To celebrate Children's Book Week, I'm sharing another blog that explores the important things writers should note when writing for a younger audience. Writing stories is a difficult task. Sometimes the ideas and characters can come to you easily and you may feel confident when it comes to achieving your word count. But writing a polished book takes time and a whole lot of effort. There are edits and rewrites that need to be done in order to make your book the best version it can be. And this is especially key when writing for children. Writing for different demographics and target audiences can impact how you go about writing your book and writing for children is a whole different ball game. Children are the next generation and exposing them to the joy of reading is essential. However, it isn't always easy because there are specific things authors need to think about when writing for children. So, as someone who is currently learning about writing for a younger audience, I thought I'd share some important things to note when writing for children. Every word matters When writing for children, you don't want to bore them with long sentences and phrases that they may gloss over. What you want to do is keep them hooked all the way through and to do that, you need to make sure every word is specifically chosen. In writing, words are the most important thing. They are what the readers see and take in and for children, every word matters. This is particularly important when it is a picture book or a board book because they have very few, if any, words to tell the story and accompany the illustrations. So if you're writing for children, make sure that every word matters. Easy to comprehend vocabulary When thinking about the words in your story, you need to be thinking about the vocabulary you use. Children begin reading from a young age and at that time, their minds are still developing. They won't necessarily understand certain vocabulary. So, when you're making sure that every word counts, also make sure that the vocabulary you have used is easy to comprehend for your specific target audience and that it won't trip them up whilst reading. You can have some complex words that can help teach the younger audience, but adding in words, such as tenebrous instead of dark and gloomy, can detract from the story and make it less accessible. Be wary of the vocabulary and just make sure it's suited to the target audience; after all, a six-year-old's reading ability will be different from a 12-year-old's. A gripping opening This piece of advice is actually one I have become more familiar with recently. Of course, the opening to any story of any genre for any audience is important, but it is particularly key when it comes to children. Children's attention spans are not flexed enough at a young age, and reading can help with that, but you have to make them want to continue reading. Therefore, you need to grab their attention from the very first line and keep them hooked through the characters and plot all the way through. In medias res is a technique worth using but you could also use an intriguing line of dialogue or a striking sentence of description. Anything that piques a child's interest. A balanced narrative Whilst studying for my degree, I've learnt about audience requirements and whether younger audiences prefer an equal level of the five key narrative elements: action, dialogue, description, interior monologue and exposition. As I mentioned above, younger audiences have shorter attention spans, thus, making action, dialogue and interior monologue more important than description and exposition. This is something to keep in mind when writing for children because you don't want to include too much description, whether that be of characters or locations, or too much exposition because children could be likely to switch off, especially when the passages are multiple sentences. Action, dialogue and interior monologue are the elements that increase engagement because they provide conflict, move the story along and give an insight into the character. A young, authentic voice When writing my YA novel which is told from the perspective of a 16-year-old female protagonist, I was told the narrative voice felt a bit "too adult". As a 22-year-old, it can be challenging channelling my teenage self and it would be even more difficult if I was writing for primary school children. But as a writer for children, you have to be in tune with your target audience and your protagonist's age. You want the voice to feel authentic and relatable, but it can be difficult to emulate that on the page if you don't know much about the specific age you're writing about/for. So, try to get in tune with children. Learn how they speak, what speech patterns they use, and whether they use particular vocabulary, for example, 'Mummy' instead of 'Mum', and always remind yourself of these things when writing. Think about your themes Themes are a big aspect of books. When reading, you may notice themes such as friendship, loss, family, identity, etc., embedded throughout the story and it's no different when writing for children. However, you need to really think about your themes because some are not suitable for children. For instance, themes relating to horror and death are not exactly favourable when writing for young children – teens perhaps, but not young children. Stories including monsters are more likely to suit children better, just like themes of friendship, family, adventure and growing up. If you're aiming a book at the older end of the spectrum, so teenagers and young adults, you can then venture into more mature themes because they tend to like reading about characters a year or two older than them. Therefore, you could write about grief, romantic relationships, societal issues, etc. So, if you're writing for children, I hope these things help you with your storytelling. If you have any other tips for writing for children, feel free to comment on this post. Otherwise, happy writing and happy Children's Book Week. Until next time...

This week is the first week of Children's Book Week, where we celebrate the joy of reading and books for children. Children's Book Week consists of two weeks in 2024, the first being this week and the second taking place in November from the 4th to the 10th. The idea of Children's Book Week is to celebrate "books for young people and the joy of reading." Whilst researching Children's Book Week, I discovered the fascinating history behind the annual celebration. It began in 1913 when Franklin K. Matthiews proposed the idea of Children's Book Week as a way to "promote higher standards" in books for young people. In 1944, the Children's Book Council took responsibility for the celebration and in 2008, the Council's charitable division, Every Child a Reader, took over the admin responsibilities. As a lover of books and a fan of children's books, I thought I'd kick off Children's Book Week by sharing why it's beneficial for children to read – and read frequently. Deeper understanding of the world Books contain hundreds of thousands of different stories. They include a plethora of different characters, stories, life situations, cultures and more. Therefore, reading makes children more well-rounded people by providing an insight into other lifestyles that they perhaps aren't aware of. Books can also provide a window into different places and events across the world, allowing children to experience them through words, thus creating a deeper understanding of the world they are growing up in. Increased empathy Because books include different cultures and lifestyles, as mentioned above, children can have an increased empathy from reading. Learning about different lifestyles through the lives of characters can help children recognise emotions and also understand different life situations. Reading also means that children can emulate these emotions in their own lives. Language and communication development When children read, they are exposed to various writing styles from different authors. For example, Roald Dahl's writing style varies significantly from, say, Lynne Kelly's. As a result, children can learn new vocabulary, and improve their grammar and written communication, but also boost their self-esteem through feeling more confident with their verbal communication. Cognitive improvement In addition to improving a child's language and communication skills, reading benefits their cognitive activity. When reading, not only are children picking up on vocabulary and grammar, but they also understand the intricacies of storytelling, such as characterisation and plot. This means that the neuropathways in a child's brain are strengthened due to the complex thinking reading requires because of the logical structure of a book. Improved concentration Reading requires you to sit still, pay attention to the words on the page or listen if you're being read to. As a child, this develops their concentration skills because they have to pay attention to the story and actively engage with it. A child's attention span is also improved by reading because children learn to focus on one thing for a period of time, but in a scientific capacity, reading flexes areas in the brain that relate to prolonged attention. Another thing to note is that regular reading benefits a child's education, making them more likely to succeed academically. Increased creativity Books are full of imagination and creativity, especially children's books. There are worlds full of wizards and magic, Greek gods, mythical creatures, secret lands, etc. By exposing children to this creativity in books, their minds can be transcended and developed to have a broader way of thinking. It can also ignite a creative spark in them to tell their own stories and to use their imagination, which is an incredible tool. Promotes bonding This benefit is true in two cases: when a child is being read to and when a child shares a story with another. What I mean by this is that when a parent, for example, reads to their child, it promotes a closer relationship between the two because they get to explore the different stories together, having quality time. And when a child shares a story with another, they can develop a bond because they enjoy the same story or love the same characters. Enjoyment Reading is an activity that is fun, immersive, imaginative and exciting. Children may not appreciate the full power of books at first, but if they read regularly enough, they will experience the full enjoyment that reading has to offer over time. Children can become immersed in different stories with engaging plots and characters; they can experience the escapism that books have to offer and feel relaxed when reading. If you haven't heard of Children's Book Week, I hope you know why it's an important week to celebrate. Children are ultimately our future and through reading, they can experience new skills and new worlds. Reading is one of the best activities people can do, so if you're a parent or someone who works with children, or in the publishing industry, getting children into books and exposing them to the joys of reading is fantastic. Until next time...

The latest book in The Fight Game series releases on Friday 3rd May, and I wanted to share my review of 4th Degree by Nikki Castle, having received an ARC. I want to start this blog post off by saying thank you to Nikki Castle for providing me with an ARC of her latest book and allowing me to delve back into the world of MMA she has created. Since joining the Bookstagram community, I have read countless books in a whole variety of genres. However, romance seems to be the most common because of the increase in popularity surrounding it. One of the series I've loved reading is Nikki's The Fight Game series, which consists of five books with the latest coming out on Friday. The series is a sports romance series, specifically MMA, which Nikki has experience in as she runs an MMA gym and is married to a retired fighter. I have always wanted to learn martial arts or some sort of self-defence, so I love reading about it in Nikki's books, especially 4th Degree. 4th Degree, as I said, is the latest book in the series and I was lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy, so continue reading to see my spoiler-free review. ARC Review of 4th Degree by Nikki Castle Genre: Romance Tropes: Sports Romance (MMA) Forbidden Romance Age Gap Found Family Sneaking Around Coach/Athlete 4th Degree by Nikki Castle is one of the best books I've read this year. Once I knew book five in the series was going to be about Coach and would have the Coach/Athlete trope, I was so excited. I couldn't wait to read his story because, throughout the series, we fall more in love with Coach as it goes on. This book follows the story of Coach Dominic and Skylar Vega. Coach, of course, is well-known in the MMA world, having been a champion himself. Now, he dedicates his time to teaching aspiring fights, like Tristan from book one, 5 Rounds. He has always kept a line between his professional and personal lives but that all changes when Skylar enters Bulldog MMA. Skylar comes into the gym looking to learn martial arts and something about her catches Coach's eye. And so blossoms a romance. Coach Dominic is a tough man. He's a retired fighter with a rough exterior, but a heart of gold (to be cliché). He spends most of his time at his gym, training fighters but also being a father figure to some. Coach doesn't like seeing people struggle so he has built a well-respected reputation for himself in the MMA world to pass on his knowledge. Skylar, on the other hand, dedicates her life to others in a different sort of way. Not only is she working multiple jobs, she is a student, who looks after her family and never really gets time to herself. The gym was her way of reprieve from life's usual stresses and a way to develop new skills. The last thing Skylar or Coach need is a relationship, throwing their lives off balance. But the temptation is too difficult to resist. I absolutely loved Skylar's character. She has an eagerness about her that Coach likes because she is driven and thrives on learning new things. For me, she is one of Nikki's best female protagonists because she is incredibly strong, resilient and I see a lot of myself in her in regards to her passion, hard work and love for her family. Before reading 4th Degree, I would have said that Tristan, or Jax, were my favourite heroes from Nikki's books. And I would love to say they are still my top two, but Coach blew me away. Dominic's character is different to the other male protagonists, and it may be because he is older and has a different lifestyle from the others, but I really enjoyed reading his story. The dynamic between Skylar and Coach was great to read. The respect they have for each other, their situations and what it would mean for them to pursue a relationship together is clear from the very start. But there is only so much chemistry one can ignore. When Skylar and Coach commit to testing the waters, it is explosive. Fiery. Hot. It is an age gap, forbidden romance, but 4th Degree is so much more than that. The sexy moments are definitely sexy, but there are so many sweet moments that are filled with tenderness and care and love. Their characters fit together perfectly and I couldn't imagine any other storyline or tropes for them. Skylar and Coach are multifaceted characters, who will hook you from the beginning and keep you with them all the way through. I loved 4th Degree and seeing the other characters as well only heightened my reading experience because I do love a good found family story, and this book really conveyed the meaning of family – biological or not. Nikki has once again written a book that had me feeling all the emotions and I would 100% recommend 4th Degree – and the whole series – to lovers of sports romance, forbidden romance or found family! Thank you again, Nikki, for giving me an ARC. You can read 4th Degree on Amazon here once it is released on Friday 3rd May. Until next time...

Creating fictional names for your stories, whether that be titles, character names, place names, or something else, can be challenging, but I'm going to share some tips. As a writer, one of the most challenging aspects of crafting stories, for me, is coming up with names for things. I can't tell you how much time I have spent sitting at my desk, thinking of names. Whether it's for my characters, key settings in my stories or even the title, it takes me a while. However, since I have four writing projects on the go, I have had to learn ways of creating fictional names that are simple, effective and less time-consuming. At the moment, I currently am working on two novels and two scripts. One of the novels I am writing for my degree and the other one is the one I am determined to complete this year. The scripts are both university projects, however, I do want to develop and complete them. And with all four projects, I really struggled to come up with a title. When I told one of my university tutors this, they said that a piece of writing doesn't exist without a title. It doesn't have to be the final title, it can be a working one, but every piece of writing needs a title. So now all my writing has a title. Two of them I am sure about, but the other two are not set in stone quite yet. Titles need to encompass what the book is about and be related in some way to the story. For example, Freida McFadden's book The Housemaid is a simple yet effective title because the protagonist is the housemaid. But this is also the case for characters and place names. For me, I often create a character and build their backstory, goals, personality, etc., before coming up with their name. When it comes to place names, I think about the type of place it is, for example, a forest, and what that place is like, so is it dangerous, is it desolate, is it thriving with fauna or is it prone to stormy weather? Each writer has their own methods of creating names for things in their writing, but I thought I'd share some of the ways I come up with names. Baby names Using baby names is probably only good for thinking of character names, but it is one very helpful tool. I often research baby names for inspiration because you get an extensive list of names that you probably wouldn't have thought of on your own. This method is also helpful if you're writing a story set in a particular time because then you can see what names were common that year. When researching, you may have a particular letter you want the name to start with and so you can narrow your search for names specifically beginning with that letter. You can either use baby name books or Google, but whichever you choose, the choices are endless. Film credits At the end of a film, or a television programme, the credits will list every person who was involved with the production process. These lists can be rather long but invaluable. I actually haven't used this method myself but I know a couple of authors who do and I can see why. Hundreds of people are involved in making movies and TV shows and there will be a whole variety of names in the credits. Sometimes, depending on the filming location, you can find inspiration for names in other languages and nationalities, which can be helpful if you're writing a story set in another country. I will definitely be paying more attention to film credits from now on because I know it will give me several more options for character names and you can never have too many! Latin words This is probably one of my most used methods when it comes to creating fictional names. I research Latin words for different things when I need a place name or a title, but you can use other languages as well if you prefer. I think it can be really handy to use an old language to craft names from because it makes them even more unique. An example of this that I've used myself is the name of the forest in my dystopian novel. Another example could be if you had a river in your story that you wanted to give a fancier name, more than just the River Chelmer, and was a special location. As I mentioned earlier, I would think about the type of place it is, so the river could be very fast-flowing and dangerous. Once you know those two qualities, look up the Latin word for danger – periculum – and the Latin word for rapid – rapidus. Then you could do the next method to get the full name. Word smash What I mean by word smash is getting two words and smashing them together. Simple really. So for the name of the river, I have periculum and rapidus. Then mash these together, altering them slightly, and you get Pericudus. Word smash is a good method when a place, artefact, etc., has numerous qualities that you want to convey because it means you can have all of them in one place giving a clearer image. Scientific names As someone who studied biology, I'm fascinated by science, so I often turn towards the scientific name of things. The easiest way of using this method is by the names of plants. I used this technique in my YA novel where the characters all have names relating to plants, including their surnames. But you could use the scientific names of animals or fruits or chemicals. It doesn't have to be the exact scientific name, you could use them for some inspiration of word order, syllables or you could even include them in a word smash. Artificial Intelligence If you've read my latest blog, you'll know I experimented with Artificial Intelligence in a uni workshop I attended. And one of the ways I used AI was to create character names. AI is endless in its capabilities and as writers, we should know how to use it to benefit us and accelerating our creativity is one way of doing that. If you're stuck on thinking of names for people or places, but you know the general idea of what they are like, you could ask AI for some suggestions. For example, I asked Copilot to suggest some names for a royal palace in a dystopian world and these were the results: You don't have to use any of these, but you could take inspiration from the odd word like Thornhall or Obsidian. So, if you're a writer who struggles thinking of fictional names like me, maybe try some of these suggestions and see what you come up with. Until next time...

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has grown immensely in recent years and whilst it is scary and daunting, for writers AI can be a useful tool – to some extent. This week I attended a workshop for my degree that was about artificial intelligence. As creatives, it can be a daunting concept because of the power AI holds and the potential that is yet to be unlocked. My sister, who is a translator, has also been talking about AI recently because there's the worry that it will ultimately take over creative jobs – like translators and writers – leaving people without work. However, after attending the uni workshop, AI seems much less scary than it did for me before despite me receiving an email about AI and whether it's a friend or foe straight after the workshop – a coincidence I think not. But whilst talking to my fellow students and tutors, I learnt a lot about AI as a writer and how it can be used as a tool and an assistant. So, I thought I'd share with you all the takeaways from the workshop, AI: friend or foe? I want to begin by defining what artificial intelligence is. It's something that has been predicted in multiple science fiction novels over the years but it is fast becoming a huge part of modern society. AI can be defined as: "The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages." In other words, AI is a technology that mimics human thinking and behaviour. An example would be Google Translate which uses an artificial neural network, or Grammarly which highlights spelling/punctuation/grammar errors in texts. However, AI isn't always correct because it is still being developed and will continuously be developed. In that regard, AI is not creative itself. It is dependent on the input from its developers until it learns its code to become independent and is therefore re-creative. And whilst there are drawbacks to AI, the workshop I attended highlighted how it can be a tool. Benefits of AI as a writer AI isn't a writer and it isn't a storyteller. But it can help writers and storytellers. For example, I use Grammarly for my journalism to have an extra hand in proofreading my work. But when it comes to creative writing, AI can also be utilised. During my workshop, we used Copilot (Microsoft's AI program) to generate a story idea. It produced eight science-fiction-based ideas but the premise we chose to use was as follows: "Genetic engineering has become commonplace, allowing people to modify their bodies with enhancements. But a group of biohackers rebels against the corporate-controlled enhancements, advocating for organic purity. As tensions rise, a biohacker journalist investigates the truth behind the corporation's motives." In this instance, AI can be incredibly useful if you're suffering from writer's block. As a creative writer, writer's block is not uncommon and sometimes you just need that extra boost of creativity from an external source to help. AI can be that source. Artificial Intelligence shouldn't be used to write stories but it can accelerate your creativity. In the workshop, once we had the basic idea we all got to work on fleshing out the story. The results were all based on the same premise but were all completely different; I must say, I'm quite pleased with the plot I came up with. When we had each developed more of the story, Copilot then created other aspects of the story for us, such as the worldbuilding and key themes for the story. The themes it suggested were expressed as interrogatives, so for example, "Identity: What defines us – our genes or our augmentation?" As a writer, it was interesting to think about themes as questions that need to be answered rather than one-word ideas. It allows you to think more deeply about what the core lesson is. Also, after the workshop, I experimented with Copilot and asked it to generate some character names. Coming up with names for characters, locations, pets etc, can be difficult and there are multiple ways to brainstorm ideas and AI is one of them. Therefore, artificial intelligence is a tool writers can use to: Generate ideas to help overcome writer's block Help improve writing skills and avoid grammatical mistakes Brainstorm ideas for names of characters, places, pets, artefacts Support critical thinking skills by challenging your key points Accelerate your creativity However, of course, there are negatives to Artificial Intelligence. Drawbacks of AI as a writer Depending on what capacity you're using AI for, there will be different drawbacks. However, looking from a writer's perspective, there are specific negatives. Firstly, AI does have the power to write a story, a poem or an article if you tell it to. But what it will produce will be an amalgamation of already published content. It will also lack the human touch and the writer's personality. As I mentioned above, in the workshop I attended, whilst I and my fellow students were all given the same premise, we all produced something different. That supports the idea that you can't copyright an idea but you can copyright the execution. For instance, romance novels tend to follow the overarching story of a boy meets a girl, they fall in love, something bad happens, they break up, and spend time apart but get back together. However, each romance novel tells that story differently because it's the author's interpretation. Writing produced by humans is much more effective than that of a computer. Another drawback of AI that was evident in the workshop was the overwhelming quantity of creative stimuli. Artificial Intelligence can develop ideas and themes and provide you with suggestions. But the rate at which it does this can be overwhelming because you are suddenly confronted with a whole bunch of potential ideas you can use. As a result, it can fry your brain and make you less productive because it could be hard to choose. Writers need to have the skill of filtering and focusing on what is significant when using AI; creativity and expansion are important but focusing is more so. In conclusion, as a writer, AI can be both friend and foe. I would say I am leaning more towards it being a friend with the knowledge that we have to be aware and know how to use AI in the best way for us but also know when to stop. What do you think? Until next time...

The benefits of spending time in nature and reducing your screen time are things we should all be paying more attention to. Last weekend, the UK had some warm temperatures and we were able to enjoy the sunshine. I'm not usually a fan of Spring or Summer because my hay fever gets worse, there are wasps and other buzzing insects and when it gets too hot, it can impact how I feel. However, none of that happened on Saturday. Instead, I was able to sit outside – catch a bit of the sun – and enjoy the time spent with my family. We had drinks flowing, a buffet to enjoy and it was a rather pleasant day. And because we were sitting outside and chatting and catching up because we hadn't seen each other since last August, I didn't have my phone with me. Not having my phone with me was something I'm only now getting used to again because before my job required me to post on social media nearly every day every couple of hours. But this weekend has been a refreshing reminder of how good it can feel to leave your phone somewhere, have time away from screens and enjoy the fresh air. In fact, my sister and I were talking this morning about how after Saturday night, we woke up feeling more refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for the day. It is so easy to spend hours on end on our phones or have things delivered to our houses so that we don't have to go outside, but it's becoming clearer and clearer to me that these aren't all that good for our health. I want to share some benefits of both having time outdoors in nature and reducing screen time. Benefits of reduced screen time A better night's sleep I'm sure you must have seen articles or social media posts that encourage you to put your phone away before you go to sleep. And whilst that may seem inconvenient or annoying, you should listen. Reducing your screen time throughout the day but also at night can provide you with a better night's sleep. Using your phone, whether it be to check messages or scroll through TikTok, will make it difficult for you to fall asleep and have an uninterrupted sleep. It can disturb your circadian rhythm, disrupting it from its usual pattern; it can disrupt your body's melatonin production, which ultimately helps regulate sleep; and it can impact how you feel the next day, leaving you groggy, more tired and perhaps even stressed. So, if you want a better night's sleep where you don't have to count sheep after sheep, reduce your screen time. Bye bye anxiety Anxiety has become more common in recent generations and the stigma surrounding it is slowly fading away. However, one thing that contributes to anxiety is an increased amount of screen time. Screen time-induced anxiety can be caused by comparisons on social media, negative - but necessary - news, or simply just an information overload. Constantly using your phone can also contribute to higher levels of cortisol, which is essentially the stress hormone. By reducing your screen time, you're giving your mind time to rest and just enjoy life in the present without having all these different aspects invading your thoughts. So, if you want to feel less anxious and stressed, try reducing your screen time. Enjoying life more With smartphones, everything we need in life is either on or can be done by our phones. If we need to talk to someone, we can ring them. If we need to pay for something, you can use Apple Pay or PayPal. If we need to order something, you can do that via various apps. The list goes on and on, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Constantly using your phone can hinder your enjoyment of life. For one, it can allow you to procrastinate and waste hours mindlessly scrolling through social media or playing a game. This can harm your daily life in all aspects, from free time to work. Reducing your screen time would allow you to be present more and enjoy the moment that you're in. It would give you opportunities to do other things that perhaps you want to but always say you never have the time, like taking up a new hobby or going somewhere for the day. It also allows you to be more productive at work because you would use your technology more strategically and probably less often. So, if you want to be more productive at work and feel more accomplished so that when you have free time you can do the things you actually want to do, perhaps put your phone away every once in a while. Benefits of being outside in nature Improved health Whilst being outside in nature might not appeal to some, for example, hay fever sufferers, it does have a certain appeal when you consider the other health benefits. In the UK, we don't get enough sunlight compared to other countries, so when the sun's out and it's warm, we should take advantage of it. Being outside allows you to get the necessary Vitamin D for your body. Vitamin D is a vitamin a lot of people are deficient in, but it is important for different aspects of your body, including your bones and immune system. It also aids your body in absorbing other minerals it requires to function. Plus, being outside makes it less likely for you to contract viruses and other illnesses, like Covid-19, because of the better air circulation. So, if you feel you need that extra boost of Vitamin D, step outside into the world of nature. Peace, tranquillity and creativity Unless you're someone who runs every time a wasp flies near you, being outside in nature can help you feel more at peace, calmer and creative. Nature allows our bodies and minds to relax. In fact, when I was outside at the weekend, I could quite easily have closed my eyes and just rested for hours on our patio in the sun. The outdoors gives our minds a rest. When we're in nature, we can just enjoy the natural wonders of the world and have a sense of calm and peace because it's a natural setting. But whilst you're feeling peaceful, nature can also boost your creativity. As a writer, I'm always told to go out and explore different settings to gain inspiration, and being in nature will indeed boost creativity. It means you can escape everyday life and enjoy what is out there at your own pace in the fresh air. So if you're feeling like you need a creativity boost or you simply want to feel less stressed and more at peace, then go sit outside in nature. Happier and healthier We all know that being outside and exercising can be a good thing, especially if it beats being in a stuffy, sweaty gym. However, spending time outdoors can not only make you healthier, but happier. Similar to the above, nature can have an impact on your mindset and emotions. Breathing in the fresh air of the outdoors increases oxygen levels in your brain. In turn, this increases the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin, or the happy hormone, will then alter your mood. This neurotransmitter's levels can be increased by exposure to sunlight, working out in nature, or even by your diet. So if you want to feel happier and healthier, you could either go and sit outside, go for a walk outside or even have a picnic. Being in nature and reducing your screen time are two things we probably brush over and ignore a lot of the time. But the six benefits I've shared above are only just scratching the surface. There are so many more advantages of doing both that we should all strive to achieve. I hope if you're feeling stressed, anxious, tired or generally feeling low, try putting your phone away and getting outside. Until next time...

April is Stress Awareness Month, so I wanted to share some advice on how to manage stress and use the theme of #LittlebyLittle to better your mental health. We are now in April, which means it is Stress Awareness Month. Every year since 1992, April has been known as Stress Awareness Month with the aim of helping to combat stress and provide advice on how to decrease stress. As someone who struggles with stress and knows the impact it can have on daily life, I wanted to write a post about Stress Awareness Month. Now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines stress as: "A state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation." A lot of things can be described as a difficult situation. On a larger scale, a difficult situation could be illness, the cost of living, and of course, global issues occurring in the world at the moment. But on a smaller scale, and sometimes on a more personal level, difficult situations could include a big project at work, an exam for school/university or even just a never-ending list of chores. It can be so easy to get wrapped up in your stress and feel strung out, especially when it has become a lot easier to procrastinate with the rise in popularity of TikTok. However, if you're feeling stressed, it's not always the best thing to try and complete the jobs that need doing. The Stress Management Society are using the theme of #LittleByLittle for Stress Awareness Month this year with the motto: Little By Little, A Little Becomes A Lot. The goal of this initiative is to promote the benefits of "consistent, small positive actions on overall wellbeing." This theme of #LittleByLittle is a key lesson to learn because putting into effect small changes can have more benefits in the long run than big ones. Therefore, I'm going to share some manageable actions you can put in place that will help you relax and combat those feelings of stress. Positive Affirmations Telling yourself positive affirmations can have huge benefits for your mental health and daily outlook on life. If you don't know what positive affirmations are, essentially, they are things you tell yourself to alter your subconscious thoughts to combat negative beliefs. For example, looking in the mirror and telling yourself, 'I am strong' or 'I am intelligent' or 'I can do this'. Telling yourself positive affirmations alters your neural pathways and replaces the negative thoughts, enhancing your perspective of yourself. They can increase your optimism and help you generally feel better, meaning that the impact of stress will be less. Small Successes We live in a world where we strive for success, usually defined by society as a well-paying and well-respected job, or a fancy car, a big house, or a healthy family. But sometimes, when stress is a daily occurrence, it can become easy to get caught up in achieving those big goals that you miss the little things. Success doesn't have one definition. It means something different from one person to the next and this is the key takeaway. You should be able to celebrate the small successes in your life because eventually a little becomes a lot. So celebrate getting out of bed. Celebrate completing a load of washing, cooking dinner, buying groceries, sending off emails, posting on LinkedIn, interacting with colleagues... The list could go on, but make sure that you celebrate small successes because over time, it will help improve your mood and you'll feel more accomplished and less stressed. Night-time Routine Personally, I think routines can be underrated. A lot of people say that they don't have time to put in place a night-time routine, but I think the benefits are worth it. Having a night-time routine doesn't have to be long, or busy; it is meant to help you relax, unwind and feel at peace before you go to sleep. Your routine could include switching your phone off 30 minutes before bed and having no screen time, taking a bath, reading a book, doing skincare or simply just having a hot drink. A night-time routine will allow you to leave work, and stress, behind and ready you for the next day. Sufficient Sleep The night-time routine then sets you up nicely to have a sufficient night's sleep. It can be very easy to slip into a routine where you don't get the full seven to eight hours of sleep each night. I'm definitely guilty of that but by not having enough sleep, you increase the tension in your body and your cortisol (stress) levels, and you can feel incredibly tired the next day. Getting enough sleep allows your body to release the stress from the previous day, so that when you wake up you'll feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead, even if it includes stressful tasks. Time in Nature Nature might not be for everyone. My sister has never been a big fan of the outdoors, however, even she has admitted the wonders spending time outside each day has done for her mentality. This year, we've gone for a walk each morning and it has set us up for the day with a fresher outlook, a refreshed mind and a calm interior, reducing our stress. Simply spending time in nature can – obviously – improve your physical health if it's in the form of a walk or even gardening, but it can also have huge benefits for your mental health. Nature can reduce your stress by lowering blood pressure and allowing you to be more present and positive because it is a peaceful environment. Daily Activity This tip can go hand in hand with the one above. Daily activity can come in the form of a walk, swimming, an at-home workout or going to the gym. Doing some form of physical movement helps get the endorphins pumping, which in turn lowers your stress and risk of health conditions. But it also boosts your energy levels and mood so that when you have to tackle those stressful jobs, you'll feel less overwhelmed. Planning Ahead I love to plan. I've found I can get quite stressed when I don't know what's happening or what I'm doing. So, if you've read some of my blog posts before, you'll know I always write a daily to-do list. Having a plan can really improve your well-being because it means that your days are structured. You will know when deadlines and important appointments are but you'll also know when you can have a rest and take a break. Stress Awareness Month can cause stress itself; however, if you plan and schedule some downtime and blocks of time for different jobs, you can then be more efficient in your daily life and things will seem less chaotic and less stressful. Gratitude Reflection Gratitude is a practice I would like to do more and I think you should too. Reflecting on what you're grateful for is an activity that not only reduces your stress levels, but it helps you appreciate what you've got and makes you more present in life rather than always thinking ahead, or of the past. Thinking about what you're grateful for means that you can feel better about the stresses in your life because it improves your self-esteem and both your physical and mental health. It can be difficult to begin practising gratitude, but the benefits are worth it, especially if you are someone who never feels like they have a moment to stop and appreciate what you've got. Stress Awareness Month is an important month because it allows people to think about their lives and realise how they can better their wellbeing. All eight of these activities are small, manageable things that you can input into your daily life to feel better, not only about yourself, but what your days entail. So if you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, give some of these a go and see if you notice the benefits. Until next time...

Post-pandemic, working isn't necessarily something that most people enjoy, but the priority should be to find work that energises you. We're now just over three months into 2024 and already, I know work is getting to be a struggle for some people. But that shouldn't be the case. Work shouldn't be something you do every day because you have to and it pays the bills. Your job should be something you enjoy and actually look forward to doing. Sadly, that isn't the case for the majority but it could be. As a publishing hopeful, I'm subscribed to The Bookseller – the publishing industry's magazine – and also The FLIP - Female Leadership in Publishing. The FLIP recently conducted a survey and hosted an event that spoke about the results. Some of the results showcased at the event include how much of the publishing workforce suffers from burnout. The results are quite frankly fascinating, but what stood out to me in The Bookseller's article was a particular quote by Hachette's consumer insights analyst, Amanda Ahadizadeh. In the article, Ahadizadeh is quoted as saying: "This is so important – knowing the work that drains you and the work which energises you." This quote stayed with me after reading the article because, in my opinion, it is such an important message. In the modern world, it is easy to suffer from burnout, to become overwhelmed with stress and to have low days. But that shouldn't be the case. There are a lot of quizzes and tests out there that one can complete to find out what personality type they are. There are also different activities you could do to reflect and assess how your work affects you. It can be very difficult to maintain a work-life balance, but becoming aware that your work isn't energising you is the first step to achieving that. If you find that when you're working, or once you've come home from work, you are very tired, don't want to talk to others or have physical symptoms such as a headache, then your work could be draining you. However, if when you're completing your work, you find yourself smiling, excited to complete projects and looking forward to the next day, then your work is something that energises you. There will always be tasks that are tedious yet necessary and we would all probably prefer not to have to complete them. For example going through emails, filling out paperwork, and general admin chores. But if you have a job that energises you and doesn't necessarily feel like work, then it becomes less of a chore to do those tedious tasks. Burnout and stress, whilst common, shouldn't be a regular occurrence. We should all be able to enjoy our work without needing several cups of coffee to keep us awake and focused. I recently changed up my working station to a coffee shop near me, which improved my productivity and also my mental state for that day. Altering little things like that can make a world of difference so, if you're feeling drained at the end of the workday, reflect on what happened to make you feel that way. Was it bringing work home with you? Staring at a screen for too long? Not getting enough sleep? Or something else? If you've suffered from burnout and feeling exhausted from work, I hope this blog has helped you realise the importance of feeling energised by your job. Let me know in the comments some of the ways you ensure you're not overwhelmed by work and try to have a semblance of a work-life balance. Until next time...

King of Greed by Ana Huang is the third book in the Kings of Sin series and it is worth the read. Ana Huang is one of those authors, who I trust to write a great romance book. I've read her Twisted series and I have read all the books in her latest series, Kings of Sin. The most recent book being King of Greed. King of Greed came out last year and for some reason, I just never got around to reading it. But now I have and it has been long overdue. A friend of mine messaged me when I announced I was reading it and said "About time!". But I can say with certainty, that if you have read Ana's books before, or you love a good billionaire romance, read the Kings of Sin series. And more specifically, read King of Greed because that just jumped to the top of my favourites list for this series. And I'm going to tell you why. My review of King of Greed by Ana Huang Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Billionaire romance: 9/10 Second chance: 9.5/10 Marriage in trouble: 10/10 Overall rating: 5/5 King of Greed is the third book in the Kings of Sin series and it follows the story of Dominic Davenport and Alessandra, his wife. The synopsis of the book is as follows: "He had her, he lost her…and he’ll do anything to win her back. Powerful, brilliant, and ambitious, Dominic Davenport clawed his way up from nothing to become the King of Wall Street. He has everything—a beautiful home, a beautiful wife, and more money than he could spend in a lifetime. But no matter how much he accumulates, he’s never satisfied. In his endless quest for more, he drives away the only person who saw him as enough. It isn’t until she’s gone that he realizes there may be more to life than riches and glory…but by then, it may be too late. *** Kind, intelligent, and thoughtful, Alessandra Davenport has played the role of trophy wife for years. She stood by her husband while he built an empire, but now that they’ve reached the top, she realizes he’s no longer the man she fell for. When it becomes clear that she’ll always come second to his work, she finally takes charge of her life and puts herself first—even if it means leaving the only man she’s ever loved. But what she didn’t count on was his refusal to let her go…or for him to fight for their marriage, no matter what it takes." As you can tell, King of Greed is a second-chance romance between Dominic and Alessandra after Alessandra decides to leave Dom. Their young love could be a story on its own, but over the 10 years of marriage, things have changed. Dominic comes from a poor background and has always vowed he would make it and be successful. Alessandra not only captured his heart but helped support him on his journey to becoming a figure at the top of Wall Street. However, after a decade, Alessandra doesn't feel like anything more than a pillar of support for Dominic, which causes the whole marriage-in-trouble trope. In the first two books of this series, King of Wrath and King of Pride, we see snippets of Alessandra and Dominic and it's suggested that there are issues in their marriage. But this book brings them all to the forefront. After their 10th anniversary, Alessandra decides to give her husband a wake-up call and chooses to leave. Coming from a Brazilian background, Alessandra is fiery, strong and a woman who knows what she wants. But somewhere throughout her marriage, she lost sight of her dreams and who she was. Alessandra curled in on herself and only began to realise how much of a shell of a person she became when she made the leap to begin an online business. This thrived and eventually, after the inciting incident of Alé leaving Dom, she focuses her efforts on revitalising herself and achieving her dreams. Meanwhile, Dom is the epiphany of the King of Greed. Striving to be the best and having as much money as he can, Dom became obsessed with work. He is a workaholic and that took over his life and marriage, letting Alessandra slip away without him noticing. It's only when Dominic finds Alessandra gone that everything comes crashing down and he realises how wrong he had been. He is driven and believes he built his empire for them, but when Alessandra leaves, his eyes are opened. Dominic becomes a new version of himself, who is still relentless, but is showing restraint for Alessandra and never crosses a line with her. He shows that actions speak louder than words and through the flashbacks we gain a deeper understanding of his character and why he is the way he is. King of Greed is a book about a billionaire regaining the trust of his wife and them finding love again. But it is also so much more than that. This book tells the story of how work can overtake someone's life and its impact on those around them. It tells the story of a woman who once lost her identity and how she finds herself again, finds her independence and learns to stand on her own two feet to chase the life she wants. It tells the story of a man who worked his way from nothing to being the best through hard work and determination, but also how he navigates life's struggles. The timeline of King of Greed is over several months, so it is realistic in that Alessandra and Dominic get divorced, spend time apart and then begin dating and figuring out how their lives fit together. It isn't a quick, whirlwind romance and it also isn't unbelievable. There are moments of banter and laughter – Chapter 18 made me laugh – and there are moments of emotion and heartbreak. And I loved that. This book was an emotional rollercoaster because you're experiencing the story of two people who love each other, how they fall apart and then have a second chance. Ana always creates complex characters and plots that reel you in as a reader. The chemistry and romance in this book are off the charts and I loved it. There was one subplot that I think could have done with more explanation about its resolution but that aside, King of Greed is one of my favourite books this year so far. Intrigued? If my review has intrigued you to give King of Greed, or the Kings of Sin series, a go, it's available on Amazon. Feel free to get in touch and let me know your thoughts about the book. Until next time...

The London Book Fair was last week and it was my first time attending the publishing trade fair. As a bookworm, I'm interested in the publishing industry. I have always found it fascinating how a story can go from the idea to the polished, published book. Publishing is a competitive industry, much like that of motorsport, and so, when I found out about The London Book Fair, I knew I had to attend. Fortunately for me, I was able to buy a student ticket for a discounted price, which allowed me to go for all three days of the event. But what is The London Book Fair? The London Book Fair, held at the Olympia in West Kensington, is an international publishing trade event. It hosts some of the biggest names in publishing, such as Simon and Schuster, Hachette and HarperCollins, but also smaller, more independent publishers like Boldwood Books. In attendance, there are also some literary agencies, authors, translators, illustrators and so many other people all involved in publishing. You could attend either as an exhibitor, visitor or student. I think the fair is predominantly for those in the industry to have meetings, organise contracts, that sort of thing. However, that isn't to say that for a publishing hopeful, it isn't worth it. If you've read my blog posts before, you will know that I am a writer, currently working on my own novel. Therefore, I attended The London Book Fair in two capacities. Across the three days, there were seminars hosted by those involved in publishing and those who are an author. I attended some of the Author HQ talks, learning more about different areas of writing, such as Young Adult fiction, and the processes of other authors. But I also went around the fair and made contacts with fellow publishing hopefuls as well as those who work in the publishing industry. It was an incredible experience because my knowledge of publishing has grown, I've developed contacts through networking, handed out business cards, was recognised for my motorsport work and most of all, I was able to get an insight into the industry. Attending the fair did mean that I had to commute for about two and a half hours there and then back each day. But, I travelled with my dad and completing six car journeys, six bus journeys, six train journeys, 18 tube journeys and then six walks over the three days was actually fun. I was able to get a sense of what commuting to London would be like, and whilst the tubes were heaving - and the Victoria line was so hot - I still had fun. What did I get up to? As I mentioned above, I also attended some seminars whilst at the fair. The seminars gave me an opportunity to talk to new people and also expand my knowledge. In addition to the talks by industry personnel, each day there was an 'Author of the Day'. Unfortunately, I didn't get to attend the first day's talk with Taylor Jenkins Reid, but I did attend the Author of the Day talk on day two, which was Richard Osman. Now, I have yet to read Osman's books, The Thursday Murder Club series, but those at my book club have. And the series causes some division. However, listening to Osman discuss his creative process, experience as an author and what to expect from his upcoming novel, We Solve Murders, was utterly fascinating. Hearing Osman talk about his books was a highlight of the fair as well as meeting new people and attending the careers clinic. Suzanne Collier, founder of Bookcareers.com, is a formidable woman. Listening to her advice about getting into publishing and attending her careers clinic are two aspects of the fair that stand out to me. I wasn't expecting to be able to receive as much advice on working in publishing and getting into the industry, but the clinic was something that motivated me even more. When I came home, I made a spreadsheet of all the contacts I'd created and of people I spoke to and exchanged details with. Also, I made a copy of all my notes and began researching the publishing industry in more depth. I was buzzing each evening when I got home because I couldn't wait to go back the next day. The London Book Fair is the perfect event to go to if you're a publishing hopeful because it gives you great exposure in the industry. So if you ever have the opportunity to go to The London Book Fair, I highly recommend it. Until next time...

Book Club: The Next Chapter is a romantic comedy that teaches more about friendship than books. Several years ago, I watched the movie Book Club and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Book Club is centred around four friends and how their relationships change after they decide to read Fifty Shades of Grey for their book club. The four friends are played by Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Burgen. The first movie shows them rediscovering romance and taking a chance on love in their lives. But last year, the sequel was released and I watched it just before Mother's Day. The sequel, Book Club: The Next Chapter, follows the same four protagonists, but this time they're taking their book club all around Italy to have the girl's trip they had once planned, but never actually made happen. As I really liked the first film, I knew I would enjoy the second and I wasn't wrong. Book Club: The Next Chapter is a romantic comedy about love, friendship, finding yourself and making memories, whilst dropping information about The Alchemist novel, so I wanted to share my thoughts on the 2023 sequel. Synopsis The premise of Book Club: The Next Chapter is: "Four best friends take their book club to Italy for the fun girls' trip they never had. When things go off the rails, and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure." My Review Book Club: The Next Chapter begins with the four friends - Vivian, Diane, Carol and Sharon - continuing their book club over Zoom as the COVID-19 lockdowns are in place. We see them talk about Normal People by Sally Rooney and then eventually, they get to meet face to face. It's in their first face-to-face book club meet-up that the plans to go to Italy begin and we see the apprehensiveness that a lot of people had when it came to travelling post-pandemic. There are also bits of post-pandemic life, such as getting a new pet and not knowing how to use Zoom in the opening. But I think the film really gets going once the four women are in Italy because that's where the wild and whacky events of chaos begin. Book Club: The Next Chapter may not be everyone's cup of tea. For sure, it has elements that could be improved and people may think it's a film that isn't necessarily needed. However, personally, I feel if you don't analyse it too much, you could really enjoy the romantic comedy. When the four protagonists are in Italy, we see them exploring sights in Rome through a montage. We see them travelling to Venice and then Tuscany, shopping for wedding dresses and indulging in Italian food and drink. There is Italian music played throughout and Italian versions of English songs, which added to the atmosphere. But most importantly, there is an undercurrent of what is really important in life. Jane Fonda's character is known for being single, free-spirited and not wanting to be tied down, despite the engagement ring on her finger. Diane Keaton's character finds it hard to let go of the past and take the next step into the future. Mary Steenburgen's character has trouble letting go of the reins at times and Candice Burgen's character is struggling with being retired. Throughout the film, we see each of the four women admit their worries and concerns and by the end of the movie, we've seen them make changes. They each come into their own and, whilst there are their male partners, they make their own decisions. However, I think the theme of friendship is what stood out to me. Book Club: The Next Chapter has four friends who have known each other since they were in university. In the film, they're as close as they can be and still support each other whilst offering the "Best friend tough love" that is sometimes needed. Book Club: The Next Chapter made me smile and it did make me laugh as well. Whilst I did prefer the first movie, I did thoroughly enjoy the sequel. Have you seen Book Club: The Next Chapter or the prequel? If you have, let me know what you thought in the comments. Until next time...

World Book Day is here and it's a time to celebrate books, reading and some of fiction's most-loved characters. World Book Day is a charity event in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It occurs every year on the first Thursday of March. I always remember World Book Day being a big thing when I was in primary school. As someone who loved to read even back then, I looked forward to being able to celebrate books and reading. For those in school, the custom became that when World Book Day arrived, you would go to school dressed as your favourite literary character. I can't remember who I dressed up as but I know that there are a lot of books that I absolutely loved as a child and still love now. So as it is World Book Day, I thought I'd share some recommendations for children's books. Some of these may not appeal to everyone, but this list is based on my personal preference. However, there is one book I remember reading in school that I absolutely loved. It was about bats in a sanctuary and I cannot for the life of me remember its name or author, so if you know what book I'm talking about, drop me a message; otherwise, enjoy these recommendations. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling Starting with an obvious, I'm not sure I've ever met a child who wasn't fascinated and mesmerised by the world of Harry Potter and his wizarding friends. This series of books is one of the best I've read. Reading about Harry's adventures from finding out he's a wizard to learning to fly and then facing off against Voldemort and saving Hogwarts is fantastical. The books transport you to Hogwarts and, especially because of the film franchise, a lot of children can feel as if they know the characters. And that's why Harry, Ron and Hermione tend to be common characters to dress up as for World Book Day. I know I loved Hermione and probably dressed up as her one or two times. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson When my sister and I were younger, we used to love The Gruffalo. In fact, because apparently when we were children we were good at not ruining things, this book is still in our loft. The Gruffalo is such a wholesome children's book and I do think that kids nowadays are probably missing out on the experience of reading some of these books. Julia Donaldson wrote a book through rhyming couplets and colourful illustrations that teaches kids that size doesn't matter because being the biggest doesn't necessarily make you the smartest. Although, dressing up as The Gruffalo may not be the easiest choice for World Book Day. Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan Greek mythology. Gods and Goddesses. Quests over the world. These three things summarise the Percy Jackson series but it's not just a Greek mythology series. It's about identity, friendship and family. I must admit, I didn't read these books when I was younger. I began reading them last year when I started studying Young Adult literature for my degree but I became hooked - even now at 22, Rick has made me love his series. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis This series is another one of fantastical creatures and magical worlds, but it is a book franchise that made it to the big screen because it teaches kids about family, love and trust. The Chronicles of Narnia is one of the top five books I recommend when people ask about children's books. I just think the vast cast of characters and the stories of epic battles between good and bad are some worth reading. Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly Much like Percy Jackson, I read this children's book for university. It tells the story of a deaf girl struggling to fit in and how a whale helps her accept her deafness and becomes a friend. I think if I had read this book when I was a child, I would have loved it. It is a heart-warming story that children can understand as showing the difficulties of being different, but ultimately that it doesn't matter. Jacqueline Wilson Books Now, for this recommendation, I haven't specified a certain book. No, I've just gone for the author instead. I remember my friend and I used to love Jacqueline's books when we were younger, whether that be Hetty Feather, Lily Alone, Tracey Beaker, The Longest Whale Song, or another of her many books. I can still picture some of the covers even now, which I think just shows how much I used to read these books and liked them. I could go on and on listing children's books for you on World Book Day and share my thoughts, but I won't. What I will do though is list a few more of the top children's books I enjoyed when I was younger for you: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman Roald Dahl's books I hope these recommendations of children's books inspire you this World Book Day, either to read them to your family or to try and remember books from your childhood. Otherwise, happy World Book Day! Until next time...