Tag: Encouragement for Writers

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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.

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Gathering Stories Like a Thanksgiving Table

Picture a Thanksgiving table—a beautiful blend of colorful dishes, familiar recipes, appetizing aromas. Each dish adds to the beauty of the table and offers a variety of ways to enjoy the meal.

Writing a book creates a similar experience. As the writer, you bring a variety of stories, examples, dialogue, explanations, and memories to your book. That richness creates a wonderful feast for your reader to enjoy.

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Writing on Busy or Low-Energy Days

You may have had this experience. You’re making steady progress on your writing project. Something happens, whether it’s family, work, tiredness, illness, or something else that causes you to skip a day. That’s okay. It happens.

You’re eager to get back to writing after the missed day. But then something else happens, and before you know it, two weeks have gone by. You have time again, but now it’s hard to start back. You feel like you’ve lost momentum. How do you get it back?

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Shorter Days, Smaller Steps: Regaining Joy in Writing

The fall season has an interesting rhythm for writing. On one hand, we writers often feel energetic and ambitious as we take on new challenges. On the other hand, as days get shorter and temperatures cool, our bodies often feel like we’re slowing into pre-winter hibernation mode. How can we navigate the writing rhythm of fall?

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Your Writing Voice Is Already in You

You may have heard the term “writing voice” and wondered what it is and how to find it. Good news: You don’t have to go looking for your writing voice. It’s already in you. 

Your writing voice can be heard in the way you talk, think, and tell stories. It’s uniquely yours. You don’t have to change how you communicate to find your writing voice. You just have to write like you. 

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Want to Share Your Story? You’re Ready

A client recently told her neighbor she was working on her second book. The neighbor looked at her in awe and said, “How long have you been a writer?”

That question stuck with me. I could see the neighbor thinking that writing a book required special training. That it wasn’t something as simple as sharing stories to encourage others—something the neighbor probably does every day.

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Summer Reading Helps You Grow as a Writer

Summer is a wonderful time to relax and read a book. Before I leave on my summer vacation, I load my Kindle reader with the books I hope to enjoy. I can’t wait to dig into those stories—and take a break from writing.

Writers often feel guilty when they focus on summer reading instead of writing. But reading actually fuels your writing. Summer is the perfect season to improve your writing through reading. 

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