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leena's writer's blog

Here is my own writers blog about what it is like to be a writer.  Short pages about life of an author.

I dreamed of being an author even since I was a little girl. I saw myself sitting by an antique desk (with an antique green desk lamp), writing  with a blue fountain pen on thick paper, filling notebook after notebook with my writing (there were no computers in my childhood).

I loved writing by hand and my idea of an author was someone who wrote all the pages by hand. It was quite hard for me to start using a typewriter as it was against my ideal of how books should be written. Not to mention that the sound of the typewriter inevitably made someone open the door to my room and ask what I was writing. I was so absorbed into my stories I almost jumped out of my skins every time I was surprised like that. Also I wanted to keep my stories to myself until I had perfected them. I still remember how angry I was when my mother told me she had read a story I had left on the table, without permission. In my mind that equaled to reading my diary. 

These hand-written notebooks I would then have typed into real pages, and send them to the publisher who couldn't wait for my next masterpiece. Book shelves would tower around me, and I would have a beautiful view from the window. The cares of the world would not touch me, the famous author (well, of course I intended to write bestsellers only).

Oh dear... Such a nice dream.

Pretty soon after I began to write my first book, I understood that being a writer is not exactly the dream job I imagined as a child. At least not in the beginning (here's hoping for the future to prove me wrong!). But it certainly has been worth every tired moment after a 9-5 job and every time I have chosen not to go to some social event so I could be at home and write.

I write these pages to tell what it is like to be a writer and juggle everyday life at the same time.  These are pretty informal little blog writings, the actual fact pages about writing tips, publishing, and my books are pages of their own on this website - you find them from the tabs at the top of the page.

I have an active newsletter blog at leenasbooks.substack.com - go and have a look. You can read and listen to my stories, and receive my newsletter when you sign up. 

copyright of blue fountain pen picture Leena Pekkalainen

Leenas writers blog pages

BLOG POSTS

2024


CELEBRATING LITERACY ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Today is the International Women's Day.  On this day, I would like to draw your attention to a cause close to my heart: literacy for girls.

Literacy is more than just reading and writing; it's the key that unlocks the door to knowledge, opportunity, and empowerment. Teaching children to read wasn't common in history, and even less so when it came to girls. Girls today stand on the shoulders of those who fought to guarantee girls and women the right to learn. This fight has paved the way for today's girls to dream bigger and reach higher.

CONTINUE READING

girl reading a book

"Are your books written by ai?"

...someone asked when they saw my ad on Facebook.

I came across many Facebook ads promising quick and effortless ways to get rich. These advertisements all touted the use of AI technology, such as Chat-GPT, to write a book in a matter of minutes. Some claimed to be able to turn website information into a book (potentially infringing on copyright laws). Others boasted all you needed was a brief description and the AI would do the rest, leaving you free to enjoy endless vacations under palm trees while money kept rolling in.

The only thing that rolled were my eyes.  From experience, I know that writing a book requires effort and dedication. 

The thought of having someone (or rather something) else writing my books for me had never crossed my mind. CONTINUE READING

AI writing a book

Earlier blog posts

What is my favourite in fantasy genre

If I could live in any book world, which one would I choose?

Something I miss as a writer.

Drawing the line

Editing after first draft

What makes me stop reading a book?

Unexpected Genre

How the coronavirus has changed my daily life

What started my writing journey?

The first story I put on paper - without even knowing how to write (Patreon blog post)

Where would I write my next book if it could be anywhere?

What is my favourite genre to write in?

What genre would be the worst one for me to tackle and why

What keeps me finishing my stories

Delights and stresses as a writer (and radio-drama-audio coming soon!)

Success as a writer

Have my readers ever surprised me?

Productive Times

Changes in writing industry I'd like to see

Have I ever written my family traditions into my novels?

A Door in a Book

Should a writer read books by other writers? 

Has my writing ever surprised me?

Do I write original stories or "write to market"?

Doubts about writing - the impostor syndrome

Returning to my author newsletter - what would you like to read about?

What would make me stop writing?

My favourite reading genre

When Words Don't Come Easy

Daily Happiness Journal

Did a picture ever inspire me to write?

The strangest thing I researched when writing a book.

What personal traits have I written into my character(s)?

Writing Time

I'm going to publish my tips on how I found writing time despite a day job, studies and other life. If you have questions you'd like to have addressed or tips you'd like to share, you can do so on this page.

Traveling with rubber duckies

All our friends know we have two rubber ducks that travel with us everywhere.

It all started, when Hubby and I traveled to London (been there many times - we like London a lot). I think we were there to visit the art gallery that had my horse paintings exhibited. Not quite sure as we traveled to London so often. 

Continue reading

What kind of a scene I would need help with?

My Favorite / Least Favorite Question as a Writer

Has Writing Ever Helped Me Cope With a Difficult Life Situation?

Coming Up With Names for Books and Characters

Does spring inspire writing? Or the opposite?

How do I celebrate when I reach a writing goal / finish a story

How do I schedule my writing?

Have I ever slipped personal information to my characters?

My pet peeve when writing.

What inspired the story Nephilim Quest?

Which one is more fun to write about - the protagonist or the antagonist?

Five objects in My Writing Space

Which Publishing Path Did I Choose and Why

Wakey Wakey - Animal Style 

(Spring is in the air... That darned bird... And cat...)

What would I have done differently as a writer in 2017?

Have I ever surprised myself with my writing?

One valuable lesson I've learned about writing.

What Other Creative Outlets I Have

The Joys of Editing -

Nephilim Quest 3 / Amarna -

almost there... (November 2018)

Ultimate Writing Goals

How to keep writing when you feel under the weather?

What do I love about the genre I write in most often?

Have I published my NaNo project?

Terrorist attack in my city 18th August 2017

Did I ever say "I quit writing?"

Back to Homepage from Leenasbook's Writers Blog



Click on the Leenasbooks Newsletter headline above  to go to the newsletter blog's first page on Substack to see what it is about.

You can read the past posts there, and check if you are interested in listening to the audio chapters of my published books, or follow my stories as I write them.

Upon subscribing you will get the Prequel to Nephilim Quest: Angel.

Over two hundred years before Nephilim Quest 1 / Shadowhunter the roots of the story are planted.

A little girl missing her mother, in the palace of the mightiest of the dark Nephilim, hoping for an escape ...  

This book is not for sale anywhere - only readers who have subscribed to my mailing list will get it.



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