Time to find for writing can be a challenge, we all know that. However, when you do find that 10, 30, 60 minutes you can dedicate to your craft, how can you be sure you're writing efficiently, making the most of your time typing?

In this post, I spoke about 'power writing'. I stand by this tactic; it is great, but are you getting the most out of your precious minutes?

Are you forcing writing when it's not flowing?

When words are not forthcoming, don't try force them onto paper or screen. Take a break (lunch, walk the dog, phone your mum), get some fresh air - you'll feel refreshed when you return to your laptop. 

Do you type inefficiently?

Many people can speed up their typing and make it more accurate with some basic touch typing lessons. Have you considered this? Take a look at Typing Club (free online training) to test and train yourself, or, for a deeper study of typing, check out Typing Study. 

Some pointers might also reduce strains on your wrists or fingers having been sat in an awkward position for stretches of time. A different shaped mouse might make all the difference. 

Are you distracted from your major project by more 'fun' or 'easy' writing pieces?

I am guilty of this. I don't kill my frogs, choosing what and when I want to write. Such is the luxury of an (mainly) unpaid writer! If you find blogging or writing poems easier, for example, save them for a 'warm up' exercise at the start of your time writing, then move on to the heavier work. It'll satisfy your creative brain and start the day with something fun. You can always come back later, when you've done some hard work - best to set a target and reward yourself here. Stay organised and you'll go far. 

Do you find yourself typing slowly, making sure the sentences are perfectly crafted, spelled and structured?

Again, a typing course might help here, but you need to restrain that internal editor of yours. A first draft is exactly that: a draft. You are fine to, nay, expected to return to it and improve, tweak, remove sections at will. Spelling doesn't matter - even if you spellcheck doesn't pick it up, your second draft will. I actually find the second draft more fun, as the bulk of the text is there. I've got it down, now it's time to perfect it. 

Are you a research fiend?

Research is, of course, necessary for any decent piece of writing. This is all well and good, but 'research' could go on and on as an activity. Take stock: what do you have so far? Could you write a few pages or chapters with what you've gleaned already?

Lou x

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Cake no.1 was the classic - a family favourite: Victoria Sponge. I glued the two sandwiches together with jam and yoghurt. It's already almost eaten (gracias, el husbandio). 

I love baking to share, and this is exactly what I've done this week. El Husbandio is full, work colleagues are buttered up, and bachelor brother has cake in his previously empty cake tin. 

Added to this, I now don't have to move house with old, battered bags of flour, sugar and sprinkles,liable to split and make a huge mess. Result!

Anyone for a slice of cake?

Lou x

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Best get straight to it - my number one writing tip is.... *drumroll*

Write a lot. 

Writing every day is a sure fire way to improve. Write every day, or several times a day if you can. And you know you can commit to that. It only needs 10 minutes. 


Writing is like learning a language. The more you use the skill, the more you immerse yourself in it, the more skilled you'll become. 


Write stuff for yourself, write for a blog (I'm always open to guest writers here and over on my travel blog!), write for paper publications. It doesn't matter if you show anyone, just get it down. 

It does get easier, like anything, with practice. 

Go for it this week, see how you get on. 

Lou x

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Latest post here: Recycling in Sweden ("Atervinning i Sverige")

Last night I had The Chop For Charity. I cut off my hair to donate it to the charity Little Princess Trust. They make real hair wigs for kids in the UK and Ireland who have lost their hair due to illness - an incredibly worthwhile cause. 

I'd been growing my hair (with two 'tidy-ups' for wedding and post braids) since January 2012, more or less. The original idea was to grow a 'Princess Jasmin' style braid - you know, the princess from Aladdin?! Yep, I'm that sad... But she's definitely the best Disney princess! 

However, not only am I not an Arabian beauty, I am also made of flesh and blood; I'm no cartoon. My hair is nowhere near thick enough to have those luscious locks. So I investigated donating my lengths of locks. 

After Googling a bit, I found several charities who ask for hair donations. I wanted one I could trust, and one which needed what I had, plus possibly another month or two. I was getting sick of washing, drying and product bottle draining!

Little Princess Trust was the charity that singer Jessie J chose when she shaved off her hair in 2013, so I decided, if it's good enough for her, it's good enough for me. Also, they were only asking for 7 inches - most others want 15. I easily had that!

So, last night, I went for the chop. I was extremely excited, thinking about the kids I might be able to help and the drastic change to my hair do. I ended up with 11.5 inches snipped off - could have gone for more but I wanted to have something to tie back still for work. And clean eating. All I had to do was have it plaited, tied at both ends, and bagged before it hit the floor. There's a UK address to post it to, and the charity does the rest. 

And... my hair? I love the result! I'm hearing it's a mix of Yael Stone (Orange Is The New Black), Dora The Esplorer (my personal favourite!) and Arya from Game of Thrones.... Lush! 

I think everyone should do this at least once in their lives - I'm going to do a repeat, for sure. 

Special thanks to Hannah, my lovely hairdresser, and to Hilary who inspired me from about 10 years ago. I got there eventually! 

Find out more about donating YOUR hair here - you don't have to go for a shaved head, just 7 inches of a plait is needed! 

My haircut journey was posted on Twitter, so come and have a look at the posts from around 5pm last night (13/7/15). 

Lou x

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We're in the middle of the festival of the Muslim festival of Ramadan, did you know that?

Ramadan (Arabic:; رمضان) or Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Quran was revealed. Fasting during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Ramadan will either last 29 or 30 days, based on the lunar cycle. It moves 11 days each year, and is the equivalent, in terms of religious festivals, to Christmas. There’s even presents and a feast at the end!

Talking yesterday to a friend of mine (who’s currently fasting),  I hadn’t realised how little I knew about this festival, celebrated by over 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. In my ignorance, I thought Ramadan was something to do with sacrifice for Allah (God), an a test. 

Far from the truth. Ashamed, I absorbed a welcomed lesson in social studies and RE. 

In this age, more than ever, I believe that understanding cultures and religion - even just a little bit - goes a long way towards world building (at home, work, your town/country and globally). So, I am pleased to say I am, today, during Ramadan 2015, blogging the four most interesting things I discovered chatting about this relatively unknown (to me) religious event.

Ramadan is based on remembering the world of people who are worse off than you. It is common for Muslims to give more money to charity – one of the Five Pillars of Islam – during Ramadan than in any other month of the year. Fasting is about learning self-discipline and generosity, and remembering those who live daily with hunger is a large part of this tradition.

It's an exercise in self-control, to set up the mind and body for any challenges the following year may bring. I'm all for some well-being and mental wellness.

People who are mentally handicapped or insane are fully exempted from the obligation of fasting. And pregnant women. Careful planning there, ladies!

If you know anything about Ramadan, it might be that Muslims shouldn’t be eating between dawn and sunset. However, Muslims must also refrain from drinking liquids, smoking and having sex. A serious challenge, especially when Ramadan falls in the hot summer. 

As The Guardian newspaper says, Ramadan is a 'date with introspection'. Ramadan is an opportunity to focus on the soul rather than the body, so Muslims are making an effort to become morespiritual, as well as seeking to improve their own behaviour. There's a strong sense of empathy for those in need and giving thanks for the food and opportunities they themselves have, with many millions having less than enough to live on. 

So Ramadan is not about starving yourself for the hell of it. Or for Allah. It's about an inner journey, a spiritual connection, a wider world perspective. That, I can believe in. 

Good luck to all those fasting this month, and may you see the benefits personally and within your world. 

Want to know more? I liked this article from The Independent (another news bod) who wrote a piece titled "Six things you shouldn't say to someone fasting for Ramadan". It's a little humorous, but the point is made. Ramadan is a spiritual cleansing exercise, in a way, and the world possibly might be better off if more people knew the meaning behind it.  

Ramadamadingdong!

Couldn't resist. 

Lou x

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