This morning fog hung low outside my window hiding the sky and giving the trees across the street the hazy look of an impressionist painting. It was beautiful and comforting and slightly unnerving to be wrapped in clouds and mist, separate from a larger, clearer world. When you’re blanketed by fog, there is no scenery,Continue reading “Writing In the Fog”
Category Archives: Writing Tips
Playing NaNoWriMo Without Writing a Book
I recently spoke with a couple of writers who were both eager to jump start their creativity with new projects. One has been dominated by editing work recently and so her own creative writing had taken a back seat. She had six different ideas for stories and was tempted to try NaNoWriMo but didn’t knowContinue reading “Playing NaNoWriMo Without Writing a Book”
Read & Watch Your Way to Becoming a Better Writer
This week I shared the following quote on social media: Is it really that simple? Of course. And not at all. The real challenge comes with how we approach both reading and writing. Today, I want to dig into the reading part. A good book can transport you to another world, distracting you from allContinue reading “Read & Watch Your Way to Becoming a Better Writer”
Procrastiplanning: Break the Cycle
In a recent call with a historical fiction writer, I mentioned the term procrastiplanning: Several folks chimed in that they often have the same issue so I wanted to take a deeper dive on what procrastiplanning is and how to break the cycle. First of all, I wish I could remember where I heard theContinue reading “Procrastiplanning: Break the Cycle”
Writing Conferences
Tis the season for writing conferences! After several long years of virtual conferences, many are returning in person or offering a hybrid. I’m heading to an in person conference myself in October and can’t wait to meet fellow writers I’ve only interacted with online, learn new things in our educational sessions, and have time awayContinue reading “Writing Conferences”
Starting In Media Res & Using Backstory: The Bear
SPOILER ALERT: If you have not watched The Bear on Hulu and think you want to (and I would recommend it), then save this post for after you’ve binged it or don’t blame me if I give away any spoilers. You’ve been warned. TRIGGER WARNING: suicide and drug addiction. If you or someone you knowContinue reading “Starting In Media Res & Using Backstory: The Bear”
The Importance of Planning in Writing
As I launched my coaching business, there was a lot more to it than just putting out a shingle and saying “Hey, I’m a coach!” I mean, to be honest, that was a big part of it. And nearly as scary as when I started calling myself a writer! But, unlike when I took theContinue reading “The Importance of Planning in Writing”
Setting the Mood: Writer Walk-Up Songs
Creativity is a muscle. One that requires practice and even discipline. My husband, in an effort to comfort me on a hard day of writing (or rather non-writing), tried to let me off the hook recently by telling me not to worry about a stuck day. “You can’t force inspiration.” Maybe. BUT… I have kidsContinue reading “Setting the Mood: Writer Walk-Up Songs”
Make Every Moment Count In Your Novel
When writing an essay or a short story or flash fiction, it’s imperative that every word count. The limited space requires every character, description, and word to carry weight. When writing a novel, it can be easy to allow all that empty space to lure you into indulging that secondary character’s wood working hobby orContinue reading “Make Every Moment Count In Your Novel”
The Light at the End of the Rough Draft Tunnel
This morning I reached the end of the verbal vomit brain dump that is this current work in progress rough draft. There is light at the end of this very long, often uphill, tunnel. The light at the end of the tunnel is just the light of an oncoming train. Robert Lowell Yes. The lightContinue reading “The Light at the End of the Rough Draft Tunnel”