We commonly ask other writers, “How’s the story coming along?” or “How’s the work going?” What exactly do we mean by “work” when we ask that? Now? Today? This Year? It usually means one of three things: We may be talking about our work right now. Right this minute, the writing is going well–or it’s […]

The most common question I get during the summer deals with productivity–or the lack thereof. If that’s your struggle this summer, I found some things you might want to try! Help is On the Way Do you need to put the “prod” into your productivity? Then I’ve got the little tool for you! It’s called […]

Because of a health issue this year (fixed recently by surgery), my energy has been at an all-time low for months. During 2012, I slowed down–a lot. My writing time seemed to disappear daily down a black hole. I had multiple projects outlined–but little written. Mostly because of exhaustion, I’ve picked up some bad time […]

According to an article in Writer’s Digest three summers ago (“The Must-Have Online Marketing Plan” by M.J. Rose), “Ultimately, no matter what you do, careers are made on the book, not on the marketing.” That’s very true. Just as true is this statement from the same article: “Someone–either you or your publisher–is going to have […]

My best friend (who once lost 100 pounds) leads a successful weekly weight loss group. This week she and I discussed how much time it takes to stay on top of habits you are changing. Sometimes I am shocked at how much time it takes to maintain your success. (Not move ahead, mind you. Just […]

Trying to write during the summer–or anytime, really–is such a challenge. Interruptions come in a dozen shapes and sizes. The following article has a brilliant answer to the problem–and is brilliant in its simplicity. (I didn’t write it, but full credits are at the end.) I wish I’d thought of this years ago! [Thank you, […]

“Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson) I’ve been re-reading James Scott Bell’s excellent book The Art of War for Writers, and he says that “the biggest mental obstacle–in writing, in war, in life itself–is fear.” I would agree 100%. How do we fear writing? Let me […]

After receiving a couple of pieces of very unwelcome news early last week, it took me several days to regain my writing focus. Most mornings were spent getting my mental, emotional and spiritual act together, which resulted in having to work till very late at night to meet some deadlines. I got the work done, […]

Writers don’t need discipline, do they? Not according to one well known author. In one of my favorite writing books (Escaping into the Open: The Art of Writing True by Elizabeth Berg), there’s a chapter on writing myths that the author says you should ignore. I was reading the list and nodding and “Amen!”-ing my […]

The end of June is a month of reckoning. And I’m not satisfied–not even close–with what I’ve accomplished the first half of this year. I’m great at making goals, writing them down, setting deadlines, posting them on my bulletin board, and getting to work. Until fairly recently, I was also very good at accomplishing whatever […]