The biggest emotional challenge of being a writer is willing myself to do the writing. If I don’t just do it, I can’t accomplish any goals. So within that I guess there has to be depression, lack of motivation, anxiety, a feeling of being overwhelmed, a sort of paralysis arisingContinue Reading
Are you struggling to maintain a regular writing practice lately? It could be because of something you haven’t considered: a lack of space. Space is important for anything in life. You can’t find a new job, for example, if you’re still expending all your energy and focus on the oneContinue Reading
by Angela Ackerman My co-author Becca Puglisi and I both struggled with how to show our characters’ emotions in a compelling way. We found our characters were always frowning or shrugging and it pulled down the effectiveness of our scenes. So, to force ourselves to think beyond the first descriptionsContinue 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
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
by Jackie Johansen At its core, astrology is the study of nature. We are nature. As within so without. As above so below. Just as we know the moon affects the tides (and that we are also mostly water), our moods and physiology can be affected by the moon. TheContinue Reading
by Charlie Fletcher Many highly-revered writers throughout literary history suffered from depression. Classics like Mark Twain and more recent celebrated authors like J.K. Rowling have been known for their struggles with mental illness, and they are far from the only ones. The reason for this correlation isn’t clear, but thereContinue Reading
Surveys show that most Americans want to get in shape. You may have this as one of your New Year’s resolutions. We also understand that daily exercise is important for good health. Yet those same surveys show that despite these two facts, the majority of Americans don’t commit to dailyContinue Reading
I don’t think there’s been a day where I haven’t felt overwhelmed since I started writing. I think this is largely because I struggle with a number of emotional challenges that all pile on top of each other. There’s the self-doubt that what I’m writing is any good. Flagging motivationContinue 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
Have you tried boosting creativity with hypnagogia? I’ve always hated being awakened in the morning. Alarms are the worst. I feel like throwing them across the room. For a long time, I figured I was being overly sensitive, but now I know better. Those precious few moments between being sleepContinue Reading