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Mara S. Akram

@writesmara.bsky.social

310 followers 350 following 38 posts

Writer who likes to draw | The Eye of the Ocean (2024) | Guppy Books SL (2024) | AMM @AuthorMentorM R7 | https://www.art4marax.com

www.art4marax.com

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Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Dec 10

Very excited that the full version of The Eye of the Ocean is coming out this week!This kickstarter campaign has been a labor of love with my co-author Sara Lilley and talented designer Lorenzo Gaggiotti (Stockholm17).✨📚 🌊 www.stockholm17.com/blogs/the-ey...
#stockholm17 #theeyeoftheocean

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Apr 28

substack.com/@art4marax

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Apr 20

11. H.G. Wells Short Story Competition (July 8)

12. Short Fiction Aesthetica Magazine (August 31)

13. John Steinbeck Award for Fiction (Nov 1)

14. Jericho Writers First 500 Words Competition (Dec 2)

3/3

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Apr 20

6. Cheshire Novel Prize (June 1)

7. Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition (June 2)

8. Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition (June 2)

9. The Lascaux Prize (Flash Fiction) (June 30)

10. Moth Short Story Competition (June 30)

2/3

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Apr 20

Upcoming Writing Competition Deadlines 2025

1. Globe Soup 100 Word Competition (April 30)

2. Blue Pencil Agency (May 31)

3. Bridge Port (May 31)

4. Goldfinch Novel Award (May 31)

5. Bath Novel Award (May 31 and Nov 30)

1/3

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Apr 20

When the universe deletes your chapter 😭, when the world feels like it’s on fire 🔥, when you wonder why you even bother creating anymore 🤯—KEEP GOING. ✍️✨

🔗 *New blog post:
art4marax.substack.com/p/when-the-u...

What’s one creative promise you’re keeping this week?

When the Universe Deletes Your Chapter

And Other Reasons to Keep Creating Anyway

art4marax.substack.com

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Apr 13

Thanks Rae, likewise! 😊

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Apr 12

🔥 Slow progress this week—but found unexpected inspiration in Bertrand Russell’s A History of Western Philosophy. Turns out, philosophy isn’t all dry logic puzzles.

substack.com/@art4marax/n...

#Philosophy #CreativeStruggle #HistoryOfIdeas

The Slow Grind & the Delight of Philosophical Digressions

Part 1: The Pre-Socratics

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Mar 22

Excited to watch Season 3 of the Wheel of Time. Just finished reading The Eye of the World.

www.art4marax.com/blog

substack.com/@art4marax/n...

#WheelOfTime #FantasyBooks #TBR

a woman in a blue dress is holding a sphere in her hands in a dark room .

ALT: a woman in a blue dress is holding a sphere in her hands in a dark room .

media.tenor.com

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Mar 15

Let me know which hacks you find helpful, or share your own strategies! Let’s beat decision paralysis together. 💪✨ #Productivity #ADHDJourney #LifeHacks #GetThingsDone

Full blog post:
www.art4marax.com/blog

8/8

blog — ART 4 MARAX

www.art4marax.com

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Mar 15

The key to breaking free from decision paralysis? Take action.
🚀 It’s not about finding the perfect solution—it’s about breaking the cycle of inaction.

What works for you? 👇

7/8

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Mar 15

Hack #5: Limit Your Choices 
Too many options can freeze you up. Narrow your list to 3 tasks, then focus on one at a time. 🎯 Makes decision-making so much easier!

6/8

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Mar 15

Hack #4: The Pomodoro Technique
 Work in 25-minute focus sprints, followed by 5-minute breaks. After 4 rounds, take a longer break. 🕒🔁 Breaking tasks into chunks makes them less intimidating and keeps energy high.

5/8

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Mar 15

Hack #3:

Two-Minute Rule
 If it’ll take 2 minutes or less, DO IT NOW. ⏳✅ This stops small tasks from piling up and keeps you moving forward. Momentum is everything!

4/8

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Mar 15

Hack #2: Task Bundling
 Pair something you dread with something you love! For example:
* Editing? Listen to your favorite album. 🎧✍️
* Walking in the cold? Try a podcast. 🚶‍♀️🎙️ It’s called temptation bundling, and it works wonders. 🙌

3/8

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Mar 15

Hack #1: Random Draw
 When my to-do list is overwhelming, I let fate decide. Write down tasks, toss them in a jar, and pick one. Commit to it—no overthinking. 📝✨ Takes the pressure off and helps me just get started!

2/8

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Mar 15

Ever feel like your brain’s a glitchy video game? 🎮 Overheated, overwhelmed, and stuck? Decision paralysis hits hard, making even tiny choices feel impossible.

😰 Here's how I break through it with some simple hacks: 🧵

1/8

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Jan 6

Thanks lovely ❤️

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Dec 31

❤️ But perhaps the most meaningful project I began this year is one rooted in family and memory. www.art4marax.com/blog/wrapping-up-2024-1

Thank you for being part of my journey this year. Here’s to another year of stories, connection, and hope. ✨

#YearInReview #Writingcommunity #CreativeJourney

Wrapping up 2024 ✨ — ART 4 MARAX

As the year draws to a close, I’m reflecting on everything I’ve accomplished creatively as well as challenges faced in 2024. Here are a few highlights: 📚 Completing and publishing the full version o...

www.art4marax.com

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Dec 31

🏅 Thrilled to see my MG fantasy Madi and the Moon shortlisted for the @guppybookspublishing award. This story holds a special place in my heart, and the recognition means the world. 🧵3/4

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Dec 31

📚 Completing and publishing the full version of the adult archeo fantasy novel The Eye of the Ocean via Kickstarter with my coauthor Sara Lilley @whatsaradidnext and talented designer/ illustrator Lorenzo Gaggiotti @stockholm17 —I received my beautiful copy this week! 🧵2/4

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Dec 31

As the year draws to a close, I’m reflecting on everything I’ve accomplished creatively as well as challenges faced in 2024. Here are a few highlights: 🧵 1/4

Reposted by Mara S. Akram

The Saturday Morning Podcast 🎙️ @satmornpod.bsky.social · Dec 7

NEW EPISODE! Back in 1989, kids of the time were give a ton of hella cool toys. Come back in time with me to explore the TOP 10 CHRISTMAS TOYS of 1989. It'll make you feel like a kid again! And it just might bring up some lost memories.

Find it here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Dec 12

Rewatching season 1 of Silo and got to say it holds up second time round! #bingeworthyseries

m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYh...

Silo — Official Trailer | Apple TV+

YouTube video by Apple TV

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Dec 10

Very excited that the full version of The Eye of the Ocean is coming out this week!This kickstarter campaign has been a labor of love with my co-author Sara Lilley and talented designer Lorenzo Gaggiotti (Stockholm17).✨📚 🌊 www.stockholm17.com/blogs/the-ey...
#stockholm17 #theeyeoftheocean

Mara S. Akram @writesmara.bsky.social · Dec 6

December reads 📚 ✨
#tbr #books