Besides reading the work of authors you admire, there are, of course, ways you already know to grow your writing. And then there's perhaps my favorite way, the one that feels like a loophole and appeals to procrastinators: Do anything else.
Read moreWhere are you in your writing?
For the last six months, I've committed myself to a running practice. It's an evolution, as is any new practice, and I read today how new runners should start where they are instead of looking at the end goal — say, running a marathon. Creatives are so hard on and expect so much out of themselves, wanting to publish their first novel before they've written a word. What would it feel like if instead, you took only today, and focused on making time for writing instead of finding time?
Read moreConfessions of creatives who cope with fear and confidence
Does it feel uncomfortable to call yourself an artist? Writing is a form of art, of course, yet it can make a writer squirmy to think of his/her work as art.
I spoke with four fellow writers about how they cope with fear and confidence in their creativity. I hope, like they did me, their words help you feel less alone.
Read moreHow my work improved after a public writing break
For October, my favorite of months, I took a break from writing publicly. And I received this huge gift, which is that I learned how to be tender with myself and not criticize what I previously would have called mistakes. As Mary Oliver writes, I finally knew what I had to do, and began.
Read moreThe peril in getting everything you want
Everything that happens to us is public these days, and it has me wanting to know myself at the core, without filtering through how my life will be broadcast and who I am as a writer. Who's the self beneath there? I intend to find out.
Read moreEnjoy writing again, without bribing yourself
Sometimes, no matter what we try, we can't get to our desks to write. Or if we do get there, the writing doesn't come. I hope we can be in this thing together, helping ourselves back to a place where we can do and enjoy the work without fearing it or tempting it with bribes. I've stopped expecting writing to look a certain way because our writing lives change over time, and it's time to embrace that cycle.
Read moreHow to have positive client relationships: 5 tips the experts swear by
While most of my clients are pinch-myself-fantastic, I've had my share of unpleasant collaborations. Rather than grumbling on sites where others share the dumb, rude, thoughtless sentences their know-nothing clients have uttered, I've tried to make it a learning opportunity to help attract well-meaning, knowledgeable clients moving forward.
That's why I reached out to five established writers and marketers to get their take on what makes for a positive client relationship.
Read moreWhat to invest in and what to get for free
If you're serious about being a writer, there are no two ways around it: You have to invest in yourself. The good news is that some investments are free (wahoo!) while others will cost you a bit of cash (less-than-wahoo).
Here are my favorite sites, apps and Twitter chats for learning and earning.
Read moreThe important reason to write what you *don't* know
The advice "write what you know" holds a kernel of truth, and its intention is pure: You'll have more confidence in your writing if you've already experienced your story, drawing from those real-life emotions and their turmoil. You know how to fill in your friends on your life's happenings, so surely that translates to writing and pacing a fictional story, too. Or so one would think.
Read moreWill you commit to writing, at the bare minimum, once a week for a year?
What would happen if you committed to weekly writing? If you're anything like me, you'd find a million reasons to do anything except the hard work of meeting your most vulnerable self at your desk. That's why I created The 52-Week Project, for writers like you and me who need a nudge. This project is a free weekly email series. One writing prompt a week: That's all there is to it.
Read more