In addition to a Covid family death, I lost two friends in December, plus my last (and favorite) uncle. The focus was on grieving, plus a severe autoimmune flare-up it caused. With Christmas around the corner, I found it difficult to feel the joy of the season. And writing? That felt out of the question, […]
Kristi Holl
Procrastination is a Symptom, Not the Problem
A procrastination cure: all writers want one! I’ve read many books over the years on this subject, but none better than The Now Habit by Neil Fiore. I’ve worn out a paperback, I listen to my Audible copy of it as a refresher, and recently I bought a set of Now Habit Motivation Cards. Why? […]
Writing in the Yoke: Become an Easy Writer
We are invited to get into the yoke with Jesus to do the writing God has called us to do. (Matthew 11:28-30) This way of working promises ease and rest for our souls. However, writing with ease and a light burden was not my writing experience for 35 years (not since writing changed from hobby-writing […]
Find Your Focus: Stick to the ONE Thing
“Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there.” ~Josh Billings This quote comes from a book I love called The ONE Thing: the Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller. As I mentioned last week, after a number of back-to-back setbacks, I needed to relaunch my writing habits. […]
From Panic to Focus: Save Your Writing Project
In the fall of 2019 I spent several weeks researching a mystery series set in a small village in the North Yorkshire Dales. The locals who own the shops depend on tourist trade from daily bus tours and mountain bike groups. In early 2020 villagers sent out a plea for the tourists to please stay […]
Begin as You Mean to Go On
I’ve been home from my England research trip for six weeks now. My cottage writing table next to my fireplace is such a fond memory! I was determined to carry on with my good writing and health habits as soon as I got home. I had felt so well in England, while also accomplishing so […]
Put Out to Pasture—Or Not?
(Published on the ACFW blog page October 31, 2019) I just returned from a research trip in the Yorkshire Dales in northern England, the setting of my historical work-in-progress. It was my second time to stay in this small village, whose buildings date back to the 1600’s. I wrote, I visited museums, and I hiked […]
ENGLAND RESEARCH TRIP: Oct. 22
England, Oct. 22: Was 43 degrees today with a wind chill of -70 (just kidding, but it felt like it!) Luckily, for my outdoor research trip today, I had my long johns, heavy boots, sweaters, mittens and parka. I took the train to the Ribblehead Viaduct about five miles away to study where the navvies […]
ENGLAND RESEARCH TRIP: Oct. 21
England, Oct. 21: My last week in Settle already! It has gone so very fast! Learned so much about the railroad today from the man running the shop in the station.(And bought more books to mail home.) Photos include the train station, the station master’s house beside it, the old coal house, and the old […]
ENGLAND RESEARCH TRIP: Oct. 15-17
England, Oct. 15-17: Very little rain, down to 39 degrees last night, but sunny. Perfect for hiking, riding, running…very active village! So many social events available…there’s a 59-page booklet of activities just for October! They have clubs and groups for every possible interest. The Victorian Hall, a music hall from 1853 that has never been […]