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Just a couple, of married writers

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Life

4 Tips for Surviving NaNoWriMo

October 28, 2020 Shirah OlafssonLife, Matti & Shirah, Networking & Social Media, Writing

I have made one or two half-hearted attempts at participating in National Novel Writing Month, but have given up two weeks in with only a few thousand words written. Even with preparation in October, writing 50,000 words in 30 days […]

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Read This if You Can’t Stick to a Story

August 10, 2020August 10, 2020 Shirah OlafssonDAWN OF ENDINGS, Life, Matti & Shirah, Writing

There are two types of writers: those who have started at least one project and quit, and liars. Before Dawn of Endings (working title), I had never finished a story idea. I would get these images in my mind: scenes, […]

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What We’re Working on Right Now

August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 Shirah OlafssonLife, Matti & Shirah, Writing

When I was a senior in high school, I was diagnosed with a benign heart murmur caused by severe anxiety. I remember getting the diagnosis, but was given no treatment or advice. The doctor wrote it off as stress caused […]

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Our Co-Writing Process

August 5, 2020September 29, 2020 Matthias OlafssonDAWN OF ENDINGS, Life, Matti & Shirah, Writing

Being on the same page When my wife and I tell people that we co-wrote a book, the most common response we get is, “how could you do that? I’d kill my spouse through the process.” Well after three divorces […]

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We’re Going on Hiatus

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020 Shirah OlafssonIceland, Life, Matti & Shirah

We will be in and out of our home for the month of July as we travel the country. As a consequence, our internet connectivity will be unreliable. We invite you to join us on our adventures on Instagram and […]

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Getting Rejected

June 30, 2020July 3, 2020 Matthias OlafssonLife, Matti & Shirah, Writing

Have you ever been picked last for a game during recess or a science group in chemistry? Can you remember being not invited to that one kid’s birthday party, that you always thought you were pretty close too? Have you […]

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How Gratitude Will Change Your Productivity

June 17, 2020June 17, 2020 Shirah OlafssonLife, Matti & Shirah, Writing

Okay. There’s something I need to get off my chest. I am not a naturally grateful individual. My inner monologue is riddled with negative self-talk and a woe-is-me attitude. You know those people who say “I love a challenge!”? via […]

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Drafting

Draft 1
27% Complete
24,343 of 90,000 words

Currently Seeking Representation

Dawn of Endings
100% Complete
126,607 of 126,607 words
Get Your Own Progress Bar

About Us

Heil og sæl! We are Matti & Shy and we’re currently seeking representation for our manuscript DAWN OF ENDINGS, a fantasy story inspired by Iceland and the Old Norse Myths surrounding Ragnarök.

This website serves as an outlet to gratify our need for expressing ourselves, while we take on the wonderful journey of publishing The Ragnarök Saga.

Here we share our successes, blunders, experiences and a little bit about ourselves. And when we’re feeling particularly cheeky, we’ll share teaser excerpts from our books.

Us on Instagram

awriterlypair

Matti & Shy Ólafsson | Writers
We may not have access to plumbing or electricity We may not have access to plumbing or electricity or even perishable food yet, but the view could be worse.
The lupine are beginning to awaken from their wint The lupine are beginning to awaken from their winter slumber 😌
Sunday drive to the lake Sunday drive to the lake
In another, more indulgent life, I'd own a boat. 😌
The Fagradalsfjall eruptions site is ~3 miles from The Fagradalsfjall eruptions site is ~3 miles from my house. Another mountain blocks our view, but every night as the sun goes down, I like to peak out my window to watch the red glow in the sky.
Love this use of negative space Love this use of negative space
Another rainy day in the 101 Another rainy day in the 101
Sunshine in Iceland is a sacred experience. Sunshine in Iceland is a sacred experience.
Instagram post 17881632158199473 Instagram post 17881632158199473
Iceland's brand is #Lego Iceland's brand is #Lego
This is Ronja. She only pays attention to me when This is Ronja. She only pays attention to me when I sit down to write. So I guess you could say we're writing partners.
This isn't an #AprilFools joke. Iceland really is This isn't an #AprilFools joke. Iceland really is this gorgeous.
"I stare at the void between my eyes and the wall, "I stare at the void between my eyes and the wall, my lungs rising and falling only because they know nothing else. Then, the blackness fills my eyes and I slip once more into a sleep untainted by time. I drift past the pain of before and the anger of now and the fear of tomorrow, where the blackness is waiting."

 #FromTheWIP #AmWriting
You may have heard that Iceland is green and Green You may have heard that Iceland is green and Greenland is ice. This is because in Iceland— whether there's snow, wind, or rain— it is always a perfect day for ice cream.
The best way to capture the northern lights is to The best way to capture the northern lights is to increase the ISO on your camera. This increases your camera's sensitivity to light. 

As we move forward during these dark and challenging times, perhaps we can look for more opportunities to increase our minds' sensitivity to the light. Look for the good in the world around you, BE the good, and find the beauty in the light.
Update: Iceland is still endlessly dark, cold, wet Update: Iceland is still endlessly dark, cold, wet, and windy. 🙃 

Hope your holidays were great!
Old phone booth repurposed as a little library in Old phone booth repurposed as a little library in Reykjavík, Iceland
It is both serene and exhilarating. When the mono It is both serene and exhilarating.  When the monotony of life grows static, it is the magic whispers of these wise trees that reawaken me.
These fall colors are already beginning to fade aw These fall colors are already beginning to fade away as the north winds bring in the months of frozen darkness.
The Winds By Shirah Ólafsson The winds never sto The Winds
By Shirah Ólafsson

The winds never stop here. They blow and they blow until the walls shudder. I pull my knees to my chest as some of the air leaks through the cracks worn by time. Sometimes that wind is nothing but a breeze like beguiling silk.  On those days I can actually get up and hum a tune as I go about my house, the low vibration calming my nerves and drowning out the sound. 

Other days I manage to tend to some of the cracks. The winds blow harder, only to taunt me; to remind me it's there and will never leave. So I hum. Hum louder as I fortify my protective barriers. 

Then there are the times when the tempests rage and all I can do is stare at my hands. I have the strength to fix the cracks, but not the materials. It knows my weaknesses; sometimes detecting them faster than I can. I mustn't rest. I must never stop rectifying the ever crumbling façade. So the walls shudder. Shudder like chaotic drum beats against the violent gusts, and I shrink against the pummeling, praying this won't be the day it sweeps me away.
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