Emily Isaacs's Blog

Well of course I was never going to get much written over half term and Hallowe'en, but you always hope, don't you? One child poorly and staying at home, the other champing at the bit to do something all the time, and the husband is working. So the week has been full of painting, pumpkin picking, a show, going to Project Art Breaks, Hallowe'en dress up, movies and sweets. LOTS of sweets. But I think they've had a nice Hallowe'en nevertheless,
I, on the other hand, managed to get a quarter of a chapter edited. One network meeting though, which was helpful to have a moment to reassess what we need to get on with at SWP, and I've applied to direct a play in Hastings next year. So things will just have to kick in again next week. But even when not at a desk or writing, I'm always mulling things over - what should I do with this project? Should I send that one out to so-and-so who I know can do *this* particular skill? So, it's all good - and time with the family is precious so I never regret that at all.

A little slower this week - edited 5 chapters. Good week though. Lots going on at home next week so things will likely be a bit slower - half-term, birthdays, trips out, etc. Will try to keep up a chapter edit a day, but that may be quite tough going.

Well it's been quite a week - the draft is going well. I'm now drafting a new novel which involves quite a lot of research, but because a huge amount of it I'd already written as a script, it's not taken me long to get the shape of it up and running.

There are still bits and pieces of research I'm doing, like 'which number house did they live at?' and 'what were the working conditions like?' but I'm quite confident that this one is going to be significantly better than my last. (Perhaps I really shouldn't say that!)

But this blog at least is serving me as an online diary where I can keep track of the week's progress. I do have a friend who I report to every week, updating them on what I've achieved that week - and that does help with accountability.
What's also helped this week is that I've been able to sit in a desk chair and write at the desk for a few hours each day - it really does help getting your AITS (arse in the seat).

I've also managed to finish reading 'Slow Horses' so now I need a new book to start. I should probably read something in the genre I'm writing in - so any suggestions of historical fiction are welcome!

So now I've dipped my toe into the waters of self-publishing with a novella, I thought it was about time I got stuck in and released something a bit juicier.

This one is also historically based, but a slightly different time, and altogether a very different vibe.

No doubt I'll return to Alice's world at some point soon, but just not right now. Although I know some people might be disappointed to hear that, I think it's good to try flexing some new material, which I think is an equally exciting story.

The first draft is going well, and I'm around a quarter of the way through, so a while to go yet. However, starting to look at the publishing calendar makes things feel quite daunting and time-sucking. So much to do, and so little time!

Still, all we can do is to keep on, keeping on - so I will keep this update brief, and let you get on with this busyness of life.

If you have any words of advice - or would like to sign up to my Advanced Reader Copy List, do please get in touch, either through the socials or by emailing me at emilyisaacswriter@gmail.com. TTFN