Are We Losing the Plot? “Begin at the beginning,” the King said gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” — Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland  I love this quote because at its heart, this is narrative structure. This is storytelling. And it’s simple.  You could follow the White Rabbit down […]

The Two Unruly Beasts You Must Tame In Order to Create a Writing Routine and Writer’s Life You Love    How do you create and sustain a writing routine? Is it even possible in today’s hustle & ping world of distractions and demands? That is the question.  The goal of this consistent writing routine is not […]

Let me guess… You have one (or 12) unfinished writing projects stashed in the back of your desk drawer, or buried 22 subfolders deep on your hard drive. These unfinished writing projects might include: Stalled novel manuscript(s) Illegible memoir notes on napkins  Scattered bits of short stories  Sound familiar? If you’re like the vast majority […]

Are you wondering if you’re really ready to finish your book? Sometimes, it can be hard to tell – especially if we’re getting bogged down by our self-doubt. But that self-doubt can be a sign that you are ready to finish. Listen to learn:  How to tell if you’re really ready to finish  Why we don’t always […]

Editing comes in several forms, but it starts with the writer. Once they have taken a piece outside their head onto the page, revised, rewritten, cleaned it up, and brought it as far as they can, it’s time to reach out for help. A Developmental Editor offers a big-picture look at a work in progress. […]

Writing Quotes to Fuel Your Creativity and Motivation The time to write has come, and you’ve got your pen in hand or Word doc at the ready– only to become paralyzed by the blank page before you.  You start to panic, and your thoughts go every which way; Am I even a writer? Why am I […]

Every writer has their own “toolbox.” There are literal tools in it—our favourite pens, notebooks, our laptop (maybe a typewriter, if that’s more your style). But our toolboxes are also filled with strategies, things that motivate us, things that make writing incredible and pleasurable for us.  But there’s one tool many writers forget, or don’t […]

  Writing podcasts are a treasure trove of advice, ideas, experiences, and in some cases, comedy.  But if you’re not a podcast-listener, are newly podcast-curious, or if you’re not sure what a good writing podcast to start with would be, you might be missing out! So here’s a list of the 20 best podcasts for […]

Why is writer’s block such a widespread problem? Why do so many writers struggle with it? What makes writer’s block happen in the first place, and can it be prevented? And most importantly: how the heck can you overcome writer’s block when it does hit? Keep reading for an overview of writer’s block, including how […]

 When facing an issue with your writing, it can be difficult to find an effective solution without having to use some sort of resource—and unfortunately, many resources for writers can end up costing you.  If you fit into the “starving artist” category, or just don’t have the money to spend on an app or monthly […]

An idea for a novel is like a glance at something in the distance: an outline of a city. A city that calls me to come closer.  Or, it may not even be an outline, just a glimpse of a promise beyond some high walls: a tower, patches of colour, or a forested piece of […]

Writing workshops are one of the best ways to fine-tune your writing and reach your highest potential.  Do you want to finish your novel? Write a memoir? Get into writing poetry for the first time? A writing workshop can help you achieve your unique goal. Choosing the right writing workshop for you can be challenging. […]