Pep Talk In Pyjamas

July 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.

June2025 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.

14th 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.”

5th June 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.