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Finding Time to Write in the Midst of a Hectic Schedule

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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...
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What Exactly is "Voice"?

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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...
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Knowing When to Take a Break

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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...
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