Archive for the 'The craft' Category

Do You Know Your Priorities As a Writer?

For nearly six years, each week I’ve posted my best teaching on writing and editing for motivation and practical help. I’ve taken a break or two, but the archive of several hundred posts prove it’s a priority for me–and it’s largely because I need to keep the wind in my sails and the breeze at my back. I write to myself to remind myself of
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The #1 Writing Problem I See–and How to Fix It

Of course, there are too many writing problems to count… It’d be foolishness to think we could narrow it down to one. Or would it? For the benefit of everyone–including your future readers–I’m going to try. As I sat down at my writing chair last night to consider what I haven’t shared yet over the years of writing these little thoughts, first as an
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When You’re Ready to Start Doing the Work

W  henever I head to the piano to capture what I hear, I have to be so careful. Any little misstep could easily crush it. Even if I play it almost perfectly, one wrong note in the melody or harmony can make it slip away. A similar thing happens in the word work. The best times are when it comes more as something to preserve than to
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Why Language Matters

 “Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.”  – Rita Mae Brown Writing is editing. You know that. You accept that. But do you love it? I’m serious. It’s easy to love writing, even when you don’t. But editing? Who loves that?    And yet, if you plan to continue your career as a writer, it may be time to learn. When people ask me about
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When You’re Afraid, Focus on the Process

Regardless of how little is left of the day, there’s still time to write the daily clutch of words. Despite the fact that my brain is doing its usual whirring with all the things to get done, the manuscripts needing edits, consult calls to make, talks and articles to write, courses to plan, a boulder to shoulder up the hill…
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