Vision is Always Ahead of Execution
In Art and Fear, David Bayles and Ted Orland say:
“Vision, Uncertainty, and Knowledge of Materials are inevitabilities that all artists must acknowledge and learn from: vision is always ahead of execution, knowledge of materials is your contact with reality, and uncertainty is a virtue.”
How to Keep Writing No Matter What
A little while ago I was invited to be a panel guest on the topic of “How to Keep Writing No Matter What” at the Lesley University MFA program, where I got my MFA a number of years ago. I faced an auditorium of MFA students who no doubt strongly believe that they will defy the odds and continue writing after they no longer have regular deadlines and faculty giving them tons of helpful feedback and encouragement.
Frankly, many of them won’t.
New Year’s Goal Check-in: 7 Ways to Rev Up Your Motivation if the Winter Blues Are Setting In
Google “What percentage of people give up their new year resolutions by February” and you get a consistent statistic: 80%. I have no idea how accurate that is, but it seems pretty consistent with the fact that for most people I know, myself included, commitment starts to flag right around this time.
10 Tricks to Maintain a Consistent Writing Practice
Many of us have made writing goals in the New Year. In these first heady days of possibility and excitement, we may find it easy to stick to our commitment – to write every day, to write a certain number of words per day or week, to finally finish that book that’s been dragging on (and on...).
The Four Burner System of New Year Planning
It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to setting goals for the next year. Even if you’re not a “New Year’s Resolutions” person, you may be thinking about what you accomplished this year, and what you want to accomplish in 2023.
7 Tips to Help You Write Faster
If you’re nearing the end of NaNoWriMo and you’re not quite where you need to be in terms of word count, don’t despair! These simple tricks will help you write faster (and they’ll work whether you’re doing NaNo or not).
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:
What To Do When You’ve Run Out of Ideas
Recently on Twitter someone asked: “What do I do when I run out of ideas for writing? I finished my last book and I don’t know what to write next.”
First of all, as a writer, let me acknowledge that this is a scary one. To think you might be tapped out, done... this is all there is... calls into question whether you can call yourself a writer in the first place.
Stop Telling Yourself These Lies About Writing
We’re all guilty of some of the below sometimes. Learn to recognize the lies for what they are, and just move past them. Five minutes into an actual writing session, and they will magically go up in smoke.
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!
Your Summer Writing Plan
It’s SUMMER! At least here in the U.S., when summer unofficially begins with Memorial Day weekend.
Did I do any writing over the long holiday weekend?
No.
Is that ideal?
In a Writing Rut? The Power of Mixing It Up
Today, I’m throwing my established schedule into the air like a lot of pixie sticks, and letting all the Stuff I Gotta Do fall where it may.
Well, within reason. I’m still showing up for my 8:00-9:00 am writing time, since other people are depending on me to be there to turn on the Zoom call. I also still have other work I’m scheduled for at specific times.
But, external obligations aside, I’m mixing things up a little.
Why?
5 Reasons Why You Should Take a Break from Writing (and What to Do Instead)
This is actually my second attempt at a blog post for today. I had a whole other post half-written, when I realized:
a) It was too complex and esoteric for most people to care about
b) It was better suited to a Master’s thesis in literature than actual helpful writing advice
Introducing - Feeding the Flames: Ultimate Accountability Package
You know when you have a Big Idea that you fall in love with, but it takes a while to germinate in your brain? And then you have to do the messy draft and figure out all the details, so the result actually resembles that beautiful idea? Yeah, that’s where I’ve been so far this year, and it hasn’t been an actual writing project.
Now I’m finally ready to share with the world. The Feeding the Flames: Ultimate Accountability Package is now available! I’m excited to offer this since it will be a great combination of what I hear so many of us writers want and need: accountability, craft development, and community.
The Secret Weapon of Motivation: Coaching, Communities, and Writing With Others
The craft of writing can be learned. What often makes the difference between a writer and a non-writer are the ways in which they deal with the challenges of actually getting to the writing itself.
Creative Habits: Positive Energy from Shared Commitment
I was a lonely kid a lot of the time. Because of that background, it’s perhaps even more meaningful to me in adulthood when I find myself in a group that shares and enhances my own interests. It’s a stereotype that writers are curmudgeonly loners. I’m not convinced of that. And even if writers need to isolate in order to make the time to create, I find time and again that writers also treasure a sense of community. This can show up in many ways.
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.