Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Rejections are a challenge. But if you’re a writer, they are also inevitable so you’d be wise to learn how to recover from a writing rejection…. Most of us have had jobs we didn’t get, partners who dumped us, schools we didn’t get into …
Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Reducing writing shame should be one of your goals if you ever suffer from this supremely uncomfortable and unhelpful emotion…. Are you proud of your ability to write? Or do you secretly feel embarrassed, worried or even ashamed about it? I ask these questions …
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you ever ponder the writing rituals of famous authors? Pondering is okay, but don’t use their habits as a model for your own behaviour…. Did you know that Sylvia Plath (pictured above) and Benjamin Franklin started their writing days at 4 am and 5 …
Why you should resist the writing rituals of famous authors Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Are you still editing WHILE you write? This broken writing process is only slowing you down, as a clever little app can help demonstrate to you…. I spend a good chunk of my life trying to persuade people to stop editing while they write. …
Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Most of us know it’s a good idea to show compassion to others but how often do we consider showing ourselves some simple self-compassion? Writers are prone to self-criticism. We tend to embrace directives such as, “Our children can achieve great things when we set …
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes If you’re a defensive pessimist, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn how to prepare for rejection… I tend to see myself as confident rather than anxious. I know what I’m good at. I work hard. I have …
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you ever suffer from literary envy? If so, today’s column is for you. I’ve been lucky enough to be born with little envy for other writers. I think this is because I’ve never identified primarily as a writer. My thing? Editing. I was born …
How to stop envying other writers Read More »
Reading time: Less than 4 minutes Some people think meditation should be reserved for monks and hippies. I disagree. Many business people are starting to meditate and I’m a big believer in meditation for writers. Many years ago, when my kids were young, I took a course in meditation. Each …
Why and how to meditate — even if you think it’s crazy Read More »
Reading time: Just over 3 minutes You may hate being predictable but did you know there are typical sticking points for writers? And my guess is that you’re facing more than one of them… I’ve spent years trying to get my financial books to my bookkeeper earlier than January 31. Mostly, …
Six sticking points for writers and how to fix them Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes “Fail” is one of the most dreaded four-letter words. But it shouldn’t be! Here’s why you should overcome the fear of writing failure… When I worked in daily newspapers, in the early 1980s, I wrote and edited my stories on a computer. This was …
Why we should WANT to fail as writers Read More »
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