Sylvia Beckett Davidson's Blog

They always say to check the title of your WIPs to make sure it hasn’t already been taken, even super similar titles. It’s been a ridiculous few months since finding out I can no longer use the catchy series title, ‘Wormwood Witches’. I thought the process would be easy when changing it up, wanting to keep the catchy sound on the tongue, and it has been anything but. It’s all part of my writing journey toward traditional (and most likely independent) publishing.

I got the inspiration after watching a documentary on Netflix, where the word “wormwood” kept coming up (it’s also the title of the documentary). I knew of the word, but I couldn’t quite place my finger on the context of its use in the Book of Revelations from the Bible. So, after a quick search and read I found it. I’m not sure why I was so attracted to that word and the mythos surrounding this plant, but I needed it for something, I just didn’t know what at the time. Later on I was able to attribute the relation to the Wormwood star in Revelations to the phrase “the fall”, and alter able to add in my own contextual adaptation for a villain who has fallen to earth and made everything in his wake bitter. The oil made from wormwood is bitter.

As time went on, I was still in the early stages of writing and planning book one, not yet realising it would be part of a series. I was battling with the prologue of book one, the first time you meet the villain, who had a strong presence when I was planning. I wanted the whole story to revolve around him, his evil, his magic, and his hatred of human witches. I couldn’t figure out a way to make him more sinister, and so found myself turning my attention to the protagonist, her family, and more importantly, her two best friends.

It was a little after that time that the next stage in story planning occurred: accepting the idea that this standalone book would be the first in a trilogy. Of course, accepting such a feat took around a year, but I got there in the end. After diving into more Urban Fantasy stories, it became apparent that writing a trilogy should, and would be fun, arduous, but a wonderful goal to work toward.

Now, I’m independently published, so I’m supposed to title my works myself, market them myself, enjoy and share the process, myself. I haven’t done much of that for a few personal reasons as one is an essay collection, and the other is a poetry collection, both of which come from two genres of literature that most people care little for. I don’t yet know all the ins and outs of traditional publishing, and what the author has control over, but I had read and heard that the author has very little say in the titling of a book and/or series, depending on the publishing house, store policies, and the contract. I liked that idea, not having to worry about a title for the books or the series too much as they’d be decided by the publishing team instead. I had struggled quite a bit to come up with a decent enough working title that I could use, but I hadn’t banked on falling in love with them. I started using hashtags, for goodness sake.

So, “Wormwood Witches” was born. I was foolish in not researching other book titles at the time. Again, I’m on my own learning all of this. I don’t have a team or circle of fellow writer friends who share all kinds of information about publishing and writing, it’s just me and the internet. I hadn’t clicked how important it was to not only google your chosen book title, but make sure to use other publishing and book sites too, like Amazon Kindle, Net Galley, etc. Of course, being the fool that I am, it took me a whole year to find that out and then start my search.

I’ll never forget that day. I was a curious and overly confident kitty, who decided that I would search up the title of the singular books and the series. I didn’t think anyone would have had it, and the smirk on my face grew. I typed, sipped my tea, and waited for my phone to load. I then found myself choking a little on my tea as it wasn’t as warm as I’d hoped (I left it a tad too long in a newish mug whose temperature cooling gage I hadn’t yet figured out) and right there on the screen, was a book series about witches, where the main witch had the name of Wormwood, with the power of fire. (Note: Wormwood is often associated with air, not fire).

To top it off, the authors name was incredibly similar to mine (well, my pen name, above)! I couldn’t believe it. What was I going to do now? I sat there in disbelief. Yes, with hindsight I realise I should have learned to search much, much earlier. Yes, I was a total fool. Yes, I was very much a double idiot for choosing such a silly sounding pen name too. I needed a new name for the series, and the main character, and possibly myself. I was frantic. My husband was out walking our dog, oblivious to the turmoil of my overrated silliness. I waited for him to come home.

I wiggled in my chair, whipping out my notebook, working over the research and brain dump pages for the title of my books hoping to find another herb, root or flower that had similar uses for magical/occult cleansing and demonic work. I chose the name specifically for those particular properties. I needed the main character to have a fiery name, and the hobby of vanquishing demons on the regular. Wormwood was the most fitting, as my adaptation of the Abrahamic hell would have been the place where the majority of demons would come from across the series and the standalone novels, and ultimately the world building I spent a great time on. It was as if my whole (fictional) world came tumbling down and there was no way out.

My husband eventually came home, saw me in a slight mess, and walked passed me to wash his hands, sanitize the keys, wash his hands again and then give our dog her toothbrush bone for the morning.

Let me explain really quickly, my husband is practitioner of Zen Buddhism, so when I say he was totally chill, completely relaxed and nonchalant, I’m not kidding. He asked what was up, I told him using the best techniques from my basic childhood as a young Shakespearean thespian, and he shrugged his shoulders.

“What do you mean, shrug? My whole world has just come crashing down!” I hollered. 

“I’m still here. So is B. So, no, your world hasn’t ended. Just take time to find another title.”

“How dare you!!!!”

“Sy, honey, you’d have to find a new one anyway. This was inevitable, why get so caught up? Move on.”

At this point I wasn’t even upset anymore. He was right. I could imagine those cool monks going about their business rarely speaking or teaching in a conventional way saying the same thing. I knew I’d find a new set of titles eventually, it’s a given, but that experience is one I’ve learned a great deal from. 

To this day I still don’t have a decent enough title anymore, but I won’t beat myself up about titles. Now I know not to choose a too-cliched title and be far more creative. After all, these works are my babies that I need to cultivate and grow. I’ll take my time, use search bars better, and see what I come up with. 

For now, the series will keep its individual book titles, but the series name will be known as Witches of Nightshade - I remain a terrible human being, and I’m keeping the cliche naming for a little while longer until I find a much better working title. I need the cheese. Good luck to me!

It was kind of a fail as I’m new to the process, but I needed routed and maps for my stories, especially the Wormwood Witches series, and the additional historical fantasy that I recently began. I watched a few videos on the subject to get an idea, and found them massively helpful.

My maps turned out quite nice and easy! since I’ve drawn them it has made my location information so much easier to write about. I can imagine scenes and places so much better. Plus, it’s good to have place names that are permanent in comparison with the fact that the series and MC’s last name will have to be changed drastically, something I’ll cover another time. Anyway, enjoy the video:

I have had a weird time, as most people. I’m also in a far away country without medical help myself, while I await updates about my mothers health. She needs surgery and the thought of losing her is heartbreaking. I’m also clueless about how to get legal custody of my younger siblings since the immediate reaction of outside help to instantly put them in care for the foreseeable future and everyone knows how hard it is to ensure that they’ll be fine at home. I’m battling the ends of another bout of depression and dealing with a lot of other issues, but, as is life, I’m not meant to say a word and keep that stuff upper lip going no matter what! I have bills to pay!

Anyhoo, I have a new book review up (Lit Reviews, above) with a few more on the way. I also published my tarot article that accompanies my tarot and writing vlog from a little while back! All links below! For now, enjoy these little bits of fun!

My tarot article for Bard of the Isles blog: https://www.bardoftheisles.com/post/plotting-with-tarot-cards

I continue posting on both Twitter and Instagram while I slowly get back on track! Author interviews are coming up too, so be on the lookout for those.

SBD

[Working Hiatus: May – June 2020]
Only time will tell, with enough practice and feedback, of course!

I stumbled acorss this question on twitter in the wee hours of the morning. I’d just woken up from another of those weird creative dreams where you’re not fully asleep and still have a little control over when you wake up, but your head is swimming with random scenes about whatever you’re writing that’s driving you insane. You know, those dreams that always happen when you go to bed knowing a scene or sequence is annoying the ever living Zeus out of you, so you give up and let anxiety mildly take over as you roll around freezing (it’s been snowing here, in May!) but thirsty. Yes, those ones.

That question didn’t throw me off guard. I’d seen variations of it in the last 7 or so years. I honestly do not remember a time before I went back to college, I’m getting older now, where that question didn’t elicit some fearful response, but it took me back to the comments I received from my dissertation results way back in 2016. They were great comments on my need for finding my own writing voice and style, and allowing my confidence to grow enough to push me into writing properly. I still keep those comments to hand as they were written from the hearts of two of the most highly respected lecturers I ever had - to be fair, all of my lectures (bar three) were absolutely amazing in my eyes and I wanted to be as great as them some day. Back then I had dreams of being a writer, but I didn’t know how I could be or where to start, but I knew I had to try, I just didn’t push myself. When you think about how every Tom, Dick and Harry wakes up to realise that he is meant to be a writer, just like you, coupled with a lack of confidence, it’s insurmountable to think I’d be considered a good writer. Even after giving scenes or chapters to friends to read, which I still fear to do these days, I still don’t see myself as a good writer. I have no idea what it’ll take, but all I can do is keep reading other writers experiences, and continue writing with the aim of publishing, and waiting for feedback before I truly listen and understand.

I won’t bore you with embellishments on my lack of confidence and esteem, or mental health stuff. But I will say this: my answer is no, I’m not a good writer. Or at least I don’t think I am, but I aim to do better as time goes on. (See, a perfect example of why my writing is bad, I’ve just said this twice in different ways).

I think this is why I struggle to sit and give full details on any of my WIPs. For those who haven’t yet watched my two latest writing vlogs, I mention how I’ve been working on a number of stories for some time, all coming along quite nicely, might I add! But there is one story which has pushed me and challenged me in ways I didn’t think I could be. I’d like it to be classed under literary fiction, immigration fiction too, perhaps. It’s the “work of my life” or at least the first practice toward actually working on a WomL WIP - I can’t tell the future in that way, sorry! It’s been worked on and rewritten many times over the last 7+ years. The characters stay the same, the locations too, but their stories and how they interact with other characters has developed in a few ways since I started writing. The last I checked, I had almost 40,000 words written for what I call the “third draft”. I’ve refined the writing style, settings and plot ideas so much in the past, it doesn’t annoy me at all that I’ve somehow misplaced or deleted it. I’m worried, that’s a lot of words, but I’m no longer concerned - it’s most likely on an old laptop back in England so I’m hoping I can just boot it up in future and save it to the cloud. I love that story and I love the characters so damn much I’m willing to let them take me wherever they want me to go as their writer, as I begin working on the story again. I’m no longer concerned with what I consider to be good writing for myself, I just focus on making sure the story I hope to eventually tell will make sense and elicit various emotions from readers all over the world - “world” if you will it, it will be.

There is something so small, sweet and profound about such a question. Such a simple question requiring deep introspection on some level, and I didn’t hesitate to respond. I mean, I’ve just written this, which is possibly pretentious and unnecessarily long, but it did evoke other questions for myself, in reference to what I was advised on in my comments:

What is my writing style?

What is my writing voice? What inspired it?

Will my stories touch readers the way I hope they they will?

How much pressure will I now be under after acknowledging the previous questions?

Will I judge my ability and skill based on the fear of uncertainty?

Is this both educational and a vicious cycle of introspective questioning?

However I answer, maybe in a scripted vlog, I’d like to keep it as a reminder that I need to keep writing and reading in order to continue my self-study. I have learned an awful lot about writing and the very basics about publishing - see my latest poetry post up there! But, I’m still learning and biding my time with my works.

One day, I’d like to tell myself that I am a good writer and readers love & hate my works for legitimate reasons. I’d like to bask in the glory of something I’ve created tenderly, something created from sleepless nights and tears, something bigger that I can be proud of.

My answer is still no. I don’t see myself as a good writer. At least not yet.

[Working Hiatus: May – June 2020]
Only time will tell, with enough practice and feedback, of course!

I stumbled acorss this question on twitter in the wee hours of the morning. I’d just woken up from another of those weird creative dreams where you’re not fully asleep and still have a little control over when you wake up, but your head is swimming with random scenes about whatever you’re writing that’s driving you insane. You know, those dreams that always happen when you go to bed knowing a scene or sequence is annoying the ever living Zeus out of you, so you give up and let anxiety mildly take over as you roll around freezing (it’s been snowing here, in May!) but thirsty. Yes, those ones.

That question didn’t throw me off guard. I’d seen variations of it in the last 7 or so years. I honestly do not remember a time before I went back to college, I’m getting older now, where that question didn’t elicit some fearful response, but it took me back to the comments I received from my dissertation results way back in 2016. They were great comments on my need for finding my own writing voice and style, and allowing my confidence to grow enough to push me into writing properly. I still keep those comments to hand as they were written from the hearts of two of the most highly respected lecturers I ever had - to be fair, all of my lectures (bar three) were absolutely amazing in my eyes and I wanted to be as great as them some day. Back then I had dreams of being a writer, but I didn’t know how I could be or where to start, but I knew I had to try, I just didn’t push myself. When you think about how every Tom, Dick and Harry wakes up to realise that he is meant to be a writer, just like you, coupled with a lack of confidence, it’s insurmountable to think I’d be considered a good writer. Even after giving scenes or chapters to friends to read, which I still fear to do these days, I still don’t see myself as a good writer. I have no idea what it’ll take, but all I can do is keep reading other writers experiences, and continue writing with the aim of publishing, and waiting for feedback before I truly listen and understand.

I won’t bore you with embellishments on my lack of confidence and esteem, or mental health stuff. But I will say this: my answer is no, I’m not a good writer. Or at least I don’t think I am, but I aim to do better as time goes on. (See, a perfect example of why my writing is bad, I’ve just said this twice in different ways).

I think this is why I struggle to sit and give full details on any of my WIPs. For those who haven’t yet watched my two latest writing vlogs, I mention how I’ve been working on a number of stories for some time, all coming along quite nicely, might I add! But there is one story which has pushed me and challenged me in ways I didn’t think I could be. I’d like it to be classed under literary fiction, immigration fiction too, perhaps. It’s the “work of my life” or at least the first practice toward actually working on a WomL WIP - I can’t tell the future in that way, sorry! It’s been worked on and rewritten many times over the last 7+ years. The characters stay the same, the locations too, but their stories and how they interact with other characters has developed in a few ways since I started writing. The last I checked, I had almost 40,000 words written for what I call the “third draft”. I’ve refined the writing style, settings and plot ideas so much in the past, it doesn’t annoy me at all that I’ve somehow misplaced or deleted it. I’m worried, that’s a lot of words, but I’m no longer concerned - it’s most likely on an old laptop back in England so I’m hoping I can just boot it up in future and save it to the cloud. I love that story and I love the characters so damn much I’m willing to let them take me wherever they want me to go as their writer, as I begin working on the story again. I’m no longer concerned with what I consider to be good writing for myself, I just focus on making sure the story I hope to eventually tell will make sense and elicit various emotions from readers all over the world - “world” if you will it, it will be.

There is something so small, sweet and profound about such a question. Such a simple question requiring deep introspection on some level, and I didn’t hesitate to respond. I mean, I’ve just written this, which is possibly pretentious and unnecessarily long, but it did evoke other questions for myself, in reference to what I was advised on in my comments:

What is my writing style?

What is my writing voice? What inspired it?

Will my stories touch readers the way I hope they they will?

How much pressure will I now be under after acknowledging the previous questions?

Will I judge my ability and skill based on the fear of uncertainty?

Is this both educational and a vicious cycle of introspective questioning?

However I answer, maybe in a scripted vlog, I’d like to keep it as a reminder that I need to keep writing and reading in order to continue my self-study. I have learned an awful lot about writing and the very basics about publishing - see my latest poetry post up there! But, I’m still learning and biding my time with my works.

One day, I’d like to tell myself that I am a good writer and readers love & hate my works for legitimate reasons. I’d like to bask in the glory of something I’ve created tenderly, something created from sleepless nights and tears, something bigger that I can be proud of.

My answer is still no. I don’t see myself as a good writer. At least not yet.

I’ve been on a mini hiatus of sorts, so I haven’t been tweeting too much, or uploading either. February and March were nice and busy for me and so much has happened. So much that even I have struggled to enjoy them properly. I spend my days at my irl job, yes, even during this horrible pandemic going on, and find I can sit down to write at least a couple times a week. I’m quite behind schedule for completing book 1 this year but I won’t beat myself up!

February was a momentous month for me for many reasons, but mostly for two:

1) I’ve spent six months in Canada now! (Watch that here), &

2) I got married!

It still sinks in a little each day as we didn’t have the traditional wedding or honeymoon time off. We got married and went straight back to work and haven’t seen each other properly since! That’s shift life and retail for ya XD

Karma will balance that out in the future, hopefully, when we have our own business and can afford time off.

I haven’t been writing that much, mostly working on a few poems, tweaking the plot and writing new scenes. I think I’ve managed to settle of working titles for each project too! They sound rather odd, but who knows, they may grow on me or change entirely as I get closer to completing each manuscript.

Sorting out future book reviews for 4 books - all severely behind schedule! I’ve also begun working with a fellow author as one of her critique partners, which has been a new opportunity for experience, and the mental challenge I need right now. It’s been insightful.

My health continues to fail, but I’m not worrying anymore as I’m making the needed changes to try and get back on track. I’m waiting until I’m eligible for the OHIP so I can finally have more tests done and possibly surgery. But for now, I must wait.

February and March have been busy, fun and stressful, but we are getting there. Eventually I’ll be able to find my groove and schedule my life again! Back to my little but long hiatus.

SBD

Happy New Year, folks!

I hope the holidays continue to be a peaceful, fun and inspiring time, besides all the fresh heartache that pervades and dominates every minute of everyday. However, let’s not dwell on that. This year my resolutions are short. On a list of 6 goals for 2020, one my main goals to get at least one half of my many WIPs completed. Half, yes, you read that right. It seems more realistic to set that goal, and to then hopefully push past it. Why only half? Let me get long-winded with you.

Move to Canada

Publish a book, any book!

Pick your writing pseudonym

Start filming on YouTube again

I not only accomplished all of those, somehow, (I’m still in shock!) but I added a little more. I knew my novels wouldn’t be ready in time as I’m too much of a perfectionist, and I’m also in love with world building. I’m focusing heavily on plot right now (I’m a proud plotter) and making sure the stories I’m writing will work well alongside one another. Most importantly, I’m living in new country and still trying to settle down in my neighbourhood. I’ve weirdly sick the entire time too which hasn’t helped at all. Obviously I didn’t predict my health would be an issue, but somehow I managed to get two books published, and set up my author branding accounts almost everywhere. I was a lot more productive during 2019 than I had been in two years and it was a goal crushing achievement. I’ll savour that.

I’m working on a few WIPs right now, most of which are all set in the same world I’ve created, and because of that I know that working one novel will impact how the other novels will function or how they will be read. My main project is a short three part series known simply as The Wormwood Witches. Book 1 has lots of chapters written already, and I’m still working on it. Books 2 and 3 will have the same characters, but also characters from my other standalone novels will feature briefly. Those minor characters will have their own novels and stories to tell, so their brief introduction of sorts in the WW series will be their way of flirting with the reader, enticing them to follow them on another journey. Two of those separate stories also have chapters written, but only one has a fairly decent working title, the other doesn’t so it’s been tricky discussing it with my writer friends. Maybe, coming up with better working titles should a goal for this year?

So far, that’s 5 novel projects with chapters (some edited and others most definitely not) based in our real-world timeline, which is why I’m focusing heavily on working them into the Urban Fantasy genre. HOWEVER, like I said, world building has become a recent challenge and learning opportunity for me. Since I’ve been teaching myself about that creative craft I’ve found myself contemplating a historical recording of the world I’m ve set those 5 WIPs in, making it a fantasy story (potentially!!!)

My other projects are more poetry, more essays, and a couple literary works. So, I’m busy, and thus, I wanted to set up a goal that would be a realistic challenge and that’s what I’m doing. Half.

Continue to have a good week, month and a productive year!

Thanks for reading!

Available as a cute paperback and Kindle!

It launched a few days ago, and then I found myself very busy swishing between my new day job, hanging out with my in-laws, buying the new Tool album in the next district over from where I live, and battling tiredness as a result. But it’s out! I’m waiting for my newer, updated, paperback copy to arrive and then I can film a little informational video on it and Enter the Circle. I’ve also set up my Author Page on Amazon where you can (and will be able) to see all of my current and coming titles.

It’s so strange to think of myself as a writer and how if my co-author hadn’t prompted me to work with him, I’d still be living in my little world writing but being too afraid to put anything out there into the world. I feel wonderful knowing I’ve worked on small art and now friends, fans and total strangers will be able to take a slice of what I’ve created in order to delve into my mind. It gives me intense goose bumps!

I’ll get back to my writing now… x