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”
Tag Archives: #amwriting
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)”
Stuck at the Start (January Stuck Series Part 2 of 4)
The blank page can be an intimidating thing. Or maybe you have such a great idea that you fear once you start writing it you’ll ruin it. Or you have so many ideas you can’t possibly decide which one to start with and so you don’t start any of them. Or maybe you’ve always wantedContinue reading “Stuck at the Start (January Stuck Series Part 2 of 4)”
What it Looks Like to be Stuck in Your Writing (Part 1 of 4)
Happy New Year! I know the New Year is an arbitrary date on the calendar, but I love having a reason to stop and reassess my work processes and personal habits in order to maybe make an adjustment or try something new. With that in mind, this January, I am going to be focused on writersContinue reading “What it Looks Like to be Stuck in Your Writing (Part 1 of 4)”
Happy Holidays and My 2023 Word of the Year
This is the last blog of the year! I will be taking next week off to spend with family, relax, and plan for 2023. And I have some big plans for 2023: These are some big tasks, which is why my word of the year is FOCUS. Focus is something I struggle with at times.Continue reading “Happy Holidays and My 2023 Word of the Year”
Making the Most of a Query Break
December is not historically a great time to query agents. Much like the rest of us, agents are swamped with end of year business, holiday stress, goal setting for the new year, and catching up on their query inbox. Many agents will go ahead and close their inbox to queries, taking the guesswork out ofContinue reading “Making the Most of a Query Break”