As a writer, I often wish for a magic wand that will make all the things happen faster. The drafting. The revising. The proofing. The pitching. The querying. The response time. The submissions. The wait time again. The publishing process. But the fact of the matter is, it takes what it takes. And there isContinue reading “Writing a Novel is a Marathon Not a Sprint: How a Book Coach Can Help”
Tag Archives: Writing Support
My Favorite Things: January 2024
Typically, January seems to drag for me — the slow winter blah after a hectic holiday season. But this past month, not so much! I had two big things happening this past week that kept the sand speeding through the hourglass and somehow we’ve reached the end already. Here’s hoping that February has a moreContinue reading “My Favorite Things: January 2024”
The Goldilocks of Novel Planning
This week on Instagram, I talked about planning. I’m starting a new manuscript this week. Although “starting” is a bit of a misnomer. I am starting the physical manuscript, but I’ve been working on the story since the writing retreat I went to in October. I left that retreat with a kernel of an idea.Continue reading “The Goldilocks of Novel Planning”
What’s Clicking and Clunking in Your Manuscript?
Back in the fall, during my 8th grade son’s middle school walk the schedule night, I was eagerly anticipating talking to his English teacher. It’s no surprise that English was my favorite subject in school. I’m probably not alone here, right? The reading. The essay writing. I loved all of it. Don’t get me wrong,Continue reading “What’s Clicking and Clunking in Your Manuscript?”
Happy New Year! My 2024 Word
Happy New Year, writers and friends! I hope you had a lovely holiday. I spent the last two weeks snuggled with family and enjoying time with friends. I gave myself permission to let go of the pressure of what I should be doing and took time to simply be present. It was a much neededContinue reading “Happy New Year! My 2024 Word”
Twas the Night Before Writing
It’s officially that weird week where, if you are like me, you’re trying to hold down regular routines while your to-do list of non-work tasks continues to grow and the clock is ticking and it makes you feel like nothing is actually getting accomplished. So first, I want to offer you all permission to handleContinue reading “Twas the Night Before Writing”
Fail to Succeed to Advance Your Writing Career
A friend posted this Michael Jordan quote on her LinkedIn profile recently: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why IContinue reading “Fail to Succeed to Advance Your Writing Career”
Finding the Writing Routine that Works for YOUR Work
Writing is about perseverance. You have to keep going. The work only gets done if you keep writing. The revision only gets done by revising. The querying is only successful if you keep sending them out. This week, I posted a quote from Neil Gaiman over on Instagram: “This is how you do it: youContinue reading “Finding the Writing Routine that Works for YOUR Work”
My Craft Book Recommendations for the Holidays or Any Writing Day
Writing is an iterative process. Each draft improves the more we work on it. Each new manuscript improves the more we learn. And as writers, there are a myriad ways to learn every day. We learn every time we notice the light through the trees, taste something new, experience an unlikely emotion in a mundaneContinue reading “My Craft Book Recommendations for the Holidays or Any Writing Day”
When Receiving Feedback Be Curious, Not Judgmental
Receiving feedback is often just as hard as a rejection. We send off our work to a friend, critique partner, beta reader, editor, and while we do these things for the constructive feedback these readers can impart, there is a large part of ourselves hoping for a gold star. “I found nothing wrong, it’s perfect!Continue reading “When Receiving Feedback Be Curious, Not Judgmental”