We writers rely on our emotions. They propel our stories. They help us empathize with our characters. They pave the way to story themes. Our emotions keep us dreaming big. They provide the rich tapestry from which our creativity emerges. Without emotion, a writer is no more than a wordsmith.Continue Reading
It takes a certain kind of person to slave over something very personal for a long time and then hurl it out the door for every aspiring critic in the universe to have a shot at. You trust your editor, your spouse, and your friends to give you helpful advice,Continue Reading
If you’re struggling with stress and anxiety, you need healthy activities to help you relax. Below are five easy ones you can do anytime that are proven to not only help you relax but to create other health benefits as well. Healthy Activities to Relax Tip 1. Take a HotContinue Reading
by Rebecca Olmstead I had completed my first mystery novel and done a marathon of three writers’ conferences, my first ever, pitching my baby to less-than-enthusiastic agents and editors. Still, I loved my book, the first in a planned series. Nothing was going to stand in the way of myContinue Reading
Do you need to change your work situation? Almost every day, I read something about a writer struggling to find time to write because of a difficult day job. Writers want to write, but after a full day at a demanding job, they face all sorts of barriers, from mentalContinue Reading
Do writers need hobbies? In 2009, researchers reported that engaging in enjoyable hobbies was associated with mental and physical health and well-being. Specifically, the more participants reported being involved in their hobbies, the lower their blood pressure, total cortisol (stress) levels, waist circumference, and body mass index, and the lowerContinue Reading
by Marc Graham I’ve studied a number of different philosophical and esoteric systems over the years, including Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and Druidry. After my 23-and-Me revealed that I’m more Norse than Celtic, I turned my attention to the Old Norse Runes. During a roughly six-month period of meditating on the Runes,Continue Reading
Spend too much time away from writing, and it can be tough to get back into it. When you’re writing every day or at least every other day, you’re regularly working your creative muscles. Your brain learns how to deliver new ideas and gradually becomes more reliable at providing thoseContinue Reading
I had a dream to be the next Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the Wind), Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird), or J.D. Salinger (Catcher in the Rye). What do these three writers have in common? They wrote one spectacular novel and were able to live off the royalties for theContinue Reading
Are the time wasters in your life keeping you from reaching your writing goals? Don’t despair. No matter how efficient you may think you are, you probably have some time wasters lingering around your schedule. Find these and eliminate them, and you can free up 15, 30, or even 60Continue Reading
My biggest emotional challenge as a writer has always been balancing writing with the need to pay the bills. I grew up in a working-class family. My parents had little extra money. I knew from an early age that I’d have to work at a job that paid. And sinceContinue Reading
Have you made the “one decision” as a writer? For years, I worked on writing while in a state of indecision. I was committed. I stuck to a regular writing routine; read books, magazines, and online posts about craft; tore apart my stories to figure out structure; and hired aContinue Reading