Seana Moorhead – Page 2 – Ascribe Writers

Feeding my Brain Deep Work

July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 Seana Moorhead 1 Comment

I recently read Cal Newport’s book, “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.” It was recommended to me by a friend when I complained about my inability to focus on finishing the first draft of my new novel. Even if I found time, I kept finding myself distracted. Instead, I would check my email, social media, wash dishes, play with my dogs, plant more gardens… oh, the list goes on! Does this sound familiar?

Newport recommends that if you want to be productive, you have to log out of all communication tools and any other potential distractions and work uninterrupted for at least 60 to 90 minutes and potentially up to 4 hours… and if possible, every day! He claims practicing “deep work” will rewire your brain and allow you to learn things faster, do quality work faster and most important for writers–finish that book!

Three Classic Horror Stories

June 5, 2023June 5, 2023 Seana Moorhead Leave a comment

I recently read three classic horror stories: Frankenstein, Dracula and the Haunting of Hill House. Although I had heard of these books and I had absorbed through popular culture what I understood to be their basic plot line (ie. Frankenstein: mad scientist creates a monster; Dracula: vampire in Transylvania; and Haunting of Hill House: a haunting house that kills.). But I had never read the original books.

Popular culture does not do justice to any of these stories. I was surprised by how good these books are and how unexpectedly enjoyable they are to read.

A Writer’s Journey to Unexpected Places

April 25, 2023April 25, 2023 Seana Moorhead Leave a comment

In my January blog, I shared my goal of writing, editing and polishing a short story to submit it to someplace… any place! I broke down the steps to achieve this goal in 2023: the first step was to research various fantasy short story contests (see my blog in January). So how am I doing on this plan?

True Story: When I was in high school, one of my English teachers had us submit a short piece of writing to at least 2 magazines for publication as part of our requirement to pass his course. The goal was not to get published but to understand how to get published and experience the process. Back then, we had to flip through a massive book that listed every magazine with their criteria and how to submit. Then you mailed your story or poem with a self-addressed stamp envelop so that you could receive your rejection letter.

Are you prepared for a writing emergency?

February 27, 2023February 26, 2023 Seana Moorhead Leave a comment

Our furnace broke again. The news came last Wednesday. Because we have a dual hot water-on-demand and in-floor heat system, this means that we also have no hot water in addition to having no heat. Of course this happens in February because the last three times this happened (oh yes, I am now experienced in this particular calamity), it always occurs in the winter. Never in July or August. The good news, I am not sick or dead. The same cannot be said for the mice.

A New Year: time for new writing goals and charting a path to success

January 9, 2023January 9, 2023 Seana Moorhead 1 Comment

It’s a new year and a perfect time to think about writing goals for 2023. There are four approaches to setting new years’ goals:

1. Set multiple goals but break them within minutes, hours or days because we never had any true intention. This is more a “wish” list of wants / desires rather than a true goal setting.

2 . Set one or two goals and managed to keep it until around Ground Hog’s day and then give up because honestly, keeping to your goals is hard work.

3. Refuse to set goals at New Years because either we know there’s no point (because we won’t keep to them), feel it is too cliche or we are completely content with our present life so we need no goals.

4. Set actual achievable goals and keep to it, even if the the goal is not ultimately achieved, the steps and habits get developed over the year.

How do we get to number 4?

Practice make Perfect… eventually.

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 Seana Moorhead Leave a comment

I love bagels. I discovered the bagel when I was about seven years old. It was not a fling, nor a passing trend, like many other bread products, but a life-long love. New York or Montreal style, you ask? I must admit, I love them all. For me, the ultimate comfort food is a toast bagel with plain cream cheese.

I decided that 2022 was the year that I would conquer making bagels. I had tried at various times in the past with meh results.

Keeping the Magic Going

October 17, 2022October 17, 2022 Seana Moorhead 1 Comment

I love writing retreats. In my busy life with my work, home, dogs, garden, more dogs, canning and preserving, kayaking, building, wood spilting, and spending time with friends and family, it can be hard to find dedicated extended periods of time to work on my novel.

Spending a week with writing friends and getting up early every morning to write all day and into the evening feels like stepping into a different world. Not to mention, talking and brainstorming ideas with people who are also passionate about writing and want to help each other write the best possible story. Returning home can feel a little like leaving the magical world of Oz.

How can you keep the magic flowing for your writing? Or maybe you haven’t had the opportunity for a writing retreat and want to find a way to inspire you to write more consistently. How can you get that magic flowing?

Shhh… I want to tell you a secret!

September 5, 2022September 4, 2022 Seana Moorhead 2 Comments

photocredit to Olya Adamovich from Pixabay

Here’s my secret writing tip:

Tell your reader your secret!

We love knowing other people’s secrets – it makes us feel connected to that person. Knowing their secret–something that no one else knows–is forming a bond between people. Think of a time when someone asked you: “Can you keep a secret?” Usually this makes us feel closer to that person; they trust us with a secret. Either that or we feel instantly horrible knowing we will tell our other friends as soon as possible even after we promised we wouldn’t. As writers, we can use this as a way to form a bond between your character and the reader instantly.

Author: Seana Moorhead