot of the fun had to do with being able to visit the setting of the story and enjoy the delights the town had to offer. It certainly helps that the Granite Belt region is one of my favourite places to visit. I love the wine, the country air, and the lovely people.

Talking to people is a great way to research your story. You can find so many interesting tidbits that you might not come across at in books or online. Find every opportunity you can to chat to people, ask questions, and be interested. People love talking about themselves and if they see that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say, they will open up and tell you all sorts of fascinating things – maybe even some juicy details that can be incorporated into your books!

Exploring hidden tracks
Fresh grapes for the picking
Sweeping vineyards

Intertwining plot points makes for a more engaging story

Your story needs the main plot – in romance that’s generally will the two love interests get together in the end. But in between something interesting has to be happening. The characters need to be three dimensional. They have families, pets, friends, jobs, interests, a past. You don’t have to include all the elements but you have to include some.

There’s nothing more dull in a romance story which only centres around two characters. You need a plot to deepen their attraction to each other and keep the reader’s attention. Without it, it’s like cooking up a soup and forgetting to add in the spices – boring and bland.

Nothing can happen at random

Your scenes need to add up to a coherent whole. If something happens at the start it needs to make sense in the end. Often you won’t know what needs to go in the beginning to make sense in the end so you go back to writing your first few chapters, planting seeds for readers to discover.

The start of the book asks questions, as the story progresses, some questions get answered, while new ones creep up, but it all has to make sense and be connected in some way, even if the reader doesn’t see the connection until the very end.

You have to love (or at least like) writing

I enjoy having been written as much as I enjoy writing.

It’s not just about having a finished product but coming up with a story idea and developing the kernel into a gem that ends up in a 60,000-80,000 word book that someone will read and enjoy.

I don’t mind staring at the blank page and thinking up troubles for my characters. I like the beginning of the story as much as I love the ending – it’s the middle that gets me. However, if I know where I’m going and there is action on the page, then even the middle can be fun.

If you don’t love writing itself, why are you doing it in the first place? There are much easier and more lucrative professions out there for you.

A lot of writers are going to dabble with AI, but please don’t let AI write your books. Use it as a tool to improve as a writer, to get ideas, to brainstorm, or boost your marketing efforts, but remember to always write your own book. You are a writer after all, aren’t you?

Not everyone is going to love what you write

I relearn this with every book I write. Just because you love it doesn’t mean all your family, friends, or fans are going to love it. In fact, it’s likely that most of your family and friends aren’t even going to give your book a second glance.

Chances are that there will be a lot of people who don’t like what you’ve written. That’s their problem not yours (provided you’ve done everything right and produced a book that has a great cover, good editing, and a compelling story).

You cannot please everybody and you shouldn’t have to.

Please yourself, and then aim to please your target audience (no, your target audience is not everyone).

I write what I love to write and read. However, I still think about my target audience. When it comes to my romance books, they’re female readers between the ages of 25 – 65, who enjoy a good romance with some plot, mild steam, and a touch of suspense. Does that mean readers outside these brackets won’t read my books? Of course not, but if I was doing paid advertising, this is who I would aim it at.

Am I guaranteed this group will love what I’ve written? Let’s not be ridiculous. Of course not. There will always be a group who are not satisfied or the book didn’t hit the mark for. But you don’t dwell on it. You go work on the next book and make improvements wherever you can.

As writers, we are always learning something new. It’s one of the things I love about being an author. Each book I write and every story I pen, teaches me something new and makes me realise there is still so much I have to learn, and so much more I want to discover.

What lessons have you learnt from writing your latest book?

ChatGPT: Friend or Foe for the Creative?

ChatGPT: Friend or Foe for the Creative?

by | May 29, 2024 | Writing

I used Chat GPT for the first time today. Yeah, I know, a bit behind the eight-ball.

I’ve been hesitant to say the least. AI scares me. The dangers, the uncertain future, the horror sci-fi scenarios where AI takes over. Okay, yes, these are worst-case/doomsday scenarios – I can’t help it, I’ve seen too many movies.

But then I began to wonder, is it all that bad? Can AI be used for good? Can it bring a different element to our writing and creativity? Can it be used as a tool to enhance our creative pursuits?

As I was reading an article, a link to ChatGPT came up and I succumbed and clicked to find out what all the fuss was about. I didn’t like the idea of signing up for anything I’m unsure about and fortunately I was able to have a play without having to create an account. And oh boy, play I did. Before I knew it, my morning hour by the pool while the kids did swimming was up, and I had to get them off to school and get myself to work.

I discovered that ChatGPT can be like sitting down and having a virtual chat with a friend or colleague, to bounce ideas off and discover additional potential ideas for stories, articles, blog posts and much more.

I’m against the idea of using ChatGPT to write books, articles or blog posts in full. If that tickles you fancy, that’s your choice, but that’s not writing. That’s wanting to be written but not putting in the effort. Using AI to write books is lazy and dishonest, but that’s my personal opinion, and you are entitled to yours.

But using AI for idea generation, brainstorming, and boosting your creativity? Hell yeah!

ChatGPT and Enhancing Your Creativity

Think of it as a group brainstorming session. You’re sitting around with a group of widely knowledgable individuals to play around with story ideas and generate even more ideas to get your own brain swirling with golden nuggets.

When you’re feeling stuck and need that little extra oomph, it works like magic. We’re human so we are limited by the ideas we can come up with, our brains are wired to create from what we already know. Our creativity builds on what we consume – books, movies, art, conversations, news, and everything else in between.

Without consumption, our creativity is limited. With consumption, it’s limitless.

AI adds an extra element, it can provide ideas we didn’t think of because it has access to them, and in the process allow us to build on those ideas to put an original spin on them. That is pretty cool.

The more questions I typed into ChatGPT, the more ideas brewed in my mind. A lot of the things the tool generated were obvious but there were a few nuggets that stirred my own creativity and allowed me to break through the block that was preventing me from moving on to the next section of my book. It triggered ideas that might not have arisen had I not looked at ChatGPT, or it might have taken me longer to reach a story decision or turning point.

Non-writers might think that writing is easy, all you do is sit in front of a computer and write, but it’s actually pretty mentally draining. On top of that, we need to consume in order to create, which is time consuming in itself. Hint, hint: if you think there’s too much art, too many books, too much of anything, you’re mostly wrong. Creativity builds on creativity. We’re not competing against each other. It’s a collaboration of sorts. The world needs people to create, and AI is adding to that collaboration.

What are the dangers of using ChatGPT from a creative perspective?

There are dangers of using AI, and one of them is getting lazy and copying and pasting what the tool regurgitates. You don’t want to do that. I suggest avoiding the ‘copy’ and ‘paste’ option. Instead why not go old school and take notes – yes, pen and paper (it still exists) – and paraphrase, then where necessary ensure you cite your references.

The last thing you want is for AI to take over your writing. You want it to help you come up with ideas that you might not have thought of yourself, to trigger a different train of thought, and maybe take you outside your comfort zone.

Plagiarism is a huge factor. Since the tool draws on all the available works available on the internet, there’s always a risk that it will pull word for word from someone else’s work. While this is still a grey area, it’s assumed that since the tool draws on extensive sources and data, it’s not considered plagiarism per se, however there are many individuals who will argue this.

If you’re using ChatGPT to create, tread with caution. Take notes, avoid copying and pasting, and cite your sources.

Do you have to pay for ChatGPT?

At time of writing, I was able to use the free version of ChatGPT, which apparently is available to everyone. There is a paid version available for $20 per month if you really want to dig deep.

I’m happy experimenting with the free version at this point.

Is ChatGPT safe?

Is anything safe online these days? Has it ever been?

The tool collects data on you. That may include your email, IP address, and the information that you enter into the chat and whether you’re using the free version or paid one. With the advancement of technology and the fact that you’re using an AI tool, then it’s fair to say that it will collect whatever it can on the user. But I’m no tech expert, so don’t take my word for it.

Just be wary, and avoid putting in any personal details into the chat.

Remember, like everything else online – be careful, use common sense, and avoid revealing personal info.

Do you have to disclose the use of AI in your work?

If you decide to use AI in your work you should definitely disclose the information.

For authors, if you’re publishing on Amazon, there is actually a tick-box where you have to confirm whether you have included any AI generated content.

Personally, I think it’s a bad idea to use AI generated content in your books. Use it for brainstorming ideas, but then write stories, blog posts or articles, yourself.

What should creatives use ChatGPT for?

As a creative that is up to you. You have to be comfortable with what you are willing to use AI for.

ChatGPT can be used in positive ways to enhance your creativity or you can allow it to curb it. The choice is yours.

Here are some positive ways to use ChatGPT as a creative:

  • Brainstorming story ideas and potential conflicts for your characters
  • Coming up with blog post ideas related to your book/subject matter
  • Developing scene ideas for your books
  • Generating title ideas for your books, stories, blog posts and articles
  • Help spark creative ideas that might be outside your usual frame of thinking
  • Curate topics for your stories, blog posts, articles, etc
  • Have a laugh by asking it silly questions (huge time waster but entertaining)

Remember, ChatGPT should be a tool you use, not a tool that takes over you and your creative endeavours. It can boost creativity, but remember to not rely on it solely. You don’t want to rely on it so much that it actually stifles your natural ability to create.

Get out and about, immerse yourself in books, take a wander through your local art galleries, watch good movies, visit botanical gardens, have conversations with friends, sit in silence, read poetry and news articles, listen to music, go to the opera or a comedy show. All of these things will spark ideas naturally and boost your creativity while adding joy to your life. Using AI, should be at the bottom of the list.

What role do you see AI playing in your creative pursuits?

A Vineyard for Two: Read It Today

A Vineyard for Two: Read It Today

by | May 18, 2024 | Writing

My latest book, A Vineyard for Two, the first book in The Granite Belt Series, is available to purchase on Amazon (ebook and paperback).

I’ve been wanting to write a book set in the Granite Belt for a number of years now. Ideas brewed, notes were taken, but none of them felt like the right one to start with. I wanted a story of romance with strong and fun characters in a region that I loved to visit, time and time again. So I thought, why not write a romance set in the beautiful Queensland wine country?

And so Harper and Brookes’ story began.

A Vineyard for Two

Harper McGregor is at a crossroad with work and life, so when she gets summoned back to her family’s estate in the sweeping charm of the Granite Belt, she considers it perfect timing to take a quick trip to appease her family, even if she’s not particularly looking forward to the reunion.

The last thing she expects is to inherit half a vineyard with none other than her ex, the sexy vintner, Brookes Taylor.

There is no way that she can accept Mathers Vineyard or stay in town, but the stipulations are clear: both Harper and Brookes have to bring the vineyard back to life and open the doors before the Christmas in July extravaganza, or the inheritance goes to someone else.

Brookes has spent the past six years getting over Harper. She broke his heart when she left him for the city life with no word or explanation. When he finds out she’s back, he realises he might not be as over her as he first thought. Then there’s the vineyard. He’ll do anything to make sure that it doesn’t go to someone else, even if it means putting his heart on the line, again.

But danger lurks in between the vines. Not everyone is pleased that Harper is in town and they will go to great lengths to make her leave.

Will Mathers Vineyard bring them together or tear them apart? Can Harper and Brookes find their second chance at love?

A Vineyard for Two (Book 1 in The Granite Belt Series)
Available on Amazon US / Amazon AU / Amazon UK

A Vineyard Wedding (Book 2 in The Granite Belt Series)
Available for preorder on Amazon US / Amazon AU / Amazon UK

A Vineyard for Two: The Granite Belt Series

A Vineyard for Two: The Granite Belt Series

by | Mar 22, 2024 | Writing

I’m excited to announce a new book in a new series is available for pre-order today.

A Vineyard for Two

Harper McGregor is at a crossroad with work and life, so when she gets summoned back to her family’s estate in the sweeping charm of the Granite Belt, she considers it perfect timing to take a quick trip to appease her family, even if she’s not particularly looking forward to the reunion.

The last thing she expects is to inherit half a vineyard with none other than her ex, the sexy vintner, Brookes Taylor.

There is no way that she can accept Mathers Vineyard or stay in town, but the stipulations are clear: both Harper and Brookes must bring the vineyard back to life and open the doors before the Christmas in July extravaganza, or the inheritance goes to someone else.

Brookes has spent the past six years getting over Harper. She broke his heart when she left him for the city life with no word or explanation. When he finds out she’s back, he realises he might not be as over her as he first thought. Then there’s the vineyard. He’ll do anything to make sure that it doesn’t go to someone else, even if it means putting his heart on the line, again.

But danger lurks in between the vines. Not everyone is pleased that Harper is in town and they will go to great lengths to make her leave.

Will Mathers Vineyard bring them together or tear them apart? Can Harper and Brookes find their second chance at love?

Thank you Robin at Florida Girl Design for the beautiful cover, I am so in love with it!

March Creativity Goals and Cutting Yourself Some Slack

March Creativity Goals and Cutting Yourself Some Slack

by | Mar 1, 2024 | Writing

Hello March, how did you get here so fast?

It’s the first day of autumn. On the sunny Gold Coast it still feels like summer. Yesterday, I learnt that it hadn’t dropped below 20 degrees Celsius (even at night) since the beginning of the year – a record apparently. Most days have been hovering around the 30 mark with nights in the low 20s, so the fans and aircon have been working overtime. Hot, humid, and deliciously summery.

A change in seasons often comes with a change in moods. The days are getting shorter, the nights will get cooler, and creativity may wane. It’s okay to cut yourself some slack and take a day off to reassess and recharge, especially if you have had a busy start to the year. While January felt like it dragged on for three months, February zoomed past as if it was on fast forward – the four weeks felt like four days, even with the extra day to account for the leap year thrown in.

Around this time of year motivation falters, any resolutions or new year goals are often thrown to the sidelines and everyday hustle and bustle gets in the way. Sitting down to watch the latest Netflix release seems a lot more attractive than working on your book, business, or whatever goal you’ve set for yourself.

Two months in is a good time to reassess.

Is what you set for yourself still realistic? Is it still important to you?

It’s okay to change your mind. Life is all about change and growth. Sometimes it’s two steps forward and one step back.

The beauty of creativity is that it doesn’t have a timeline. It exists in everything that we do with each day being a blank canvas to live out our story.

If you’re feeling like you’ve hit a wall with your creative projects, it’s okay to take a step back, cut yourself some slack, and do something different. You can still be creative without writing a book or painting a picture.

8 Ways to Be Creative (that isn’t writing)

  • Try out a new recipe and give it your own fresh spin with spice and ingredient swaps
  • Dance around your living room as you listen to your favourite tunes
  • Go on a walk in a place you haven’t been to in your local area and take photos of the interesting things that catch your eye
  • Check out a local museum or art gallery
  • Watch a documentary that you wouldn’t normally tune into
  • Rearrange your home office/pantry/bookshelf
  • Mix and match your wardrobe to put together three new outfits
  • Grab a blanket and a book, head to the park, and spend an hour or two reading under a tree

What can you do today to reignite your creative spark?

My March 2024 Creative Goals

For the first time in a long time, I didn’t set specific goals for the year. All I wanted to do is make sure that I included a bit of creativity in my everyday and enjoyed the journey that I’m on.

Publish the first book in a new series set in Queensland Wine Country. This book just finished with a beta reader and is about to go to a proofreader. This book was so much fun to write.

Continue writing the draft of book two in the series. I’m about 12% into the book and going strong. I actually outlined the story (rarely happens) with the key plot points, so now it’s just filling in the details. Sounds easy enough…in theory anyway! I’d like to finish by end of month but I’d rather just write a little each day then have the pressure of a set deadline looming over me which would probably just curb my creativity and give me writers’ block.

Be a Winemaker for the Weekend at the Queensland College of Wine and Tourism. I’ve signed up for a weekend and I can’t wait to go and pick grapes and learn all about wine. Wine and writing – two of my favourite things! This is part research and part fun. As the series I’m writing is set in the Granite Belt, this was a perfect opportunity to escape and try something new.

Continue working on and preparing for an exciting project coming soon. I can’t wait to share the details with you once everything is set.

What creative pursuits are you embarking on in March?