Why Do You Write?
July 2, 2010
I figured my writing students were thinking of publication and making money someday and just didn’t want to say so. But now, I’m not so sure. … More Why Do You Write?
Category: Writing Life
Want More Time to Write? Stop Doing What You Know How to Do!
June 25, 2010
Someone wise once told me “If you want to do something you don’t know how to do, stop doing what you do know how to do.” So if you want more time to write and don’t know how to get it, here are some suggestions: Stop clearing your desk Stop emptying the dishwasher, dusting your … More Want More Time to Write? Stop Doing What You Know How to Do!
Want More Time to Write? Stop Multitasking!
June 17, 2010
If you think doing two or three things at once will save you time, think again. Oh sure, your cerebellum can keep you walking, talking and chewing gum at the same time, but only because you have practiced these physical activities so much that they are automatic. But when it comes to doing things that … More Want More Time to Write? Stop Multitasking!
Are You in the Dream Business?
June 9, 2010
“To accomplish great things we must first dream, then visualize, then plan… believe… act!” – Alfred A. Montapert Writers are in the dream business. We take the ephemeral wanderings of our minds and the apparently random firing of our neurons and transform them into words and images that can change the world. All we have … More Are You in the Dream Business?
Shift Happens… When You’re Ready
May 29, 2010
Before a major shift occurs in the physical world, there is a shift in the mental, emotional or spiritual world. … More Shift Happens… When You’re Ready
Do the Im-Paso-ble!
May 13, 2010
Creative constraints can be a source of resistance; it’s only natural to feel oppositional when you’re being restricted. But creative constraints can also be a source of amazing creative breakthroughs. It all depends on your attitude. This week’s episode of Dancing with the Stars demonstrated the power of two truly creative people working with what … More Do the Im-Paso-ble!
Rejection Means…
May 6, 2010
So what does rejection signify to us as writers? Logically, a rejection means nothing has changed. I’m not published in Magazine X, I send a query and get a rejection (or letter of declination as I sometimes call them) and I’m still not published in Magazine X. No change. Logically, the only thing a rejection … More Rejection Means…
Oh Joy, Another Rejection!
April 30, 2010
Last week, I prepared a cover letter to accompany my novella to another magazine. The magazine’s guidelines said they rarely accept fiction over 9,000 words, but I’d met someone who had worked with the publication as a part-time copy editor and who said they do occasionally publish novellas, so I thought I’d give it a shot. … More Oh Joy, Another Rejection!
Don’t Know Your Own Strength?
April 22, 2010
Remember when Bullwinkle would say, “Hey, Rock, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat…”? And then when he pulled a roaring lion out, he’d say, “Don’t know my own strength.” Do You Know Your Own Strength? List three things you can’t do as a writer. For example, some of my “can’ts” are: I can’t … More Don’t Know Your Own Strength?
Don’t Just Stand There, Do Something!
April 15, 2010
Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing… Sometimes the best thing to do is something… Sometimes the best thing to do is anything. How do you tell what time it is for you? It depends on what you’ve been doing lately. If you’ve been working on “something” – a particular piece of writing for … More Don’t Just Stand There, Do Something!
Bane of Your Resistance 