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12 Reasons to Celebrate Any Writing Wins
There are reasons to celebrate any writing wins you have! Writing can feel like a solo adventure, filled with challenges, self-doubt, and sometimes, our own toughest critics. Whether you’re a seasoned novelist, a poet exploring your voice, an author with several books under your belt, or diving into your very first draft, writing takes a lot! It calls for creativity, commitment, and, above all, courage. Sharing your words with the world is a brave act, and every step you take in that direction is worth celebrating. Amid the deadlines, revisions, and sometimes rejection, it’s easy to let your wins go unnoticed. The biggest way to deflate your inspiration is the…
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7 Steps to Conquer Writer Doubt
I’ve talked recently to writers who were discouraged maybe on the brink of just giving up on their writing and authorship dreams. I did what I call a “talking them off the ledge” type of coaching. Nooo..Don’t Give Up! Do THIS instead…. So, I want you to do this…save this post. The next time you’re feeling discouraged about your writing dreams, pull it out and go through the steps I’ve outlined below. Whether you’re a multi-passionate author, or you write strictly in one genre this exercise will work for you. It’s all about your focus…. Not all your good writing and author business ideas are good ideas for you Point…
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The Write More Write Now Mindset
What is the Write More Write Now (WMWN) mindset? It’s the beautiful cohesion of saying yes to your desire to write woven with your purpose for your words, and your belief in yourself coupled with the strong fiber to give yourself grace. Your desire to write is real. It’s important to you. It’s important to God. Creativity isn’t a gift We are all born with a level of creativity.. Your creativity, your writing, begins with Father God. The very foundations of the universe in which we live began with “God created.” The heavens, the earth, the oceans, and all living things began with God creating them. We are his workmanship.…
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7 Self-Reflection Questions to Move Forward in Your Writing Life
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Words to Write and Live By
Words to live by or also known as anchor words. These are the words that act as your guide post, your pillars… I have several. The first was the phrase “do unto others as you would have them do to you.” I know that when I learned them in my youth, I didn’t know it was a scripture quote. Through the years, I’ve established different words, phrases or scriptures to help keep me from straying and chasing the shiny objects. This year, I’ve been busier with taking care of my parents. I’ll admit there are days the feeling of overwhelm raises within me. But, to keep myself from those feellings…
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Writing Inspirational Devotionals
Writing inspirational devotionals can be a real joy for many writers. In fact, I discovered self-publishing by writing an inspirational devotional for an anthology. Here are five quick tips to help you in writing your devotionals. Scripture: This may sound obvious, but it may surprise you how this tiny detail may get skipped. Plus, there are various types of inspirational type books. Some don’t use scripture. They may use a positive word or a quote. Make sure you are clear on the expectations from the publisher, coordinator, or yourself you’re self-publishing. Short Story or Illustration: You can base your devotional around anything such as: When you write, do so as…
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7 Self-Reflection Questions to Move Forward in Your Writing Life
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12 Pitfalls to Avoid so you can fulfill your writing dreams and get out of your own way
Are you ready to fulfill your writing dreams? I’m not a best-selling author. But, I am an empty-nester who finally started living her dream of writing books and blog articles. Yes, I’ve been writing blog pieces here on this blog over a decade. But, I was always writing to the wrong person. I came to a realization a couple of years ago. If I can’t write for myself and to myself, then I grow bored. If you poke around here on the blog long enough, you’ll see I write across several topics. That’s because I write what I need to get out of my heart and head.. I write to…
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12 Reasons to Celebrate Any Writing Wins
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Writing Children’s Books Hints
Your Children’s Book First Draft I know this topic won’t appeal to everyone who writes (or has an inner desire to write). But to those of you, including myself, in the Children’s book world I hope you can pick up on a few little lessons. Write Messy (the dirty draft) The first draft is messy and the first draft is not final. I get it…if you are writing a children’s book, you may be looking at only 500 words. That’s the industry standard for a Picture Book. 500 words. That’s all. That’s ALL? I can’t tell you how hard it is to get a story whittled down to 500 words.…
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#1 Best Writing Hack for Writers
There’s nothing that will wake you instantly like getting stung while sleeping. The devil showed up in our bed early that morning at 4:15 AM. A SCORPION. (If you stick with me to the end, I have a lesson or two for you.) It was quiet mayhem while I quickly turned on the light, flinging clothes and bed sheets trying to determine at the time what bit me. We’ve been plagued by wasps outside, so my immediate thought one sneaked in with me when I took our dog, Denver, out to potty at 3:15. But, then I saw it…a scorpion on the sheet. YIKES! A scorpion in the bed.. When…
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God Made You a Writer
I’ve been praying a lot about how to better mentor writers. If you want to know how to self-publish your book, I know a couple of great mentors I highly recommend. God hasn’t called me to create courses about how to self-publish your book and all the many facets it entails. I know coaches who specialize in fiction, and even specific genres of fiction. I know other writing coaches who specifically help non-fiction writers author their book as a platform for their message. I am a word shepherd. I am one who encourages and guides Christian writers in the importance of writing your words. It boils down to two things…
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What’s your story?
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Hints On Creating Balance: Wisdom from Other Writers
In my free group for writers, I post writing prompts. (Have you found us on Facebook yet?) A while back, some of the prompts centered on the topic of balance in your authoring life. I thought it was interesting to see the varied responses which proved the point that the definition of balance to one person, is different for everyone. There really is no “one size fits all” in the world of your authoring life. Before reading the responses after each heading, I encourage you to answer the writing prompt for yourself first, then move on to read the responses Writing Prompt: What does having a balanced authoring life mean…
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6 Real Truths of Self-Published Authors
The real truths of self-published authors. It sounds like a reality TV show, doesn’t it? I’ve only learned that real lesson during the past 12 months. It’s been 12 months of making a childhood and adulthood dream a reality. There was a season in my life that I dropped off the blogging train. In fact, I may have appeared to drop off the earth. I’ve not been diligent to curate or write content here. But you know what? That’s okay! There’s one thing I’ve learned in my writing life – a writer must learn to go with the ebb and flow of life. In 2016 I decided it was time…
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A Daily Write Plan So You Can Write During Your Busy Life
“Slow down.” “Just Breathe.” “It’s okay! There’s plenty of time.” Those were some phrases moms and dads shouted to the kids on the field. It was during our grandson’s soccer game Sunday afternoon. It was a big game as it was the last of their season. His team had come a long way. From a young team of everyone for themselves and no teamwork to a group of kids on the field in a cohesive unit playing for the team. They didn’t have to win the game to qualify for the season playoffs. Unfortunately, they didn’t win. But, parents reminded their kids after the game to think about the overall…
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What’s your story?
For a while, I didn’t think I had much of a ‘story’ to tell. My life as a child was blessed, uneventful except for a beloved cat that died. I came to accept Christ as my savior at 11 years old. Back then, 11 years was still an age of innocence. I was fortunate that nothing catastrophic had happened. And even through my early years and early adult-hood there weren’t any earth-shaking things that I would have said “God helped me through.” Then, somewhere in the early years of marriage, I realized something. God’s blessings, guidance, and keeping me from harm were a story. A story of hope for others.…
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7 Self-Reflection Questions to Move Forward in Your Writing Life
Having an excellent mentor in your life is important. Trying to navigate this journey we call life solo can be rough. My parents came to know the Lord when I was 12. There were a couple of families that discipled and mentored them. Some lessons they taught (such as how to dive into the scripture and study the Bible for ourselves) are still skills I use 50+ years later. I had a 16 year stint in the corporate world after our son was grown. While there, I was blessed to sit beside, talk to, and learn from. Their mentorship instilled knowledge I use today in my writing life. (Who knew…
