How often have you said to yourself: “I could get this done if I was motivated enough.” We’re all motivated when we first start a new project, like a novel. The reasons why we want to write the book are right there in the forefront of our minds, our enthusiasm is fired up and […]
How to Motivate Yourself Right Up To “The End” Read More »
Ever reached a point of writing your book and think “This book sucks like there’s no tomorrow”? Do you do that with a lot of your books? Do you have a pile of uncompleted manuscripts, because they all stink up the room? I’ve got some good news for you, and some bad news. The
This Book #%#*$!! Sucks! Read More »
I came to a realization, this week just past. It began as a niggling sense of pressure, even when I was relaxed. It showed itself by the mild irritation I felt even when I had completed a full day of work, with all priorities handled. It manifested via constant tweaks to my 2019 weekly schedule,
The Case for Writing LESS Read More »
Anyone Can Become Productive, Including You. Productive and prolific writers don’t burst out of the egg pecking at their keyboards. Although, it’s possible Isaac Asimov asked for a second typewriter for his third birthday, but we’ll never know. Being productive is not a genetic trait you were either born with, or not (too bad). Writing
Anyone Can Become Productive, Including You. Read More »
I’m really tired. It has been three very long years of full time writing — six days a week (usually seven, actually), up to ten hours a day. In the last month, I have been trying to write as many blog posts and emails ahead of time as possible, so that I can take six
Prolific Idea Generation Read More »
I talk about willpower a lot on this blog — mostly indirectly, because I think that willpower on its own will never give you the discipline you want to be as productive as you want. Willpower brings to mind the idea of white-knuckling your way through chores you don’t want to do. I think writing
Willpower for Writers…and More Read More »
I was tickled pink when James Scott Bell, writing guru and suspense author, and also one of my professional heroes, wrote a post a few days ago, “What I Wish I’d Known When I Started Writing”. He starts the post with: Next year will be my 24th as a professional writer. So I knew I
Most writers procrastinate about writing because (most often) they don’t have a good enough handle on their story. Others doubt themselves and think their writing sucks, or fear success, and twitter away their time for those reasons. Then there are writers who have reached a point where they loathe writing. If you’ve never hated
What To Do When Writing Every Day Feels Like A Chore Read More »
If you’ve lost your get-up-and-go and loathe the idea of writing, you might be tempted to self-diagnose and decide you’re suffering from burnout. Alas, this might merely be yet another creative form of resistance. I’ve seen several group discussions lately, where “burnout” is tossed around casually, as a reason why writers don’t write. But
Is It Really Burnout? Read More »
Strategy Number Five: Organization and Structure This is the last of a six-part post series on defeating resistance (with a small “r”). To start at the beginning of the series, click here. Let’s get straight into the organization and structure hacks that will help you sit down and write when you say you want to,
5 Powerful Strategies to Defeat Resistance And Get More Written – Part 6 and Final Read More »
