Archive for the 'A writer’s motivation' Category

What to Do When You Suspect It’s Not Enough

“Doubtless some ancient Greek has observed that behind the big mask and the speaking-trumpet, there must always be our poor little eyes peeping as usual and our timorous lips more or less under anxious control.” – George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1871 So you’re finally ready to get honest? You’re finally ready to admit that your writing is no good? Congratulations. Welcome to
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The Bigness of Accepting the Smaller

“Bar the lowly, and no one worthwhile will enter.” – Bonnie Friedman I’m trying to find only the best and brightest thoughts. The big ones that can help make my dreams come true, or lead me to success, or whatever I’m selfishly idolizing at the moment, these are the thoughts I want, and only these. Even lust for God, as
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Nope, Writing Is Still NOT About Creativity

“We are about contribution. That’s what our job is. It’s not about impressing people. It’s not about getting the next job. It’s about contributing something.” – Benjamin Zander   What’s different about a book is far less important than what’s the same. Conventional wisdom holds that all true artists abhor convention and delivering what’s expected. They’re just too creative for
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How Embracing Pain Can Prevent Jerkitude

I’m special. I know you’re wondering how I know. But I’ve always known, crazy as that sounds. In fact, I suspect most people who haven’t experienced big, deep pain probably agree with this. And anyone who has experienced a massive life event that brought them deep pain, they’ll probably confirm it: Not suffering pain makes you special. Since life inevitably
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Why Writers Never Have to Worry about Failure

They always say write what you know. And what I know best is not my few successes, but my endless failures. Oh, I’m a failer. I fail! Over and over. Stick around long enough and you’ll get to see it! Or just wait a few seconds. And I’ve been doing this editing thing for the better part of 20 years,
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