Publishing

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Writing a Novel Sucks (Or Does IT?)

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Writing a Novel Sucks (Or Does IT?)

What's it like to write a novel? Some days it sucks. Just like work. You get up, try really hard, but the neurons aren't firing right, but you keep on going anyway. Other days are a pure joy. I was in a blue writing funk last month but made a public commitment to redouble my efforts and push on to finish the first draft of my latest novel. I share this with you so that you can see that it's not all skipping through the daisies. Writing is work and it's hard. But it's also not impossible, just takes discipline and perseverance.

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Rediscover Yourself as a Writer: How Not to Quit

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Rediscover Yourself as a Writer: How Not to Quit

Writing is hard. It sometimes sucks and doesn't often pay well. Still, I wanted to share with you a quick follow up. Last week I had really beat myself up on being frustrated and not doing well in making my writing goals. Working on my next novel was like having teeth pulled at the dentist's. Well, it's a week later and I wanted to come clean on my progress or lack of it.

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Facing Failure

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Facing Failure

I feel like I'm failing in many areas of my life and I've struggled with whether I want to write about it or not. There are many emotions swirling around inside and I just want to express that I'm frustrated, tried and angry. I'm angry because I'm working so hard but feel like I'm failing miserably as a writer, a parent and just as a person. I put a lot of effort and energy into all that I do, but my goals aren't any closer.

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Are You Great?

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Are You Great?

A few weeks ago I moved into new office space and in the lunchroom the walls were made out of a dry eraser board material. When I was headed to get my lunch one day, I saw the following written on the wall: "Greatness comes from ______." Weeks went by and no one had written anything on the wall, but the line had stuck in my head and I kept thinking on how I would answer the question. Why? Well, that's how my mind works. I think those sorts of things in which there really is no right answer but the question gets you thinking.

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Reach for the Stars Even if You Fail

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Reach for the Stars Even if You Fail

I have just come home from seeing Jodorowsky's Dune in the movies with an old friend from high school. A lot of events had to come together for me to see this movie and it so inspired me that I rushed home and am now sitting in front of the computer. I've been up since 5 am, worked all day, went to see the movie and now it's 10 pm but I need to write this all out before it slips through my mind.

Give Yourself a Hug and Lick Your Wounds

Give Yourself a Hug and Lick Your Wounds

I'm often asked the question: "How do you get all the work done that you do?" It's an interesting question because the answer is so much more than giving a list of the things that I sacrifice. I wanted to pull the veil back a bit and to let everyone in to see the downside of being a writer. It's not all fun and roses. I've had a particularly rough last few weeks.