After the busyness of the holidays, when most book projects take a back seat to holiday activity, it can be hard to start writing again. One way to ease back in is to rediscover the joy of writing.
Continue reading “Rediscover the Joy of Writing”A Family Recipe Can Enrich Your Writing Project
As Christmas approaches, I’ve been remembering the cookies my grandma and great aunts used to make. I’ve also been cleaning out my kitchen as part of a puppy-proofing purge. In the back of a cupboard, I found a wonderful surprise: a printout of some of my grandma’s and great aunts’ recipes, including the Christmas cookies.
Now, I’m not exactly a baker, so it’s unlikely I’ll try to make the cookies. Although we never know when inspiration can strike. However, as a writer, I am very excited to include the cookie recipe on my family history blog. That prompted me to reflect on different ways we can use favorite family recipes in any kind of writing project.
Continue reading “A Family Recipe Can Enrich Your Writing Project”When Progress Isn’t Planned
I had 25 minutes before heading to a meeting. I wanted to brainstorm a few ideas for my writing project. My goal wasn’t to finish anything or even to start. Just to jot down a few thoughts, to jumpstart my next writing session.
As I started making notes, one idea led to another. By the time 25 minutes had passed, two whole sections were outlined in detail. I was reminded that we can make great progress when we don’t pressure ourselves to make any progress.
Continue reading “When Progress Isn’t Planned”Cozy, Creative Autumn Writing Time
Autumn is a wonderful time to focus on your writing project. Carve out some time for creative brainstorming or writing—a little time goes a long way, especially if you stay consistent. Think of it like a series of mini autumn retreats for working on your project—even if your retreat takes place over several 15-minute sessions throughout the coming weeks.
Continue reading “Cozy, Creative Autumn Writing Time”Messy Beats the Blank Screen
Writers often struggle when facing a blank screen. How should they begin writing? What are the right opening words? How should they tell a story?
The blank screen seems like a roadblock. How do you get around it or move through it?
There is one simple way that works every time: Write messy.
Continue reading “Messy Beats the Blank Screen”Try a Photo Writing Prompt
Whether you’ve started writing a book or are preparing to start soon, you might find writing prompts a helpful exercise. You can do journal prompts, where you write in response to a phrase. You can do memory prompts, where you describe a particular memory. You can also write in response to a photo prompt, which is what we will try this week.
Continue reading “Try a Photo Writing Prompt”Writing Prompt: Back-to-School Letter for Future Generations
One of the fun things about writing family history is you can experiment with different writing formats. You can tell a family story by writing a poem or a song, describing a photo, sharing a recipe and the story behind it, creating a diary-style note, or writing a letter.
Today, we’ll look at a writing prompt for a seasonal letter you can write. This letter is partly an encouragement to future generations of your family, and it’s partly a way to share your own memories.
Continue reading “Writing Prompt: Back-to-School Letter for Future Generations”Rediscover, Reflect, Remember: Writing Memories Old and New
Late summer is a time that invites reflection. Summer activities are winding down. Quiet moments linger. Families enjoy visits and reunions before the busy fall season gets underway. It’s a time filled with memories, old and new. As a writer, you’ll find late summer is an ideal time to capture memories before the season shifts into new fall activities.
Continue reading “Rediscover, Reflect, Remember: Writing Memories Old and New”A Fresh Season for Your Writing: Choose One Small Thing to Grow
Back-to-school season is upon us. Maybe you’ve got plans to start working on a writing project, like a book or blog. Or maybe you’ve already started and hope to keep your progress going through the fall season.
The dilemma often comes up: How can I grow as a writer while keeping my project going? It seems there’s not enough time for all of it. How do I choose?
What if I tell you it’s possible to do both without overwhelm?
Continue reading “A Fresh Season for Your Writing: Choose One Small Thing to Grow”Writing Prompt: A Childhood Summer Memory
Writing a book begins with small steps. As you practice writing smaller pieces, the bigger project starts to come together. A writing prompt—where you write in response to a particular question or topic—can help you gain momentum.
Have you ever tried writing in response to a writing prompt? It’s good practice, it exercises your writing muscles, and it can often lead to insights for your book. I’m going to share one today that you can try.
Continue reading “Writing Prompt: A Childhood Summer Memory”
Janet Eriksson 