This weekend I want you to think deeply about a quote I’m going to share with you. It’s from a book I am reading for the third time. Only this time, I am actually doing the exercises in each chapter! It’s Les Edgerton’s Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing. Editors are always […]
Month: September 2013
Bringing Back the Accountability Challenge
Last spring I set up two 30-Day accountability challenges. Four groups of writers signed up for two different challenges: the Early Morning Writing Challenge and the Scheduled Writing Challenge (or both). Many asked to be notified if I ran the challenges again, so this is your notification! Time to Sign Up Life has been incredibly […]
Writers: Attitude Isn't Everything
I talk a lot about having a positive attitude about the writing life, but your attitude isn’t everything. There’s no doubt about the power of a positive outlook–I would be the first to say so. Dealing with your self-doubts and writing fears is critically important. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking it will substitute for […]
Toxic vs. Supportive Writing Friends
Not long ago, I blogged about how to be your own best writing friend. Sometimes that’s easier said than done because we’re not quite sure what that looks like. So, with that in mind, I want to chat today about the characteristics of toxic writing friends and supportive writing friends. This should help you to… […]
Attention, Writers! (It's a Choice)
If you’re traveling west, you’ll end up in California. Go East, and you might land in New York instead. The direction you choose determines your destination. But what makes you choose one direction over the other? For most people, it’s whatever grabs your attention. If warm beaches and surfing snag your attention, you’re more likely to […]
Does Fiction Teach?
“Don’t teach or preach–just tell a good story. Readers want to be entertained–not taught.” I’ve heard that statement many times over the years, at writing conferences and in articles for writers. I have mixed feelings about this. I don’t like (or read) preachy fiction, but good fiction with a message doesn’t have to preach, does […]