Are you feeling guilty because you’re not writing for hours or jotting thousands of words a day? There’s no need. Instead of sweating the details, try 15 Magic Minutes. Note: Originally published on The Huffington Post. Reprinted with new graphics. You can do anything that advances your writing in those 15 Magic Minutes. I’ve had […]

Train Yourself to Resist Resistance
No matter how much or how long you’ve been resisting your writing, how much you procrastinate, postpone, distract yourself, or chase your own tail in pursuit of perfection, two simple tricks will change everything. Well-trained dogs respond to these commands and you can train your brain to respond, too. Yes, I know people are more […]

New Book Update: Novel Revision Is in the Ballpark
You might encouraged and happy to know there are long stretches of working on a big writing project when all is calm, all is bright.

Don’t Let the Holidays Block Your Writing
Brace yourself: the holidays are upon us. We have decorations to put up, presents to buy, cards to send, special dinners to cook and treats to bake, parties with co-workers, get-togethers with family and friends, and plays and concerts to attend. It’s a fact that most of us have more opportunities and obligations around the […]
Three Myths that Cause Writer’s Block
This morning while I walked the dogs in the park, a young man sat on a park bench playing riffs on his trumpet. Because I’m an introvert, I often have more involved conversations with strangers in my head than I do in reality. In my head, I said, “I used to play trumpet. But I’m […]
Take a Creative Leap – You Have Wings!
Be like the bird that, Pausing in her flight Awhile on boughs too slight, Feels them give way beneath her, And yet sings, Knowing she hath wings. – Victor Hugo What creative leap have you been thinking about? Starting a new piece of writing? Going public with your writing in a blog or querying a […]
Is Your Writing Time Productive?
Which of these illustrations best reflects productive writing time? Answer: All of them. There is much more to writing than having your fingers on the keyboard. That’s why I call it Product Time, not writing time. Note: This is the second in a three-part sneak peek summary of the Three Recommended Habits: Process, Product Time […]
No Time to Write — Really?
Perhaps the most common belief that creates invisible resistance is “I don’t have time to write.” Simple Solution Give up the expectation that you need large blocks of time to write. Remember the power of 15 Magic Minutes. You will get far more accomplished showing up for your 15 Magic Minutes four or five times […]