Lori Twining – Page 3 – Ascribe Writers

Taming Your Lizard Brain

April 25, 2022April 25, 2022 Lori Twining Leave a comment

I am continuously learning the craft of writing. One of my favourite self-development authors is Seth Godin. I almost fall into a trance when I listen to him speak. A few years ago, he published a book called PUSHING PAST THE DIP: HOW TO BECOME THE BEST IN THE WORLD. I recently reread it.

In the book, Seth speaks about making the long, tough slog through mediocre-ville. Honestly, I laughed while I read it. It was probably a manic laugh, but still, I think about this book often. Seth mentioned that you must concentrate your efforts, push a little harder, commit a few more resources, and leave the mediocre to the average Joe.

Writers & Artists Paying It Forward

March 7, 2022March 7, 2022 Lori Twining Leave a comment

Artwork by Birch Notes Creative; Photo credit ~ Lori Twining

Above all else, writers should be writing, but what if you have trouble getting words on the page?

With the world raging in turmoil outside our windows, writers start to wonder if the words they are writing will matter in a time like this. We thought the pandemic was challenging, but now, people are dying thanks to a man with a greed problem. I’m simplifying this because the man has more problems than greed, but I’m sure you understand we are on the verge of World War III now that Putin, the Russian leader, has ripped up the peace deal and has launched a devastating attack on Ukraine by air, land, and sea.

This news is scary shit. Read more

A Writer’s Dream: An Island of Uninterrupted Time

January 24, 2022January 24, 2022 Lori Twining 2 Comments

The answer is time. To be more specific: UNINTERRUPTED TIME.

Why?

So, you could write and possibly finish that novel you have been working on for a year. Or has it been two or three years? Since the pandemic started, it feels more like one big giant nightmare of when-will-this-ever-be-over kind of day/month/year. Sad, but true.

What if I told you that I know where there is a private island? Read more

When Is a Writer Considered Successful?

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Lori Twining Leave a comment

The definition of success:

Success (the opposite of failure or defeat) is the status of having achieved and accomplished an aim or objective. Being successful means achieving desired visions and planned goals. The dictionary describes success as the following: “attaining wealth, prosperity and/or fame”.

Last week, I had at least a dozen weird “writerly” things happen to me. Here are two situations that are relevant to this question: When is a writer considered successful?

Mixing Solitude with the Camaraderie

October 18, 2021October 18, 2021 Lori Twining 6 Comments

Lori Twining ~ Coffee at Sunrise, Elmhirst’s Resort

What writer wouldn’t love to disappear from their life and spend an entire week hidden away at a remote location? With no other obligations other than to put fingers to keyboard or pen to paper and tell a story. Maybe, a story no one will ever read? That’s a possibility. But hey, if you are a writer, you will have a strong desire to write that story whether someone reads it or not, right?

Disappearing to a remote location sounds fantastic, especially after the tough year or two we have experienced. My doctor said I was becoming a workaholic, even though I’m working from home now, and I should take a mental health break. She said something like, “Take a vacation.”

In my mind, I watched her scribble a prescription on her pad for me:

Accountability Partners: Are They Beneficial?

August 16, 2021August 16, 2021 Lori Twining 2 Comments

Accountability Partners: Colleen Winter & Lori Twining

I have a simple goal: I want a writing career.

Unfortunately, it is not as simple as quitting my day job and writing the damn novel. Other things factor into a writing career, besides having money to pay the bills. In 2021, as a writer, it is essential to have a social media presence, network with others, be searchable on Google, be knowledgeable and experienced with the craft of writing, have an agent, have a publisher, and the list goes on and on. It is endless.

Is a writing career something I can do alone?

Binge-worthy Podcasts for Writers

June 21, 2021July 4, 2021 Lori Twining 2 Comments

Some of my writing buddies have been struggling to find the words lately. I’m no different. There are days I sit at my desk and stare at a blank page and wonder why I am even bothering to get up. Seriously, I could be sleeping right now. I never get enough sleep.

However, there are also days that I plunge my mind into other things besides working for someone else and wrestling with the words on the page. Sometimes, I like to immerse myself in other creative activities such as sketching, painting, and photography. Sometimes, I create colourful quilts and blankets from scraps of material found in a material bin. Sometimes I spend hours designing a new baby blanket (because who wants to use someone else’s pattern). And, sometimes, I bake cookies, experiment without a recipe, and eat every last one of them.

The thing is, I have found a way to get my writing mojo back during these other creative moments in my life. I’ve been multi-tasking.

Be Audacious & Take the Risk

May 3, 2021May 3, 2021 Lori Twining Leave a comment

Lori Twining on Twitter – #5amwritersclub

On Monday, April 5th, I posted a blog about “Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone,” and I dared you to do something completely different from your regular routine in your writing life… doing something that might scare you. If you haven’t already read that, you should. You can find it HERE.

It has been seven days since my scary adventure ended. I still can’t stop thinking about the incredible and invigorating weekend I spent with 19 other like-minded and passionate writers. I survived the daunting inaugural session of the UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS & INCREDIBLE JOURNEYS (#UCIJRetreat2021) virtual writing retreat presented by Ralph Walker. My fears were unwarranted. I absolutely loved it!

Many different kinds of writing events catch my eye, but this was my first virtual writing retreat where you are on a ZOOM call with 19 other writers—most of them strangers or people I have only met online. The schedule was intense, Friday night to Sunday night (approximately 17.5 hours), but it was designed that way with pure intention. It was brilliant. I didn’t want to miss even one minute of the conversations.

Author: Lori Twining