While I’ve been talking about tips to stay on track during drafting, revising, and querying this month, it’s pretty impossible to stay on track when we’re burned out. Trust me. This week, I’ve been down for the count with a head cold. I haven’t had one in the three years since COVID locked us intoContinue reading “Staying on Track: Self-Care for Writers”
Author Archives: Monica Cox
Tips for Writers to Stay on Track During the Query Process
Oh, querying. The very worst of the hurry-up-and-wait-and-wait-and-wait-and-oh, yay-another-rejection game! It can be difficult for writers to stay on track while querying. It’s the first part of the process where writers give up control. And that can be scary. Terrifying, really. Because not only do we not have control, but we’re essentially asking someone toContinue reading “Tips for Writers to Stay on Track During the Query Process”
Tips for Writers to Stay on Track During Revision
Revision is hard. We pull, delete, tweak, rewrite, switch order, switch tense, revisit motivations and point of view. There are endless big changes to be made and then we dig into word choice, active vs. passive voice, and punching up dialogue and description. And the process can feel endless. I know. I’m in it now.Continue reading “Tips for Writers to Stay on Track During Revision”
Tips to Keep Writers on Track While Drafting
This month, I want to focus on how we can stay on track as writers. Writing a book is a long, complex process and it is easy to lose our way. If you want to finish your novel, read on for tips to keep you moving forward to “the end” of your story and yourContinue reading “Tips to Keep Writers on Track While Drafting”
Using a Growth Mindset to Make the Most of Feedback on Your Writing
In the second grade, I got a perfect score on my greater than and less than test. A perfect zero. I had mixed up the way the alligator was supposed to open his mouth. In true writer fashion, I’d created a narrative to help me remember and, according to my reasoning, the alligator ATE theContinue reading “Using a Growth Mindset to Make the Most of Feedback on Your Writing”
Good vs. Bad Writing Feedback
There are two kinds of feedback: useful feedback that helps you grow as a writer and strengthens your work OR bad feedback that is impossible to satisfy and doesn’t teach you anything. Bad feedback is: Some examples of bad feedback: “I don’t know why, but I don’t like it.” “The voice needs to be stronger.”Continue reading “Good vs. Bad Writing Feedback”
Feedback: Where Writers Can Find It
Whether you are new to the writing game or have been doing this for sometime, finding valuable feedback on your work is a necessity. The most common question I hear from writers is where to find it. Let’s take a quick look at the types of feedback available to you first. Critique Partners or AlphaContinue reading “Feedback: Where Writers Can Find It”
Feedback: Why Do Writers Need It? (Series 1 of 4)
This month, I want to dive into feedback. What is it? Why do we need it? Where do we find it? How do we use it most effectively? Feedback can be a tricky business for writers. We definitely know we need it, but why? It may seem simple: because we wrote this thing in isolationContinue reading “Feedback: Why Do Writers Need It? (Series 1 of 4)”
Stuck at “The End” (January Stuck Series 4 of 4)
We made it!! It’s the last full week in January and this month I’ve tried to explore every facet of being “stuck” in our writing process. As a reminder, we’ve looked at: (For even more, check out my Instagram Stuck Series Highlights) It seems strange to think of being stuck at the end. After all,Continue reading “Stuck at “The End” (January Stuck Series 4 of 4)”
Stuck in the Murky Middle (January Stuck Series Part 3 of 4)
The middle is that dangerous place for a writer of a novel-length work. There are just so many words needed to get you from your inciting incident to your climax and protagonist’s ultimate change. For many writers, the beginning is easy. You have a shiny idea that invigorates your creative energy. Scenes may be pouringContinue reading “Stuck in the Murky Middle (January Stuck Series Part 3 of 4)”