Is It Worth the Effort? I’m not entirely sure why I haven’t written a dedicated post about dictation before now. I’ve mentioned it in passing, and it’s come up in discussions, but never in its own spotlight. Maybe that’s because my relationship with dictation has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Let’s just say, I’ve […]
The Pros and Cons of Dictating Fiction Read More »
Tips for Fast, Clean Drafting We all want to write faster, right? We dream of those marathon writing days where words flow effortlessly, the story falls into place, and by the end, we’ve got a manuscript that’s nearly ready for submission. But here’s the thing: speed alone isn’t the secret sauce. Let’s break it down:
Speed Matters, But So Does Precision Read More »
It’s probably not a surprise to you if I tell you that I have cancer. I didn’t keep my diagnosis a secret as I needed to explain to my readers why the next book in their favourite series would not be coming out quite as quickly as usual. In fact, there was a near-two-year gap
How to Write on Your Phone (and Why You Should) Read More »
Let’s talk about something super important: self-awareness. Being aware of what’s happening in your mind is a powerful tool that can help you grow as a writer. It’s about noticing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions without judgment. This kind of self-awareness can guide you to make better decisions, improve your craft, and stay motivated. For
Two Modes of Self-Awareness: Your Key to Unlocking Creativity Read More »
Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “I’ll never sell,” or “I’m not talented enough”? If so, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, doubting our abilities and waiting for some magical moment when we finally get chosen. But guess what? That thinking is backward! If we believe that it’s not our turn, that we’re not
Change Your Story, Change Your Writing Life Read More »
Following up on last week’s post about finding more time to read. Once you’ve got back to reading for pleasure, which is key, you’ll quickly come across “other” reading. Call this purpose-driven reading. For example; While videos aren’t “reading” per se, they can be treated in the same way as reading for the sake of
Purpose-Driven Reading Read More »
The idea of marginalia (notes written in the margins of a print book) will either make you recoil in horror, or nod sagely because you’re already a compulsive note-taker. This excerpt from Mortimer Adler’s How To Read A Book is worth your consideration: When you buy a book, you establish a property right in it,
Marginalia and the Fiction Author Read More »
How often do you think, even in the back of your brain, “I’m too busy to write!”? Especially if you are working any sort of alternative revenue stream, or have a day job, writing becomes much easier to off-load with the justification that this thing over here is paying the bills and deserves your attention.
Busy Is Good. Busy is GREAT. Read More »
One of the most-visited posts on this site is “5 Types Of Writing Sprints – And Why You Need This Tool“, with “Tailor Writing Sprints to Maximize Flow” a close second, along with “Increasing Your Hourly Word Rate“. They all deal with word sprints. Word Sprints are exactly what they sound like. Writing at maximum
A New Type of Sprint! — Graduated Word Sprints. Read More »
The Fine Art of Schedule Compromises: How to Eat Your Cake and Have It, Too. In The Productive Indie Fiction Writer, when I spoke about writing schedules, I made the observation that you can do anything you want…you just can’t do everything you want. In order to keep your daily routine from blowing out, to
The Fine Art of Schedule Compromises Read More »
