Welcome to the latest update on my journey to become a writer. If you are looking for polished literary wisdom, you are in the wrong corner of the internet. This space is strictly reserved for the messy reality of trying to write books when real life keeps getting in the way.
June has been a bit of a circus. Between medical dramas, ruined holiday plans and a fair amount of imposter syndrome, here is what has been happening in my writing world this month…
When Life Improvises (and Costs a Fortune)
The biggest disruption lately had nothing to do with plot holes and everything to do with our cat. She developed an abscess that turned into a massive ordeal, including four separate stays at the animal hospital.
Because she completely stopped eating, she had to have a feeding tube inserted. It was incredibly stressful and the vet bills cost a small fortune. Luckily, she is fully recovered now, though she shows no sign of any remorse for destroying the holiday budget.
Speaking of holidays, we were meant to take the motorbike up to Northumberland for five nights. Because the dates clashed with her illness, we had to cancel. I couldn’t leave a cat sitter in charge of a tube-fed feline. So, instead of enjoying the fresh air of the north-east, I spent my time off stuck indoors during a miserable heatwave.
Learning the Art of Creative Cruelty
As a distraction from the heat and the financial stress, I attended two excellent writing classes focused on plotting and outlines.
The tutor shared a brilliant piece of advice that has completely changed how I look at my manuscript. The secret is to constantly ask what your character would do naturally in any given situation, and then simply keep making things worse for them.
Given how my month has gone, this was incredibly therapeutic. If I have to suffer through cancelled holidays, my characters are definitely going to suffer too.
New Book Releases: Upcoming Scottish Fiction
Despite the chaos, two new books are officially on track for release this year. Here is a sneak peek at what is coming next:
1. Highland Proposal ā A Scottish Romcom
If you love a funny Scottish romcom, this upcoming release from Vinci Books is for you. The story features a fake proposal, a very real bet, and an entire Highland village eagerly waiting to plan the wedding.
- Pre-order date: 22 July
- Official release date: 5 August
2. High Heels and Pink Glitter ā Contemporary Glasgow Romance
This current project is a heartwarming contemporary romance set for self-publishing later this year. The plot follows Stephanie, a beauty blogger navigating the chaotic world of modern dating, career hurdles, and relationships in contemporary Glasgow. Perfect for fans of Bridget Jonesās Diary and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, this novel explores overcoming loneliness, unexpected connections and second chances at love later in life.
Integrating book promos seamlessly is an art form, but my particular marketing strategy remains about as subtle as a brick through a window. Please consider grabbing a copy when they arrive, if only to help recoup those eye-watering veterinary costs.
Book Recommendation: Fatal Swing by Lyle Nicholson
For readers who prefer a gripping crime thriller book, fellow Vinci Books author Lyle Nicholson has a brilliant special offer running from 8 to 14 July.
Fatal Swing Book Blurb: When an explosion rocks the prestigious Pheasant Hollow Golf Course, Detective Jaz Ryder is called to a crime scene unlike anything she has seen before. Three golfers are dead in gruesome circumstances, and what first looks like chaos soon points to something far more calculated.
Partnered with golf-obsessed Detective Lars Nielsen, Jaz is pulled into a world of manicured greens, hidden agendas, cutting-edge technology, and a high-stakes scheme worth hundreds of millions. At the centre of it all: an AI-powered golf ball that may have turned the game deadly.
Where to Buy
You can download this fast-paced crime thriller for just 99p between 8thā14th July. Find it on the Vinci Books Website.
The Imposter Syndrome Dilemma
Next up, I am about to start a specialist newsletter course to figure out how to improve my emails. Naturally, the self-doubt has already kicked in.
My main questions for the instructor are basically: How do I write an engaging update when I am convinced I’m incredibly boring? and How do I get people to care?
It is easy to feel like nobody is remotely interested in the behind-the-scenes struggle, but I suppose being honest about the mess is better than pretending it is all perfect.
How do you handle creative slumps or unexpected life distractions? Let me know in the comments below…
Emma Baird is an award-winning writer, specialising in romcoms and fiction that focuses on relationships, and a type 1 diabetic. She is also the co-author of The Diabetes Diet, co-written with a doctor. Most importantly, she is the guardian of one very spoiled catā¦
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That’s a pity about your poor cat. It’s hard enough to get them to take a pill never mind a nasogastric tube. Now we have endless rain. My son’s are baking in London. They actually miss the endless drizzle.
Aw your poor š, even if she isn’t thankful, you wouldn’t have her any other way. š
Enjoy the course, you definitely seem naturally amusing in your writing, whatever you write about. X
I hope your catās health will return to normal. And Iām very impressed by the fact that you have TWO books soon to be published. Excellent!