by Kate Willett As a writer, you might spend a lot of time sitting at your desk. Whether you’re furiously typing the first draft of your novel or staring blankly at a notebook waiting for inspiration to strike, the slightly hunched-over sitting position you likely find yourself in may takeContinue Reading
Writers are under enough pressure without adding to it. But add to it we do. This book has to be perfect. I have to reach my daily word quota no matter what. I need to write faster and produce more books per year. This book needs to sell well orContinue Reading
by Carol Pratt Bradley I have three published historical novels sitting on my bookshelf, another manuscript completed and another begun, with ideas for several more. Interestingly, I find that at this stage of being a writer, many of the feelings that I had before becoming a published author still exist.Continue Reading
Do your friends regularly post pictures of the delicious meals or desserts they’ve created? Do you look at them and feel your mouth water? Or do you like to watch those cooking shows where they regularly whip up something awesome and then eat it in front of you–after which youContinue Reading
Writer envy. You don’t want to feel it. You’re happy for that other author. You know you are. Yet you can’t help that little twinge that pinches your heart. You want to deny it, but you can’t. And it feels lousy. Envy is an uncomfortable emotion to begin with, andContinue Reading
by Laurie Buchanan I ran away from home—sunny southern California to the overcast Pacific Northwest—when I was fifteen. Lying about my age, I applied at one of those everything-under-one-roof superstores and got a job. Over the next five years, I worked my way from entry-level cashier to management. During thatContinue Reading
~Writing Well Wednesday Tip~ When you go for a walk, how fast do you go? I’m not talking about whether you push yourself to go fast or slow. I’m asking, when you go for a walk, and you’re just walking your “normal” pace, what is that pace like? Walking speedContinue Reading
If you feel like your limitations are stopping you from reaching your goals, I invite you to meet Alexis Bingham of Colorado, also known as “Lexi.” I met her at this year’s Mesa County Fair in Grand Junction. I was there to cheer on the 4-H students who had boughtContinue Reading
Writers face many challenges, including rejection of their work on the path to publication. I wrote four full-length manuscripts before securing a contract, and, even though it was part of the process, each rejection stung. Still, I used the feedback I received to make my writing better, even little tipsContinue Reading
~Writing Well Wednesday Tip~ Have you taken a vacation yet this year? If not, are you planning one soon? A recent survey by Project: Time Off found that even though Americans took an average 17.2 days of vacation in 2017—the highest level in seven years—about a quarter of employees hadContinue Reading
What do you struggle with as a writer? When I asked myself that question, my immediate answer was “marketing.” I’m sure a lot of authors would agree with me. I enjoy certain things I do that are considered marketing—like staying active on social media, maintaining a robust blog and newsletter,Continue Reading
My biggest emotional challenge as a writer has undoubtedly been fear of judgement. In so many ways, I insulate myself from the scrutiny of others. I put up personal walls on which graffiti might read—I don’t care what other people think. But, that’s not always true. While I do myContinue Reading