The “fast = crap” myth is creeping back into author circles—and it’s time to shut it down. Whether you write fast, slow, or somewhere in between, what matters is craft, not the clock. This post unpacks why speed doesn’t equal sloppiness, how believing otherwise can harm your writing, and what the Artisan Author mindset really means. Spoiler: it’s not “write slow or else.”
Let’s Bury “Fast = Crap” Once and for All Read More »
If you’re serious about writing — I mean serious-serious — then at some point you’re going to have to give things up. And not just a Netflix show or two. I mean real, soul-wrenching, this-or-that decisions.
I’ve made them. I gave up socializing. I gave up making clothes and jewelry. I took lower-paid jobs so I’d have the energy to write.
Writing takes time. And if your life is already full, then something else has to go. That’s the reality. You can’t wedge a writing career into the margins of a life that’s already packed.
The Perfect Life for an Author? It Looks Boring as Hell. Read More »
In the early days of indie publishing, simply hitting “publish” could bring in income. Now? Discoverability is a battle, the market is saturated, and writing fiction full-time is a dream that more and more authors are having to compromise. This post digs into why multiple income streams aren’t a failure—they’re the new normal—and how indie authors can adapt without giving up.
When Writing Isn’t Enough: The Harsh New Reality of Indie Income Read More »
Juggling multiple pen names, a production pipeline, and the occasional bout of procrastination takes more than just caffeine and stubbornness—though those help. In this post, I break down exactly how I manage my writing and publishing schedule, from rotating pen names to keeping six+ books in postproduction at once. I also explain why I never write more than one book at a time and how I use a 300-step checklist to keep my head (mostly) attached.
From the Mailbag: How do you organize yourself? Read More »
I thought I was stuck at 1,200 to 1,300 words per hour because I had been for years. But I wasn’t. I was just telling myself I was. This month, I’ve finished one book, written another in nine days, and started plotting a third—all while juggling a demanding side gig. If you think you can’t write faster, maybe it’s time to stop believing that.
What Happens When You Stop Telling Yourself You’re a Slow Writer Read More »
After my fourth serious trial, I’m calling it: for me, dictation is dead—at least for now. The modest bump in words per hour just doesn’t outweigh the tech friction, location lock-in, and editing overhead. If dictation plus clean-up time gets you more net words than typing, go for it. But if you’re already a clean, fast typist, the numbers might tell you to stick with your keyboard.
The Artisan Author movement is gaining momentum—and for good reason. Writers are burning out chasing algorithms and churning out books to appease invisible markets. But here’s the catch: slowing down your writing isn’t the solution for everyone. For some of us, our best, most joyful pace is fast. Not frantic. Not desperate. Just flow. The key isn’t to slow down. It’s to find your best pace—and protect it fiercely.
The Artisan Author Movement and the Myth of Slowing Down Read More »
At its heart, this book offers a liberating proposal: don’t play the game as it’s currently defined. Walk away from algorithm worship, punishing release schedules, and the grind of selling at 99 cents to churn-hungry subscription readers. Instead, write what you want to write, at the pace that suits you, and charge a fair price for your work.
Review of The Artisan Author by Johnny B. Truant Read More »
There’s a question that haunts a lot of indie fiction writers, particularly after the third burned-out book in a series they don’t even want to read anymore:
Your Genre is Killing You — Here’s How to Break Up With It Read More »
I haven’t posted here in a couple of weeks, and there’s a good reason for that. Actually, there are several.
Why Resets Are a Necessary Part of Your Writing Schedule Read More »
