Category: on writing

Back-to-School?

Diane Ferguson Leave a comment

 

As the leaves start to turn and the geese gather overhead, it’s hard not to think about back-to-school. I loved school. While many were mourning the passing of summer, I was anxious for the start of September, new books, new clothes, new class. So many exciting possibilities. (Yes, the excitement soon waned by mid-October.)

I LOVE learning and I LOVE reading. Two things that school was all about. Of course, seeing all my friends was a bonus too. Since I loved school, I knew I wanted to go to University—didn’t matter what I was learning, as long as I was in school. I decided to become a Chartered Accountant (now called a CPA). This was a path that would take seven years to complete. The culmination of that was a 16 hour exam spread over 4 days with a 50% failure rate. I made it!

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IS IT REAL OR IS IT FICTION

Tracey Richardson Leave a comment

Have you ever got caught up in a novel that seemed so rich in detail, so real, that you thought for certain the author must have lived that experience?

I mean, we know we’re reading a novel, which, by definition, is fiction. Yet how come a scene or a character will resonate so thoroughly that you find yourself wondering about the author’s real life? Surely an author who can write with such emotion, such clarity, must have experienced what his/her character is going through? Or at the very least, they must share a lot of the same traits as their character.

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Summertime

Kelly Babcock Leave a comment

It’s almost exactly the middle of Summer. It’s a time I personally adore. I mean, I’m one of those people that loves the season I’m in when I’m in it. But there’s something about summer that makes me feel good.

And I have to point out that I’m a realist. Summer starts three weeks in to June and it ends three weeks in to September for me. I don’t make the rules I just live by them. I don’t cheat Spring out of her rightful holdings and I recognize her for what she is, transition from Winter to Summer. And as such, Spring is some of Read more

Who Are You? And, Why Do You Write?

Lori Twining 4 Comments

The summer months are full of extended family gatherings. This year we are celebrating many things: the arrival of our second grandbaby, the engagement of our niece, the departure of my hubby’s brother and wife (moving to Singapore for two years), and a bridal shower for my hubby’s cousin (even though we are not invited to the wedding). Where am I going with all this family information?

Lori Twining

With family gatherings come rapid-fire questions about how my writing career is going. Typical questions are something like this: 

  •  “Are you still trying to do that writing thing?”
  • “Where is this book I keep hearing about?”
  • “Why isn’t your book done yet?”
  • “What’s taking so long?”

These questions are often followed by examples of so-and-so publishing their 27th novel this month, and they write three books a year. So, why is my book, which I have been working on for what seems like 100 years, taking so long to write and publish? There is an instant sense of dread or shame. I should stop calling myself a writer and instead watch some movies on Prime or Netflix like everyone else.

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Feeding my Brain Deep Work

Seana Moorhead 1 Comment
Image by Gabe Raggio from Pixabay

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!

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Never Stop Failing

Donna Judy Curtin Leave a comment
Photo by Valentyn Chernetskyi on Unsplash

This blog is late.

Yup, late. 

Last week I checked out. Took time off work. Left behind the chores and the weedy garden to travel away with cherished family to do… absolutely nothing… especially writing.

I’ve had some hard knocks recently; got a couple tough query rejections, received difficult to hear–yet needed–feedback from trusted critique partners that required a major rewrite (feedback delivered in a respectful and kind manner) and then I got decimated by a toxic beta-reader. I’m still not sure of their motives. This writer/editor/reader may know their craft and have valid and helpful critiques… but the manner with which they delivered their opinion shattered my confidence and stole my writing joy. Then… the imposter-syndrome-struggle-bus parked outside my front door. I’m still pondering the reflection.

So, I decided to take a vacation, from life and my writing. Read more

A Writer’s Support System

Diane Ferguson Leave a comment
Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash

I’m starting a new novel. I’ve started it a few times, but the old novel kept calling me back for more edits. This new novel has lived in my subconscious for a while, maybe too long? Am I sure it’s where I went to spend the next few years? Are these characters the ones I want to spend time with?

I believe so. They’ve stuck with me and so have their story lines, shifting and evolving. At first, I thought it was the daughter’s story, but now I’m firmly entrenched that it’s the mother’s story. I am considering three viewpoints, but the mother keeps coming through so strong, I’m not sure there’s room for others. To be determined.

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