Ascribe Writers – Page 15 – Writers write about writing

Vacation Writing

June 20, 2022June 19, 2022 Bernice Connell 2 Comments

Life has been too hectic lately and as often happens, writing has taken a back seat to work and all kinds of busy-ness.

So, for the next three weeks, it is vacation time as hubby and I hit the road for beautiful Rainy Lake on the border of Ontario and Minnesota.

As excited as I am to see friends and to celebrate a wedding, I am really looking forward to having lots of distraction-free time to write as well. Relaxed writing, that is. The meditative, restorative, not worrying whether it is good or not, writing.

Do you have enough space for creative thought?

June 13, 2022June 13, 2022 Seana Moorhead 2 Comments

I caught three minutes of a radio documentary exploring the concept that to foster creativity, a person needs both time space and physical space. The time space seems obvious – the freedom to allow a mind to wander and explore— would help any creative spirit. Who doesn’t need more time to allow themself to write, paint or basketweave with pine needles?

But in the few minutes I heard of the documentary, it also discussed the idea that a person would be more creative working in an open air or high vaulted room. Is this true?

Time for research!

A Year in the Life of a Writer

June 6, 2022June 6, 2022 Diane Ferguson 4 Comments

It’s been over a year since I’ve done a blog post. I was taking a break to focus on my ONE writing priority: FINISHING MY NOVEL. It’s been a long project since I was learning how to write while I raised a family, worked, and tried to keep up with our house. My struggle is every artist’s struggle: How to keep creating when life is overwhelming you. (Unless of course you have a fabulous patron and you’re living in some historic castle writing away while dragons play outside.) But for the rest of us, here’s my story on how I kept to my goals when life was super challenging. And the tips, techniques and resources I used to keep myself on track even when life was busy making other plans for me.

Where’s your heart?

May 30, 2022May 29, 2022 Kelly Babcock Leave a comment

Writing is work. Whether you love it or whether you don’t.

Those of us that love writing, those who love anything really, know that when you set to work doing the thing you love as an occupation, you risk becoming disenchanted by it.

That has happened to me on occasion.

It has never gotten to the point where Read more

How to Plan a Productive Solo Writing Retreat

May 23, 2022May 24, 2022 Lori Twining 5 Comments

Photo Credit: Vlada Karpovich (Pexels.com)

Sometimes, life is hard.

Your typical day can get so hectic that you barely have enough time to change out of pajamas in the morning before it is already bedtime again. You are so busy juggling responsibilities that you can’t find the time to finish that short story, complete the novel edits, or even take a few minutes to write a four-line poem.

So, maybe you need a solo writing retreat?

I will admit that I won the lottery a few months ago. I didn’t win a cash prize or a prestigious award; instead, I won a writing residency opportunity to spend almost two weeks on a private island in the middle of a quiet lake. It is the perfect place for me to focus on three things: Eating, sleeping, and writing.

Do You Know Where Your Novel Fits?

May 16, 2022May 16, 2022 Donna Judy Curtin 1 Comment

The pandemic of recent years has wrecked havoc on the veterinary industry. In plain terms, there are less of us providing care, more pets than ever and the results is most veterinary practices can’t keep up. This is where capacity and prioritizing come in.

You can only do so much.

To keep my writing near to the top of the list, I have had to set goals and be uncompromisable when it comes to finding and protecting my writing time.

To further this goal, I signed up for a writing intensive with Chicken House Press, for 12 heavenly hours of uninterrupted time to write and reflect. Forefront on my writing time agenda was to address recent comments from an editor on the first 50 pages of the novel I am about to query.

Firing My Inner Critic

May 9, 2022May 9, 2022 Bernice Connell 1 Comment

My inner critic’s behaviour has been out of control lately so it is time for it to GO!

We all know the niggling, negative self talk that can undermine us in so many ways in our lives. Mine is especially loud and obnoxious when I write. It is such a powerful force that on countless occasions it has caused me to trash every word written thus far and start over. My inner critic is a slimy slug who sneaks up on me when least expected.

That is until recently. I started to notice a pattern in the critic’s appearances. They always occurred when I was well along in a project, happily writing, confident with my plan then WHAM! Suddenly everything turned to crap and nothing was salvageable. A strategy was required to put the critic in its place.

Lessons from an Avian Challenged Dove

May 2, 2022May 1, 2022 Seana Moorhead 1 Comment

Shikoba prefers the term Dove to Pigeon. The latter conjures up images of park scavengers who peck at the ground and then fly up to poo on your head. However, the former “dove” is a symbol of love and peace. I’d rather be a dove too.

We rescued Shikoba after the tornado pushed her from her nest and left her homeless. She was hunkered into the long grass and as a baby bird, we weren’t sure of her species. The mother was nowhere to be found and if we left her overnight, she would have been likely eaten by a predator, like a raccoon or maybe a rat. Instead, we put her inside our bird rescue box (yes, we have one) and attempted to save her life.

It wasn’t easy.