My best friend reminded me the other day that I have chosen an artist’s career. Her words hit me over the head like a metal bucket, with all the accompanying reverberations one might expect. Wait. I...
The burden of being a writer
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Minding my own business (managing the distractions so I can focus on my life, my kids, and my writing)
In this über-distractified world we live in, minding our own business is becoming increasingly important. I’ve been paying a lot of attention to the way I start my day in this regard. Whose day is...
Writing through exhaustion, sickness, and grief . . . or not?
It's been a rough couple of months. My mother-in-law passed away at the end of January. I've managed to have two colds since then (yes, I know it's only February 20th), and the second one has been a...
The real reason you don’t have time to write
Today I'm reprinting a revised version of a favorite article that appeared on the blog in January 2012. It's just as relevant today as it was then. Enjoy! One of the most common excuses I hear from...
When you aren’t rewarding yourself for writing
When it comes to rewarding ourselves for writing, I see many writers being stingy about it. Please don't be stingy! In my writing community we have a question on our daily progress report that...
Your top “7’s” writing posts from 2014 (your favorite one is no surprise!)
Apparently I think in sevens a lot, at least when it comes to writing about writing. As I was reviewing the most-read posts of 2014, apparently sevens were appealing to you, too. These "7's"...
3 antidotes for an otherwise “perfect” process
I was raised in a family where there's a right way and a wrong way, and great woe to the one who chose the wrong way. It was my early training program in perfectionism. I learned to figure out what...
7 ways to recommit to your writing
Writing consistently, regularly, and honestly is a challenge. But it's a challenge worth meeting. And when it comes to delivering on that task, it turns out that discipline is an over-rated solution...
Why it’s worth it to keep writing through the holidays
Resistance to writing is rife at this time of year. Perhaps that's why we're so well primed to resolve to "do better" when the New Year rolls around. (Though personally I'm not that big a fan of...
What you need to hear when you have writer’s block
Note from Jenna: This is a guest post from my friend, writer, and favorite business consultant, Naomi Dunford. Naomi is an incredibly inspiring writer, and she also happens to be the only business...
Going indie: Is self-publishing for you?
Note from Jenna: This guest post from one of my favorite writers and colleagues: Jamie Lee Scott. Jamie is an amazing author, screenwriter, and entrepreneur who has a real handle on the world of...
3 ways to change your inner conversation about writing
As I mentioned in a recent post, as writers --particularly undertaking big writing projects like a book, novel, screenplay, or even NaNoWriMo! -- we need to be mindful about our self-talk and keep...