Writing—especially the writing of stories—is ultimately a relationship with oneself. It is true that we write to communicate with others. Perhaps that is even the foremost conscious motivation sometimes. But communication itself necessitates a relationship, and what we are trying to communicate is ourselves—that unfolding inner dialogue between the Self and the self, the observer and […]
April 13, 2020 by 64 Comments Writing InspirationHow to Get Some Writing Done: Discipline vs. Enthusiasm
Sooner or later, most writers discover that the most difficult part of writing isn’t dreaming up characters or perfecting our sentences or learning story structure. No, the hardest part of getting some writing done is just… doing it. Procrastination is a hot topic (and a self-deprecating joke) among writers for the very reason that almost […]
April 6, 2020 by 47 Comments Writing Inspiration7 Ways Writing Saves Us When Life Is Hard
Tick-tock. The clock rolls on—marking time for all of us who are in the day-by-day progression of processing our understanding of and reaction to the nearly global and mostly voluntary quarantine in response to the startling arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. My own emotions have been all over the map—from a rational and pragmatic outlook […]
March 30, 2020 by 58 Comments Writing Life8 Challenges (and Solutions) When Writing From Home
In these last few weeks, writers everywhere have experienced major changes in their daily schedules. If you were used to writing from home, now you may be accustoming yourself to writing with kids or other loved ones in the next room. If you were used to squeezing writing in around the edges of a day […]
March 23, 2020 by 106 Comments Writing InspirationThe Power of Hopeful Stories in a Stressful Time
What is your story putting into the world? I mean that question literally. Every story takes up space in the world—and not just on a bookshelf. Every story you read or watch becomes a part of you. It changes you. Your brain physically changes to make space not just for the memories of this story, […]
February 24, 2020 by 62 Comments Marketing Your NovelThe Professional Writing Resources I Use for All Parts of the Writing and Publishing Processes
These days, most authors identify with the title “authorpreneur.” In order to sell books, we have learned to wear multiple hats. We aren’t just writers, we’re marketers, bloggers, graphic designers, and more. As such, we are always in search of professional writing resources that can help us make the best use of our time and […]
February 17, 2020 by 83 Comments Writing LifeThoughts on How to Be Critical of Stories in a Way That Makes a Difference
Some stories make me so mad. It’s not just that these stories are all technically “bad” in some way. Indeed, there are plenty of deeply bad stories I pass on by with hardly a second thought. There are even plenty of “bad” stories I find amusing, or even some I adamantly like for any number […]
January 27, 2020 by 34 Comments Writing LifeUnboxing Review: Writer’s Medic Bag From Galen Leather Co.
Two things I love: taking my writing on the go (whether outside or to a coffee shop) and beautiful writing accessories. So I’m excited for this opportunity to review a handcrafted carrying case made just for writers, from the family-run company Galen Leather in Turkey. The company offered me my choice of products to review—which […]
January 13, 2020 by 64 Comments Writing Inspiration3 Life-Changing Rules for Finding More Writing Inspiration This Year
Writing inspiration—so easy to take for granted when we have it, so hard to rekindle once we’ve let the flame go out. When I was young, I never questioned the fact that my imagination was a vivid and constant companion. It was a river flooding through my life and in whose waters I could baptize […]
January 6, 2020 by 57 Comments Writing LifeMy Top Books of 2019
I had such a good reading year this year. It was hard to narrow my top books of 2019 into a manageable list. For as long as I can remember, my favorite part of my day has been the part when I get to curl up for an hour or so with a pile of books. […]
