Here’s what we writers tend to do: We work super hard for long periods. We strive, push, try new things, spend our nights and weekends learning and writing and editing and publishing, take classes, go to conferences, write and write some more, blog, present, do public readings, and on andContinue Reading
I’ve been writing for over 25 years now, and I did some reflecting recently. As they say, hindsight is 20/20, and I can see now where I made some important mistakes early on. I’m sharing those mistakes with you here, in the hopes of saving you from making the sameContinue Reading
I’ve wrestled with self-doubt, especially since I used to compare myself to other, more experienced, writers. When I wrote my first book, I expected certain people in my life to be happy for me, but instead, they didn’t even acknowledge my accomplishment. That hurt me. Anxiety also torments me fromContinue Reading
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