Are you the kind of writer brimming with new ideas? Do you have journals full of starts or slips of ideas in your phone’s notes app? Do you have a stack of post-its with interesting what ifs? When it’s time to start writing is it just a matter of picking one of these ideas andContinue reading “Finding New Story Ideas”
Category Archives: Creativity
When the Work of Writing Isn’t Writing
I am heading to the beach for a writing retreat with some dear writing friends next week. I am excited and desperately looking forward to it. Beach. Words. Writers. What’s not to love? I’m querying my most recent project and have had enough distance from it to know that it’s time for something new. ThisContinue reading “When the Work of Writing Isn’t Writing”
The Importance of Finding Your Story’s Heart
What is at the heart of your story? What do you want a reader to take away from your book? What is your story’s point? Sometimes, when I’m deep in the weeds of writing or stymied by a revision problem, the point of my story may seem pointless. The heart of my story seems toContinue reading “The Importance of Finding Your Story’s Heart”
Why We Need to Step Out of Our Comfort Zones to Grow as Writers
This fall, I am stepping out of my comfort zone. A lot. I am going to a large writing conference in two weeks and while the conference part isn’t inherently out of character, the stress of extroverting for that many days in a row is intimidating. I know I can, I know I will loveContinue reading “Why We Need to Step Out of Our Comfort Zones to Grow as Writers”
Is Comparison Stealing Your Writing Joy?
Do you compare your writing successes or failures to other writers? I do. (I’m working on it.) To some extent, I think, this comparison is natural. We’re working alone on our manuscripts and suddenly get our Publisher’s Marketplace daily update or a friend posts about their latest book or that person in your writing groupContinue reading “Is Comparison Stealing Your Writing Joy?”
Defining Your Creative Values
If you receive my newsletter, you already know that I recently celebrated my one year anniversary of launching my book coaching business. I have been helping writers in other capacities for several years, but stepping into the role of book coach with a shingle to reflect that work was a leap of faith last year.Continue reading “Defining Your Creative Values”
5 Ways My PR Skills Helped Me Write a Novel
I grew up wanting to be a writer. It was the dream of my heart the moment I realized that the name on the front of the stories I read under the big, bold title was the name of a PERSON. A real life person whose job it was to write that story down. EachContinue reading “5 Ways My PR Skills Helped Me Write a Novel”
Pushing Past Your Comfort Zone to Realize Your Creative Dreams
Earlier this week we went to Washington, DC with the kids. I am not exactly a confident traveler. My anxiety tends to peak thinking with all the uncertainty around what we’ll be doing or how to get from here to there or when and where we’ll be eating. But this trip, I was totally comfortable.Continue reading “Pushing Past Your Comfort Zone to Realize Your Creative Dreams”
Story Setting Matters
I was born in Massachusetts and lived there until I was five when my dad’s job transferred him to North Carolina. We lived in a small town about an hour west of Boston in a house that was originally built in the 1800s as the town’s fire station. During World War II, the home’s cupolaContinue reading “Story Setting Matters”
Starting Your Novel: Prep for Success
You’ve decided you want to write a novel. You probably have a great idea. A scene that’s played in your head during your commute, a question that bugs you, a character whose voice echoes in your head in the middle of the night. You find some quiet time one Sunday afternoon or set the alarmContinue reading “Starting Your Novel: Prep for Success”