How is your writing business going? Are you experiencing progress and success, or do you feel like you’re spinning your wheels? Sometimes when we’re trying to figure out what’s working and what’s not, it’s easier to focus on the negative than the positive—it can offer a bit more clarity. BelowContinue Reading
“Book marketing is exhausting. I have no energy left for writing.” “I prefer to write, but I know I should be doing more book marketing.” “I’ve been pushing my latest book, but meanwhile my writing is suffering.” I hear comments like these from writers all the time. And I canContinue Reading
[Photo caption: Author Jason Offutt and his wife Kimberly Offutt on a recent vacation at Rathbun Lake, Iowa. Yes, Iowa has lakes.] There are different levels of emotional stress that come with where a writer is in their career. Early on was rejection, until I learned that EVERY writer getsContinue Reading
Work-life balance often seems like an unattainable goal for writers. We must fit writing into the spaces between our jobs, family, and communities, and those spaces can be super small. To find an audience for our stories, we must also build platforms and regularly engage in marketing activities. We wantContinue Reading
Waiting to be discovered is not a good idea. You’ve heard the stories. Alijah Harrison, now an international model, was discovered while stopped at a gas station to get a candy bar. Ashton Kutcher while at a University of Iowa hangout. Channing Tatum while performing in a dance group onContinue Reading
The biggest physical challenge of being a writer? Sitting. Definitely sitting. Spending endless hours in front of a computer screen is the first domino in a series of physical issues. Weight management, neck strain, eye strain, and aches all start with the necessary evil of showing up for work. IContinue Reading
At a recent conference, I was surprised to learn that creative burnout is common among writers. I was at the Aspen Summer Words Conference and had chance to meet award-winning author Hannah Tinti. I heard her speak on the final panel of the week and then asked her sign myContinue Reading