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 […]

  There are many different writing podcasts out there, and it can be hard to choose one. And if you’re not an avid podcast listener, it can be hard to know which ones are the best. Let us help you out, and give you 20 of the best podcasts for writers, and where to find […]

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 […]

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. […]

Busy Women on Writing Books This is another instalment in a new interview series on writing, profiling women writers who’ve written and published books while also working, parenting, volunteering, caring for family, attending school, and ALL OF THE THINGS. This week, I'm pleased to introduce you to an amazingly gifted writer, Barbara Joan Scott. Barbara Joan […]

For writers working in narrative, there’s nothing quite as anxiety-provoking as the question of whether or not we have the structure right. We work for months on our messy first draft, some of us for YEARS even, hoping with our fingers crossed that when we get to the end, we’ll have a story that basically […]

Writers block once owned me, and then it didn't. True story: for a couple of months, I didn’t write anything until I’d spent 20 minutes colouring in pretty fairy pictures with my specially-purchased watercolour pencils and glitter crayons. This was a little while before that whole adult colouring book thing took off – and I […]

Over the years I’ve learned a few signs that signal to me that I am probably experiencing some writer's resistance and avoiding the creative work that needs to be done. One tricky sign is that I’m suddenly doing more reading about writing than I am writing. I tricked myself with this one for years because reading about […]

Curious about how to publish a book of poetry? In my experience, these are more or less the basic steps... Read other people’s poetry. Write poems. Get feedback. Hate feedback. Revise anyway. Subscribe to 5 poetry journals (or read them monthly at the library). Read other people’s poetry. Send poems out. Get poems rejected. Be […]

Wondering why writing is difficult sometimes? Last week I met up with a colleague and friend I hadn’t seen in over a year. It was SO GREAT to see her. We connected as though we’d just been together yesterday and both the wine and conversation flowed freely. I wish it worked that way with writing. […]

Does anyone remember a time when they weren’t crazy busy? [sits on hands] I have a vague feeling that those halcyon days once existed, along with plaid bell-bottoms and rotary phones, but most days I suspect modern life was essentially constructed with this much overwhelm baked in. I am of the generation that can still […]