In Brett’s study this week

This week, I have managed the following.

✔ Edited 15 chapters of Time Clones 2
This week I went full steam ahead, and absolutely smashed it, by editing 15 chapters of Time Clones book 2. I am well on my way to completing this book, and hope to have it ready for beta readers to read soon 🙂

✔ Made changes to my Everbook
In Last weeks newsletter I featured the Everbook, a great way to catalog, and organise the information that I like to keep handy. The videos showed a leather bound solution to the confusion I have in life. In effect, this is an all-in-one, allowing me to carry my journal, planner, business notes, projects, and much more all in one loose-leaf leather-bound folder.
This means that all the flaps of paper that I keep writing on, and losing, now have a home, and I can concentrate on the projects that are written on them, making me much more productive, and it shows because of how many chapters I have edited this week.
This week, I have been busy creating folders for my Everbook, and now have a Personal section, Business section, Church section and more. The leather folder is quite expensive, so I have opted for a cheaper solution (because I don’t want to spend loads of money, and then find out it’s just a fad and I no longer use it) by purchasing some leather and making my own folder for it, until I decide if and when I want to buy the official version. I have also bought a special writing tool for it, more information in the Featured Article section of todays newsletter.

✔ Finally tidied my desk
With the same excitement of “When Harry met Sally” and the infamous YES, YES, YES scene, I am excited to announce that I have finally tidied my desk. This may sound like a bit of on over-reaction to what some may find to be a rather menial task, but I have to tell you, it’s been difficult. Anyone can just slide their arm across their desk and just make everything fly from the desk onto the floor, leaving an empty desk, but… that’s exactly the problem. The floor was packed full of other stuff, from Christmas and other junk just dumped into my study. So, when I say I have finally tidied my desk, what I actually mean is, the floor has been organised (I can now walk into the study) and the clutter has been removed from my desk, with some more practical stuff, and less junk. So, this has been a momentous journey, and now, I present to you… the photos!

In Brett’s study this week

This week, I have managed the following.

✔ Edited 15 chapters of Time Clones 2
This week I went full steam ahead, and absolutely smashed it, by editing 15 chapters of Time Clones book 2. I am well on my way to completing this book, and hope to have it ready for beta readers to read soon 🙂

✔ Made changes to my Everbook
In Last weeks newsletter I featured the Everbook, a great way to catalog, and organise the information that I like to keep handy. The videos showed a leather bound solution to the confusion I have in life. In effect, this is an all-in-one, allowing me to carry my journal, planner, business notes, projects, and much more all in one loose-leaf leather-bound folder.
This means that all the flaps of paper that I keep writing on, and losing, now have a home, and I can concentrate on the projects that are written on them, making me much more productive, and it shows because of how many chapters I have edited this week.
This week, I have been busy creating folders for my Everbook, and now have a Personal section, Business section, Church section and more. The leather folder is quite expensive, so I have opted for a cheaper solution (because I don’t want to spend loads of money, and then find out it’s just a fad and I no longer use it) by purchasing some leather and making my own folder for it, until I decide if and when I want to buy the official version. I have also bought a special writing tool for it, more information in the Featured Article section of todays newsletter.

✔ Finally tidied my desk
With the same excitement of “When Harry met Sally” and the infamous YES, YES, YES scene, I am excited to announce that I have finally tidied my desk. This may sound like a bit of on over-reaction to what some may find to be a rather menial task, but I have to tell you, it’s been difficult. Anyone can just slide their arm across their desk and just make everything fly from the desk onto the floor, leaving an empty desk, but… that’s exactly the problem. The floor was packed full of other stuff, from Christmas and other junk just dumped into my study. So, when I say I have finally tidied my desk, what I actually mean is, the floor has been organised (I can now walk into the study) and the clutter has been removed from my desk, with some more practical stuff, and less junk. So, this has been a momentous journey, and now, I present to you… the photos!

This week, I have managed the following.

✔ Submitted my taxes, yay
– It’s that time of year again, and I decided to try and do my taxes all on my own. I’ve done it for a few years now (with help), but this year I decided to give it a go on my own. 
– I followed the same template as last year, and cracked on with it. After just over 2 hours, it was done… that was easy. And now, I have a target to beat for next year, yay 🙂

✔ More edits on Time Clones Book 2
– Due to having a few days off this week, I have only edited 3 chapters this week. Updates will appear on the website.

✔ Health update: How much weight did I lose this week?
– I maintained my weight this week, which is not bad news, because I didn’t put anything on. Not good news either, so I am determined to lose a bit more next week. Wish me luck 🙂

✔ Find out what I did on my days off this week
– I had the laziest of days, it started off with a lay-in, then consisted of watching TV, reading The Dragon Riders Academy, playing Minecraft, and watching videos about Everbook planning system. You can find out more about that by clicking this link.

In Brett’s study this week

This week, I have managed the following.

✔ Gained a subscriber to the newsletter
✔ Got half way through sorting my study
✔ Launched the Lemontree Library
✔ Edited some of Time Clones book 2
✔ and more…

✔ Gained a subscriber to the newsletter
Thanks to Chris for becoming a Time Trekker, when you have time, please feel free to email me and say hello.
If you know anyone who would benefit from this newsletter, please forward this email to them. 

✔ Got half way through sorting my study
It’s a biiiiiiiig job and it’s distracted me somewhat from writing but here’s the thing… once it’s done, I will be in a much more creative headspace. I have removed distractions and desktop clutter, got rid of all the rubbish, tidied up the bookshelves and more. Now I have stuff to sort, archiving some stuff in the attic and generally giving myself some room so I can sit down and crack on with more editing, yay

✔ Launched the Lemontree Library
I loooove lemons, and I’ve dreamt of being a librarian on and off, for years, but that’s never happened, so… this week I made that dream come true when I launched the Lemontree library. It’s a little free library where readers can “take a book, leave a book” and enjoy reading for free.

✔ Edited some of Time Clones book 2
I’m really excited to share that I am now on the final round of edits… end is almost here. This week sorting out the study has taken up some of my time, but I’ve still managed to get some time for editing in, wooohooo 🙂
I will edit the graph on the website when I get time.

✔ and more.
I lost another half a pound in weight and am starting to feel quite pleased with myself. Initially it felt disappointing to only lose such a little weight after last weeks four and a half pound loss, but… a loss is a loss, so I’ll take that. 

In Brett’s study this week

This week, I have managed the following.

✅ Become a part of a newsletter swap list, which means I can recommend more books to you, from Authors you will get to know and love.

✅ Book of the week is now Book of The Month, to keep things changing in the newsletter, and to ensure you don’t get overloaded with book recommendations.

✅ I treated myself to a book nook (a small book sized insert which sits on my bookshelf between books with a cool little light up scene). I won’t be putting this together just yet, because I want to create it as a reward for when I publish Time Clones book 2. I will send you pics closer to the time.

✅ Started the final round of edits of Time Clones 2, yay

✅ Actually made progress sorting out my study… I can walk into the room!!!

To be done in the next 3 months.

⏳ Tax Self assessment.

⏳ Finishing organising the study

⏳ Complete Time Clones – book 2

⏳ Start working on Time Clones – book 3

2024 has had its ups and downs, and I’ve dealt with them in many different ways. I am pleased that my writing has progressed this far, and I can’t express how happy I am with the way things are going.

Here are the highlights for 2024.

BUSINESS

Productivity & Organization

• Developed a personalized productivity system (Filokasten), combining paper and digital tools. Focused on task tracking and better organization using apps like TickTick and Obsidian.
• Wrote, Edited, and Second Edits for Time Clones 2, reached 50k words, and began editing chapters. Managed writing progress using tools like Novelist and Scrivener.

Business Growth

• Completed taxes, did proofreading / editing courses, and joined a digital marketing course.
• Held multiple book signings, including one in a local charity shop. Updated book marketing strategies and managed my business with new tools like Payhip and ConvertKit.

Marketing & Social Media

• Built content for Instagram and Patreon. Created a new £1 Patreon tier, and focused on using Canva for social media content.
• Held a successful book signing at WHSmith, sold books in-store, and used professional signage and posters. Increased book prices by £1.
• Switched focus from ads to newsletters and worked on growing my presence on social media.

Podcasts & Writing Communities

• Listened to writing podcasts like Writer Roadmap Podcast and The Creative Penn Podcast. Joined writing groups on Discord, Reddit, and Zoom. Discovered new communities, like Activated Authors (now closed).
• Engaged in Zettelkasten and journaling groups on Reddit.

Reading & Learning

• Read books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Drawing Red. Took notes on Kindle and used Goodreads for reading goals.

Software & Tools

• Explored new apps and software for writing, including, Draftosaurus, and Self Control. Used NovelWriter, Scrivener, and Apple Notes for organizing writing projects.

Writing World & Industry

• Watched industry updates like Wide for the Win’s 5th anniversary. Joined the Writers Guild of Great Britain.
• Sold books in stores and moved newsletters from Substack to MailPoet after account issues.

Key Accomplishments

• Held a book signing at WHSmith, marking a major milestone in my writing career.
• Focused on productivity, writing progress, and personal growth despite personal challenges.

PERSONAL

Family

• Welcomed the 4th and 5th grandchild into the family.

Downtime

• Relaxed with Minecraft, board games, and TV shows like Suits and Reacher.

Health

• Faced lung infection, blood clot, was run over by a car, and had my first epileptic seizure after 11 years. 
• Managed health with medication, physiotherapy and diet changes, and I’m still going 🙂

Personal Struggles

• Coping with the loss of my mother in April. Faced health challenges, including a seizure and recovery from Keppra side effects.

Conclusion 2024 was a year of growth despite personal and health challenges. Big achievements like the WHSmith signing and progress in writing and marketing set the stage for an even more focused 2025.

I am looking forward to 2025, with the chance to release Time Clones book 2 and I can’t wait to take you all with me. I want to say a massive thank you to you for all the support you have given me 🙂

In Brett’s study this week

Accountability

• Edited 3 more chapters this week on Time Clones book 2, now up to chapter 53.
• Added new pictures to the newsletter, to make it even more scifi-ey

Creativity

• Started on The Secret Project (more details coming next week)

Getting Christmassy

• Bought myself a coaster for the study

• I started celebrating the festive season by having my first mint hot chocolate from Greggs (if you haven’t tried it, please do so, I can’t recommend it enough).
• I bought a Minecraft advent calendar!!
• We Built a Snowman!
• We went to the Meadowhall shopping complex near Sheffield, spent some time in York, and started our Christmas shopping, woohoo.

And to finish off this week, I’ve also added some snow to the website (desktop only, so we dont lagg the mobile readers) and a Christmas countdown (look for Santa 🙂 )