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
One of my favorite author interviews took place back in 2015, with Karen Jones Gowen. As a writer and a publisher, she had a unique take on the whole “writing life” experience, because she’d seen it from both sides. She spoke about the challenges writers have fitting writing in withContinue Reading
by Carol Rose Don’t get me wrong, being an author has many challenges, whether the writer chooses to pursue traditional publishing or goes the indie route. Still, words make me happy. I’ve been a reader since I was very young. In fact, one of my earliest memories is of wakingContinue Reading
As the year comes to a close, I was thinking of the age-old debate about whether or not you can teach someone to write. Is an artist born an artist, or can anyone learn how to be one? Human Beings are Made to Learn I’ve been a teacher for mostContinue Reading
Last year’s round-up of quotes from authors who have been featured on Writing and Wellness was a big success. (You can read those here.) So of course I wanted to do it again this year. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if this became a yearly tradition. Here you go—greatContinue Reading
1. Writing means writing when you don’t feel like it. Otherwise you never get anything done. 2. Getting published won’t change your life like you think it will, but it will bring you a satisfying sense of accomplishment. 3. Most of the writing you do will be crap, and that’sContinue Reading
If there’s one thing that can counteract the emotional ups and downs of the writing life, it’s gratitude. I shared the many benefits of being grateful in another post, “How a Writer Can Save her Sanity Even in the Worst of Times.” As a quick recap, practicing regular gratitude hasContinue Reading
Patty and Roz met through a mutual friend in the mid 1970s. After writing separately for years, they began writing together in the early 1980s. They have five (almost six) books published in “The Val & Kit Mystery Series” (The Disappearance of Mavis Woodstock, The Murder of Susan Reed, DeathContinue Reading
Before I starting getting publishing contracts, I spent a lot of years writing and trying to become a better writer. A lot of years. I submitted to some publishers and agents along the way, but what really helped me to improve my writing was one thing: submitting to contests. Here’sContinue Reading
I used to have three cats—all strays that I had “rescued” over the years—but I’m down to only one, now. Myra was with me for nearly 14 years, and was a master bug catcher and laser light chaser. Sam, my Halloween cat (she showed up all bones around Halloween time)Continue Reading
Creative people often need to say “no” when they say “yes.” Do you know Meghan Trainor’s hit, simply called “NO?” Personally, I can’t help but sing along with the tune. But beyond its catchiness, the lyrics got me thinking: Writers too often say “yes” when they should say “no.” ThisContinue Reading