NaNoWriMo 2022 starts today. Not feeling quite ready? It’s okay. Not reading this on November 1, 2022? It’s okay. Not a novelist? It’s okay (there’s insight in here for writers of any genre). Not sure you want to do this? It’s okay. Not even sure what NaNoWriMo is? It’s okay. What Is NaNoWriMo and Why … More Ready or Not, It’s NaNoWriMo!
I know how scary it can be to think about what your writing should be. Fortunately, I also know how to get past fear to the writing. And I can show you how. My Latest Struggle I just got back to Minneapolis after helping my mom move to assisted living: two weeks of sorting, packing, … More Don’t Be Scared!
How has your writing and your life as a writer changed since January 2020? Take your time to freewrite/free association about that. I’ll wait. Maybe your normal routines were turned inside-out and your once-regular writing habit got hazy. Maybe unprecedented responsibilities and problems pushed writing out of your mind altogether. Maybe you had time but … More Remember When Writing Was..
When we accept that writing is hard and stop expecting it to be easy, it gets easier. … More The Great Truth Every Writer Needs to Know
Take heart – we’re halfway through the dark. No matter how bleak it seems, we’re halfway through the dark. We are a nation divided, yet we are still a nation. We have been shaken to our Constitutional core, but we still have a Constitution. I won’t assume that you and I see the same causes … More Halfway through the Dark
Back when the pandemic first started, I heard something on the radio that grabbed my attention. Despite my best efforts, I haven’t been able to identify the radio program or the research mentioned, so I can’t say how valid this information is, but if it’s true, it’s great news for us. Apparently, there is evidence … More Writing in the Time of Pandemic: Surprising Good News! This Is the Time to Make Your Writing Stronger than Ever!
The ideas bouncing around in my brain are all loosely related to writers, resistance and pandemic, but I don’t have what it takes to write and edit a comprehensive, cohesive piece. So, instead of a complete and balanced writer’s meal, I offer you a variety of appetizers for your writer’s palate. Tidbit #1 Goals, … More Writing in the Time of Pandemic: Writer’s Tidbits – Because We’re All Snacking More
A friend asked, “How are you?” It wasn’t a perfunctory greeting; it was a genuine question. I hesitated. I didn’t really know how I was. I didn’t know if I wanted to know. So I said, “I’m fine.” I am nowhere near fine, except in the sense of the R.E.M. lyric: It’s the end of … More Writing in the Time of Pandemic: What’s Kindness Got to Do with It?
I saw my neighbor and fellow writer Beth in the park (at a safe distance). She told me her family was okay, her husband was working from home and she was maintaining her writing habits. I congratulated Beth and thought, “Well, there’s at least one writer who’s able to focus on writing.” Maybe the post … More Writing in the Time of Pandemic
As you develop a perspective like Thomas Edison’s that there is no failure, that you’re just discovering ways that don’t work on the way to finding what does work, you’ll probably feel relief. Thank God, I don’t have to worry about failing any more. You might try to talk yourself into false cheer. Alright! Good … More Writing Failure Lesson #2: Feel it Fully
Bane of Your Resistance 