Welcome to Pen & Sword, a blog by two fans of all things reading and writing.
Join us for updates twice a week as we ramble about our favorite reads, bemoan the struggles of being an aspiring author, and discuss anything else related to the lovely world of literature.
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What Counts as Reading?
Reading in the modern era looks like a lot of different things. It’s not just paper anymore. It could be audio books, graphic novels, or ebooks. It could be traditional or ‘amateur’ publications. There are many things that I would… Continue reading
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The Relationship Between Health and Creative Output
The Theory In my experience so far as a writer, I try to track and analyze trends in my writing and process to better understand myself. I want to know in which circumstances I thrive, and which ones hinder my… Continue reading
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Ten Books with Great LGBTQ+ Representation
Happy Pride Month! I’m a huge supporter of writing and reading books with quality queer rep. One of my main projects focuses on a sapphic romance. Another has a character that likely will wind up being ace. My poetry collection… Continue reading
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What Five Days in A Cabin in Montana Did For My Writing
I spent the last week of May in Marion, Montana in a lovely Airbnb cabin. We brought along food to cook ourselves, way more books than I could read, and even a Lego set I’d been meaning to complete for… Continue reading
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Trying Out Book Bingo
My boyfriend’s family are avid readers, so I fit right in. We talk about books pretty much the whole time we’re together. Many are Sanderson fans, a few have gone through some/all of the Dresden Files, and we like to… Continue reading
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If You Need Me, I’ll Be in Space
After completing my manuscript for my novella Kaja, I went through a tough few weeks writing-wise. None of my already-started projects at that point were pulling me. I didn’t have my next plot movement for Project Wishbone, I was entirely… Continue reading
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How the HECK do you Finish a Book?
Excuse my langauge. Guys, I fear that I am attempting to do the impossible. How could I, a mere ADHD-ridden individual, manage to get my butt into gear and finish a freaking book? I love writing. I love drafting. I… Continue reading
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It’s Okay to Set Aside Novel Projects
As writers, we get very attached to our novel projects. In my personal experience, by the time I’ve drafted the first 10,000 words or so of a novel, I feel like my characters are real people and they’re my friends.… Continue reading
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Ranking my Rejection Letters
An unfortune reality of submitting your work to be considered is that you’re going to hear ‘no’ a lot. And I mean a lot. I’ve submitted to dozens of places over the last few years and have gotten three yeses,… Continue reading
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Five Self-Pub/Indie Press Reads I’ve Recently Enjoyed
As a (currently) self-published writer, it only makes sense to elevate my peers as best I can. As a rule, any time I see a self-pub or indie press published writer plugging a book that sounds like I’d like it,… Continue reading
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