I recently read that the trajectory of the successful Apollo moon rocket was “off course” 90 percent of its flight–and yet… It still reached the moon! How did that happen? Scientists acknowledged the deviations from the expected path. They repeatedly made the necessary course corrections. They achieved an adequate (though not perfect) trajectory to the […]
Kristi Holl
What Type of Writer Are You?
Do you ever wonder if you’re a REAL writer? If you have doubts, it might be because you have a bad case of the “shoulds.” Symptoms of the “shoulds” include: You should write first thing in the morning. You should write daily. You should keep a journal. You should write down your dreams every morning. […]
Wise Words: Persistence in Writing
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Nothing. So today I’m bringing you three recent posts on the topic of persistence in writing. Each article approaches the subject in a slightly different way. All are though-provoking and encouraging. So if you’re thinking of quitting, read these articles first. You just might change […]
Talent, Passion, and Discipline
As a writer, don’t ever under-estimate the power of self-discipline. Talent, passion, and discipline are needed–but the greatest of these is discipline. Best-selling author Elizabeth George speaks to this point on the first day she faces her students in her creative writing classes. Study this quote from her book, Write Away–and read through to the zinger […]
The Writer's Holiday Household
Because so many of us on the Holiday Writing Challenge are dealing with juggling our writing and multiple holiday events and jobs and families, I decided to run an older article today on “Household Have-To’s.” I think during the holidays it is especially appropriate. ************** Families: what would we do without them? Writers want to […]
Writing During the Holidays
Writing is a challenge in the best of times. During the holidays, the challenge is monumental. Monumental–not impossible! About forty of us are writing through December doing a Holiday Challenge. Even so, we can use all the help we can get. Help is Here! With that in mind, enjoy these articles, all about helping you […]
Unlocking Your Potential
Winston Churchill once said, “Continuous effort–not strength or intelligence–is the key to unlocking our potential.” I believe he’s right. Over the years, the writers I’ve seen succeed weren’t the most talented. They were the ones who refused to give up. Plugging Away I pondered that principle last month during NaNoWriMo when I was sick or gone […]
Holiday Challenge: Writing Through December
What do many writers wish for in December? Time to write. Support for their writing. Someone to cheer them on so they don’t give up during the wonderful holiday hub-bub. I have two solutions for you this December. One is another challenge group. [See sign-up instructions at the bottom.] The other is a pair of […]
A Life Changing Journal: Defeat Your Writing Fears
“The key point to note is not the therapeutic effects of writing in a journal but rather the fact that regular journal keeping will influence the way you think or feel about a specific topic.” That startling statement is from Angela Booth’s article called “Change Your Life with Your Journal.” Now, I’ve journaled off and on for […]
Writing Advice: One Size Doesn't Fit All
Over the years, you might feel that I’ve given you conflicting advice. One week I might say, “Write every day!” Another time I might advise you to “get some rest and renewal.” While it might appear to be conflicting advice, I think it has more to do with the fact that we’re all different–and at […]