Labor Day Thoughts: Do You Really Want Your Job to be ‘Writer’?

Take today to think about it. Then watch this: If you still want to be a writer, here’s how to do it in 24 hours: Now for a completely fun video on “The day in the life of a writer”: Continue reading →

10 Bits of Wisdom I Learned From a Computer

Life is hard, but help is all around us. The trick is to take your learning where you can find it. In my case, as a technology teacher, it‘s from computers. Here are ten lessons I learned from my computer. The first four, I’ve shared before. The last six I’ve experienced first hand over the past … Continue reading →

It’s OK to Fail Over and Over and Try Again

Sometimes, when my blues become black, I wonder why I can’t quit this painful addiction called writing. Then, I re-watch Yuvi Zalkow’s video: Episode 5: Writing in the Cold (I’m A Failed Writer Series) from Yuvi Zalkow on Vimeo. Continue reading →

Labor Day: Be a Writer?

Take today to think about it. Then watch this: ..and then consider the hilarious Debbie Ohi’s take on ‘taking a break’: “Comic used with permission from Debbie Ridpath Ohi at Inkygirl.com.” Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval … Continue reading →

Top Ten Marketing Tips for Your Ebook

This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group. Click the link for details on what #IWSG means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words … Continue reading →

Writer’s Tip #77: It’s OK to Fail Over and Over and Try Again

When you read your story, does it sound off, maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know you’ve done something wrong? Sometimes–maybe even lots of times–there are simple fixes. These writer’s tips will come at you once a week, giving you plenty of time to go through your story and make … Continue reading →

15 Traits Critical to a Successful Writer

At times, writing seems impossible. I wonder if I have what it takes or if there’s some critical piece I’m missing that means it just won’t ever happen. I do a lot of the right things- I read, a lot I’m observant I’m a loner (or, the flip side–I don’t mind being alone) I bloom … Continue reading →

8 Things Writers Can Do No One Else Can

There are a lot of difficult parts to writing. I mean, besides the whole write-edit-revise-rewrite thing. That cutting a vein and bleeding on the page can get touch-and-go at times. Channeling your muse at times gets someone you’d prefer to avoid. And it’s well documented that trying to make a living as an author is … Continue reading →

14 Things Writers Do Before 8am

This is inspired by Jennifer Cohen over at Forbes who wrote a wonderful article on “5 Things Super Successful People Do Before 8am” (few of which I did, though I can claim #5). She includes chores like exercise, eat a healthy breakfast, map out the day–all great ideas, but not pithy enough for the average … Continue reading →

How to Talk to a Writer

I’m reposting this from Today’s Author, for anyone who didn’t read it there: My efriend, Kirk Allmond, had a hilarious run down of what NOT to say to a writer. Well, they were all true, but I still couldn’t stop laughing. Truisms like, “Leave a writer alone when they’re writing. You have no idea how … Continue reading →