“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison
I see tweets all the time about writing goals. Goals are good. Goals help motivate. But I've never been good at them. Deadlines help but I still struggle to meet them. A friend of mine gave me a deadline for two weeks and I think I emailed her the finished project about a month later. Word… Continue reading Word Count Goals
Out of curiosity, how many of you guys write from home? Because I can't. I've tried but, for whatever reason, being at home just feeds my addiction to the internet. I boot up my laptop, game face on and notes in my hand, only for my Facebook page to pop up on the screen like-… Continue reading I Can’t Write At Home. The Internet Wants My Soul
So...I'm supposed to be working on the third draft of a short story, but here I am. I thought about writing all day at work today, mentally mapping out scenes and constructing dialogue. Then, when I actually got home, all I wanted to do was, well, anything else. My story and I have been acting… Continue reading Late Night Writing
Stop me if you've heard this before: "You must write every day!" I hear it every time I read an author interview, when I read a book on writing, or when watching a Youtube video featuring a prominent writing figure. No exceptions! You have to write at least a little bit every day. I'm trying… Continue reading Sucking (Writing) a Little Every Day
What is writing a second draft like? It's like going through a wonderful hike in the wilderness on a clear summer's day with friends, seeing spectacular sights and creating life-long memories..... And then remembering you left your backpack with all your expensive camping gear at the last rest stop, running all the way to get… Continue reading The Second Draft of Doom
I was hesitant to write this because I know how tight a writer's budget can be, and I didn't want to make it sound like everyone has the same opportunities that I have been presented with. However, I feel strongly enough about it that I think I can give it a strong endorsement. Writers, travel.… Continue reading Writers Need To Travel
Over the last few weeks, I've experienced the most inspiration I've had in ages. There was no climactic moment in my life that ignited this outpouring of expression. For whatever reason the spark just came like a surprise visit from your favorite uncle that you haven't seen in years. I resurrected a story I laid… Continue reading The Return of Doubt: a Writer’s Buzzkill
I'm notorious for jumping ship whenever a story becomes complicated. Friends ask me frequently how a story is going and my blood goes cold. "Oh," I think, "just imagine a sinking boat that suddenly catches fire only to be extinguished by a humpback whale, leaping from the water and crushing it into splinters with its… Continue reading Abandon Manuscript!: The Diary of a Quitter
The Crooked Pen 