I have written about why it is I want to write before. It’s a very good question for any writer to ask themselves given the personal sacrifices that will inevitably follow. But I’ve never paused to consider why I specifically want to be a novelist. Read more…
It seems that there is a definite downside to the tracking method I use. While it can be very encouraging, I personally have a tendency to relax and shirk off if I’ve done well. Read more…
As a writer, I often beat myself up. I’m never writing enough, and what I write is never good enough. The intention is always to forget about that feeling and do it anyway, but every now and then it creeps back in there. I imagine you do that too. But perhaps we’re being too hard on ourselves. After all, writing is difficult. Read more…
We seem to moan a lot as writers. We bemoan the lack of time, writer’s block, the seeming enormity of the tasks we set ourselves (that epic trilogy felt like such a great idea a week ago). How often are we given the advice to “just do it”? And yet we still resist! So next time you’re staring at the blank page, a pained expression on your face and sweat on your brow, remember, writing is easy! Read more…
Well, it’s the end of another year. Goodbye 2009. And hello 2010! I hope you all had great new year celebrations, and are looking forward to a whole new year of writing improvement! Of course, a new year is traditionally a time of reflection, and of goal setting. Today, I have been looking over the stats I gathered last year to see how I’ve been doing and what I need to improve on. Read more…
I’m coming to the end of a story. This is normally motivation in itself, but I think thus time I need a little push. Read more…
I have recently been reading Contact, by Carl Sagan. So far it is an excellent science fiction story (that leans heavily on the science end of the spectrum), and I am enjoying it immensely. Plus, the “voice” of the author has given me some confidence in my own style of writing. Read more…
I was recently given encouragement regarding a certain aspect of my writing style. This is nothing major, but of course every bit of confidence counts in this game. It was whilst reading Stephen King’s “On Writing” that I discovered I was right all along. Read more…
Well, let’s be honest – if you’re asking that question, then chances are that the answer is yes. There you go. But you’re procrastinating aren’t you, so you probably want a longer answer than that. Read more…
It’s hard for me to see whether I am improving in my writing. I don’t mean ability. That can wait for a bit. At the moment it’s about volume. Honestly, I’m so poor with the amount of time I spend writing, that any time doing it is considered good at the moment. But then, without regularly churning out work, how can I judge that I’m getting better? When does a little bit become a little bit more? Read more…