Back in 2008 when I wrote the first draft of my first rom com novel HEAVEN CAN WAIT I had amazing writing stamina. I bashed out nearly 2,000 words a night for 3 months and three weeks and then – ta daaaah! Finished.

These days I struggle to read more than 10 pages of a book before I feel like a nap and writing isn’t any easier. I don’t know if it’s the day job, the toddler, the heat or the fact I’m approaching a milestone birthday but I just don’t have the writing energy reserves I used to have. The days of writing from 10pm to 3am aren’t so much ‘long gone’ as ‘dressed up in long johns and snuggled up in bed with me at 9.30pm’.

The reason I’m sharing this with you is because, with the toddler napping, I thought I’d use the time productively and write my story for submission to the Crime Writers Association anthology. After 900 words I felt my energy levels fade and my writing legs gave up on me. I wanted to nap, not write (but there’s only half an hour before my son wakes up so I thought I’d write this blog post instead).

With ‘to do’ lists scattered around the house and barely any time to complete them I NEED to improve my writing stamina or I’m going to seriously fall behind. So what’s the answer? Ginseng? Lucosade? (More) chocolate? Answers on a postcard please. Or in my comments box…