Category: life as a writer
6 Reasons to Write What You Want
A few months ago, I heard Sandra Huertes, a memoirist, speak. She said this: Don’t give yourself over to the fickleness of the publishing industry. Be in love with the writing, not the approval ... Read More
6 Reasons to Turn Up the Silence in Your Writing Life
Life is loud. And because of the loudness in our lives and minds, it’s often difficult to find the time for silence. When was the last time you sat, on purpose, in quiet for any length of time? ... Read More
Should You Really Be Breaking the Rules?
Do it! Don’t do it! I see this thing that happens in the writing world. Someone poses a question about writing and there are two responses. There are the ones who say, “Well, you shouldn&#... Read More
How I Won NaNoWriMo in 15 Days
This is the true story of how I won NaNoWriMo in 15 days while being a full-time employee, graduate student, freelancer, blogger, wife, and mother (and still had time to read). It started as a ... Read More
BICFOK, FTW! – The Key to Finishing Your Book
Nope, it’s not a curse word. If someone shouts, “BICFOK” at you, you shouldn’t be offended. (Unless they’re not a writer—then they might have meant something else.)... Read More
How NaNoWriMo Can Help You Get the 2 Most Important Things a Writer Needs
A writer needs many things. Ideas, a mastery of language, an understanding of grammar and punctuation, a medium with which to write, and the time to actually do the writing. But there are two things f... Read More
I’m Prepared to Fail
Sometimes I think about giving up. It’s usually one of those days where, for whatever reason, I’ve encountered some form of rejection (or perceived rejection) in regards to my writing. But ... Read More
Is Writing Hard? 7 Ways to Make it Easier
Is writing hard? Edna O’ Brien asked me this once. At a residency during my MFA, Edna O’Brien, author of The Country Girls, asked what I thought was a rhetorical question. Then she kept looking at... Read More