When Writing Feels Like a Failure
Let me be candid. Most days I feel like a total failure. It’s been worse lately reading about all the writing news. It feels like a very bleak market. There’s not much room for people like me to ever see my books on the shelf let alone on any...
Understanding Show Don’t Tell
In this month’s writing group, one of my fellow writers brought up that they were told they need to show more, the old show don’t tell writing rule. While this rule is one hundred percent true, it also fails it’s own advice. It’s too vague to be helpful. A...
Writing Tip: Let it go
Today’s writing tip (let it go) is one that I have only recently understood. By trying different types of prompts and working on beloved ideas, I’ve realized that my best writing comes when I’m able to get out of the way. It sounds counterintuitive, but the work I don’t...
Secrets to Worldbuilding
The biggest secret to worldbuilding is knowing that it’s more than a backdrop. Yes, scenery and fantastical weapons and costumes are part of it, but if that’s all you include, your story will fall flat. That’s because worldbuilding is more than mountains and trees and cityscapes or fun pops...
Why joining a writing group matters
One of the most common pieces of writing advice I hear is to join a writing group. And while I wholeheartedly agree with this, it’s a lot easier said than done. First, let’s start with the benefits. Writing groups are a community Writing is a solitary practice. However, by...
Create a Writing Schedule
I’ve learned the importance of having a writing schedule the hard way. For years, I waited for inspiration to strike or to ‘feel’ like writing only to be disappointed in myself for letting time slip away without actually writing. The bottom line is, you can’t be a writer if...
Get Results in 2023
I’m planning to get results in 2023 for goals I’ve put off pursuing, primarily with writing and blogging. Every year, every month, every week time seems to move faster. As of right now, I don’t have any true obstacles to keep me from working on my novel or keeping...
Write Better, Read More
The most commonly accepted writing advice is reading more will help you become a better writer. Most writers are naturally drawn to reading. For a lot of us, it’s why we want to be writers. Just like people in the film industry like to watch movies, we love to...
Should You Give up Writing?
I often ask myself if I should give up writing. It mostly happens in moments of feeling down, which strike at random. A wound opens up, and I ask myself, am I good enough to keep going? Is it all just a waste of time? This feeling also rears...
National Novel Writing Month 2021
I first heard about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) 13 years ago when I came across Chris Baty’s book “No Plot, No Problem.” I wasn’t a plotter at the time and the idea of sitting down and letting the novel flow out of me was intriguing. And the idea...