Once again, it has been months since I last wrote a post on this website. I’d love to apologise and say that will change, but if we’ve learnt anything in the last few years, it’s that life comes at you fast.
2022 has not messed around.
I cannot stress how much of a whirlwind the first 4 months of 2022 have been for me. In 4 months I have lept from my first holiday in 2 years, to a serious bout of depression, to a desire to pursue every hobby I have all at once, to the beginning of a life-long dream.
If I could play the last four months back on a screen, I think my brain would mould them into one big blur of tears and laughter and days in bed, new experiences, and copious amounts of caffeine. I’ve been doing all that I can to stay grounded in reality, but there’s a part of me still trying to float back to the ground.
I’ll spare you the messy details (and trust me, they have been quite messy), but there is one big thing to catch up on. And that is the reason for this annoyingly ominous title.
But first, some backstory
“I was writing long before I started blogging – I’ve wanted to be an author since I was six years old and I literally used to spend my whole childhood summer holidays sat on my bed with my laptop writing novels.”
– This blog, ‘The Unique Blogger Award’, 2017
I have always been the kind of person that’s wanted to try as many things as possible and keep my interests open. I was the kid in 10 extra-curricular clubs… I did piano, gymnastics, guitar, choir, circus skills, ballet, tap, you name it. I have always enjoyed jumping from thing to thing, but throughout everything, there has always been one thing that’s stuck. And that is writing.
I used to lock myself up in my room during the summer holidays and scribble stories on endless pieces of paper. My tiny mind was blown when I discovered Word Processor and found out that I could type up my “books” like the professionals. I saw being an author as the most glamorous job in the world… And while that naivety definitely aged out of me, the desire to write (and keep writing, constantly) never stopped.
So I am thrilled to announce that on 22nd April 2022, I officially signed with Silé Edwards at Mushens Entertainment, and am on the road to making my dreams of being a published author come true.
I am writing a book!
Or, another book, I guess I should say. As I have established, I am almost always writing something. But this book is extra special because it’s being written with the express knowledge that someone is looking to help me publish it!
Silé reached out to me at the end of December, and we have been discussing the idea of working together since around mid-January. Since then, we have been going back and forth about the kind of book she could see me write, and the kind of book that I believe I could write. After months of emails and plot discussions and some trial pages I wrote, she sent me an official offer of representation, and a big old cheesey grin has not left my silly little face since.
I am so excited to get this story out into the world and I’m already starting to fall in love with the characters I’ve created. I look forward to getting to know them and watching them grow over the coming year, hopefully into the first draft of a manuscript by December (Fingers crossed).
So, follow me on this journey
This is (and I cannot stress this enough) the most important milestone of my life so far, so I will be documenting it in any way that I can. Be that through my Instagram stories, random writing tweets, ‘Come write with me’ TikToks (Yes, I TikTok now), or copious rambly blog posts.
I invite you to come on this journey with me, and hey, maybe there will even be a book to buy at the end.
I am so excited, and I cannot thank Silé enough for reaching out to me. Sign up and stay tuned for more book updates, and hopefully more regular blog posts in the coming months!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
A blogger turned author huh. Congratulations on that. And welcome to embracing the author journey too. I have also been Mia for a while on my blog and socials because life happened. Would be posting again very soon. Hope to see more from you. Xx
Isa A. Blogger
https://www.lifestyleprism.com/
Thanks so much, I am so excited for this next chapter! Good luck to you too, I hope you are able to find more time to update your blog too x
Hey Jas! I am so happy about your book deal. Well deserved! This is the first time I am coming across your writing, and I must confess, you’ve got it in you.
I look forward to watching your book evolve and reading more interesting pieces like this from you.
About the sad battles you had to deal with, your better days are in front of you. Winning is deep in your blood.
Have a lovely day!
Thank you! That means so much! Hope you’re doing well and having a lovely day too x
Congratulations! I can see why this year has been full of emotions so far. I love it when people get to realize their dreams. As you write your book, keep in mind your passion for writing and that someone else values what you can contribute as well. I’m sure that on some days, writing will come more easily than in others, so if you keep your “why” in mind, then you can push through to “The End.” So excited for you. Do take us along for the journey.
~ Cassie | letsgrowmom.com
Very sound advice, thank you! I’m looking forward to taking everyone with me on this journey x