Every writing session starts here – Show Notes Introduction Sitting down to write is a lot like preparing for a trip. Even the most spontaneous of trips takes a bit of planning, assessing, knowing where you are right now, and what resources you have at your disposal. Facing that blank page is the same as … Read more
You have three pages to hook your reader and grab the interest of an agent and editor. Three pages isn’t a lot of space and knowing what all has to fit into those pages can create a lot of anxiety. We end up spending a lot of our time writing and re-writing and guessing and … Read more
Procrastination isn’t about being lazy, it is about avoiding an emotion associated with the activity. It is an objection meant to keep us in place. A small illustration. When I know that I am doing something I love, like preparing my upcoming live free webinar, The Secret to Your Writing Success, it feels right. I … Read more
If writing a novel is like training for, and running a marathon, do we have the same ways to measure our progress and growth? The Marathoner When I was growing up, I could never understand how my dad could get up early every day and go for a run. For the most part he did … Read more
Is your competitive nature getting in your way? Slowing you down? Has it become a roadblock to your own writing success? Rock me Amadeus When the COVID-19 lockdown started and the entire world was pretty much shut down, the British National Theatre put some of their productions on YouTube once a week. Perhaps you remember? … Read more
Should writing be more than a hobby? What are your hobbies? I don’t know if it still is, but it used to be a thing, to share your hobbies or interests on your resume. To show you’re a well-rounded individual? I guess? If that’s the case, then I’m pretty sure I’m not that well-rounded. My … Read more
If there are no guarantees in the world of publishing, is it possible to plan for writing success? What do you mean there are no guarantees? “When I get my book published, I’ll quit my job and write full-time.” Have you said it, or thought it? “Oh, you’re a writer. Going to be making the … Read more
Is it necessary to take risks in order to write? Is there a way to reduce the risks we take as writers? Taking a risk As a University student, I fell in love with the history of Northern Ireland. It became an obsession. I thought if I travelled there for a vacation, do as much … Read more
My brother recently had a milestone birthday and that got me thinking about writing milestones. Do we have any? And if we do, how do we mark them? Universal writing milestones So let’s talk milestones. Traditionally, we think of milestones as significant birthdays or events in our lives such as graduations, weddings, getting a job, … Read more
Too stressed to write. Anything. That was me. I was too stressed, under too much pressure. I couldn’t even write a text. I’ve been collaborating with a friend on a couple of projects, mostly just offering a bit of input here and there. So when my website went down and the support desk wasn’t being … Read more