Tag Archive: Writing

The final stages of writing a book are always the most nerve-wracking

March 24, 2018 3 Comments

The last few hundred yards of a marathon are always the toughest. Well, okay, I’ve never run a marathon and doubt I could run more than a block and a half even if being chased by knife-wielding ducks, but you get my point*. I’m currently under contract with Rowman & Littlefield, and have been neck deep in writing a manuscript since last August, due to be delivered by May 1. (I’d love to be able to announce what it is, but have to wait until they release the information first.) I’m almost there. Being immersed in a big project is generally a must for me. Keeps me focused. Keeps me sane. And it’s gratifying seeing something come together piece by piece. The act of creation,…
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Random Musings, Writing

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It’s three years and counting working for myself, and that’s amazing

December 3, 2017 1 Comment

Now entering four years. Should have posted something about this in October, but forgot to. In mid-October 2014, I quit my full-time job in marketing to start working for myself. It was a decision I had long pondered. A few years prior, my work situation has changed drastically and suddenly after 13 years with the same company, and while at the time I was blindsided, it was a good thing. Kicked me out of a rut. I had been deeply unhappy and seeking change, and suddenly change was forced on me. It was a blessing. Almost got caught in a new rut, but talked a lot with the Mrs., about goals, about ideas, about different ways to live. I remember the day I decided I…
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Random Musings, Writing

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Battle The Block: 3 Easy Ways To Find Inspiration And Fight Writer’s Block

September 29, 2017 0 Comments

Image by Flickr Blink. Blink. Blink. The cursor stares mockingly at you, taunting your creative impotence. The page remains blank and unfilled. How did this happen? You used to be so prolific, so creatively fecund. Your mind was brimming with insightful, fascinating notions that were just begging to be shared with the world. Your mind was a crucible of wit and comprehension that you could once weave expertly into sentences so finely crafted that your literary sleight of hand bedazzled even your discerning sensibilities. But now the well is dry, your mind is barren and the cursor still stares mockingly at you. Blink. Blink. Blink. Have no fear, your talent hasn’t left you. You’ve not forgotten how to write, and the skills that made your…
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Contributed Posts

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Being focused on a new book is a wonderful challenge, when I can actually FOCUS on it

September 22, 2017 1 Comment

For those of you who don’t know, I’m under contract for my next book. Have been working on it since July-ish (though actually much longer). I’m wrapping up the first draft of chapter eight today, and if all goes well, I’ll have rough skeletons of the next two done by the end of the weekend. I am, so far, remaining on schedule – and I’d better be, since I’m under contract. It feels good. I just wish that feeling wasn’t so fleeting. Between my freelance work and social media work and podcasts and Youtube videos and managing a garden too big for my own good and everything else, it’s difficult to be as focused as I should be on this next book. And I DO…
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Books & Authors, Random Musings, Writing

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How Can I Get Inspired To Write?

August 18, 2017 0 Comments

Contributed Post Credit: Whether you’re a blogger, novelist, or screenwriter, getting into the writing mood is often the hardest step of all. Every writer goes through stages where they feel uninspired or lacking in motivation, and it can result in very real problems. Lacking inspiration is different to having writer’s block, which I believe is just an excuse not to work. Rather than struggling for ideas, you simply cannot be bothered to get started on them. This can occur for many reasons. Whatever the source of those troubles might be, finding a way out of the slump is vital. Once you get into the meat of the project, you’ll have no problems racing towards the finishing line of that important first draft. Of course, reviews…
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Contributed Posts, Writing

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