One of my writing goals for 2015 is learning how to recapture the “fun” of writing. I love having a writing career and being published, but sometimes I long for the days when it was more enjoyable to write. I remember the days of getting into my fiction simply because I loved the character and I […]
Kristi Holl
Writing Life: the Reality
“Life is difficult,” wrote M. Scott Peck in his famous book The Road Less Traveled. “This … is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it… Once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.” I’d like to amend Peck’s quote to say that “the writing […]
The Pain of Overload
As I mentioned last time, writers need margin in their lives in order to write. However, margin has disappeared for many people. Frazzled mothers, office workers, retired grandparents, and other writers struggle to find both time and energy to write. Make no mistake: it is harder today than at any other time in history. It’s […]
Restoring Balance
Each person has his or her own set of priorities. However, remember that time is finite. It can’t be stretched, saved, or borrowed. The time devoted to things must be balanced. If we give too much in one area we neglect our duty in another important area. Restore Balance Now Here are Richard Swenson’s suggestions […]
100% Is a Cinch!
“There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” (Ken Blanchard, author of the best seller The One Minute Manager) Without a 100% commitment to anything, you spend so much time (and […]
How NOT To Be Taken Seriously
If you take yourself seriously, you will be taken seriously. A common complaint among new writers is that friends and family members don’t take them–or their writing–seriously. I tell them–truthfully–that the main thing they need to do is convince themselves that they are serious about their writing. Others will pick up on that attitude and start giving […]
Surrendering to the Call
The post below was written almost four years ago, when I was struggling with this question. I was pleased to see that I no longer struggle with it. In fact, after a full surrender, things shifted for me in a wonderful way. Not only do I have as many contracts as I can handle, I’m […]
My Writing Life in Pictures
This is my story the past few weeks… I’m writing every day, many hours per day. I’m reading and researching every day. I have several contracts to fulfill, which is pleasant. (Story continues below…) This is me most evenings. A darkened room, five minutes of reading for fun, and then blessed sleep. (Story […]
The Writing Life: Stopping "Unintentional Acceleration Syndrome"
Have you ever had the experience of driving a car which suddenly–and for no apparent reason–accelerates? Applying the brakes has no effect. It sometimes happens with certain defects in cars, and while the driver can see the accident about to happen, he is powerless to do anything about it. Symptoms of Acceleration Syndrome Many writers […]
Change the Equation This Year
Four areas are essential to your success in 2015, according to Randy Ingermanson. Consider his four factors below when making this year’s writing goals. Don’t set goals that only target areas where you’re already successful. Instead, ask yourself, “Am I strong–or at least growing–in each of these four areas?” They’re all necessary. If one area […]