How To Start Writing – WN 165
Whether you’re a seasoned novelist or a newcomer to the craft, we all come to the page and need to BEGIN. It’s easy to say “Just start,” but it’s often not that simple. This week, I have some fresh encouragement and practical tips to help you start writing with confidence.
Is “Good Enough” Good Enough? – WN 164
How do you decide when to publish your creative work? Is there a point at which you say it’s “good enough”? Or do you have a tendency to polish and play around with those “last final tweaks” indefinitely? This week, we’re talking about what it means to do your best in a world where “best” is subjective and perfect doesn’t exist. Get ready!
Cynicism About Goals – WN 163
Have you ever felt hopeless, helpless, or disillusioned about goal-setting, or found yourself asking, “Why bother?” This week, we’re looking at what happens to make us feel that way, and how to set our writing lives on the path to success going forward.
Should I Self-Publish? – WN 162
Have you ever wondered if you should self-publish your book, or go through a traditional publisher? This week, we’re weighing the pros and cons of each to figure out which method is best for you.
Focus & Distraction – WN 161
Do you ever struggle to focus on your writing — even on a project you actually enjoy? Whether due to internal or external factors, distraction comes to us in many different forms, for many different reasons. This week, we’re talking about tools, strategies, and habits we writers can use to find our focus again.
Saying vs. Doing – WN 160
Have you ever noticed a disconnect in what you say you want to do, and what you actually end up doing? Because I have! This week, I’m talking about some of the reasons we might experience a gulf between our desires and our actions — and what to do about it.
Expectation vs. Reality – WN 159
This week, we’re talking about expectations and how they tint our reality and shape our experiences… and what we can REALLY expect if we want to write full-time.
On Being A Slow Writer – WN 158
No matter how much coffee I drink, I’m never able to write as quickly as I want to. This week, we’re taking a look at what it means to be a “slow writer” — and all of the baggage that comes along with it.
8 Things I’ve Found Helpful This Year
(Doubles as a gift guide if you like to give hugs)
Consistency For Writers – WN 157
Creating consistently strengthens your command of the craft and builds trust with your audience. But if you’re anything like me, creating on a consistent basis feels impossible. Why are we like this? What do we do when we fail to live up to our own — and others’ — standards?
The NaNoWriMo Dilemma
Whether you’re doing NaNoWriMo or not this year, it’s a good idea to have an honest conversation with yourself about what you need to thrive as a writer.
My Biggest Weakness(es)
What do we do with those irritating things about ourselves that we can’t change?
How Hard Is It To Get Paid?
On making money from your work — and… not.
When Your Writing Dreams Change – WN 156
What happens when your childhood dream feels like it’s no longer achievable? What does it mean if (and when) your 5-year plan goes off the rails? Today we’re talking about what happens when our writing dreams change — and what it means for us as creators.
You Get To Make It Whatever You Want
A letter about seasonal change and beginning when it feels right.
It’s Good To Have A Hobby – WN 155
What is writing to you — a hobby, a second job, a meditative practice? Something else? All of the above? This week, we’re talking about the role of writing in our lives and how we can feel more satisfied and fulfilled in doing what we love.
Selling Art Or Selling Out With Asa Merritt – WN 154
How should we navigate selling our creative work? I speak with Asa Merritt about pitching a project, which hill(s) to die on, and the pros and cons of telling a personal story on a commercial platform.
On Social Media “Detox”-ing
What is it that’s REALLY toxic here?
Don’t Let Them Own You
Like all marketing, social media is only a means to an end. Let me explain…
You Will Not Be Replaced By A.I.
No matter how sophisticated it gets, A.I. will never replace you — and here’s why.
I Am Bad At Certain Things
Is there value in admitting that we’re bad at something? Must we improve ourselves in every way?
Why Is The Bullet Journal Book Consoling Me About My Impending Death?
In defense of writing slowly, and thoughts on the blurry line between “writing to sell” and “writing to survive”. (Content warning: Death and dying)
Every Time I Write, I Have To Learn How To Write All Over Again
Writing — or any creative act, really — is just a chain of beginnings, one after the other. (Does that make you feel better, or worse?)
Being Brave Actually Kind Of Sucks
We tend to talk about being brave as this positive, empowering thing, but… is it?
On The Days When Your Brain Is Made Of Soup
We’re not machines, as much as we sometimes wish we were (or maybe that’s just me). What do we do as creators when our brains and bodies fail us?
That One Time I Had A TV Show
Back in 2019, I signed a deal with Netflix for a “Girl In Space” TV show. So… whatever happened to that?
I think I’m still carrying some anger about this
The story of one time when I called someone a bad word (it rhymes with “ditch”). You’ve been warned.
“Good For You!”
The social consensus seems to agree that social media is bad for us. But… is it?
No One Gets To Tell You Who You Are – WN 153
This week’s episode is a really personal one — it’s all about IDENTITY, and where our identities come from. Have you ever had someone tell you that you’re not a writer, or that you’re not creative? Or that you’re not [insert label here],...
You’re Allowed To Enjoy Things
A gentle reminder that suffering is not a virtue, even when society tells us it is.
The Frickin’ Partridge In The Pear Tree
The twelve days of a possibly terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Christmas BUT ALSO HOPEFULLY SOME INSIGHTS.
That Guilt Tho
On creative flow, creative guilt, and why we give into distractions. (Or, if you’re the kind of person who easily resists distractions, please tell me your secrets immediately.)
What’s Better Than Perfect?
Maybe you’ve heard before that perfectionism is a form of fear. So… what should we be aiming for instead?
Endings Are Hard – WN 152
Why are endings so darn hard to write? Is it just because it’s difficult to wrap up all of the loose ends… or is there something more going on? What makes for a truly satisfying ending, and how do we create one?
Greetings From Isolation
I returned from speaking at the Austin Film Festival two Mondays ago, and then promptly went into hiding. I don’t necessarily think I did it on purpose, thinking to myself, “Ha ha! Now no one will be able to find me!” At least, not this time.
Why Do I Write By Hand? – WN 150
Why did I ditch my laptop and start writing everything by hand? What are the benefits — and what have I learned from it about the craft of writing?
Improvised Storytelling with Cat Blackard – WN 151
If you’ve ever been curious about how live-action roleplaying game podcasts are planned, created, recorded, and produced, or if you have any interest in RPGs like D&D, Pathfinder, or improv in general, give this episode a listen. Cat is an expert in plucking meaningful narrative from a scattered story and provides tons of great advice on how to clarify your own creative work.
Reclaiming Your Voice with Kate Wallinga – Write Now 149
No matter who you are, Kate Wallinga’s story of wielding creativity to take back agency in her life will inspire and astound you.
Things I Haven’t Told You, Part I
I’m really struggling with what to write to you in this week’s letter. Not because there’s nothing going on in my life, but because I keep telling myself that I can’t tell you what’s going on in my life.
I don’t know where this impulse is coming from, even though I’ve been sitting here mulling it over for a while. So maybe I’ll tell you the things, and in doing so hopefully figure out why I’m so resistant.
Forgiving Yourself – Write Now 148
In this episode I’m asking why might creatives we hold onto regrets? What are we punishing ourselves for? Why do we spend so much time and energy focusing on our regrets and what purpose might they serve?
What Are You Balancing? – Write Now 147
What is your ideal balance or imbalance? What would it take to actually get there? What can you drop in your life that does not feed your purpose?
Apparently I’ve Been Doing This For Seven Years
Can you believe the Write Now podcast has been running for seven (7) years?! Because I can’t!
My Top 10 Tools For Writing – Write Now 146
In this episode, I break down my writing process, tool-by-tool.
Collaborative Storytelling with Erik Saras and Dan Lovley – Write Now 145
I’m joined by two of the co-creators of the sci-fi audio drama, Marsfall: Eric Saras and Dan Lovley. They discuss their process for writing their series collaboratively.
When You’re Not Okay – Write Now 144
Times get tough and sometimes I am not okay. I haven’t been okay for a while. Maybe you can say the same. Maybe we can get through it together.
What Counts as Failure?
After speaking about the merits of failure, I was left wondering — what exactly was “failure”?
Just Writing
For the first time in my life, I have been writing consistently, habitually, every day.
Writing on the Road
I’ve been traveling the past several weeks for family and work, and everywhere I went, I took a dedicated carry-on piece of luggage that contained everything I needed to operate my business (and write).
What Do You Use To Write?
I just realized it has been a while since I last talked about my favorite writing tools — and by “a while”, I mean more than seven years. Whew! Suffice to say a lot has changed since then, including the tools and processes I use to write.