Category: Videos

What Type Of Writing Prepper Are You?

When you hear the word “prepper”, you might picture stockpiles of food, water, and other supplies in a bunker. But, all it really means is someone who prepares!

For writers, there are three main levels of prepping, each with its own variants.

The Planner, the Pantser, and the Plantser. Which are you?

Giving Thanks

It’s that time of year, especially for most Americans, to give thanks. Despite the admittedly troublesome history, I can’t hate … More

How Does This Writing Thing Work Again?

As I gear up for NaNoWriMo, there’s this small pit of dread somewhere between the back of my throat and my stomach. (What can I say, it moves.)

But. I’ve had this pit of dread before.

Sure, I’ve drafted a handful of manuscripts, I’ve even polished one or two. Yet, every time I gear up for NaNoWriMo, I end up with this familiar dread:

Maybe… I can’t write, anymore.

Which Are Better Writers? Introverts versus Extroverts

The stereotype of the writer is often a loner (maybe a drinker — tea, coffee, or alcohol dictated by genre), who spends all their time on their manuscripts and shuns human interaction.

But that’s not the only option.

Which do you think makes for the better writer? The extrovert or the introvert?

Writing Rituals To Try When You Can’t Get Started

Have you ever wanted to sit down and write, but your focus was shot and you just kept dithering instead?

One shortcut many writers have found that works for them is the use of writing rituals. Nearly all of us have them, but sometimes what we’ve been doing stops working or we think we’ve moved past them, and need to revisit them.

How To Save a Fizzled First Draft

Last year, I ‘won’ NaNoWriMo, but my story had veered off course. I tried to push through to an ending, but by the end of March, it was so far off from where I wanted it to be, I knew I was fighting a losing battle.

Now, not all stories that go off course are wrong. Sometimes the story takes the lead and brings you to better things than you ever expected.

But, for me? This wasn’t the story I wanted to tell.

So, I set it aside, polished some rough drafted short stories, beta-read for some friends, and read a lot of books. I gave my story breathing room to percolate in my head and I waited til now to pull this technique out of my toolbox.