If you’re going to be a writer, you gotta toughen up. People are going to criticize your work. Agents and editors are going to reject you. Readers will impale you with bad reviews. Publishers will turn their backs if your sales are lackluster. Rejection awaits at every turn, so youContinue Reading
After interviewing over 100 writers on this site over the last couple of years, I’ve learned one thing: We all struggle with self-doubt. This one emotion can destroy a writing career. It makes us question ourselves. It stifles creativity. It makes us hesitate rather than take action toward our goals.Continue Reading
If there’s one thing that can counteract the emotional ups and downs of the writing life, it’s gratitude. I shared the many benefits of being grateful in another post, “How a Writer Can Save her Sanity Even in the Worst of Times.” As a quick recap, practicing regular gratitude hasContinue Reading
by Patty Somlo From my experience, depression results from denying feelings, such as sadness and anger. Writers have to walk a tightrope between hope and acceptance, success and rejection. Every writer, no matter how well-published, good or experienced, will have work rejected or reviewed negatively. I follow one of myContinue Reading
A writing comfort zone is…comfortable, but rarely leads you to success. Actor Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”) is quoted as saying, “The comfort zone is the great enemy to creativity; moving beyond it necessitates intuition, which in turn configures new perspectives and conquers fears.” Yet comfort zones are so alluring! WritersContinue Reading
When I was a kid, I used to wake up, terrified, on the floor in my room. After I realized where I was, I would experience a flood of relief, followed by an intense fear of going back to sleep. I could remember my nightmares vividly, vicious, violent experiences whereContinue Reading
Do you struggle with writing demons? The great John Wayne is quoted as saying, “Courage is being scared to death…and saddling up anyway.” Writers know this feeling well. We face our own fears nearly every day in the writing life. 10 Writing Demons Authors Have to Face In honor ofContinue Reading
by Katie Harrison, a.k.a. The Girl with the Tree Tattoo I’m at a loss. I’ve started this article at least five times and five times inspiration has left me halfway through. I’m starting to seriously doubt my abilities as a writer. So, in other words, it’s a normal day. Actually,Continue Reading
“You need to relax,” my friends tell me. “You work too hard.” I know it’s true. My body gives me clues. Back pain. Eye twitching. Headaches. Stomach upset. Fatigue. It’s obvious when I need to take a step back and just relax. I schedule the time, and if it’s onlyContinue Reading
A good writing routine can save a writer. No matter what else is going on in your life, if you have a set time to write and you’re used to writing at that time, the sheer force of habit will increase the odds that you’ll actually get your writing done.Continue Reading
You know how it goes. You sit down, ready to work. You’ve silenced your cell phone, closed the door, and set yourself up for 30 minutes of uninterrupted writing. You open your laptop ready to make another sizable dent in your project. After all, you’ve done everything right. You’ve setContinue Reading
by Alayne Kay Christian Colleen asked me to be a guest blogger just when I was about to enter into a major life transition. At one time, she suggested that perhaps I could share how I maintained my health during the stress of transition. Believe me, there were plenty ofContinue Reading