Note: Helen and Lorri are a mother/daughter writing team. How unique is that? I had to ask them how they make this unique writing relationship work. Below are their answers to my questions. —Colleen How did you both come to be writers? In other words, what were your individual journeysContinue Reading
You need to decide which writing project to work on next. How do you do that? Decide Which Writing Project Tip 1. Make a Commitment to a Select Number of Ideas Writers are great at coming up with new ideas, and we looooove those new ideas. They’re so exciting andContinue Reading
by Sheila Moeschen I’ve always loved comedy and humor in general. As I kid I loved The Muppet Show and read MAD Magazine, and listened to Weird Al Yankovic. When I was pursuing my PhD from Northwestern in the Interdisciplinary Theatre & Drama program, I become more exposed to theContinue Reading
Are you stuck overthinking something? Bill got a rejection last month, and it’s still bugging him. I thought for sure that was the one, he thinks. What could have gone wrong? I just can’t figure it out. Melanie has an idea for a new guest post, but she’s not sureContinue Reading
by Lorna Faith I cried tears of frustration to my husband. “I have a detailed outline. Why can’t I finish this book?” “I’m not sure,” he said, “but I do know this: you need to keep at it.” Murray’s gaze zeroed in on my own, his hands on my shoulders.Continue Reading
Are you suffering from hand pain as a writer? Back when I first started working as a copywriter for a corporation, I experienced some hand and wrist pain. A little research compelled me to ask for a split keyboard, and once I got it, the pain disappeared. Since then, I’veContinue Reading
For me, the biggest emotional challenge of being a writer is allowing myself to be vulnerable. Fiction writing is an introspective experience. The characters and their journeys exist in a deep, private part of me. Yes, they’re entirely fiction, and yet they feel completely real. I experience their emotions whileContinue Reading
“Every single relationship you will ever have in your lifetime is going to end,” writes author Ann Patchett in This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. But if you’re lucky—and smart—there’s one that won’t. There’s one relationship that unlike any other, you have complete control over. As long asContinue Reading
The biggest emotional challenge I struggle with would probably be self-doubt. It’s very intimidating to send off your writing for others to read and judge, and sometimes hate. I put a lot of myself into my writing and my characters and I hold them very dear. Having someone read it,Continue Reading
When writing, do you protect your eyes? For years, we thought the worst screens could do was cause computer vision syndrome (CVS), which is bad enough. Newer studies, however, suggest the blue light from our gadgets could actually damage the eye’s retina, increasing risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—a leadingContinue Reading
by Veronica Miller Imagine sitting down at a clean desk, your computer humming as you contentedly type away on your manuscript. In fact, you’re writing faster and clearer than ever before because you have nothing to interfere with your creative process. You wake up every morning ready to write creativelyContinue Reading
Do you get easily discouraged as a writer? Most writers have, but some go through it more often than others. The more important question, then, is: Are you easily discouraged? And if so, what can you do about it? How to Tell If You’re Easily Discouraged I have to admitContinue Reading