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 […]
You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One)
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 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 Seven – Perfection Can’t Make It: Just Start
I was just sittin’ ‘round waitin’ for Perfection to show up and make my writin’ glow. You know what I mean? And I’d been waitin’ quite a spell, let me tell you, so I moved from the office chair to the sofa, and back again. A few times. Since I was back at the desk, […]
Make a Habit of It: Following the Greats
Last month I posted an entry in Jeff Goins’ You Are A Writer contest to promote his new book. Writing my post and reading the posts of every other contestant was so inspiring. The world is full of people who say they want to write. But this group of 138 writers didn’t just talk about wanting to […]
Claim It, Shout It: I Am A Writer!
Is yours the only house on the block with a window still lit at 2:00 a.m.? If that light were not casting a golden glow across your backyard when he comes home from swing shift, would the deputy sheriff living next-door break down the door to see if you are lying in a pool of […]