My first novels always came back to me so lined with red by my editors, it was a shock when I began to receive far less several books down the road. So take heart, and know that you are constantly growing, constantly shaping your voice and that evolution never stops. Be bold, have courage, and create! Happy free writing, friends ๐
Countless books suggest the best writing methods. But the truth is, you have to write and keep writing until you discover which method is right for you.
What are your favorite forms of escape? No matter your favs, I hope you remember to give yourself permission to escape for a little while. We all have an endless to-do list. So give yourself an hour here and there to have fun. Adults need to "play" sometimes, too. It's what helps us find that little extra spark of joy or inspiration again.
Over a decade into my author career, I know better than to read every review. I stay away from Goodreads on principle unless it's to share my own thoughts on recent reads. But I do tend to read what's posted on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and elsewhere. Usually, it's a fantastic experience, until it's not...
This may just be me, but I feel like I've been in a race against myself for the last year. No matter how I delegated my time and made breaks for yoga, walks, and just moments to breathe. No matter how on top of my "to-do" list I managed. No matter how often I told myself to just take it a day at a time. Nothing totally did away with that niggling background voice chanting: "Not enough, not enough, not enough..."
witter (หwษชtษ)vb โ (often foll by: on) to chatter or babble pointlessly or at unnecessary lengthn โ pointless chat; chatter COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY โ COMPLETE AND UNABRIDGED, 12TH EDITION 2014 ยฉ HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014 planning ahead (with margin for real life...) Thereโs a saying that goes something like โman makes plans and God... Continue Reading →
witter (หwษชtษ) vbย โย (often foll by: on) to chatter or babble pointlessly or at unnecessary length nย โย pointless chat; chatter COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARYย โย COMPLETE AND UNABRIDGED, 12TH EDITION 2014 ยฉ HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000,ย 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014 Did you know you can read Silver Hollow for FREE where ebooks are sold? Yep! The first... Continue Reading →
Happy 2023, friends! I am alive! Reports of my untimely demise were greatly exaggerated. Although, a part of me has been put to rest ever since I had my baby girl last May. Okay, I swear Iโm not being melodramatic (no more than usual). Let me explain.
If you follow my witterings, you've probably heard me talk about the choices we make. It follows the same vein as how you make a daily habit. You put in the minutes, the time to literallyย do.ย And if you aren't doing, chances are, you aren't seeing results, right? That's how a book gets written, or you stay in serviceable shape. It's ten minutes of your day, more or less, where you put in the time. It seems so pithy, but trust me when I say it adds up.
The best advice I can offer you is to not be your worst enemy. Youโll always find someone out there who is better (or more experienced) than you are. But when you focus too much on how much better someone else seems to be or be doing, itโs way too easy to lose sight of your progress. Remember, if youโre writing, youโre constantly growing your craft. It wonโt happen overnight. Itโs going to take time, hard work, and little thanks in the beginning (sometimes longer).
Jennifer Silverwood 