If you ever put off writing because you didn’t know how to start, you know how intimidating the unknown is. We think we’re supposed to know what we’re going to write before we write it. It’s not the uncertainty that stops us; it’s our fear of uncertainty. There’s this myth that knowledge is power. That … More Embrace Uncertainty and Reject Writing Resistance
When Donna Alward contacted me about giving a presentation to the Romance Writers of America Professional Author’s Network about writer’s burnout and the brain, she mentioned her own experience with burnout. She shares her courageous acknowledgement and insights in this rewrite of a post originally published on her blog. Donna is the author of over … More Standing In Your Truth: Guest Post by Donna Alward
When I retired as a creativity coach, I started looking for alternatives. So I am particularly pleased to tell you about a new resource offered by Joel D Canfield. You may remember Joel from previous guest posts, his blog SomedayBox.com or one of his 18 books. Joel created a forum to help writers and artists … More 500 Days of Not Writing and How to Start Again: Guest Post by Joel D Canfield
If you feel scattered and find it difficult to focus your attention on your writing, you’re not alone, not weird, not wrong. You’re probably suffering from mental clutter. Your brain is filled with too many things to think about, remember, ponder, take action on. You’re struggling to make sense of a cacophony of demands on … More When Mental Clutter Limits Your Writing, Clearing Your Mind Takes New Meaning
My last post explained how chronic stress rewires the brain to make the limbic system more reactive and the cortex less active. The more stress we feel, the more we react from the limbic system, the more we rely on the limbic system, the less creative we can be and more stressed we feel. How … More Pulling Out of the Writer’s Stress Spiral of Death
Okay, that’s a bit dramatic; let’s make that the stress spiral of creative death. What Do Writers Have to Stress About? As writers, we have plenty to stress about: the craft challenges of writing effectively, our fears of rejection, the vulnerability writing requires, accepting the uncertainty that is a necessary part of creativity. As if … More Are You Spinning In a Stress Spiral of Death?
I’m fascinated by how we go from not knowing to knowing. Think about it. Everything you’ve ever written, everything anyone has ever written came from we-don’t-know-exactly-where. There was a time when those words, ideas, images, those characters didn’t exist. Then someone made scratches on a page or tapped out letters on a keyboard and entire … More Don’t Know Where to Go Next With Your Writing? Congratulations! You’re on the Verge of a Breakthrough!
Sometimes you have to pick your priorities. Correction: you ALWAYS have to choose your priorities. This week, my new novel was a higher priority than this blog. At first, I felt guilty about not being able to work on both the novel and this blog, then I realized that choosing to put my primary writing … More Sorry, My Novel Nudged Out My Blog This Week
One year ago today, I said goodbye to Blue, aka Boo Boo Blue, Princess Abooboo, Bluester and so many more silly names. Grief fades, love endures. And yet, all I have to give you in a post today is a reminder (repost) of why opening yourself to this kind of grief is essential for writers. … More Why Dogs Make Us Better Writers
I loved having Katy Perry in my Loft classes. She not only gave the Three Habits “a try” as she writes, she embraced them and made them her own. Katy came into class with an abundance of native talent and already honed craft skills. Her willingness to make, track and honor commitments brings her writing … More Boost Three Habits with a Writing Buddy: Guest Post by Katy Perry
Bane of Your Resistance 