Raise your hand if you had a challenging 2012. Yeah, most writers—at least the ones I know—had somewhat of a tumultuous year. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it’s all behind us now and we’re in a brand new one! That’s like trading in your old clunker for a brand new set of wheels… with custom leather seats! Here are some things every writer should do in order to set yourself up for success. Do these and you’ll have an exciting 360 days that are left in 2013. Umm… yes, I’m counting. Forget the Past. Well, not totally. Remember the lessons but forget how disappointing some of your experiences were. Can’t go back and change them so why hang onto them? Embrace the present. Today is a […]
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Four Gifts No Writer Can Do Without, Part 4: Hope
As we place the period at the end of a roller coaster year and usher in a brand new 2013, the one thing a writer absolutely can NOT do without is hope. There are many reasons why people have lost hope in their dreams of being an author. I’m sure you know many of the reasons so I won’t use precious word count to name them. What is important to list is all the reasons why you should have hope, and why you simply can’t be without it. Hope is the fuel that churns the engine of creativity. To be a successful writer, you must be creative and that is not possible unless you have hope. Hope is the magic that takes you to your happy place. Ok, at the […]
Read the RestFour Gifts No Writer Can Do Without, Part One: Confidence
You may have never thought of it this way but confidence is a gift. Here’s how I know. Not everyone has it. Some folks, particularly writers can do the exact same thing. One gains confidence and the other has anything but. There is nothing like facing something in your writing career feeling confident. The good news is that you don’t have to sit and hope that someone will wrap some and put it under the Christmas tree for you to open on Christmas morning. You can give yourself the gift of confidence. Here’s how: Look for and acknowledge the improvements you make. You’re not getting worse at writing. You’re getting better. Even a small improvement should stand out in your mind. Don’t compare yourself. Comparing yourself to a Pulitzer Prize […]
Read the RestSetting Up For Success, Part 1: Planning to Win!
We are getting down to the last few days of the year. Know what that means? Well, yes, there will be parties, gifts, over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go. In fact, that’s what most of us are focused on. Yet, just hours after all that tradition draws to a close, we usher in a brand new year. If you want to be successful in 2013—and who wouldn’t, right?—you would be wise to put some things in place now to make certain you reach your goals. Winston Churchill said it best: Fail to plan and you plan to fail. In fact, chances are there will be some readers of this blog who will say, “I’ll read this blog post later, when I have more time.” […]
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