Tuesday Ten: Tips for the Time-Strapped Writer

Writers: we have this tendency to be perpetually short on time.

Do any of these describe you?

• Writer + Stay-at-home parent (a full-time job)
• Writer + Teacher (another full-time job!)
• Writer + Full-time wage-earner (elsewhere)
• Writer + Writer—that is, you have a second (bill-paying) writing career
• Writer + Caregiver (okay, all of these “second jobs” can be full time)
• Writer + Full-time volunteer
• Writer + _____________ (I’m sure there are other possibilities I haven’t mentioned, so please fill in the blank!)

Read more >>

The Writer’s Platform-Building Campaign Begins!

For the first time ever, I’m joining an online challenge/group/activity. Thing. The Third Writer’s Platform-Building Campaign:

Read more >>

Grammar Byte: How to Write With Style—the Guide

This week, my writing life is consumed by questions of commas, hyphens, en & em dashes, ellipses, and the width of a “thin space”. In other words: copy editing!

Before you groan and roll your eyes and click “back” on your browser—copy editing is an important tool in every writer’s (and student’s) toolbox. An afternoon copy edit might not be your idea of a good time,* but chances are pretty good that if you write, at some point you’ll have to smooth out the rough edges of misplaced modifiers and dangling participles and comma usage in your writing.

When you do, you’ll be copy editing. And it doesn’t have to be painful…if you know the right tool for the job:

Read more >>

Writers’ Burnout Quiz: Do You Need a Break?

When I last posted, I was deep in rewrite-mode, the write-until-your-eyes-blur-and-then-get-up-early-and-do-it-again sort of rewrite. I was trying to meet a deadline and, due to a family crisis or three (don't those always happen at the most inopportune moments?), operating on a limited time schedule.

I met my deadline (yay!).

And then left on vacation—in Cozumel (double yay!) where, unlike my lovely friend Charissa, I did not even attempt to blog.

 
In fact, I barely wrote at all. Not even on my shiny-new-can't-wait-to-work-on-it work-in-progress which, if you've followed me for long, you know is a little weird. I'm all about writing everywhere, practicing writing in all sorts of situations, finding inspiration in (and taking notes on) new settings, experiences, and people.*

And those things are important, but sometimes your muse doesn't need to work harder or try harder. Sometimes your muse needs time to refresh, recharge, and rejuvenate.

Try this handy-dandy quiz** to rate your need for a break vs a self-administered kick in the butt. 

Read more >>