Pep Talk In Pyjamas

October 25

Why I Like to Read (and Write) Rom-Com Books

Let’s be honest: life is serious enough already. Bills, laundry mountains, and that moment when you realize you’ve been talking to your dog for so long it qualifies as a full-blown meeting. So when I pick up a book, I want one thing: joy. Preferably with a side of witty banter and a splash of ridiculous meet-cute energy.

That’s why rom-coms are my happy place.

The Reader in Me

Reading a rom-com is like getting an all-inclusive pass to the best parts of human chaos. You know the ride: two people who are obviously destined to fall in love but insist on denying it for at least 200 pages, all while tripping over luggage, mistaking identities, or accidentally texting the wrong person.

Rom-coms remind me that love doesn’t have to be serious violins and candlelit dinners. Sometimes it’s spilled coffee, sarcastic one-liners, and “Did we just kiss in the middle of an argument about pizza toppings?” moments.

The Writer in Me

Writing rom-coms, on the other hand, is my chance to control the chaos. Think of it like this: in real life, when I walk into a room, I trip over the rug. In my books, I can make my character trip over the rug directly into the arms of her enemy-turned-future-husband. That’s power, my friends.

I get to invent whole worlds where witty comebacks are always ready, timing is accidentally perfect, and even the awkward silences are endearing. Plus, no one judges me when I spend three hours perfecting the ultimate “accidental hand touch” scene. It’s research. Professional work. Definitely not me living vicariously through fictional characters.

Why Both?

Because rom-coms—whether I’m reading them or writing them—remind me that love can be funny, flawed, and completely human. They’re a celebration of embarrassing moments, second chances, and the fact that sometimes the best relationships start with a misunderstanding involving a dog, an Uber, or a karaoke machine.

So yes, give me all the rom-coms. Reading them makes me laugh. Writing them makes me laugh harder. And both make life feel a little lighter—which, let’s face it, is the best kind of happily-ever-after.

September 25

Marketing your book: Why It’s both challenging and easy in today’s world

Publishing a book is only the first step. Once it’s out there, the next question appears almost instantly: How do I get people to notice it? That’s where marketing comes in—equal parts challenge and opportunity.

The challenging part:

1. Visibility. New books are released every day. Readers have endless choices, which makes grabbing attention one of the toughest jobs for any author.

2. The juggling act. Marketing demands more than just writing. It asks you to plan posts, create graphics, share updates, and engage with readers—often while still working on your next manuscript.

3. The uncertainty. You can spend hours on a post and it may not land. Trends change quickly, and what works once may not work again.

The easy part:

1. Direct connection. Social media and newsletters allow you to reach readers immediately. You don’t have to wait for traditional publicity channels—you can build your own.

2. Freedom of approach. You choose how to present your book. Serious, funny, visual, personal—it’s entirely up to you.

3. Reader communities. Online spaces like Bookstagram and BookTok are filled with readers who love discovering new voices. Many of them actively look for books to support.

Finding Balance

Marketing doesn’t have to feel like shouting into a void. It can be a way to share your writing journey and invite readers to be part of it. A quick update, a glimpse behind the scenes, or even a simple thank-you post can build genuine connections.

In the end, marketing is challenging because it takes time and persistence—but it’s also easier than ever because the tools are in your hands. The key is finding a rhythm that feels natural, sustainable, and true to you.

August 25 Choosing to Self-Publish Is Not a Lesser Path—It’s Simply a Different One

There’s something profoundly moving about writing a book.

It often begins with a spark an idea that quietly tugs at you until it refuses to be ignored. Then come the words, the doubts, the revisions, the late nights. And eventually, that fragile spark becomes something real: a complete story, shaped by persistence and care.

For many writers, reaching that final chapter leads to a deeply personal decision: to self-publish.

It may not be the path they originally envisioned when they first dreamed of becoming authors. Yet It is a path shaped by thoughtfulness, perseverance, and quiet strength.

Because self-published authors are authors. They Tell Stories, Just Like Everyone Else.

An author’s worth is not measured by how their book enters the world, but by the honesty, effort, and heart they bring to the page. Self-published authors may walk a different path, but they carry with them something deeply meaningful—their voice.

Choosing to self-publish is not an act of taking the easy way out. It is an act of belief—in one’s voice, in one’s readers, and in the value of storytelling.

And in a world of books that celebrates diverse genres, perspectives, and styles, there should also be room to honour all publishing paths.

Every writer, no matter how their story finds its way into the world, deserves the opportunity to be part of the spaces where books are discovered and cherished—whether that’s a bookstore display, a thoughtful conversation on a podcast, a seat on a literary panel, or a place at a book festival table.

The world of literature is vast and ever-evolving—built not by one path, but by many. Every author, regardless of how their book reaches readers, contributes something meaningful to the collective tapestry of storytelling. Whether traditionally published, self-published, or somewhere in between, each voice brings its own rhythm, insight, and truth.

A Quiet Reminder

Self-publishing is not a compromise. It’s a creative choice—a decision to share a story without waiting for permission. And the authors who choose this path bring with them not just books, but bravery.

So let’s continue to build a literary community that celebrates stories from every path. Let’s open the door wider. Let’s listen, read, and uplift—together.

July 2025 Tips

Meet the Em Dash — Your Secret Weapon in Writing

The em dash — that sleek, stylish line — is one of the most adaptable punctuation marks out there. It can signal a pause, an abrupt turn in thought, or even replace parentheses and commas for dramatic flair. The only catch? It doesn’t have a dedicated key on most keyboards, which makes it a bit elusive to type. Despite this minor inconvenience, the em dash has been around for centuries — and it’s still going strong, quietly adding rhythm and emphasis to our writing.

How to Use the Em Dash (—) on Windows

To type an em dash on a Windows keyboard:

• Press Alt + 0151 (use the numeric keypad).

• Or, press Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji keyboard, then navigate to the Symbols tab to find the em dash.

June 2025

Paws, Breeze, and Plot Twists: How Walking with My fur baby Oscar Sparks My Writing Brain

To find inspiration, I need good weather, a leash, and a very determined dog named Oscar.

When the sky behaves, and the breeze doesn’t slap me in the face, Oscar and I head out. No headphones. No distractions. Just the crunch of leaves, the occasional suspicious duck, and one human being dragged down a trail by a four-legged explorer with zero impulse control.

But somewhere between the tugging, the tail-wagging, and Oscar trying to make friends with a stick three times his size—something magical happens.

My brain unclenches.

Scenes untangle. Characters who’ve been stubborn all week suddenly start monologuing in my head. Plot holes begin to fill. That awkward dialogue I couldn’t nail earlier? It suddenly writes itself somewhere between the third sniff-stop and the Magpie chase.

Nature doesn’t talk back. It just... lets you think.

Oscar, on the other hand, talks with his tail. Every twitch seems to say, “See? You don’t always need coffee to solve your story problems. You just need a walk. And possibly a duck.”

May 2025

Title: "Writing When You're Blue (And Not in the Cool Jazz Way)"

Let’s be honest. Writing is magical until it isn’t. There are days when the words flow like wine at a wedding. And then there are days when your brain feels like a Wi-Fi signal in a cave. Flat. Dead. Uninspired. Welcome to Blue Day Writing™.

But worry not, fellow scribbler! Here are realistic, slightly ridiculous ways to keep your fingers moving even when your mood isn’t.

1. Embrace the Meltdown (briefly)Allow yourself 10 minutes of full dramatic meltdown. Blanket burrito. Chocolate. Sighing like a Victorian poet. Maybe write a heartfelt breakup letter to your keyboard. Then? Move on. You’ve mourned your muse. Time to poke it back to life.

2. Set the bar lower. No, lower You don’t need to write a novel today. Just one bad paragraph. Or one absurd line. Or a character introducing themselves as a raccoon in disguise. Quantity over quality? Pfft. Try survival over productivity. Write anything, even if it’s terrible. Especially if it’s terrible. You can fix it later or claim it’s “experimental.”

3. Write like nobody’s watching (because they aren’t)No one is standing behind you judging your adverbs. Your first draft can be a steaming mess of typos, passive voice, and plot holes the size of Mars. The point is: just write. Save the perfection for tomorrow’s crisis.

4. Channel your inner villain. If your sweet protagonist won’t behave today, throw in a moody villain. Maybe you’re the villain today. Write a scene where your character says exactly what you wish you could say to that annoying guy at the post office. Catharsis is productivity in disguise.

5. Bribe yourself. Like an underpaid squirrel. “Write 300 words, and you get a cookie.” “Finish this chapter, and you can binge that show where everyone is suspiciously good-looking.” Writing is hard. Motivation is harder. Bribery is timeless.

6. Remember your 'why' (and your Wi-Fi password).You started writing because stories light you up. Or because you wanted to escape. Or because that one English teacher said you could. Or because imaginary people live in your head rent-free and demand airtime. Whatever it is remind yourself. Even if you write a sentence a day, you’re still showing up for that dream.

7. If all else fails… narrate your misery. Literally. “She stared at the blinking cursor, her soul as empty as the fridge. Outside, the rain mocked her. Inside, the coffee betrayed her with its lukewarm disappointment. ”See? You’re writing again.

Final Thoughts (a.k.a. Pep Talk in Pyjamas):Blue days happen. They don’t mean you’re not a writer. They mean you’re human. Writing on the good days is easy. Writing on the ugh days? That’s where the real magic hides.

So, pick up your pen, or keyboard, or magic quill whatever your weapon of choice and write one honest, funny, awkward, beautiful sentence.