Have you ever tried mind mapping to help you brainstorm writing ideas? Freelance writer Mia Barnes has some suggestions for how this technique can jumpstart your next writing project. by Mia Barnes One of the most challenging parts of a writing project is getting started. You have a story youContinue Reading
Learning to believe in myself was by far the most difficult hurdle I overcame. My introduction into adulthood started out pretty rough, and while I’d always had the urge to write, I’d internalized a lot of messages I shouldn’t have listened to and allowed them to impact just how vulnerableContinue Reading
How about a year’s worth of writing tips in one post? This year has been a crazy one for sure, but looking back, we’ve talked about several topics that may be helpful in your writing life. Some apply to your health as a writer—extremely important to your longevity in theContinue Reading
If you’re a writer who works from home, you may love the flexible hours, cozy office space, and lax wardrobe requirements, but you may also have one very concerning problem: keeping your creative juices flowing. Without the proper precautions, a work-from-home routine can sap your brain of its creative energiesContinue Reading
by Leah Roper In the world of creativity, nothing is worse than hitting that dreaded wall. You know the one I mean…bloc de l’auteur. Though that’s only one way of saying it. You may be more familiar with other descriptions for writer’s block—burnout, work paralysis, brain strike, or creative constipation.Continue Reading
How do you start your writing day? If you’re like most people, you might begin by firing up your computer and hopping onto the Internet. Your purpose may range from interacting on your social media feeds to reading the news to conducting research for a writing project. Sounds innocuous enough,Continue Reading
Writers rely on their creativity all the time. Usually, our imaginations are like good friends who are always there for us, but then there are those times when we need a new idea or want to get into that “flow” and we run up against a wall. We can’t writeContinue Reading
How are your writing mornings going right now? My parents loved to quote Benjamin Franklin when I was growing up: “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Personally, I’ve always hated this saying. I was born a night owl, and despised being awakened inContinue Reading
Every fall, I take a week to ten days to get away to my own little writing retreat. I have a quiet location I go to that I’m really familiar with. The people know me there, and I can come and go as I please. The area offers just theContinue Reading
Let’s face it—some days, your writing creativity is lacking. Maybe you had a tough day, you didn’t get any sleep, or you’ve just been working really hard lately. Stress, negative emotions, and overwork all decrease your ability to be creative and original. Yet sometimes we just can’t help it—life happens,Continue Reading
You may not realize you’re suffering from creative burnout until you go on vacation. I thought I was doing what I needed to do to avoid creative and personal exhaustion, but when I took a few days to get away, I realized I wasn’t. Monkey Mind Has Its Way I’mContinue Reading
For the best writing productivity, we all need a balance of routine and novelty. But how do we get it? When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was to change the furniture around in my room. I’d take an hour or so, close the door,Continue Reading