Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

[Please listen for the full message. The following is only a glimpse of the topic … not a transcription] It’s about progress, not perfection. A friend of mine said that to me and I thought, wow, what a great concept for the writing life. I found out it’s a phrase used in 12 step programs, Read More... The original version of this article can be found here: The Writing Life Podcast &#82...

In this short podcast, I encourage writers to introduce at least three senses into their writing, whether they are working on fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Don't rely completely on the way things look. There's also the way things sound, smell, taste and feel. Pick three. Bring your writing to life. One, two, three ... and you're done. [If you received this as an email, please click over to the w...

In this 5:40 podcast, I talk about the paradox of rest leading to increased productivity. If you're reading this in an email, click through to the website to hear the podcast. Here's a glimpse of what we'll cover: It seems like a contradiction. A paradox. It seems impossible that more rest would result in greater productivity, but so we’re being told by study after study. Regular rest and renewal...

  In this 4:16 podcast, I talk about importance of learning the vocabulary—the lingo—of the writing world. The following is not exactly a transcript, but gives an idea of what's recorded. Every industry has its own lingo—insider words that leaves outsiders feeling ignorant when they simply haven’t learned the terms and acronyms and phrases associated with that particular business. The publishing w...

A writer—well, just about anyone—needs a focused, alert mind operating at its highest cognitive potential. Writers need to tap into their memory to make connections as they work. Writers need maximum brainpower. Listen for more about brain food for writers.

It's been a while since my last Writing Life podcast. Day after day I kept looking at that item on my to-do list and finally resolved, even in the midst of life's complications, to start up again. Because I've learned that no matter how far you fall behind, you can get back in the game. Simply start where you are. * * * On Being a Writer “a must-have for career writers, whether seasoned or just st...

In this week’s podcast (3:36) I explain the impact of my dad's health crisis on my writing life, and how I adjusted my work. It looked like I’d have to give up on my writing life. And I did have to step back from some responsibilities for a while until we figured out what this was going to look like. I stayed flexible and worked late and was able to continue with several commitments as we rode the...

In this week’s podcast (3:25) I share insight from a speaker who encouraged me to eliminate filler words from formal talks I give as well as from everyday conversation. I'm encouraging writers to do the same with their written work: search and destroy the filler words that distract from the meat of the message. Examples of filler words that show up in our speaking: um and uh like you know so… Exam...

  (If you’re a subscriber reading this in email, please click to the website to use the audio player.) In this week’s four-ish minute podcast, you'll learn how I use one tip from the GTD productivity approach to break big writing projects into manageable chunks, prioritizing and ordering them as I go.   Resources mentioned in the podcast: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne...

(If you’re a subscriber reading this in email, please click to website to use the audio player.) In this week’s three-and-a-half minute podcast, you'll hear about the conditions and circumstances under which E. B. White wrote—and those under which Glynn Young and Ann Kroeker continue to write. I allude to a passage from Stephen King's memoir On Writing that I read years ago. It awoke in me a jealo...

(If you’re a subscriber reading this in email, please click to website to use the audio player.) In this week’s three-minute podcast, I share a few thoughts in response to an article by Jeff Haden in Inc. about the difference between goals and systems. After you listen, I'd love to hear some of your own responses both to the podcast and to the questions below. Do you tend to set goals and resoluti...

(If you’re a subscriber reading this in email, please click to website to use the audio player.) In this week's three-minute podcast, I interview my coauthor and friend Charity Singleton Craig about our collaboration, asking about some of the challenges and joys associated with our work together writing On Being a Writer. Her responses make me wonder about the collaboration experiences of my reade...

Listen to The Writing Life with Ann Kroeker Episode 2: Rescue Lost Time (If you’re a subscriber reading this in email, please click to website to use the audio player.)   http://annkroeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/The-Writing-Life-Episode-2-Rescue-Lost-Time.mp3 When over the past week might you have rescued lost time to work toward a writing deadline? What tool or tools might y...

Listen to The Writing Life with Ann Kroeker Episode 1: Just Get Started http://annkroeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Ann-Kroeker-Podcast-1-just-get-started.mp3 What have you been putting off because you’re afraid, uncertain, or intimidated by everything involved? What project could you start today?  * * * On Being a Writer “This brand-new book is a must-have for career writers, wh...