An Interview with Emily Wenstrom, Founder and Editor of new literary ezine, wordhaus

During the course of the Jeff Goins 15 Day Writing Challenge, I was delighted to “meet” Emily Wenstrom, creative and professional writer, and most recently, the founder and editor of a brand new ezine shaped specifically for fiction readers and writers. On Day 4 of the challenge – “practice, in public” – Emily decided to […]

Day Fifteen – Serve Your Fellow Writers; Serve the World

This is my favorite of the 15 Habits of Great Writers. Writing is my gift.  I’m grateful every day for the ability to put words together in a way that entertains, inspires and motivates people.  My writing provides the opportunity to serve other writers, my community, and the planet through sharing causes of interest to […]

Day Fourteen – Branded: Your Face in the World

One thing is sure.  We’re responsible for our own success.  Therefore, we will brand ourselves, and do it gladly and brilliantly. Today, publishers don’t allocate time or money to promote every single book that leaves their house.  The sheer volume of books published each day means the publisher reserves its support for their biggest clients.  The […]

Day Thirteen – Slay Your Dragons and Publish

Have you been there yet?  In that breathless moment when the magazine shows up in your mailbox, or the book arrives by special delivery.  Have you stood in that moment where you feel as though you’re floating when you eagerly thumb through a publication until you reach familiar words? You’re published, and this is the first […]

Day Twelve – Provoke a Reaction

Provoke:  Excite to some feeling or action.                               ~ Webster’s New World Dictionary   The books that provoke the deepest response from me engage my emotions.  Same with movies and music.  It’s great to enjoy something for sheer entertainment.  But it won’t make an iota of difference in my life unless it moves me to […]

Day Eleven – When De-Clutter Gets In The Way of De-Writing

Jeff Goins tells me that my next step on the road to becoming a Master Writer is to declutter. Ouch! I searched for a while, but didn’t find the camera he must have installed in my office. I’m a visual person, with memory problems from a blow to the head.  The clutter around me is […]

Day Ten – You Won’t Feel a Thing: Sharing Is Painless

Which of these excuses have you heard or used yourself? “Oh, I can’t share my real self with my readers.  They might not like who I am.” Or… “Oh, I can’t share anything with my writers’ group.  They’re all so far ahead of me.  I’d be embarrassed for them to see what I’ve written.” Or… […]

Day Nine – Connect and Flourish

There are many reasons a writer should make connections, not least is that some of them might get her away from the keyboard and out of the house. The needs of every writer will be different, just as we are all unique in what we write and how we write.  Without making connections we never stretch […]

Day Eight – Build a Solid Home for Your Words

It takes more than two-by-fours or bricks to build a house.  Just as it takes more than a dictionary full of words to build a story.  Before a house can be built, someone has a plan for what it will look like and what it will contain.  Before a story can be told, a writer has a plan […]

Day Six – Steal What You Need: Honestly, of Course

Not what you were expecting, is it?  Steal what you need?  Isn’t that wrong, in every way? It depends on what you’re stealing, how and why. There are three reasons stealing makes sense for a writer.  And they’re entirely legal.   There’s not enough time in your day to write. At least that’s what you declare […]