An Author’s Cup of Tea

Although it's essential to keep writing and not give up on a story, it's also necessary to allow yourself occasional breaks. This may seem a bit contradictory, given the topic of my last blog, but I think that this subject is equally as important. Created via the  imgflip meme generator A Break or Procrastination? This can be a difficult question to answer. How do you know if you're taking a necessary break or if you're just procrastinating on a difficult project? In my experience, this has to do with when you've chosen to take your break. Is it happening during a bout of writer's block? Sorry, but in most cases, that would qualify as procrastination.  Created via the  imgflip meme generator When would it be considered a necessary break, then? For me, these types of breaks come between drafts. In fact, many published authors recommend taking at least a few weeks after each draft. Then, you can look at your piece with fresh eyes. Some authors choose to start a ne...

We all write because we love it, right? But if you're anything like me, there are moments in time when you can't help but completely forget about that love. Every time you sit down to write, it starts to feel like a chore. Perhaps you find yourself groaning and smacking your forehead more often than you'd like to admit. So, what does it take to break out of these ruts? How can we find our love for writing again? Created via the imgflip meme generator To Write is to Live The author Johan Thompson once said, "To read is to breathe; to write is to live!" And I don't know about you, but this quote summarizes a lot of the reasons I find myself returning to my stories no matter how much pain they bring me. There is just something about writing stories, creating entire worlds, that feels suspiciously like being alive . I need my stories, just as much as they need me.  Created via the  imgflip meme generator Who Are You Writing For? Are you writing for yourself? If ...

When asked what makes or breaks a manuscript, acquisitions editors overwhelmingly agree that voice is the most important thing. But what does that mean? Even those of us who are studying writing and have taken whole novel courses struggle to pinpoint the definition of this word.  Created via the  imgflip meme generator However, I got a more solid understanding while at the LTUE writers conference this past weekend. The following advice is adapted from what I learned in a presentation by the author Shelly Brown . Any brilliance found in this blog post should be credited to her.  What is a Writing Voice? Created via the imgflip meme generator In its simplest form, voice is personality . Through voice, actors and characters show who they are.  Author Voice vs. Character Voice Created via the  imgflip meme generator Author voice and character voice are two very different things. However, I write in the first person, so I've got a bit of a cheat code (hehehehe). But...

What should we do when, despite our greatest efforts, we seem too busy to write? As life gets increasingly hectic, it becomes pretty easy to let writing fall by the wayside. I myself have been guilty of pushing writing off for weeks, or sometimes months, at a time because I felt I had too much else going on. Inevitably, though, when I return, my momentum is gone. So, how can we find time to write? Created via the imgflip meme generator What Not To Do Waiting For The "Right Time" When I first started getting into writing, I was inclined to wait for those moments when inspiration overtook me. I expected "the muse" to lean in, whispering into my ear, and I would know immediately that it was time to write something incredible.  Created via the  imgflip meme generator As you can probably guess, those magical moments didn't happen very often. There's a reason, I'll admit, that it took me five years to finish my first rough draft. Often, waiting did more harm...

How many of us have sat in front of our latest piece of writing, squinting and mumbling to ourselves because, no matter how hard we've tried, there's still something wrong with it? It can be incredibly aggravating when, as a writer, you know there is an issue with your writing, but you can't for the life of you figure out what it is. Created via the imgflip meme generator Trust me, we have all been there. But until we can jump over that hurdle, realizing our own weaknesses, we will all, inevitably, continue to flounder. The Denial Stage If you're lucky, there will be people in your life willing to tell you where you struggle. At times, this may feel like a personal attack, though. My mother's been telling me for years that I need to be more descriptive in my writing. For the longest time, I waved that suggestion off. Writing is different now , I thought. People don't need to describe every minute detail to get their points across. Created via the imgflip meme...