4 Steps to Your Perfect Summer Writing Plan
For me, the turning of the season always brings about a desire to set new goals. Those who do a bullet journal are encouraged to think in terms of quarterly goals, and I also find that 3 months is a good amount of time to plan for. It’s not so long that it seems too far in the future, and it’s not so soon that you can’t get some real momentum.
How to Stay Motivated and Productive Over the Holiday Season
Tree up and decorated?
Presents bought and wrapped?
Cards written and sent?
Holidays menus planned? Baking done?
Figured out the schedule of parties? Other events?
Yeah, me neither.
Productive vs. Destructive Procrastination
I admit, I’ve been procrastinating on getting back into revising my novel. I had planned to revise it this fall and then send it out next year, but an unforeseen move to another state meant that I spent September and October frantically packing and preparing to move. Now I’m more or less settled in the new place, and I have a little room to breathe and try to get back into my writing routine.
Your Summer 2023 Writing Plan
Now that summer has officially begun, it’s time to think about your writing goals! What are you hoping to accomplish in the next three months?
The Difference Between Procrastination and Being Blocked as a Writer
We don’t often think there is a difference, but identifying which one is the real problem can help you figure out a solution – and get back to writing.
Your Fall Writing Plan – How to Get Back into Your Writing Groove
Labor Day weekend is coming up, which signals the unofficial end of summer here in the U.S. My schedule won’t change that much since I’m not teaching at a university right now, and I only have a couple of young student clients. But still, there’s a feeling of change in the air, of the end of a more carefree, slower time and a re-focusing on goals. Vacations are, mostly, over for a while. We have some weeks before the holiday crush.
Here’s how to harness that back-to-school energy to recommit to your writing goals:
Three Breaths Technique for Getting Past the Urge to Procrastinate
We’re well into summer now, which for me means two things:
The sun rises earlier, so I’m naturally up earlier and have more time in my day (to write)
I have a zillion other things calling me away from writing: Road trips! Hikes! Morning walks while it’s cool! Art exhibits and music jams!
The Overthinking Trap (and How to Get Out of It)
Lately I have not been making the best use of my writing time. Oh, I put in the time, I just spend it doing things other than writing…
Finding Your Flow – What Do You Need to Break Through Resistance?
I’m not a believer in astrology, but as I glanced over this week’s newsletter from the Omega Institute, I found this February horoscope for Virgos:
5 Things Holding You Back from Writing
It’s the end of January; how are you doing so far on your writing goals? Still going strong? Or is your commitment starting to waver a little bit?
What Stage Are You At in Your Writing Process?
Whether you’re writing a short piece or a full-length book, knowing the answer to this question - and what it means for your writing – is crucial. Most of the below advice is aimed at people writing something book-length, but can also be used by people writing essays or other short pieces.
How to Find Time to Write
I’ve been really enjoying my Zoom “write ins.” Since I’m the host, no matter what, I have to show up and start the meeting at 8:00 every Monday through Friday. It clarifies my morning: everything I need to do before I start writing has to be done by 8:00. And I have an hour set aside. Somehow it’s easier to not get distracted when I’m in the meeting, even though our cameras and mics are off. Some days it’s just me, and that’s okay. I’m there, and I’m fulfilling a commitment to myself to show up.
This weekend was a different story.
Breaking Through Writer’s Block, Part II: Starting (and Finishing!) Your First Draft
Last week I discussed the fact that so-called “blocks” can take many forms, and come at any stage of writing. They have different root causes, many based in fear and uncertainty. Since our minds shy away from discomfort, we find it easier, in some ways, to simply not write – until the pain of not writing becomes great enough to propel us into action for a little while, at least.
Breaking Through Writer’s Block Part I: Strategies for Any Stage
Writers can feel blocked at any stage of a writing project:
Before you even start, you can feel paralyzed about where to begin, or even what to write.
In the middle, you can feel blocked over how it’s going, or what to write next.
At the end of the first draft (or the tenth) when revision looms, you may feel overwhelmed with the daunting task ahead to make your book something people will actually want to read.
For the rest of November, I’m going to focus on block-busting.
Want to Improve Your Writing? Change Your Mindset
In the last post I talked about identity, imposter syndrome, and the importance of identifying yourself as a Writer. Today I want to talk more about mindset, and how to utilize it to achieve your creative goals.
On Planning, Scheduling, and Not Giving Up
Welcome to 2021! Has everyone set their writing goals for the year? Do you know what you want to do, your target date, and do you have a plan and a schedule to make it happen? I know, I know, it goes against all ideas of “creativity” to plan and schedule your writing. If you wanted that, you’d go work in a factory. But today I’m going to show you a very good reason to do so.
How to Set Yourself Up for Success in Meeting Your 2021 Writing Goals
As the final post of 2020, I’d like to leave you with some questions for reflection as you plan for 2021.
From last time:
How to Smash Your 2021 Writing Goals - Starting Now
To end this year, I’m going to write a couple of posts on goals for 2021. I know a lot of people, myself included, hate the dreaded “new year resolutions,” having too often experienced a few days or weeks of early optimism soon torpedoed by boredom or difficulty. This is different, I promise! Setting goals is actually a good thing to do, if you do it right.
But still, isn’t it fine to wait until January to plan for 2021?
Get It Out of Your Brain and Onto the Page
I have to remember to buy yogurt at the grocery store.
Why hasn’t that agent gotten back to me yet? Does my whole book idea suck? Do I need to rewrite the first chapter - again?!
I need to figure out what courses to offer for spring. Maybe I could do one on the Inside Outline…
What do these have in common? They are all sentences from my recent Morning Pages.
How to Create a Productive DIY Writing Retreat
I recently returned from a self-designed writing retreat during which I finally finished my latest novel. Hooray! I love writing retreats, because they are focused chunks of time when I can work on specific writing goals. I don’t schedule them often enough, actually, but when I do them I find they jump-start my enthusiasm for a project, give a flagging project momentum, or provide a spurt of energy for the final push, as in this time.