For your weekend reading pleasure, here are four articles I think you’ll find inspiring and practical. (We need both!)

Bookmark them all, or save them to Evernote, and each time you need a break from your writing, read one of these articles. 

You’ll be glad you did!

• Here’s one of the best quick reference guides for plotting your conflict that I’ve seen in a long time: 9 Ways To Undermine Your Characters’ Best Laid Plans. It’s a list worth printing off and keeping next to your keyboard.
• Renowned editor Patti Lee Gauch’s thoughts from a Highlights workshop: Have Your Own Standard of Excellence
• 5 Things Super Successful People Do Before 8 AM describes what successful people (not just writers) do each morning to make sure they use their day in a powerful way. Simple, but profound–and we could all take a lesson here!
• Books change lives. We say it all the time. Here’s an inspirational article about a new YA author and this very thing: Sometimes The ‘Tough Teen’ Is Quietly Writing Stories