Last week we discussed the first step to spring into success: Define it. Hopefully, you’ve done that because unless or until you know what success is to you, you’ll never know what you’re aiming at. Success is a journey, not a destination. It requires a conscious daily commitment to live in it. Right before I wrote this, took a short road trip. I had a destination in mind but getting to that place did not define my success. I didn’t commit to the destination, but rather to taking the trip. Each mile I rode, I was living in my success. Your writing journey is the same. What you’ve defined as your own success, you must commit to. Each and every day you should commit to your journey. Please notice I […]
Read the RestTag Archives | writing
March into Success, Part One: Define it
Sounds remedial, I know. But why don’t you take a moment to write down what success really is. No, seriously. I’ll wait. Not all that easy, is it? When I coach individuals, particularly women, writers and women writers, they seem to define success in others’ terms. They’re looking outward for someone else to draw the parameters that define success. Here’s how I believe a writer should define success. It’s not what you think. You are a success if… You are pursuing your dream. So you want to be a writer. Great. Are you working toward that goal? I’m not referring to the dozens of already published novels by Susie May Warren or Rachel Hauck. I’m asking if you are making strides toward your goal? If so, you’re a success. You […]
Read the RestLearning from Fairytales: Creating An Enchanting Heroine
Fairytales heroines nab our attention because they are either princesses, become princesses or encounter the supernatural. Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, The Snow Queen. Even the heroine in Rumpelstiltskin marries the King who locked her in a room, demanding she turn straw into gold. (What’s up with that, by the way? Marrying the greedy guy put you in a tower?) But fairytale heroines are often tools in a morality story. A symbol. A two-dimensional character that shuffles the plot along to teach a valued lesson. For a novel, we need a heroine readers can relate to, who looks someone like them even if they are a princess, or meet a prince, or who’s superpower is strictly her beauty. From the web site Den of Geeks: “We don’t care who they are, […]
Read the RestBlast the Winter Blues, part 3: Choose Time Wisely
For those of you who are hibernating up north, I’m sure you are tucked away with a fleece blanket, hot cocoa and your laptop, hammering out word count. For those of us who spend winters in Florida, that’s the time we love to be outdoors in the bright sunshine and warmth. The key to blasting the winter blues is to recognize the differences in your time and use it wisely. For example, this time of year, I always want to be outside. I live in central Florida and the weather is to die for. If I’m cooped up inside typing out a word count, I become depressed. Seriously. It ain’t pretty. Conversely, hot, sticky summers in the Sunshine State dehydrate me and drive me indoors. I know this about my […]
Read the Rest
