I had the pleasure of playing French horn in a recent local theatrical production of “The Little Mermaid.” The typical process goes like this: the orchestra meets a few times on their own to become familiar with the music, then the orchestra meets with the actors/singers to go through theContinue Reading
For me, the biggest physical challenge is getting so wrapped up in the writing that I sit in the same position for hours until one of legs goes dead, or something like that. I can feel the discomfort creeping up but it’s the case of “just until I get toContinue Reading
Do you find your creative confidence lagging this time of year? The holiday season is when we take time out of our busy schedules to reconnect with those we grew up with, as well as with our in-laws, extended family, and closest friends and loved ones. It’s what makes thisContinue Reading
by Melissa McPhail When I think of the greatest challenges I’ve had to face, time is often a factor within them. Time to finish the manuscript. Time to coordinate a hundred varying logistics. Time to deal with an emergency. Time to write. Time is one of the greatest hidden stressorsContinue Reading
You may not realize you’re suffering from creative burnout until you go on vacation. I thought I was doing what I needed to do to avoid creative and personal exhaustion, but when I took a few days to get away, I realized I wasn’t. Monkey Mind Has Its Way I’mContinue Reading
I have to admit that I’m pretty lucky when it comes to the physically challenging side of writing. I often hear of fellow writers struggling with high blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, and the numerous other ailments that seem to come along with our trade. Occasionally, my back getsContinue Reading
For the best writing productivity, we all need a balance of routine and novelty. But how do we get it? When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was to change the furniture around in my room. I’d take an hour or so, close the door,Continue Reading
What do you like about writing? We writers struggle from time to time. We describe the writing life as a roller coaster, full of ups and downs. But in the end, we do it because when it’s all said and done, writing benefits our lives in one way or another.Continue Reading
What do writers have to be grateful for? Sometimes it’s hard to remember. We have a lot to complain out, after all. We’re overworked and underpaid, and we often toil for years with little to no encouragement from the outside world. We all know what’s tough about this gig, butContinue Reading
by Beth Castrodale In late 2014 and early 2015, both of my elderly parents died within four months. Although their deaths were far from unexpected, I found myself unable to forge ahead on the novel I’d been working on over the previous two years. Against the loss of my parents,Continue Reading
Congratulations Mel and Celia! You are the winners of Jadie’s giveaway. Watch your email for details and thank you to all who entered! by Jadie Jones When Colleen asked me if I would write a post for her about time management… I laughed at the idea that I—a mom ofContinue Reading
by Ann Marie Ackermann I discovered a historical murder case in a 19th-century forester’s diary here in Germany, where I live. The forester detailed his role in a murder investigation. The mayor of Bönnigheim was assassinated in 1835 and a letter came from the USA in 1872 offering the solutionContinue Reading