All art is necessarily both reflective and generative of the human experience. And in that way, all art both reflects and generates archetype. Some stories do this more simply and obviously than others. Those stories that we recognize as myth or fable are most blatantly archetypal. But even hyper-realistic stories—when they are well done—offer up […]
January 25, 2021 by 88 Comments PodcastStory Theory and the Quest for Meaning
Story has been our constant companion throughout the journey of human existence. Why is that? Modern audiences are inundated and entranced by advanced storytelling. But stories have been with us from as far back as we can remember. Is it because they entertain us? Is it because they inform us? Because they distract us? Yes, […]
January 4, 2021 by 108 Comments Podcast7 Writing Lessons Learned in 2020
Happy New Year! For me, the turning of the year is certainly a time of examining habits, renewing intentions, and creating plans. But more than setting goals for the coming year, I prefer to think about the lessons I have learned from the year that has passed. In my experience, goals all but just happen […]
December 28, 2020 by 107 Comments Writing LifeMy Top Books of 2020
There’s a great quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson that I love: I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me. And so each year’s tally of books read make up my year as well. I’m always excited to look back and remember what […]
December 18, 2020 by 18 Comments Writing LifeWriting Valuable Fiction: One Writer’s Reflections on Growing Up in Eastern Germany
Note From K.M.: A few weeks ago, after I shared the post “Are You Growing as a Writer? (Here’s the Only Way to Tell),” I received an email from reader Michael Albrecht. He talked about his experiences growing up in Communist East Germany, the evolution of the country’s literature during that time, and how it […]
December 7, 2020 by 76 Comments Writer's Help10 Best Books to Buy a Writer For Christmas
All the lists of Christmas gifts for writers are good at highlighting unique and fun (and sometimes useless) gift ideas. But the truth is: writers are easy to buy for. Just wrap up a bunch of books. Almost any book will do, but if you’re wanting to get specific (for yourself or a writer on […]
November 23, 2020 by 116 Comments Podcast7 Steps to Stop Overthinking Your Writing
It’s a question I’ve received countless times from readers over the years—and one I’ve found myself asking of late as well: How do you stop overthinking your writing? Writers are often known as thinkers. Indeed, we’re often proud of the connotation. We spend a lot of time in our heads. We love to read. We […]
November 9, 2020 by 106 Comments PodcastAre You Growing as a Writer? (Here’s the Only Way to Tell)
Do you want to grow as a writer? I know you do, simply because you are a writer. I know because you are here reading this post, either because you subscribe to this blog and others like it as a way to mainline writing knowledge on a regular basis, or because you stumbled onto this post […]
September 7, 2020 by 73 Comments Marketing Your Novel15 Steps to Self-Publish Your Book
What are the steps to self-publish your book? The modern boom of independent publishing has put the power to publish in the hands of authors—if they choose to use it. But even once you’ve decided in favor of the indie route over the traditional path of soliciting agents and pitching to publishing-house gatekeepers, what are […]
August 24, 2020 by 46 Comments PodcastAfraid to Let Anyone Read Your Writing? 5 Steps to Move Past Fears
One of the best things about writing is being read. Unfortunately, that can also be one of the scariest things. When you’re just starting out, it can feel like a huge jump to let someone else read your story for the first time. It feels like another jump to move past the eyes of kindly […]
