Hello fellow writers, and this month’s update for Complete Freelance Writing Course on Udemy is a new lesson 53. You’ll see I’ve themed this to the time of year, with Halloween or Samhain due here in a couple of days.

I loved this Magic Maker book, and found it entertaining and informative. Three ideas especially leapt out at me: one of ritual and how it can help us focus and be centred in our writing work.

Secondly, the idea of magic circle casting where we surround ourself with some kind of circle, be it antecedent great writer spirits or protective relatives, salt or candles, or all the traditions and influences that our creative writing springs from.

Thirdly, the idea of bibliomancy, where books randomly act as inspiration and direction to whatever project we’ve got in hand. This of course, may just be a fancy pants way of describing research rabbit holes, but as it offers an excuse to visit old bookshops and libraries, I’m certainly taken with it.

Novel November

If you’re lamenting the demise of Namowrimo, the writing challenge which used to be held every November, then Pro Writing Aid is offering a replacement, Novel November, with the aim of writing 50,000 words in this month. Amazing. I’m elsewhere engaged, but if you’re giving it a go, please do let me know so we can celebrate your success. And may the writing spirits be with you!