I am shocked, shocked to hear that a man born in the 1890s who worked in the 1920s-1950s drew on some racial stereotypes in his work that one wouldn't today.

back to revising the opening of the book I'm querying.... it could zing more so I shall make it zing more

having zoomed out to the Big Picture Plot now I need to work out what's happening with the actual murder mystery that kicks this book off

is reading The Tainted Cup which is one of those books that is great fun, as well as both inspiring and intimidating... what I have to be THIS creative if I want my writing to succeed?? challenge accepted!

I'm writing a prologue! though tbh it's probably 'writing in' - writing the prologue will help even if it doesn't end up in the actual book

new wip progress: I'm loving the prose I'm writing and big picture I'm happy with the plot concept but I'm not happy with my MC's stakes or tension result... frustration and tearing my hair out

so... who's done a fantasy police procedural? Think Cadfael (if you're that old, lol) but a secondary-world fantasy setting, not medieval! what should I be reading

it's Sunday! Time for more writing! yesterday I started rewriting something in first person present, now I continue the experiment

so... question.... over on Twitter I've managed to get it so I have a feed that is mainly writers talking about writing, even when the rest of the world is a disaster area. Is there a way to do that on Bluesky?

I had a great idea to improve my synopsis but now I've got the damned thing open I can't remember what it was. If you know, let me know, I'll buy you a cookie.

Sent 15 queries in the last two days! One rejection so far, yay....

how to talk about sex in historical settings? Getting feedback that 'fucking' and 'screwing' sound too modern. Though I don't want my Iron Age Britons saying 'intercourse' or 'make love'. I use a lot of agricultural language so maybe 'rutting' and 'mounting'?

today's task: rewrite the ending of Old Gods Rise... the first time I've had ending issues!

I've updated my author website - take a look! You can even sign up for emails from me! cjkeating.co.uk

today my research question is "what do the ancient liches REALLY care about?"

today my research question is "what do the ancient liches REALLY care about?"

it's Sunday! Time for some more work on an undead fantasy crime WIP currently plotting and worldbuilding, which means a lot of notes followed by BUT WHY or in one case WHODUNNIT

Oh wowwww my first spam DM on Bluesky!

Think I have enough now! Thanks guys

Seeking maybe 2-3 more beta readers for Old Gods Rise - 110k adult historical fantasy, Boudica's rebellion told through the eyes of her druid daughter If you're interested please drop me a message!

it's Sunday, so I'm writing! well, editing. A bit.

Reading a novel with footnotes It has settled my view that novels do not need footnotes.

it's Sunday morning, so I'm writing... how much of Act 3 can I get into shape today?

Well that was good. Leaving #lfow25 with a lot of reassurance and encouragement, new writer friends, and one "definitely send me this" from an agent....

Fantasy writers massive at #lfow25 (say hi!)

I just reread my query letter and synopsis prior to talking them through with an agent and the good news is *I* still like them ##lfow25

I am selfie-shy but saying hi for #lfow25

was dozing last night and came up with an AMAZING concept for the next book (during a week of 'ugh this sucks it's never going to sell' on the current one)

This is who runs this account

My writing this evening was interrupted by the need to take horses for a walk

it's Sunday, so more writing! (Not at my awakest but OH WELL)

today I learned that the Romans had three different Gods for doors. Forculus for double doors, Limentinus for thresholds, and Cardea for hinges. Plus no doubt Janus (comings and goings) and Terminus (boundaries) had something to say about the matter.

it's Sunday, so time for more writing! Am halfway through sorting out the scene I have been procrastinating on all week

Even Twitter is a joy this evening

Why did you do this to me? For what reason? What is the charge? Enjoying two high agency males going at it? A succulent slap fight?

Today I learned something amazing The Titanic sank over 110 years ago, but somehow still its swimming pool (located on deck F) is still full of water. Wow.

it's Sunday... time for ... more writing!!

editing the middle of my WIP - ie the difficult bit (both technically and emotionally) and with this one I am really pleased with the quality of what I'm doing SO much deeper than my last book let alone the ones before that

it's a lovely day, so obviously I'm editing a death scene. Is my protagonist anguished enough? Do the characters have the right balance of grief, greed and fear? These are the main questions for today ... never ask what happens inside a writer's head...

it's Monday... a bank holiday... so... MORE WRITING!

so if you enter a competition, and part of the prize is having your submission (say, 10k words of a novel) published as part of their competition anthology - Does that harm your chances of having *that book* accepted by an agent? obviously they like success, but is the part-publication an issue?

today in unconventional marketing, a friend of mine is wandering around ComiCon giving out copies of the opening of (my last) book ... I did not ask them to! ...

have spent most of my afternoon (in between running and horse wrangling) making edits to my synopsis and first 5k based on my amazing beta reader feedback, and then entering a bunch of competitions....

had a day where I felt I wasn't being very productive, but actually I reviewed and edited 8,000 words which is 10% of the novel... ... and repotted my chilli plants

submitted my WIP to one novel prize yesterday, had another one in mind, did a bit of googling and found there are FOUR MORE closing in the next fortnight!

So random question but. Anyone got any tips/resources on creating a chapter structure? I have book with scenes, but not chapters yet...

it's Sunday! More editing! Yay!

So what's wrong with this sentence... One morning in my fifteenth summer not long after Lug’s Night, before the Ides of Augustus if one counted the new way, after the rye-harvest but while the sun still turned the wheat golden, I sat learning Latin while my sister and the other ...

ok genre advice please A book where BOTH of the following are true - real, historical characters and events - magic is key to the plot Which genre does that go in? Historical fiction or historical fantasy

I think I've nailed how to write query letters and synopses now ... would anyone be happy to review what I've done?