Breaking Writer's Block

Recently I was asked what my favorite part of writing a book is, and the answer made me a bit sad. Here's why. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #5: The Importance of Boredom for Boosting Creativity #78: Let It Be Easy #120: What If? Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

When several authors do the same thing, it's tempting to think you need to do that thing too. But do you really? Happy Writing! Related Episodes: #130: There Are No Rules #80: Is It True? #17: You Need to Write Every Day...Right? Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

It's the start of a new month, so it's time to check in and see how May goals went and chat about being flexible in goal setting so you can take advantage of opportunities that come your way. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #32: February Check-in #61: March Check-in #92: April Check-in #122: May Check-in Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

One of the most frequently asked questions, especially by newer writers, is, "How long should a chapter be?" Well...how long is a string? Today, I talk about what a chapter actually is, the difference between a scene and a chapter, and why you should write your first drafts without chapters. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #12: The Problem With Writing Advice #45: Is the Advice Helpful...

Sometimes, it seems like story ideas are multiplying faster than rabbits and completely overwhelming you. Here's a quick tip to help you manage the deluge of plot bunnies. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #13: Why Do You Resist Writing? #29: How to Deal With Idea Overwhelm #121: You Don't Have a Craft Problem #136: Just the Facts #149: What's the Worst That Can Happen? Let's Connec...

The question on many writers' minds is: When does it end? When will you no longer experience impostor syndrome and fear of failure? When will you no longer resist your writing practice? Let's discuss. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #13: Why Do You Resist Writing? #16: Nobody Knows What They Are Doing #10: The One Thing ALL Successful Authors Have in Common Let's Connect: Instagram Th...

When you're feeling inadequate, facing resistance, or experiencing a fear a failure, there's one tool that works wonderfully to help you get past those feelings and back to writing. It's time to ask yourself, What's the worst that can happen? Happy writing! Related Episodes: #13: Why Do You Resist Writing? #34: Are You In the Dip? #113: The Gap and the Gain Let's Connect: Insta...

"An effective method for motivating yourself to exercise: go running every day for 30 minutes, and if you miss it, add 30 minutes to the next day. It's works really well--tomorrow, I'm going to run for two weeks." We laugh at the joke because we all know that's not a good way to approach your exercise. So why to we treat our word count goals like this as writers? It's tim...

When it comes to finding your deepest creativity, there's one super helpful trick that may surprise you: placing restrictions, constraints, and boundaries on your writing. Sometimes that's exactly what you need to nudge your creativity along. Happy writing! Read this fabulous op ed by Jason Blum , where he talks about how placing budget limitations on movies can actually increase the quali...

One of the least fun parts of being a writer is facing failure. But there is success in failure, and even your failed pieces are essential. Let's discuss. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #134: Is it Practicality or Is it Fear? #52: When Should You Quit? #10: The One Thing ALL Successful Authors Have in Common Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

When it comes time to query agents, there's one wonderful resource that is often overlooked: brand new agents who may not have sales yet but who are hungry for more clients. In today's episode, I discuss the ins and outs of targeting newer agents and things to watch out for so you can make sure you're only querying new agents who have the ability to sell your books. Happy writing! Rela...

Routine and ritual are great for creating a sustainable writing practice, but what happens when they aren't working for you? It's time for a change of scenery! Happy writing! Related Episodes: #2: My Journey With Writer's Block #23: The Practice is What's Important #67: Create a Consistent Writing Practice in ONE Step #80: Is it True? Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

Paranormal Activity is one of the most profitable movies of all time, a true Hollywood success story. But, for a long time nobody wanted it. What it took for things to change was one person believing in the movie enough to champion it. The same goes for your writing; you simple need to find your one person. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #10: The One Thing ALL Successful Authors Have in Common #...

In the idea world, the people closest to you will be your biggest supporters, but what if they aren't? Today's episode is all about how to navigate chasing your writing dreams when your family is unsupportive. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #36: Your Circle of Support #58: The Audacity to Chase Your Dreams #119: Be Unreasonable Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

If you look for an excuse for why you're not finding success, you will ALWAYS find one. There are unfortunately a lot of things standing between a writer and success--don't let the thing that is standing between you and success be YOU. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #4: Are Your Thoughts Helping You Write? #15: Four Words That Will Change Your Life #25: YOU the Successful Author Let'...

In a society that glorifies youth, it is easy to feel like you're behind if you didn't start chasing your dreams years ago. But there are benefits to starting writing when you're older. You aren't too old; it's not too late. Be brave and chase your dreams! Happy writing! Related Episodes: #138: Write Like the Young #45: Is the Advice Helpful or Harmful? #57: How to Balance Writ...

As children, we are incredibly creative. But as adults, many of us veer away from our most creative ideas because they feel too risky. Today, I have two questions to help you side step your aversion to risk to discover what you truly want to write. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #102: What You WANT to Write #119: Be Unreasonable #41: How to Decide Which Book to Write Let's Connect: Instagram...

Sometimes, you may start to wonder if it is all worth it, it your writing practice is actually helping you improve. I promise, you are growing as a writer every time you write, even if you can't see it yet. Keep going. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #122: You Don't Have a Craft Problem #114: The Gap and the Gain #97: Your Writing Superpower Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

The discourse in the writer world can feel a little like Chicken Little screaming, "The sky is falling!" at times. Right now, that discourse is circling around the supposed death of Middle Grade fiction. Today, I have some tips for writers who are writing in a so-called dead genre. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #43: You Might Not Win the Superbowl... #49: Swing for the Fences #66: An...

When something bad happens, it's easy to assume the worst. But I want you to remember: Anything that isn't a verifiable fact is a story you're telling yourself. And the wonderful thing about being a storyteller is that you have the power to change that story. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #15: Four Words That Will Change Your Life #28: Be Your Own Favorite #37: The Secret to a Succe...

Craft books and classes and podcasts and videos are all great and you can learn a lot...but theory will only take you so far. In order to truly learn how to write, you need to write. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #49: Quantity Dictates Quality #4: Are Your Thoughts Helping You Write? #9: Finding Time to Write...When You Have No Time Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

“So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality....My father could have been a great comedian but he didn't believe that that was possible for him, and so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe jog as an accountant and when I was 12 years old he was let go from that safe job, and our family had to do whatever we could to survive. I learned many great lessons...

"Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on." ~Louis L'Amour Happy writing! Related Episodes: #35: How to Write When You Are Unmotivated #21: Motivation vs Dedication #49: Quantity Dictates Quality Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

There are a lot of service providers out there who help writers...but not all of them have your best interests at heart. One quick thing to remember when vetting service providers: there are NO guarantees in publishing. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #47: Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Writing Coach Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

“I had learned already never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.” —Ernest Hemingway Remember to leave something in your writing well, friends. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #129: Pavlovian Writing #78: Let it Be Easy #67: Create a Consistent Writing Practic...