What Story Could you be Writing?

    As writers we seek to spread our message through the telling of stories, but not just any stories–our stories. We ponder our lives; we dig to that raw spot within that moves us; we seek counsel; we review our past experiences; and we research facts—all this so that we may create scenes and characters and plots; in non-fiction we do all this to persuade, to explain, and to bring awareness.  The purpose, my friends, is to connect with our reader in a way that ignites them; to move them to emotion and empower them to take action. Think about the...

Overcoming Writer’s Block–Pe...

I don’t believe in writer’s block. The second you tell yourself you “have writer’s block,” you have given yourself permission to stop and fester; to focus your mind on the negative disposition that “you can’t find the words.” Block implies there’s an inability, beyond your control, to move forward and that your only option is to stop. I submit to you, dear reader, the moment of uncertainty when you struggle with what to say next is merely a misplacement of your focus.  You have not lost your words. To misplace simply means you need to look to find; this...

Writing is Hard Part III: Getting Motiva...

There are many reasons for why we hit the pause button on our writing endeavors. Sometimes we simply need a break; some time to reflect and gain fresh perspective on what we are trying to say and why. Other times we find ourselves discouraged or lacking the confidence to keep moving forward. Whether it’s one or the other or any of the 1000 other reasons why we stop, the bottom line is writing can be a messy process that plays with our psyche. One minute we feel we are on the road to a bestselling work and the next we find ourselves stuck in the mud of a scene or phrase,...