We all struggle with writer's block from time to time. It's the worst feeling, wanting to writ but feeling like the creativity has been sucked out of you. There are no easy answers. Sometimes you have to wait it out. Sometimes you can force yourself through it. But one neat trick to try is this... Continue Reading →
You stare into space and wait for an amazing idea to strike. We've all been there. Popular culture would have you believe that inspiration just hits you when you're buying a loaf of bread or weeding your flower beds. Sometimes a spark will appear like Harry Potter wandering down a train aisle and into JK... Continue Reading →
This post is partly inspired by current events. But truth be told I've been thinking about productivity anyway. We live in a social-media-driven, side-hustle, Youtuber-blogger-Instagrammer world. Everyone has the perfect job, house, car, children, pet, etc, etc. We know it's not real, but that doesn't mean it doesn't get to us, especially when we're looking... Continue Reading →
Everyone has good days and bad days. Some people's bad days are worse than others. And sometimes those bad "days" last weeks, months or even years. In traumatic times, writers often turn to their craft as a way to deal with things. But the therapeutic nature of writing is complicated. Writing can help - but... Continue Reading →
A good writer has to be a big reader. But I think a good writer also needs to get comfortable with the sound of their own voice. Yes, you need to start reading out loud. But why? I hear you whisper. I hear you (just). Writers, on the whole, are quiet folk (alright Oscar Wilde... Continue Reading →
Writing competitions can be a fun way to hone your writing skills and, if you're lucky, get your work published. Plus they may also come with a financial reward - cha-ching! And whilst there's no magic winning formula I can share, here are a few practical bits of advice about entering. 1) Plan well You... Continue Reading →
In 'The Hours' by Michael Cunningham, one storyline follows Virginia Woolf as she spends, well, hours pondering over the first line of her book, "Mrs. Dalloway". It's a familiar way to show the writing process in popular culture. And knowing Woolf, it's probably a good depiction of the way she worked. But writing your first... Continue Reading →
Deadline. It's not a nice word, is it? I mean it has the word "dead" in it and if that's not an implication of finality, I don't know what is. So setting one for yourself may seem masochistic to say the least. But done properly it could be just what you need to write, or... Continue Reading →
Writing around a day job can be tricky. Unless you're a real morning person or a true night owl, your potentially productive daylight hours are taken up with working rather than writing. And whilst you of course need to work whilst being at work, you can also use some of the time to get some... Continue Reading →
Do you do New Year's resolutions? I suck at keeping to them so more power to you if you do. But whilst they might not be for me, I am a fan of setting goals for the year ahead. Last year I focused on my blog and saw my best year in all my stats.... Continue Reading →
Wordland 