How to Keep Writing No Matter What
Writing, Inspiration, Mindset, Motivation Jana Van der Veer Writing, Inspiration, Mindset, Motivation Jana Van der Veer

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.

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New Year’s Goal Check-in: 7 Ways to Rev Up Your Motivation if the Winter Blues Are Setting In 
Writing, Motivation Jana Van der Veer Writing, Motivation Jana Van der Veer

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.

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Your Fall Writing Plan – How to Get Back into Your Writing Groove
Writing, Productivity, Motivation Jana Van der Veer Writing, Productivity, Motivation Jana Van der Veer

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:

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What To Do When You’ve Run Out of Ideas
Writing, Motivation Jana Van der Veer Writing, Motivation Jana Van der Veer

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.

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In a Writing Rut? The Power of Mixing It Up
Motivation, Psychology, Writing Jana Van der Veer Motivation, Psychology, Writing Jana Van der Veer

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?

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Introducing - Feeding the Flames: Ultimate Accountability Package
Writing, Coaching, Motivation Jana Van der Veer Writing, Coaching, Motivation Jana Van der Veer

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.    

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Creative Habits: Positive Energy from Shared Commitment
Writing, Motivation Jana Van der Veer Writing, Motivation Jana Van der Veer

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.

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