• uniquely creative
    All posts,  Creativity

    What Does it Mean to be Uniquely Creative?

    Being uniquely creative means having original and individualistic ideas, thoughts, and approaches to tasks, problems, or situations. It is the ability to think outside the box, generate new and innovative solutions, and bring a personal touch to the things one creates. Uniqueness in creativity refers to the idea that no one else has thought of or produced something precisely the same way. But it’s also a way to live your life, not just earn a living from your creativity. ‘75% of people think they are not living up to their creative potential.’ And that stat just makes me sad. Especially in a time where creativity is not just encouraged but necessary…

  • ads for authors
    All posts,  Author marketing

    Ads for Authors Online Course

    The Self-Publishing Formula program by Mark Dawson is a comprehensive guide to self-publishing a book and making it a success. It covers topics such as all whilst providing a step-by-step process for authors to follow. Those who have gone through the program have reported positive results and increased success in their self-publishing ventures. Like, I’ve witnessed fellow self-published authors do millions of dollars in sales each year. Of course, it is ultimately up to the individual to assess if the program aligns with their goals and if the investment is worth it for them. About Mark Dawson Mark Dawson is a bestselling self-published author and marketer who has created several…

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    The Sun Down Motel by Simone St James – Book Review

    The Sun Down Motel is a multi-generational story predominantly set at a creepy motel of the same name in upstate New York. With a feminist bent, this story was easy to get behind the amateur sleuth protagonist as she went about searching for what happened to her aunt when she went missing thirty years prior from the same hotel the main character worked at. All the characters were interesting and were well formed enough that your mind could linger on them long enough to wonder their true motives. Each one flawed more than they were functional, which makes for incredibly interesting reading. This is on me, but I assumed the…

  • All posts,  Book coaching,  Books,  Writing

    How I Wrote a Book in Three Weeks

    Okay, confession: I wrote a book in THREE WEEKS! Even when I write it, I can still barely believe it. Three weeks is an incredibly fast time to write a book. And, surprisingly, it wasn’t that terrible. Here’s how I did it and what I did to achieve it. Want to write your own book? Let’s write it together.

  • All posts,  Books,  Writing

    Questions About Writing – when to approach a publisher

    I get asked a lot of questions about writing books – which is great! But rather than type the same thing over and over, I’ve started compiling videos of my most frequently asked questions in the hope that I can help any aspiring writer head on their way to writing or publishing their books. If you have questions that you want to see answered, simply leave a comment in the comments section on this video. The video below looks at when you should approach a publisher with your book idea and a little bit about whether I’m self or traditionally published. Questions about writing with Vanessa Jones

  • thriller book reviews
    All posts,  Book reviews,  Books,  Horror,  Psychological thriller

    Home Before Dark by Riley Sager – Book Review

    Home Before Dark— Huff Post‘s “10 Of The Most Anticipated Book Releases Of June 2020″— is not so much a psychological thriller as it is a traditional haunted house thriller. This is my first Riley Sager book and I wasn’t disappointed. It was probably the first book in my life where I had to consciously put it down a few times at night because it was a little too scary, deciding that it’d be better as a “daytime book”. Told in parallel timeframes, from grown up Maggie’s point of view as well as her dad’s when she was just five, this ever-unfurling story made use of some brilliant haunted house…

  • psychological thriller with a twist
    All posts,  Books,  Psychological thriller

    Psychological Thrillers with a Surprise Twist Ending

    I absolutely love a twist ending, as I’m sure many of you do. It’s predominantly what keeps us reading until the very end of a book — to find out what happened and be shocked out of our mundane predictions and our limited imagination. In the psychological thriller genre, twist endings are expected. And that’s what makes a psychological thriller so good — you get to see that magnificent plot twist at the end! Here are some books that have twist endings that even surprised me, as an author of psychological thriller fiction. Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier Jar of Hearts begins as a typical psychological thriller about a girl…

  • why do people join cults
    All posts,  Books,  Cults,  Psychological thriller

    Why Do So Many People Join Cults?

    People have always been fascinated with cults. What is it about these organisations that have drawn people in for centuries? There are many reasons why people may be interested in cults, but here are some of the most common: 1. Cults offer a sense of community. When people feel isolated or alone, they may be more likely to join a cult. Cults typically offer a sense of community and support, which can appeal to people who feel lost or lonely. ‘The number of cult members [in America] is variously estimated at 300,000 to three million.’ That’s a rather large community to be a part of.  2. Cults promise a better life.…

  • All posts,  Books,  Cults,  Non fiction

    Best Books About Cults – Non-Fiction Titles

    Five Non-Fiction Books About Cults You Should Read There are a number of different non-fiction books that have been written about famous cults over the years. Here are some of the best books about cults that I’ve compiled to start your rabbit hole reading journey. If you’re anything like me, you love deep-diving into the mysterious world and mentality of cults and religions. Cults in America: The Rise and Fall of Our Most Dangerous Secret Societies by Steven Hassan This book is a comprehensive overview of cults in America, from their origins to their current state. It provides an in-depth look at how cults operate and the techniques they use…

  • All posts,  Writing,  Writing prompts

    Writing prompts 11 to 20

    If you have burned through my previous writing prompts, pick one or all of the following and write a story, poem or book. Be sure to share your finished story with me if you use any of the prompts by tagging me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! 11. A story in which all of the characters are animals, either as humans who have been turned into animals, or animals who can speak and think like humans. 12. A story in which the characters are all ghosts or spirits, and must find a way to cross over to the other side. 13. A story in which the characters are all superheroes…