Quieting your Inner Editor

In preparation for National Novel Writing Month, I wanted to write about something that serves as a struggle for most writers.  The goal of NaNoWriMo is 50,000 words in a month and if you’re constantly rewriting words, it becomes quite difficult to make that count of 1,667 words a day. The problem most writers IContinue reading “Quieting your Inner Editor”

Show vs Tell: The oldest and most confusing advice in the book.

The first time I heard the words “Show don’t tell” I was in my first college creative writing class.  The professor, a well meaning man with a masters degree in English, did not really elaborate beyond that.  He did provide us with excellent reading and advice throughout the semester that I knew improved my writingContinue reading “Show vs Tell: The oldest and most confusing advice in the book.”

Getting ready for National Novel Writing Month

If you are a budding writer and finally want to get that book that’s been inside you on paper, now is the time!  November will be here soon enough and it is known to many writers as NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month.   This will be my third year participating.  Okay, that’s not completelyContinue reading “Getting ready for National Novel Writing Month”

The Power of a Paragraph

Formatting my writing has always been something that did not come naturally to me.  Since I spent a good portion of my early writing days on roleplay forums and writing fanfiction, I quickly got into some bad habits when it came to how my paragraphs and dialogue looked on the page.  From roleplay writing, IContinue reading “The Power of a Paragraph”

Why Feedback is your friend

It might even be your BEST friend.  I know that may sound a little crazy, considering how painful feedback on your work can be.  People want you to delve deeper, to kill your darlings, change your setting, edit or delete that line of prose you were super attached to. Also, honestly?  It feels great whenContinue reading “Why Feedback is your friend”

Procrastination Station

You may or may not have noticed, but it’s been a couple weeks since I’ve posted on ye ole blog.  Life got kind of hectic with a family reunion and a convention, both of which involved travel and not a lot of time to write.  This post isn’t about that though, it’s about the dreadContinue reading “Procrastination Station”

Fail Better: Improving your writing and facing your fears

When I tell people that I’m working towards a professional career as a writer, I often get this sort of response from other people who want to be a writer/want to write a book: “Dude!  That’s what I want to do!  How are you doing that?!” Or “That’s my dream, but I don’t have theContinue reading “Fail Better: Improving your writing and facing your fears”

Capturing the Muse: How to Spark Creative Ideas

A few years ago when I set out on my path to become a writer, I remember being filled with dread that I only had one good idea in me.  I had been trying to write the same book for about 7 years and had not really ever tried to outline or spark another idea.Continue reading “Capturing the Muse: How to Spark Creative Ideas”

Going beyond Writer’s Block

I’ve been thinking a lot about Writer’s Block lately.  It used to be a concept that I wholeheartedly subscribed to.  My novel never got finished because I was “blocked” among other excuses.  That’s the lie of Writer’s block, it tells you can’t complete your project and gives you an easy excuse to wiggle your wayContinue reading “Going beyond Writer’s Block”

Time Management: Ways to increase your productivity as a writer

We all know it takes a lot of work to get better at writing, because the only way to truly improve is to keep writing.  I used to not worry so much about time management, but in the last two years as I started working towards a career in writing, it became a bigger focusContinue reading “Time Management: Ways to increase your productivity as a writer”