{THE WRITING LIFE }
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It's AUGUST. Do you know what that means? Festivals, fairs, pencils, and backpacks!! In other words, it's back to school season *cries tears of relief that I'm not in college* All the kiddos and the undergrads are getting ready to study and do sports and whatever else they do (and I'm over here starting a … Continue reading Back to School for Writers
I used to have a strict word count goal for my writing sessions. And that time, I was still in school and had only a few hours devoted to writing a day. Having a word count goal pushed me very well, and I got a lot done because of it. But there are different seasons … Continue reading Why Writing Goals Matter
If you want to catch a writer (heaven's knows why. They'll probably just eat all your books and steal all your paper). There are some things you'll need to know once you lay hands on this mythical creature. The writer. You'll need a place to put your writer. Preferably put them somewhere where they can … Continue reading If You Want to Catch a Writer…
Motivation. This is the driving force in any good story. The protagonist has to be motivated to do the THING. If the protagonist isn't motivation, they won't do the THING. Or if they do the THING but aren't motivated, the story won't make a lick of sense. There are plenty of ways to give your … Continue reading Thought on How You Write that Motivation to Get Your Protagonist Out the Door.
love, love is all you need! *takes off headphones* did you say something? Sorry, I was groov'in. I believe that there is an overall concurrence with the general public that the breed of people known as writers, don't need much. Ok fine fine fine FINE. Maybe writers are a little demanding. But we only want total … Continue reading All a Writer Need is…
Summertime is the time to PARTY (and by partying I mean going to the mountains and finding somewhere quiet where you can finish your book). And speaking of parties....(I apologize to all the introverts. I realize talking about parties is illegal.) Finishing your first draft can be very exciting. Whether it's after 30 hysterically frantic … Continue reading How to Celebrate When You Finish Your First Draft
The problem with being a writer (and there are many) is that even if you are writing full time, it really never is a 9-5. Because even if you quit at 5, sit down on your couch and turn on your favorite show, there is something looking over your shoulder, a dark cloud looming over … Continue reading It’s Hard to Take a Vacation When You’re a Writer
You are a writer. You read novels and books on writing craft. You spend hours practicing writing and editing. You go to conferences and writing workshops. Well that's great. But that is keeping the writer alive, it's not keeping you alive. Yes, we are actually human beings after all. While I am no health professional, … Continue reading How to Stay Alive as a Writer
(Photo by Inês Pimentel on Unsplash) (I'm also not trying to sound like Galadriel either) For those of us writing fiction (which I think is everyone here???) We are writing just that. Fiction. Fake stuff. Make believe. Unicorns and dragons and hob goblins. And everybody knows it. Readers pick up your book and think "this is a novel. … Continue reading If You Don’t Believe in Your Book, No one Will (I swear I’m not trying to sound like a cat poster)
The setting: Early, grey morning. I'm half-asleep, having being awake all night blowing my nose (spring/summer allergies. BOOOO). I had just discovered that I must add 20,000 to my suspense novel. 20,000 words I had NO IDEAS FOR. And I am exhausted and my brain is melted and full of snot. So what do I do? … Continue reading When You Don’t Feel Like Writing
