How to Be Happy as a Writer
This week, let's make ourselves a pact. I'll stop comparing myself to other writers - and so will you.
Playing The “Too Many Drafts” Game (in which Everyone is a Winner)
Do you know this game? If you’re a writer, you do: It’s where you write a draft, but it’s not right, so you put it aside and try again. And again. If this describes you, congratulations! You’re a writer. And there's hope for your draft.
The Two Most Important Things I Know About Writing
These two things seem contradictory. Spoiler alert: they're not.
Learning From Those Who Came Before
We write our stories, and we do the best we can. For many of us, that means we write from perspective born of backgrounds we didn't control, educations we weren't aware were cheap, and information we didn't know was dated.
Why Neil Gaiman?
I'm going to tell you precisely why I love Neil Gaiman's work, and I'll do it by breaking down one of my favorite short stories: THE PRICE.
Stop Thinking About Marketing
The reason we feel the need to hold baby creations up to some 30-year pro's for comparison is because our culture teaches us to judge all art according to salability - but salability is not the point of art.
Just Keep Writing (even when it hurts)
So I wrote today for the first time since my dad died. It was not, shall we say, a *good* experience.
Writing Fatigue (and what to do about it)
This month is not about producing something publishable. It's about teaching yourself to just keep writing, to ignore the inner editor, and to let yourself just spill words onto the page.
Your Trajectory Is Not Fixed
Here's a lie I'll bet you've been told: "You have to figure out what you want to do before it's too late."
An Uncomfortable Truth (About Writing)
Fellow writer, this will not feel good to read, but it is VERY IMPORTANT.
Lose the Guilt: You Don’t Have to Write Every Day
For those of us who need to write, there's good news: you can still be a writer even if you can't write every day.
Location As a Character
Your location affects your other characters and plot every bit as much as your protagonist, antagonist, awesome sidekicks, eponymous heroes, or sarcastic love-interests.
A Better Way to Think About “Show, Don’t Tell”
This is a really simple, helpful way to understand "show, don't tell."
(And Yet More) Beating Writer’s Block
Writer's block can be summed up in two ways: Being afraid to write because we think it sucks, and not knowing what to write next.
No One Can Tell Your Story But You
Writing is a strange thing, filled with emotional roller-coasters and storms and deserts. Who would ever put themselves willingly through this? Well, you (and me). Why? Because you have something to say. The only person who can tell your story is you.
Why You Need to Write What Scares You
What would you write if you knew you couldn't fail? I promise I'm not setting you up for failure. There is a very good reason I'm asking this question.
Let’s Talk About Fear, Part Two
Practice your tools to fight fear now, while the sun still shines, or you'll be fumbling to find them in the dark.
How Did They Justify THAT?
Why does this matter? Because if you're not writing your villains with the awareness that in their head, they're not the villain, you may be writing a flat, 2D character.
Kill Your Filter Words (And make your writing more powerful)
This one simple tip can add zest and power to your writing.
How to Make Third-Person Perspective More Personal