I don’t feel like writing my novel today because it doesn’t quite feel like mine. I don’t know the characters well enough and I don’t know what to try next to move forward in my understanding of the story. Do I start from scratch and just rewrite? Do I try some...
Do I have to write every day?
Any question that asks if you have to do something should be answered with a resounding no. I can already hear the objections. But, but, but. Didn’t Stephen King tell everyone to write at least 2,000 words a day? Aren’t the most successful people the ones who...
Am I disciplined enough to write a novel?
Too many people in this space will tell you that you must write every day. Like you have to tie yourself to your desk chair, change the wifi password, and sit there until you write or literally pass out from sheer exhaustion, whichever comes first. The technique boils...
The dreaded zone of boredom
I can feel myself getting bored. Bored of my story. Bored of not accomplishing anything with it yet. Bored of how much is left to do (which is, decidedly, a lot). It’s probably too much to hold in my head right now. I’m probably not familiar enough with my...
What does it mean to be a writer?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Writer | ‘rīder| a person who writes books, stories, or articles as a job or regular occupation I’m sure you know the definition of ‘writer’ as well as I do, but I put that in as a reminder of the act itself: writing. In this...
How do you know when it’s time to change tactics?
I’m one of those people who constantly tries to change something even if it’s working. Somewhere in my mind, there’s a voice goading me. Reminding me that just because something is working doesn’t mean it can’t be better. Convincing me to try something new so I don’t...
Is there such thing as too much thinking?
A good part of my brain operates in the logical-space (hemisphere? region?). Even though I consider myself pretty intuitive, I find that I’m able to logic my way into or out of anything. And it’s not just about solving problems or being able to pass differential...
I’m afraid my story won’t be good enough
I need to take my fear to the end of the line or it will eat away at me for the rest of time. So a statement like the one above can feel so much scarier than it really is. Until I start to question what the hell I even mean by it. Who measures what’s good...
Caught in indecision
I’ve studied stories for the better part of 5 years now. And not just stories, but their structure, characters, construction. I’ve analyzed plots, themes, dialogue. Have read books about how certain authors create, how to get unstuck, how experts analyze stories that...
Forever in search of the perfect pen
I say pen, but what I really mean is tool. You could insert whatever you wanted into the place for "pen" that you thought would help you get your writing done better, faster, without struggle. I like pens and notebooks, sure, but I’m also always buying new courses,...