Need some writing inspiration? I really loved these motivational Doctor Who images by targaryen-of-gallifrey.
Silly
What’s On My Desk
The lovely Miss Cole tagged my show some pictures of my workspace, which was great at first… except that we’re not quite done unpacking from the move and things are still a mess.
OH WELL. TOO LATE TO BACK OUT NOW, ONWARDS WE GO.






Oh man, what a mess. Maybe I’ll do another share when I finally get this place in order. That’ll be the day… :)
Sundays
[Animated GIF: A woman, drawn in anime style, stretches at her seat. Her desk is piled high with books. She says: “Say you sleep in on a Sunday morning and you think, I don’t want to do anything today”]
[Animated GIF: The woman turns her chair round, making an exasperated gesture. She says: “Then before you know it it’s already evening. You’re like, “What happened to my precious Sunday?”]
This lady is basically me, every weekend.
Sorry for the short posts lately — I’ve been caught up in beta reading, normal reading, and writing a fun first draft. It’s nice to be busy through January, it feels like I’m starting the year right.
Have a good Sunday, no matter how quickly it flies by.
5 Things You Need to Know About Emma
I entered in #PitchWars this week, a writing contest where published/agented authors, editors, or interns choose one writer each, read their manuscript, and offer suggestions to shine it up for agents.
A few PitchWars mentees were doing #PimpMyBio, where they put up a little bit about themselves so that mentors can learn about us. There’s even a collected list of #PimpMyBios.
It seemed like fun, so, without further ado, here’s 5 Things You Need to Know About Emma.
1. I REALLY like tea.
I love tea, you guys. I really do. I am the most British of Brits, having a cup of tea in times of peril, or sleepiness, or just because it’s chilly.
Here’s the latest picture of my tea collection. I actually need to take a new photo of the changes that have occurred since then.
2. I am the most British of Brits, but also the most Scottish of Scots
Okay, I’ll never match up to a Glaswegian, but I have a strong patriotic street. Not politically–let’s not mention the tormented unicorn that is the current state of Scottish politics–but I’ll rave about haggis and bagpipes and fun Scottish desserts. This part of the country is beautiful and I love living here.
Fun fact: My family hails from the Western Isles, a lovely but flawed part of the country where religion is very strict and alcoholism is very high. Recently a church elder had to be suspended for transporting rams on a Sunday.
3. Also the geekiest of geeks
Works in IT? Check. Watches anime? Check. Can build a computer from scratch? Of course. Videogames? Of course. Comics? Yes, and I even have strong opinions about them.
I write long Tumblr posts defending Cersei and Sansa from Game of Thrones and Effie from The Hunger Games. I’m not only in multiple fandoms, but I’m in bandoms too. I know what Superwholock is and can go from Jensen Ackles to Eren Jaeger in a split second.
Sometimes I am Batman. On other nights, I’m more like Pikachu.
4. I suffer from CAPS LOCK ENTHUSIASM
I JUST. I JUST REALLY LIKE THINGS. I LIKE BEING EXCITED. I LIKE BEING EXCITED IN MY LOUD INTERNET VOICE.
IF YOU HAVE AN ARTSY THING THAT YOU CARE ABOUT I WILL ALSO CARE ABOUT IT. LOUDLY. IN CAPS LOCK.
5. I’m artsy sometimes
I draw lots of pictures related to my writing, and sometimes I commission artwork too. Here’s the pieces related to my current on-sub project, DIVIDE THE SKY.
I don’t pretend that my art is up to much, but I have fun drawing it and sharing it anyway.
My Art
Commissioned Art
Your Summoning Rituals
Reminder if you missed my Friday attempts to magically bind your souls: I still want to know your #summoningrituals
— Emma Maree Urquhart (@EMaree) September 23, 2013
How should I summon you guys in times of danger? Tell me your #summoningrituals please
— Emma Maree Urquhart (@EMaree) September 21, 2013

I started a small Twitter game on Friday, asking how to summon my friends (using Supernatural-style summoning circles and items) in times of danger.
(We’re working under the assumption that the items used aren’t destroyed, just claimed by the summon, so no kittens were harmed during the making of these rituals.)
I’ve been getting some great responses, so I figured I’d collect them into a blog post.
YOUR SUMMONING RITUALS
Regular commenter Roan said his summoning ritual is simply plain chocolate, no matter the quality or brand. I’ve got to appreciate such a straight-forward ritual, it’s awesome.
@EMaree Put a penny on your tongue, stab a peach with a dogwood twig, and turn around widdershins with your eyes closed. #summoningritual
— Kate Shaw (@kc_shaw) September 21, 2013
Kate came up with this wonderfully disorientating ritual. Imagine doing it, and how confused your senses would be by the time the summon was over. Thankfully Kate is a nice summon, commonly appearing in the form of a steampunk owl catcher, and is unlikely to use your disorientation as a chance to strike. So you’re probably safe.
.@EMaree Draw a Wedjet eye w/ the ashes of an immolated copy of Baten Kaitos. Place kitten in center and make it yawn. #summoningrituals — Jenny Haines (@SnarkyLamassu) September 21, 2013
Jenny’s summoning ritual is adorable. So adorable. YAWNING KITTENS!
Put a 20p coin and a note with my name on it into a bottle and let the tide take it. When it returns, so shall I. #summoningrituals — Victoria Boulton (@Vicorva) September 23, 2013
Victoria’s ritual one gave me shivers, though she explained that the 20p is to cover travel expenses, which was astoundingly practical.
@EMaree Draw a moon and seahorse in fresh white sand. Sprinkle with coarse grey sea salt & place sprigs of lavender and sage on either side — J.B. Rockwell (@Rockwell_JB) September 23, 2013
@EMaree A box of chocolates and a simple ‘Hey you!’ would work as well :)
— J.B. Rockwell (@Rockwell_JB) September 23, 2013
J.B.Rockwell’s ritual involves some awesomely magical smells, though like Roan above she’s happy to show up for chocolate. :)
I’ll be updating this post throughout the day as people get involved.
Want to join in? Use the hashtag #summoningrituals on Twitter or leave a comment!
My Superhero Identity is Revealed
BEHOLD, LASER EYES
Thanks to Dave for the unexpected Photoshop.