Seems like everybody’s talking about writing schedules, writing habits, and writing challenges these days. Newsletters from the many blogs and podcasts I follow are cramming my inbox with topics like how to draft an outline in xx days, why you’ve fallen off the writing wagon, or how to fulfil your writing dream. And that’s exactly … Read more
Need some writing motivation but can’t seem to make it happen on your own? Well, there are all sorts of sneaky tricks you can use, like Camp NaNoWriMo which starts April 1. It’s the best way I know of to kick your fingers into motion. Do you know what it is? Most of you probably … Read more
What happens when you don’t finish something on time? Do you quit? Or do you keep on going? If you’ve ever felt frustrated with a writing project, you know what I’m talking about. And if you’ve ever done NaNoWriMo—and didn’t get to 50,000 words by November 30th—you might have faced that very question. I didn’t … Read more
Every day, you make hundreds of decisions in less than five seconds. Many aren’t conscious decisions, like fastening your seat belt, opening a door, putting sugar in your coffee, or saying thank you to the barista. Most of the time, you make decisions without thinking, without consciously choosing. And those decisions are based on emotions. … Read more
That old scourge of many a writer: writer’s block. Is it really a thing? Or is it all in your head? I’ll give it to you straight: writer’s block is really a thing, and yes, it’s all in your head. Where else could it be? But “all in your head” doesn’t mean writer’s block is … Read more
When it comes to creative ventures (or athletic pursuits!), here are a few things I’ve learned about my writing priorities. Output decreases in direct proportion to (unrelated) input. In other words, when your mind is cluttered with unrelated information coming in from the outside world, it’s hard to access your inner creative world. The latest … Read more
How can you get writing experience if you don’t have anything to write? If you’re thinking of writing for a living—freelance writing—you might be in a tough spot. You know you can write, but you don’t have any proof of your experience. No clips. No links. No portfolio. And how are you supposed to get … Read more
What’s your favorite excuse for not doing something you really want to do? Like writing, for example. No matter what kind of writer you are—blogger, freelancer, creative writer or novelist—you’re probably prone to making excuses when you don’t feel like sitting at your desk or table and tapping out letters and words. Or on your … Read more
Do you love your writing? Or do you hate it? A fellow writer recently shared an article on FaceBook called “Why You Don’t Need To Worry About Hating Your Own Work.” It’s about writing, and it’s interesting, but it had me flummoxed. Why would anyone hate their writing? I had trouble wrapping my head around … Read more
Whether you’re familiar with fairy tales and archetypes or not, what does the illustration above make you think of? How does it make you feel? What kind of story — in 1500 words or less — could you tell based on that image? What are fairy tale archetypes? An archetype is a character, idea, symbol, … Read more