Have you ever tried mind mapping to help you brainstorm writing ideas? Freelance writer Mia Barnes has some suggestions for how this technique can jumpstart your next writing project. by Mia Barnes One of the most challenging parts of a writing project is getting started. You have a story youContinue Reading
Could you use some sleeping tips? You already know that sleep is important to your health and wellness. (Read more about that in our “get your creative brain to sleep” post.) Sleep is critical to your writing life too. If you’re struggling to get enough, you may find yourself feelingContinue Reading
Mia Barnes helps us keep writing during the holidays! Writing during the holidays is often more challenging than writing at other times. You’re likely spending your free time traveling to see family or hosting them at home. Although visiting loved ones can be enjoyable, you may worry about falling behindContinue Reading
How’s your writing nook looking? Could it use a little sprucing up? After a long winter of writing work, you may have a few too many papers, post-it notes, files, notebooks, and other “stuff” cluttering up your space. As you look around, you may feel like what you’re seeing isn’tContinue Reading
If you’re writing creativity has stalled a little bit, Halloween is the perfect time to jumpstart it again! Insert some fun into your writing life, and you may be surprised at what it does for your story! Writing Creativity Tip #1. Dress up as one of your characters. When IContinue Reading
No matter where you are in your writing career, you’re going to face obstacles to your creative fulfillment. And you’re going to have to overcome those obstacles—often, repeatedly. I’m excited to share a conversation I recently had with author and podcast host Elena Paige about these obstacles and how toContinue Reading
If you want to be successful as a writer, you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That’s not easy in today’s world. Americans have become addicted to comfort. There’s a term for it: “comfort addition.” Like any other, this addiction keeps you seeking the next “hit” rather than makingContinue Reading
You know it’s a good idea to spring clean your house, but have you ever tried to spring clean your mind? Research shows that spring cleaning your space can help reduce stress, boost immunity, improve your mood, prevent injuries, and lead to more relaxing sleep. Spring cleaning your mind canContinue Reading
April is National Poetry Month. According to the Academy of American Poets (AAP), which launched the celebration back in 1996, this year (2021) marks the 25th anniversary of the day established to remind us all of the role poets have to play in our culture. You may be one ofContinue Reading
Are you a happy writer? You probably are part of the time, but we can all go through periods when we feel discouraged, unproductive, or uninspired. If this happens to be one of those unhappy periods in your writing life, the following tips may help boost your writing mood. 1.Continue Reading
by Jane Tucker My retirement plans were twenty years in the making. In my imaginings, I knew exactly how each day would be scheduled, down to the hour. But the reality turned out, as you may have guessed, differently. The first year and a half were spectacular. We traded theContinue Reading
by Jessica Leibe We’re told that keeping a journal is one of the best things we can do as writers. Journaling allows us to rant, plan, and even plot. I don’t know about you, but I’ve taken quite a few experiences from my journal and used it for my stories.Continue Reading