As a writer, it is important to take care of yourself. Having the loneliest job in the world doesn't exactly scream healthy habit; it's up to you to make it happen.
I've recently gone through a trial to end all trials. I lapsed into a coma one night, sitting at my keyboard. My son found me and called the paramedics. I went to the hospital having a 105 fever and was completely unconscious, not even responding to pain. A smart-thinking doctor who was in the ER looked me over and found I had a...
Writing as a Journey of Discovery
Every time I sit down to write, I’m reminded that stories don’t always come to us fully formed. They unravel like a path through the woods—sometimes clear, sometimes foggy, and sometimes leading somewhere I never expected. That’s part of the magic. Sometimes an idea pops in my head I can't get the words on the paper fast enough. Then there are times I really have to claw my words out, but eventually the light goes on in my head and the magic happens.
As...
Hello, writer. Yes, you—the one staring at the blinking cursor, wondering if your story matters. I want to tell you something from one writer to another:
It does.
You do.
And the world needs your words more than you think.
When I first started writing, I was overwhelmed by doubts. What if no one reads this? What if it's terrible? What if I’m just wasting my time?
But here's what I learned—and what I hope you'll hold close as you start your own writing journey:
1. You Don’t Need Permission to Begin
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Tonight I was talking to my coach, Lynn, and we were comparing how the writing environment has changed over the years. Writing is unlike any other forms of art out there. If you're a singer, actor, or artist, success brings expensive cars and palatial homes. Not so much the writer. With the inventions of Amazon, AI, and others, any rewards coming to writers get chipped away. There are many writers out there who make $0 or even $0.01 in royalties off each book sold. If you've never written a...
I love getting email! Also, I could talk about writing forever! Yesterday I received an email from a beginning writer seeking advice. Many writers would hit the delete button, but not me. This brings me back to my nursing days. Mentoring a new nurse kept my skills sharp. Same goes for writing. Taking a new writer under my wing keeps my talents and excitement for writing sharp. So, what is my advice for new writers? Here is my top ten pointers for becoming a writer!
1. Like any other business,...