Tolerance for Uncertainty is the Prerequisite to Succeeding
I’ve been re-reading Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking – by David Bayles and Ted Orland. It’s a short book, but every page is full of gems of advice for anyone in any artistic field. It’s definitely one to return to over and over, to remind yourself of what you face, and what is at stake, when you sit down to write.
Fear is Part of the Process
One of the advantages of doing a writing sprint like NaNoWriMo is that, if you stick with the plan of writing 50K words in 30 days, it forces you to blow past any fears or doubts. You don’t have time to worry. You just have to hit your word goal, day after day.
Whether you’re currently doing NaNo or not, though, fear will eventually creep up on you. Why? Because you’re doing work that matters to you.
8 Ways to Help You Focus Like a Pro While Writing
Some of you have started NaNoWriMo this week – or some version of a writing challenge. Congratulations! Sometimes it takes a specific challenge to break through that resistance and get us to actually sit down and write. Sometimes knowing it’s for a limited period of time helps us focus. It’s far more effective in terms of meeting your goal to say, “I’m going to write 1,000 words per day for the next month” than to say “I’m going to write 1,000 words per day until I get this novel done.”
Which brings us to today’s topic: Focus.
NaNoWriMo Preptober: Final Preparation for the Big Push
If you’re planning to do NaNoWriMo, or any other big writing sprint, you can’t just think about the actual writing. Unless, that is, you have a bevy of servants at your beck and call, ready to bring you sustenance (and coffee!) on demand, clean your house, and guard your writing space like Cerberus.
You may have high hopes and determination to just sit down and make it happen, but a little preparation of your outer world will allow your inner world to do its thing much more smoothly.
NaNoWriMo Preptober: Nail Your Main Tentpole Scenes
This week, we’re going to tackle the basics of your story structure. I say basics because when I work with clients, this part alone can take weeks to nail down if we were to do all the pieces, including feedback. If you’re starting NaNoWriMo on November 1, you don’t have that kind of time. Hence, this quick-and-dirty introduction to figuring out the major story milestones you need to hit, which will at least give you some goalposts to work towards as you write your first 50K words.
NaNoWriMo Preptober: Nail Your Character and Their World
Beautiful language, exciting plots... those are great. But in the end, what we remember most from any story is the Characters. Especially your main protagonist, whose arc has to carry the story. We relate to them – or not. They intrigue us, inspire us, sometimes drive us crazy. The protagonist is the one we go on the journey with. Whether we like them or not, we feel drawn to either see them succeed, or we’re fascinated by how they get away with so much (and in some cases, we can’t wait to see their comeuppance).
NaNoWriMo Preptober: Questions to Consider Before Writing
November is National Novel Writing Month – or NaNoWriMo. The premise is simple: write a novel in thirty days.
Or at least, write 50,000 words of a novel (50K is not novel-length for any but Middle Grade novels). You can formally register at www.nanowrimo.org and get in on all the community aspect of things, which can definitely help during the challenge, because hello, 50K words in one month is more than most people write, myself included. It works out to 1,666 words per day. Which is doable, especially if you are writing fast and focused on just getting that first draft down.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of participating:
How (and When) to Start Your Story
“Lymond is back.”
It was known soon after the Sea-Catte reached Scotland from Campvere with an illicit cargo and a man she should not have carried.
“Lymond is in Scotland.”
Pantser, Plotter, or Somewhere in Between?
As many writers prepare for NaNoWriMo, the age-old question looms: to outline or not to outline beforehand?
Of course, this doesn’t come up only for NaNoWriMo writers. The debate over which works better rages on, with some writers swearing by one or the other, or some middle method. There is no right answer – only the way that works best for you, or even simply the way that works best for your story.
10 Compelling Dystopian Novels for Adults
I’ve focused on classics here (or in some cases, recent-but-becoming-classics) although I know there are a million books out there that deal with some sort of dystopian reality now. If you haven’t read these, I suggest you pick them up and give them a try, because they are classics for a reason.
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.
How to Express Character Thought and Emotion
Many writers struggle with conveying character thought and emotion effectively. For a character to be three-dimensional, we need to see their interiority – what they think and feel, but don’t express; and their exterior expression – what they say or do that reveals (or attempts to conceal) their thoughts and emotions.
My Summer Reading Recommendations
In case anyone is looking for some books to wind down the last weeks of summer, here’s what I’ve been reading. Heavy on the Middle Grade, since one of my current project is a MG and I wanted to get a diverse idea of voice, tone, plot and character to see where mine fits. So, if you’re also looking for some great fiction for your kids (about ages 8-11) I can recommend all of the below.
I Failed at My Writing Retreat
I spent the last two weeks away from home. The first week I was still doing some work, and spending time with family, and got in a break in the Adirondacks at the place where my family has gone for several generations now. I squeezed in some kayaking, some hiking, a lot of eating, and a little reading. No writing, except for journaling, but that was fine.
Want to Write a Mystery? Check Out These Craft Books
If you’re a mystery reader, chances are you’ve had the urge to write one, as well. (And if you’re thinking of writing one, I certainly hope you are a regular reader of that genre.)
The Benefits of R&R for Your Writing
It’s summer, which means many of us are, in some way, taking some time to relax and unwind. Whether you’re traveling or staying close to home, you may be on a different schedule than normal. (I’m on a waking up at 5:00 am schedule which, if you know me, is crazy – and maybe that’s why I pay for it by struggling to get up the rest of the year?)
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!