Establishing a habit as a writer can be tremendously freeing. It allows writers to settle in and let the words flow for whatever time is available to them. But like all else in the world, there’s a good thing and a good thing gone too far. Which is which in the process of writing? Why Establishing a Writing Habit Is Important Establishing a habit related to writing gets words on the page consistently. It benefits the writer’s identification of self. … Read More »

Novels, short fiction, and verbal storytelling give readers whole worlds that exist only in their heads. Literally in their own heads because no two readers are going to mentally see all the details of these fictional creations in quite the same way, but they can seem very real. As fiction writers, if we want to steal material from real life to create fiction, how do we separate the two in ways that disconnect truth from fiction? People It can be … Read More »

There’s traveling to research settings for fiction, travel for a wide variety of non-fiction articles, and then there’s traveling with kids, family, friends, or for business. Traveling with others for fun can make it difficult to fit in the words we thought we’d get while daydreaming at our day job desk or hauling children to soccer practice. Vacation or conference hours have a way of re-shaping themselves on the fly and we never have enough of them. If you want … Read More »

We all have one. The editor invisible to everyone but ourselves. The one who sits on your shoulder while you write or edit, whispering into your ear. The sweet-nothings are few and far between. This editor reminds you that you can’t write, that you have nothing to say, that no one will be interested in your fictional heroine, your opinion, your life story, the objective article you’re working on. As an aspect of yourself, you can’t banish this intrusive editor. … Read More »

Ah! That great feeling when we discover a new passion is awesome. We launch ourselves into research mode. Some of us before we take up the doing of our new obsession, some of us after we’ve gotten a taste of it. Being in thrall with writing can be as much a hindrance as a help. How long have you been dabbling? Are you stuck in learning mode? If You Haven’t Started Writing Yet… …you might be stuck in learning mode. … Read More »

The tug of commitment to work, family, and future goals is relentless. We set boundaries or rules for ourselves to protect our writing time, but still watch that time fritter away when other tasks pop up that demand, or distract, our attention. Here are five strategies to keep your writing time intact. Change Your Mindset One of the greatest things we can do as writers is value our desire, and sometimes need, to write. Sit quietly for fifteen minutes without … Read More »