Recently, a friend was asking me about process, and how I plan my writing. I am a “lay the tracks as you go” kind of a writer. I’m not a pantser. I’m a failed plotter. I plan just enough ahead so that I can see where I’m going. One thing I do plan pretty intensely, … Continue reading How to Write a Killer Scene in 5 Easy Steps
Last week I wrote a tongue-in-cheek post about writing myths I used to believe in. As any self respecting procrastinator knows, one of the best ways to avoid writing is to read about writing. I love reading books by writers, books for writers, articles about writing, quotes about the writing life. Sometimes I find it … Continue reading What Happens When You Embrace Your Writing Process (Spoiler: Magic)
1.The Lie: All writers wake up at 4 a.m. and write for at least three hours in the early morning darkness The Reality: A lot of people say they are doing this. Very few people actually do—and these people are not my friends because HOW? 2.The Lie: If I’m not an alcoholic/addict I will never … Continue reading 17 Lies I Used to Believe About Writing
Note: if you are reading this, you will probably like reading my weekly newsletter, which is full of more writing tips, updates, and puns than your heart can handle. Subscribe here. I had so much fun making fun of my former baby writer self last week that I thought I’d continue the merriment with another … Continue reading How to Improve Your Writing Immediately: Write Scenes, Not Summaries
Or, What Working in Magazines Has Taught Me About Storytelling Part 1: Your Sentences Are Trash. Someone asked me the other day if it was difficult for me to take editorial notes on my manuscript. I’d labored over it for so long in private. Was it weird to accept input from other people? Was it … Continue reading Surprise! Sentences Don’t Matter. Here’s Why.
This is an excerpt from my Monday Motivation newsletter. Like what you see? Subscribe here. Warning: Very sappy post ahead. I was talking to the lovely highschooler I mentor a few weeks ago and she was distraught because she’d been rejected. She wondered if she should stop writing because she hadn’t won a national writing … Continue reading Why You Should Actually Celebrate Rejection
Hi, friends. I don’t know if you heard, but I wrote, like, one whole book. So yeah. I’m basically an expert and thought it was high time I broke down how to do it for you peasant, unwriterly folk. See below for a foolproof writing process. Patent pending. Like what you see? Sign up for … Continue reading How Not to Write a Novel (In 22 Super Easy Steps)
In case you missed my obnoxious postings on every social media platform: I signed with an agent last week! Cue all the celebratory GIFS. I first shared the long version of the story in my weekly newsletter (sign up here for more GIFS than your heart can handle). Last year, I had one goal: … Continue reading The Absolutely True Story of How I Got A Literary Agent
If you clicked on this post, you would probably enjoy my Monday Motivation newsletter. Sign up here for the inspiration you need to make the life you want. In January I set a short term writing goal for myself: write 50,000 words of my manuscript by March 1. Last Wednesday, February 28, I typed my … Continue reading How I Wrote 50,000 Words In Two Months (While Working Full Time)
This is Part 5 in a 5 part series Read the Intro Read Step 1: Identify and Attack Your Triggers Read Step 2: Make a Bored List Read 3: Start Heatmapping Read Step 4: Give Up a Comfort Crutch On my birthday last year I didn’t throw myself a party or buy a ticket to New … Continue reading 5 Simple Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck – Step 5: Develop Emotional Intelligence
