Scott Oldford Site

Tag: writing life

  • 26 Obvious Signs You’re a Writer

    26 Obvious Signs You’re a Writer

    Ah, the writing life. You know it so well.

    Endless caffeine, a little bit of procrastination, blank Word documents, piles of notebooks, bouts of self-doubt and the satisfying clickety-clack of the keyboard. All things those of us who fancy ourselves writers are intimately familiar with. (OK. Maybe it’s a lot of procrastination, not just a little.)

    We took to social media to ask writers all over the world to complete the sentence, “You know you’re a writer when…” The results are hilarious, honest and heartfelt.

    You know you’re a writer when…

    1. You keep a journal and pen by your bed — you know, for those middle-of-the-night bursts of inspiration.

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    2. Every moment when you’re not writing is spent thinking about writing.

    3. You take a sick day from work to stay home and work on your latest project.

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    4. You can never have enough coffee to keep you going.

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    5. You have a stockpile of 15+ blank notebooks and journals and buy more faster than you fill them.

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    6. Your friends, family, and colleagues make you write their important emails, cover letters…and even the inscriptions on greeting cards.

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    7. You turn down plans with family and friends so you can keep writing.

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    8. You type, type, type away and don’t even care about the time.

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    9. Your wrist physically aches.

    10. Every person you see, whether on a bus, at work or out shopping, becomes a potential character for your novel.

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    11. You finish reading a novel and you head straight to your laptop to start writing yours!

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    12. Your friends and family are a tad sick of hearing about your latest writing project.

    13. You get in a writing groove and just can’t stop.

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    14. Word counts only slightly stress you out. OK. They really stress you out.

    15. There’s paper wadded up all over your floor from editing.

    16. You’ve perfected the art of procrastination.

    via GIPHY

    17. Your computer is filled with half-baked story ideas that you’ll get to one day.

    18. A blank page no longer scares you.

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    19. You think “this will make a great story” as you’re in the middle of an experience.

    20. You document your life on the Internet.

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    21. You’d rather be reading a book.

    22. You use words like an artist uses paint.

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    23. Every part of your life (purse, car, house) is filled with random Post-it Notes and scribbled-on-receipts because you got an idea at a random moment.

    24. Killing off one of your beloved characters gives you real heartbreak.

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    25. You finally admit it to yourself.

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    26. You write. Simple as that.

    Go on! Add to this list in the comments. You know you’re a writer when…

    Thank you to members of the Freelance to Freedom Project, One Woman Shop and The Write Life Facebook communities for contributing to this post!

  • How to Battle Impostor Syndrome: Owning Your Writing as Art

    How to Battle Impostor Syndrome: Owning Your Writing as Art

    Recently, while visiting family, I contracted a bad case of suburban ennui.

    I was desperate to connect with people who care about what I care most about: Reading and writing literary work. So I set off to meet two online writer friends I admired and enjoyed; they were doing a joint reading from their new novels.

    But when the time came to meet them afterward, the whole thing went pear-shaped. Alex and I had nothing much to talk about, although I had copyedited his book. When Garth asked me what I did, I mumbled about being an editor and writer, but you know, mostly an editor, but I want to do more writing…

    He peered at me politely with his arms folded across his chest.

    Days later, it hit me: That afternoon, I’d been a walking, talking example of impostor syndrome.

    It’s true, gender plays a large role in impostor syndrome. But for me, another critical factor is in play.

    Call it the divided professional self.

    As a freelancer in a tough market, I’ve got to diversify. I mix copyediting, content editing, copywriting, and branded content with book reviews, profiles, and other pieces. And then there’s my personal creative work, for which I earn little despite its central role in my life.

    Sometimes that identity feels lost among so many professional selves. Yet it feels increasingly important, as I experience small hits of success, to connect more with writers in the literary community — to be known and accepted as part of the tribe.

    After my dreary meeting with Alex and Garth, I knew I needed an intervention. How could I nurture my identity as a creative writer, and keep that identity strong enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my other professional identities as editor, content writer, chief cook and bottle washer?

    I put together a combination approach: Some internal reordering and thoughtful attention to making purposeful connections.

    Show up for yourself

    Humility is good. It opens you up. But self-negation completely shuts you down.

    When you show up at the desk or you interact with writers, resist the reflex to belittle your ability and accomplishments. The hidden agenda of self-scorn gets in the way of the work you want to write and the connections you want to make.

    Hear and accept praise and validation

    When someone says they like your story, your poem, or your novel chapter, hear them out. Open your ears. Let those words in, and don’t shake them off. Maybe even write them down and keep them somewhere handy.

    When I’ve received good feedback on my work, I’ve sometimes refused to take it in and integrate those comments with my idea of myself. I’m working to break my reflex habit of undervaluing these compliments.

    Get a check-in buddy or two

    Last fall, a friend and I started checking in each evening by e-mail to share what we’d done that day. Maybe she’s written three pages on her theater piece and I wrote 750 words for my essay-memoir.

    We’ve found it motivating, satisfying and centering to have that moment in the day when we touch base. We often share a favorite line or two from what we’ve written, too.

    It’s fun to get glimpses of her work-in-progress and receive a little thumbs-up for a new passage I’m excited about.

    Work on your creative projects as often as you can

    Even if it’s only for an hour or two.

    You have to pay the bills with less-exciting projects, but your creative work still needs to matter above other things.

    First, because regularly producing work is what will, more than anything else, make the change you need and want. Second, making art is a habit. The foremost antidote to impostor syndrome is committing to regularly producing work.

    When I’m not writing creatively, I soon feel impostor syndrome start to take over. But doing the work and owning myself as an artist make me feel good — always more than I expect.

    If you’re feeling stuck or discouraged, try meeting up with writer friends for a joint session. I’ve started doing this with two friends by Skype (no one has to get out of those scruffy PJs or sweats) and been astonished by the energy, inspiration, confidence boost, the sheer results.

    Be generous to your creative self

    Consider finding a full day here and there where you can devote yourself to playing with ideas, experimenting, reading, or just dreaming. Your art and ideas deserve time and space to unfurl, but just as important, you’ll be making a statement to yourself that your creative work deserves investment.

    If your usual workspace doesn’t feel right for this, check out a new cafe or a coworking space, where you’ll have the added benefit of the sharing energy and encouragement of others. My city has lots of these places, and I’m setting aside at least a couple of days a month to spend at a favorite one I’ve found that’s affordable — and includes snacks!

    Create community, both online and local

    We all know writing is a lonely gig, especially the dream-driven work few people out there are demanding of us (I just sent a 10,000 word essay off into the ether, after working on it for several months).

    Online writing communities are flourishing and for most of us, critical — but local support is still important.

    If the local scene in your area is underwhelming, consider giving it a nudge: An open-mic night, a reading by members of your writing group. My city, Berlin, is home to a lot of creatives and a strong literary scene, but naturally English-language and bilingual events are relatively few. I’ve started organizing writers’ drinks evenings by finding local English-language writers on social media and inviting them out for a meetup, and some of us are exploring ways to start a reading series.

    Be vulnerable

    However you find community, it’s important to reveal yourself, to make yourself vulnerable by publicly owning your creative work. Protecting yourself from embarrassment is not worth the sacrifice of connection, as I learned from my disastrous encounter.

    Sure, I’ve gotten to be online friends with writers I admire, but I haven’t always made it known that I’m pursuing similar work.

    I’ve decided I may need to rehearse meeting writers I admire as if I were preparing for a job interview. Otherwise, when interacting with those who are notably more accomplished, I start to blanch and feel like an impostor, a wannabe.

    But a bit of simple anticipation would’ve gone a long way. For example, it’s natural for almost anyone you meet to ask you what you do, and I could’ve easily seen the question coming.  

    I have a way to go with these resolutions, but I’m practicing: I’m a freaking artist, fiction writer, and essayist. Maybe I can come up with my own, saltier description to share with people, something like Caitlin Moran’s self-description on Twitter: “Writing the f–k out of s—t.”

    Whatever works.

    How do you deal with impostor syndrome?

  • 5 Reasons You Need a Writing Mentor — And How to Find One

    5 Reasons You Need a Writing Mentor — And How to Find One

    Are you in need of a writing mentor to support you and your writing? Sign up for The Future Is Red’s 2016 Women’s Writing Birthday Exchange!

    Whether you’re a beginner looking to answers to basic questions or a frequently-published writer with years of experience under your belt, every writer benefits from having a mentor.

    But how do you know what kind of support and guidance you need? And once you determine that, where do you find the right mentor?

    5 Ways Mentorship Benefits You

    If you’re not convinced you need a mentor, think about some of the benefits of working with one:

    1. Inspiration

    The creative energy to write cannot thrive in a vacuum, yet writing is often a solitary act. Input from someone outside of your writing process can breath oxygen into your work and spark new ideas.

    2. Honest feedback

    Every writer, no matter how experienced, needs a reader to show us when something isn’t working. We all need someone to point out that huge plot hole or to gently tell you, “You’ve done that before. Try something else.”

    3. Professional development

    Writing is as much a business as it is a creative endeavor, so it’s important to stay aware of new developments in the field. Your mentors share information or point you in the right direction so you can do your own research.

    4. Accountability

    It’s easy to fool yourself out of writing, particularly when you hit a dry spell. A mentor helps you set clear goals and then checks to make sure you’re meeting them.

    5. Emotional support

    To be a writer is to face rejection on a regular basis. When no one wants your novel, agents aren’t writing back and you’ve run out of things to write, it’s crucial to have someone you trust telling you, “Yes, it’s hard. Keep going anyway.”

    How to find a mentor

    Every April, I run a women’s writing mentorship exchange, and I’ve learned so much from working with people to connect them with appropriate mentors.

    First and most important of all: You and your mentor must have overlapping interests.

    A budding YA novelist benefits from the experience of a published YA author. A woman turning to freelancing so she can work from home after having a baby gains invaluable support from an editor who hires freelancers to fill a weekly publication. A writer for a new late night comedy show guides a budding comedian in choosing projects.

    It is not necessary that mentor and mentee share the same race, gender or background, but your mentor needs to be aware of underlying assumptions that might impact the mentoring relationship.

    Some questions to ask yourself when choosing your mentor:

    • Do you have the same values?
    • Does the person have the expertise you’re looking for?
    • Do you like the person’s outlook and the type of work they do?

    You’ll also need to decide what kind of time commitment you want to make and whether or not you choose to pay for mentoring.

    Where should you look for a mentor?

    Once you have an idea of what kind of mentor you’d like to work with, it’s time to seek them out. These options are likely to offer candidates.

    Self-guided writing groups

    Find a group of writers to meet in person or online to read and workshop your work. This type of group is usually free, you can meet on your own schedule and develop a writing community.

    Plus, commenting on others’ writing keeps you sharp and helps you develop critical analytic skills to apply to your own work. The main difficulty is finding the right group of people.

    Online groups

    Free Facebook and Yahoo groups offer a space to share your writing, as well as find contacts and leads on writing jobs. Others are paid resources, including the large UPOD Academy (which has a free Yahoo group attached).

    Choose your type of group based on how much you want to pay as well as the size of the group.

    Smaller ones allow for more attention from the group leaders whereas larger ones will give you a larger pool from which to find writing partners and readers.

    Take a course

    Look to your community or art centers for writing workshops lead by local and visiting writers. Many colleges and universities also offer a regular schedule of continuing education writing classes.

    The opportunity to receive constructive feedback lead by an seasoned instructor not only helps you edit your work — it also keeps you accountable. When it’s your turn to present, you must have your writing ready.

    You can also find online writing classes through sites like Coursera and Writers.com.

    One-on-ones

    As you spend time in these various writing communities, you’ll meet people who offer private paid mentoring. Paid mentorship allows you to focus directly on you and your needs.

    A non-paid, one-on-one mentorship requires more give and take. It’s your responsibility to ask your potential mentor to work with you. You will be the one to make the effort to make contact and make sure the meetings happen on time.

    In the course of your writing career, you’ll make business decisions; need editing, ideas for publishing, and contacts for agents and editors; and perhaps someone who will kick your butt into high gear and remind you to keep writing.

    It’s up to you to find the best mentoring relationship for your goals and writing style.

    Of course, no one mentor fits every need and not every forum will be the right one for you.

    Give a new writing group a few commenting cycles to see how you feel about it. If you’re paying for a group, give it a month during which you take advantage of all the group has to offer.

    What about a free Facebook group? Watch the group for a month or two and then determine if you’re truly gaining value. If so, great! If not, try something else.

    Through trial and error, you’ll develop a network of mentors to support you. As you gain knowledge and experience, you can then pass that wisdom along to others who will benefit from your know-how, too.

    How has mentorship changed your experience as a writer?

  • How to Declutter Your Writing Ideas and Finish More Projects

    How to Declutter Your Writing Ideas and Finish More Projects

    A new writer recently asked me, “When you have several half-finished projects, how do you choose which one to start working on again? I look at my writing folder and feel overwhelmed!”

    I know the feeling.

    One of the most frustrating things about being a writer is having too many ideas. Given how hard it is to succeed in the business and how many of us seem to suffer from debilitating writer’s block, “too many ideas” might sound like a blessing.

    But think about how many aha! moments you’ve had. How many brilliant stories you’ve conceived. How many shower thoughts you’ve scribbled into notebooks.

    You can’t write them all.

    But you feel a lingering duty to these unrealized ideas. They sit in the back of your mind like an anchor when you try to move on to the next project.

    How do you prioritize?

    What to do with half-finished writing projects

    I don’t have a perfect solution. My writing folder, too, has loads of half-baked ideas without a clear destiny. I sometimes find myself paralyzed at my computer, unsure which project to focus on.

    But I’ve figured out a few steps that help me clear the clutter and work on what matters.

    1. Know what to let go

    First, you’ll reduce a ton of overwhelm by deciding which projects are lost casuses.

    Give yourself permission to let them go.

    Abandoning projects is scary. You loved the idea once, and you’ve put so much time or energy or passion into it.

    What’s really scary, though, is you’re afraid you’ll never have another good idea. Don’t worry; you definitely will.

    New, better, stronger ideas will always come along. And the effort you’ve put into old projects is never wasted. Consider it exercise that strengthened your writing skills for new ideas.

    You don’t have to completely trash these projects if you’re not ready. I have a folder in my drive called “archived projects” for the stuff I’ve stopped working on. Within that folder is a folder for each year (I told you the ideas never stop coming).

    2. List the steps needed to finish each project

    Once you’ve cleared the roughage, you can start to make sense of the rest.

    Look at each unfinished project, and make a quick list of the steps you need to take to finish it.

    For example, if you’re sitting on a completed manuscript, it may need a few rounds of edits, to be pitched to agents, or to go through the self-publishing process.

    Partially-written books, stories or essays may need a stronger outline, feedback, more research or just time to focus on writing.

    3. Determine which projects are nearest completion

    Now use those project-specific to-do lists to determine which projects are nearest completion. If you focused only on one project, which could you finish soonest?

    This could be as simple as finally submitting an essay you’ve been afraid to act on. Or pitching an article idea you outlined months ago. Or publishing and promoting a forgotten blog post idea.

    4. Pick something near completion and finish it

    In general, I recommend picking up the project that’s nearest completion, and finishing it.

    Try to find something you can accomplish pretty quickly — this week or this month. The accomplishment is motivating, so it’ll be nice to do it soon. Checking off one task makes it a little easier to work on the next thing.

    Be aware as you choose a project, though: Do you dread working on it? Do you find yourself stuck again because the project nearest completion turns out to be something you hate working on?

    Don’t be afraid to let go of more projects at this point.

    If you’ve got a five-year-old, almost-finished project you hate sitting at the top of your to-do list, it’s going to be a roadblock to getting anything done. Archive it, and move on to the projects you love and want to dedicate your time to.

    5. Prioritize what’s left, and make a timeline

    Once you’ve finished a quick project, start to prioritize what’s left (after celebrating, of course). Continue to work on the tasks you can finish quickly, but also set goals for the longer projects.

    The quick projects are nice to finish, because they help you clear the clutter. But if you have a novel that’s five years away from publication, you probably don’t want to keep pushing it off for a year to finish essays, for example.

    Set some reasonable deadlines for yourself. Do you want to have a novel published in the next five years? Ten? How many short stories, poems or essays do you want to submit in a year?

    Create timelines with these goals and project to-do lists in mind, and find time to work on them accordingly.

    Why this system is totally flawed

    Walking through these steps periodically has helped me keep my writing life under control. It keeps me moving forward, instead of getting stuck on useless projects.

    But it’s imperfect.

    The problem is that the ideas never stop coming.

    You won’t go through one spring cleaning and organization of your writing projects and be set for life. You will continue to have new ideas you absolutely love, and you’ll constantly have to re-organize and re-prioritize.

    Keep these steps in mind as you do it, and I hope you’ll be a little less overwhelmed.

    What strategies do you use to prioritize your writing projects?

  • Making Time for Writing? 7 Simple but Powerful Productivity Tips

    Making Time for Writing? 7 Simple but Powerful Productivity Tips

    Do you ever sit down to write for a couple of hours, only to find yourself with only a paragraph or two to show for it?

    It’s really easy to get distracted, especially if your work involves online research. One link leads to another and another and … oh look, a cute cat video!

    I’ve been freelancing and writing novels for the best part of eight years now, and I still sometimes find myself scrolling mindlessly down Facebook when I really should be writing.

    If that sounds like you as well, here are the seven tips that work best for me to stay on task. They might be just what you need, too.

    1. Turn off your internet connection

    This might sound way too simple, but turning off your WiFi or unplugging your Ethernet cable can drastically improve your concentration. You might want to put your phone out of reach, too.

    Sure, it’s not something you can do all the time, or even for your whole writing session. But if you notice yourself feeling the slightest bit distracted, it’s the quickest fix I know.

    Don’t tell yourself you should just be more self-disciplined, either. There’s no point using up precious willpower resisting the lure of the Internet when you could just switch it off — and save that energy for writing.

    2. Write down your intention when you begin

    Next time you sit down to write, take ten seconds to write down what you intend to do: “Work on chapter 10 of my novel for 30 minutes” or “Edit blog post for client” or “Update About page on my blog.”

    Again, this might sound a little silly, but it forces you to be clear about what you actually want to get done.

    If you work from a to-do list, circle or star the item you’re going to work on first. You might also want to note the second and third to-dos to help you stay on track if they’re all short tasks.

    3. Sit quietly for three minutes at the start of your session

    Do you ever begin a writing session feeling distracted, stressed out, or a bit overwhelmed? If you have to get your kids off to school before you can write, you have a day job and write on your lunch hour, or you’ve got a ton of other commitments, it’s tough to sit down and focus on writing.

    Sit quietly for just three minutes at the start of your writing session, breathing slowly in and out. Don’t try to think about your writing or to-do list. Just give yourself a chance to be quiet and still.

    Three minutes might sound like it wouldn’t make a difference, but it does. Give it a try!

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    4. Set a timer and write until it goes off

    I find this one works incredibly for most writers, but not all. Give it a go, but if you find yourself feeling pressured or blocked, just try one of the other tips instead.

    At the start of your writing session, set a timer for, say, 15 minutes. Tell yourself you will write (and nothing else) until the timer goes off.

    If 15 minutes is easy, build up the length of work bursts. I like the Pomodoro system of 25 minutes on task, followed by a five-minute break. But feel free to experiment with this one before you commit!

    5. Listen to soundtracks or classical music

    Some people like to work in silence. If that’s you and you’re staying focused, great!

    Personally, I like to have some music on. It helps drown out distracting noise (the kids at home, or other people in the library) and it seems to help me focus.

    If you’re the same, try film soundtracks or classical music. If you put on music with lyrics, it’s easy to get distracted listening rather than writing. You might want to consider finding a few favorite instrumental albums to play only when you’re writing. It can be a reliable way to get into a writing mood.

    6. Take regular, planned breaks during your writing session

    Noone can stay focused for hours on end. For most people, somewhere between 20 and 45 minutes is about right.

    Plan in advance. Don’t just take a break once you start to feel a bit distracted. Knowing you only have to write for a certain period before a break can really help you to focus.

    Ideally, don’t take a break just after finishing something. After a break, it can be hard to get back into writing. Instead, write the first sentence or two of your next piece or a prompt to kick off your next task.

    7. Make sure you’re physically comfortable

    Taking regular breaks lets you move your body and balance some of the effects of sitting at a desk for much of the day. While you’re at your desk, though, get as comfortable as possible.

    That might mean investing in a new chair (or even sitting on an exercise ball), propping your monitor up on books, getting a more ergonomic keyboard, or simply making sure you have a drink of water and some healthy snacks on hand.

    If your back, neck or arms are aching, it’s going to be hard to stay focused — and you may well be storing up health problems for the long-term.

    If you’re struggling with focus, pick one thing from this list to try — and tell us what you’ll be doing.

    What’s the one key thing that helps you to focus when you’re writing? Share it with us in the comments!

  • 5 Surprising Ways Negative Thinking Can Make You a More Productive Writer

    5 Surprising Ways Negative Thinking Can Make You a More Productive Writer

    Creative people are wired differently from others. We feel deeply, question ourselves often, and battle resistance daily.

    As such, many writers struggle with depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders, which can lead to negative thinking. Conventional wisdom maintains that negative thoughts are unproductive and nothing good can come from them.

    I disagree. Negative thoughts can fuel fantastic, visceral writing.

    I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember, and have experienced my fair share of dark thoughts. For years, any time I felt consumed by negativity, I made it worse by anguishing over how it was standing in the way of my creative ambitions. The more I tried to force positivity, the less productive I was.

    I finally accepted I’m going to have low points — maybe more frequently than others. But by doing so, I’ve learned ways to use negative thoughts as productive, inspiring tools in the creative process.

    (Ed. note: Everyone has negative thoughts — it’s totally normal. But If you’re feeling sad or depressed, you may want to seek the advice of a mental health professional. We’re not doctors here at The Write Life, so please take our advice from a fellow writer’s perspective, not from that of a medical professional.)

    Here are five ways you can channel your negativity into productivity.

    1. Scrap your negative thoughts — literally

    Write your negative thoughts on small scraps of paper and keep them tucked away in a box.

    When you hit a creative roadblock brought on by negativity, pull one of the scraps out. Reread your thought, and on the opposite side, write a sentence about how you later resolved it — or continued on in spite of it.

    These are the best kind of writing prompts for two reasons: First, they remind you that you will persevere no matter how lousy you feel at the moment. And second, recalling your thoughts and emotions from when you originally penned the negative thought can get your creative juices flowing again and add depth and dimension to whatever you’re writing.

    2. Listen to your feelings

    Turn up the music. Put on Slayer, Tupac, Marilyn Manson, Adele, or whatever artist speaks to your current state of torment.

    Play music that lets you feel your feelings, not suppress them. Listen for 20 minutes in a comfortable position with your eyes closed. Try not to control or react to your thoughts; simply let them come into your mind without judgment.

    When the 20 minutes are up, open your eyes and immediately freewrite for 20 more minutes.

    Since music has the ability to fight fatigue, increase productivity, and recall memories, you may be surprised by the creative flow that follows this dark indulgence. After all, Chuck Palahniuk wrote Fight Club while listening to Nine Inch Nails’ super moody “The Downward Spiral” on repeat.

    3. Quit your job

    For an hour or so, that is.

    I’ve found one specific time negative thoughts seem to engulf me is when I’ve spent too much time writing for clients and not enough on writing for myself.

    When you start to feel negative, take a break to reevaluate and ask yourself what’s missing. Are you feeling antsy because there’s a personal creative project you feel isn’t getting attention?

    Remember, the kind of client work you take on and how you plan to complete it is directly tied to your creative flow — and the ability to work on personal creative projects we’re passionate about.

    4. Invite negative thoughts

    But only temporarily. Anxiety and depression are like all other emotions — we feel them for a reason. Figuring out why is important.

    So indulge in a negative freewriting diatribe or two using the Pomodoro Technique.

    The general principle of the technique is that by breaking your workday into manageable 25-minute chunks followed by a break — rather than trying to plow through a daunting 8 hour stretch — you’ll get more done.

    This technique works especially well because it’ll prevent you from getting lost in negativity (if you need to do a couple back to back sessions, though, that’s fine).

    5. Recognize the Lazarus effect

    David Bowie said, “What I like my music to do to me is awaken the ghosts inside of me. Not the demons, you understand, but the ghosts.”

    I feel the same about writing. For us writers, dark feelings often awaken memories of people, spaces, and times we’ve long forgotten. These “ghosts” can produce a tremendous amount of creative material.

    “Among the invisible tools of creative individuals is their ability to hold on to the specific texture of their past,” writer and literature professor Vera John-Stein notes. “The creative use of one’s past, however, requires a memory that is both powerful and selective.”

    Use that power and selectivity, no matter how dark some of it may be, to your advantage.

    How have you channeled your negative thoughts into productive writing?

    This post contains affiliate links. That means if you purchase through our links, you’re supporting The Write Life — and we thank you for that!

  • 5 Steps for Setting Writing Goals You’ll Actually Keep

    5 Steps for Setting Writing Goals You’ll Actually Keep

    We know the weeks right at the top of a new year are prime time for goal-setting. But you can set new goals any time of year.

    Why not take some time this week to refresh your mindset and set yourself up for success?

    Whether you want to crank out 1,000 words a day or get three great new clients, why not take some time to get on the track to meet those goals?

    Setting goals and conducting regular self-reviews are great ways to see how you’re doing. These strategies can help you take concrete steps to attain your goals and help you revise and adapt as needed along the way.

    “I don’t have time to set goals and review them.”

    Have you ever said this? Why would you take time you could be spending to craft pitches and crank out articles to instead set goals and conduct self-review?

    Because it’s easy to go too long without thinking about your higher-level goals.

    You might spend hour upon hour cranking out $20 articles about pigeons when you really want to be writing $2,000 articles about new, cutting-edge dental procedures.

    Taking the time to step back from your immediate deadlines and projects allows you to think about where you’d like to be — and chart a path to get there.

    Ready to recharge with a goals check-in? Here’s what to do:

    Step 1: Decide the types of goals you’d like to set

    The first step in goal setting is to identify what categories of goals you’d like to set. Be as specific as possible.

    Instead of setting a goal like“writing,” break your goal categories down into “non-fiction magazine writing,” “corporate clients,” “personal projects,” “career development,” and more.

    Step 2: Choose your goals

    Now that you know what types of goals you’d like to set, it’s time to come up with the goals themselves. Look at each category and decide what you’d like to achieve.

    It’s helpful to set a time frame, since your one-month goals will likely be very different from your 10-year goals. I find setting goals for three to four months at a time works well. You might also consider adding a target income goal for each quarter or the entire year.

    When setting goals, it helps to set “SMART” goals: “specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time-bound.” By matching your plans with these criteria, you have a better chance of achieving what you set out to do.

    For example, if you want to publish articles in women’s magazines, setting a goal of “publishing articles in women’s magazines” isn’t as helpful as planning to send five pitches per week to certain publications (specific, measurable, and realistic) by Wednesday of each week (time-bound). Assign yourself the task (assignable) and write it in your calendar to make sure you remember.

    Step 3: Conduct a self-review

    After you’ve set your goals, it’s easy to set them aside and forget about them. The antidote to this is to conduct regular self-reviews.

    First, decide how often you’d like to perform a self-review. I like to aim for quarterly reviews with some flexibility, but others prefer monthly or bi-annual reviews. Whatever schedule you pick, be sure to write it on your calendar and make your review a priority.

    When you sit down with your goals, take a few minutes and write about how you are doing in each category. If you planned to send five pitches each week, see how often you’re actually doing it.

    The point isn’t to feel bad if you’re not meeting your goals. Instead, use this knowledge to adapt your goals as necessary.

    If you find yourself too busy with client work to send out five pitches a week, consider revising the goal to three pitches a week. It’s much better to send three pitches a week than to feel overwhelmed at falling short of your goal and give up entirely.

    Alternately, if you’re not getting much traction and find more time in your schedule, consider upping your goal to a higher number of pitches per week.

    Step 4: Review your clients

    While you’re doing your self-review, it’s also helpful to do a client review. Take an inventory of your clients to see which relationships you’d like to develop further and which ones it might make sense to put on the back burner.

    This review is for your eyes only, so feel free to be brutally honest.

    First, go through and make a list of all the clients you’ve worked with over the past month, quarter, or year. If your clients change from month to month, it’s often most helpful to evaluate clients over a broader period of time (such as quarterly or once per year), especially when you have a number of occasional or one-off clients.

    Consider each client and calculate how much money you’ve earned from them during that period. Did they pay you on time and in full? Did you like working with them? Were the projects interesting?

    Identify the top clients you’re most excited about developing or continuing your relationship with. Keep in mind these “top clients” are not always your best-paying clients. They could be new clients you’re looking to cultivate relationships with, or people you just enjoy working with.

    You’ll also likely notice a few clients you’d prefer to avoid in the future. What adjustments can you make so you don’t feel pressured to work with them?

    Step 5: Schedule your next self-review and goal-setting session

    While you’re finishing up your goal-setting and self-review session, be sure to mark your next session on your calendar. Having a review every two or three months is a good place to start and you can always adjust the timing according to your needs — just don’t forget to keep a date on the calendar!

    What tips would you add for setting and reviewing your writing goals?

  • Stay Focused: 4 Ways to Delete Writing Distractions From Your Life

    Stay Focused: 4 Ways to Delete Writing Distractions From Your Life

    Feeling a little distracted lately? Like every time you sit down to write, something — or someone — gets in the way?

    If you’re reading this post, it’s probably because you’re not writing. You’re not writing because something along the way knocked you off course, and you’re not sure how to get back on track.

    Distractions are everywhere. Social media and mobile apps don’t make it any easier. If you’re struggling to get your writing done, you need to take a few steps to delete those distractions from your life and leave more time for writing.

    Here are a few simple strategies to help you get started.

    1. Shut down the internet

    The quickest way to bring your writing productivity to a halt is to try writing with readily available internet access. Think you’re just going to do a little research? You might … after you check Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and finally drag yourself out of the Tumblr black hole.

    Search online for apps or plugins that will disconnect your WiFi for a certain period of time or temporarily block you from visiting certain websites. Or write in a location that doesn’t have a good connection — or any connection at all!

    Oh. And you might want to turn off your phone, too. Yes, seriously.

    2. Create a “do not disturb” nook

    It’s not always our own fault when our writing time gets interrupted. Sometimes others are involved, whether it’s in person or through text messages. And we’re not always eager to turn down social interaction when it’s standing right in front of us (admit it!).

    When it’s time to write, though, it’s time to write. If you don’t have an office or room to isolate you while you work, create your own space. Designate it as the space where you absolutely cannot be disturbed while writing.

    And if you can’t turn your phone off (sigh), just shoot back a message telling the person your characters are holding you hostage and you’ll text them back later (maybe).

    3. Set a time, word or page count limit

    Setting a specific milestone for yourself is another effective way to get a lot of writing done with minimal or no distractions. Thinking about how much writing you should be getting done when you’re just not into it is discouraging and leads to procrastination.

    But if you sit down and know you only have to write for 45 minutes before you can move on to the next task, you’re much more likely to breeze through it in no time. And by the time you get to the end of your session, you might have a hard time convincing yourself to stop writing.

    Tacking on a reward like “I can answer my text messages when I write 500 words” will help fuel your motivation to meet or even exceed your goals for the day.

    4. Get up early or stay up late

    Is trying to write in the middle of the day, on a break at work, or on your commute just too distracting? If you can’t focus any other time of day, waking up earlier or staying up a little later, might be worthwhile.

    Before everyone else wakes up — or after most of them have drifted off to sleep — the world is quiet. If you don’t live alone, you probably have to be quiet, too. This just might be the ideal environment that will allow you to write without losing your focus.

    Distractions will always circle overhead, but when it comes to writing, there’s no room for messing around. Say “no” to the things that are constantly keeping you from your stories and you’ll be proud of your completed work in no time.

    How do you shun distractions when you need to write?

  • The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2016

    The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2016

    Editor’s note: Looking for our most updated list of best writing websites? Here’s our list for 2021.

    Internet overwhelm is real, guys. How many unread articles and blog posts do you have in your RSS reader? And what about those Facebook and Twitter feeds?

    How do we keep track of it all? As writers, we want to keep up with the latest industry news, advice and opportunities, but we don’t have time to sift through everything happening in the online world.

    That’s why we created this year’s list of the 100 Best Websites for Writers. Thanks to your suggestions, you’ve helped us curate hundreds of websites to bring you the best of the best. Many are tried-and-true favorites previously featured in our 2014 and 2015 lists, and we’re excited to have dozens of newcomers to showcase this year.

    No matter what you want to accomplish in 2016, we’re sure you’ll find quality inspiration and resources.

    We’ve broken this year’s list into seven categories: Blogging, entrepreneurship, creativity and craft, freelancing, marketing, publishing, and writing communities. All sites are listed in alphabetical order within their categories, and the numbers are for easy tracking (not ranking).

    And if you’re looking to keep up with these sites on a daily basis, here’s an easy way to do that: we’ve compiled a Twitter list of all the websites in this post. Click here to subscribe via Twitter.

    Warning: this list may inspire you to start your own website! If you want to start your own website or blog, here’s our step-by-step guide.

    Sit back and explore. Cheers to the amazing resources you’ve helped us collect!

    blogging

    1. Be a Freelance Blogger

    Sophie Lizard is here to teach you how to take your freelance blogging skills to pro level. Through her blog posts, free community and jobs board, you’ll be able to increase your blogging income and become an expert in your niche.

    Post you’ll like: The Batman vs. Superman Guide to Freelance Blogging

    2. Beyond Your Blog

    Are you working to grow your blog audience? Beyond Your Blog provides practical tips and resources for getting published on other blogs and and in digital publications, so you can tap into new groups of engaged fans.

    Post you’ll like:  8 Things to Avoid When Pitching a Website or Print Publication

    3. Boost Blog Traffic

    In the big blogosphere, it’s hard to stand out and let your voice be heard over the noise. Jon Morrow and the Boost Blog Traffic team offer a wealth of resources to increase traffic to your site and build community — without sacrificing quality content.

    Post you’ll like: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Irresistible Subheads

    4. Copyblogger

    Take your content marketing, SEO and community building skills to the next level with Copyblogger’s library of free ebooks, blog posts, forums and more. It’s a leading resource for professional blogging from the creators of the Rainmaker Platform for digital marketing.

    Post you’ll like: 10 Content Marketing Goals Worth Pursuing

    5. ProBlogger

    It’s a trustworthy blog about how to blog. Founder Darren Rowse and the ProBlogger team bring you all the latest news and tips to build a better blog. This site offers extensive resources on how to monetize your blog as well as a job board constantly updated with new opportunities.

    Post you’ll like: 10 Simple Hacks That Will Increase Your Blog Traffic

    6. Sark e-Media

    With practical and motivational articles and a free 30-day blogging challenge, Sarah and Kevin Arrow help bloggers gain confidence in their writing so they can get the recognition and reach they deserve.

    7. The Daily Post

    You’ve picked out a website name, a theme, and have your WordPress site all set up — now what? At The Daily Post, the WordPress team helps you navigate your growth as a professional writer, with daily writing prompts, interviews with successful bloggers, writing and photo challenges, and WordPress tips.

    Post you’ll like: Writing About Books, Movies, Music: Quick Tips

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    8. Aerogramme Writers’ Studio

    Aerogramme Writers’ Studio keeps you up to date on writing news and opportunities, including contests, calls for submission, and MFA programs. The blog also contains tons of articles on the art of writing.

    Post you’ll like: Who Is Your Boo Radley? Finding Characters Who Motivate You To Write

    9. Ann Kroeker

    Author and writing coach Ann Kroeker is on a mission to help writers reach their goals by maximizing curiosity, creativity and productivity. Her website is home to numerous blog posts, podcasts and resources for writers.

    Post you’ll like: Write in the Middle of Traveling

    10. A Writer’s Path

    Author Ryan Lanz’s website is a wealth of information for aspiring authors. His blog features frequent guest posts, and his Writer’s Toolbox is constantly updated with his favorite picks for websites, blogs, music, apps and people.

    11. Bane of Your Resistance

    Using research in the creative process and neuroscience, Rosanne Bane takes on the big issue of writing resistance in all its forms: writer’s block, procrastination, perfectionism and more. Her weekly posts offer science-backed fixes to common problems for writers.

    Post you’ll like: Momentum Beats Writer’s Block Every Day

    12. Brain Pickings

    Maria Popova created Brain Pickings to document her intellectual, creative and spiritual growth. It’s an exploration into the brilliant discoveries of different disciplines, and how we can “cross-pollinate” these ideas to move us forward in creative thinking.

    Post you’ll like: How to Save Your Soul: Willa Cather on Productivity vs. Creativity, Selling Out, and the Life-Changing Advice That Made Her a Writer

    13. C. S. Lakin’s Live Write Thrive

    Author, editor and writing coach C. S. Lakin loves helping writers get their manuscripts ready for publication. On Live Write Thrive, she writes about proper scene structure, character development, editing and crafting a fantastic story.

    Post you’ll like: 3 Things You Must Have in Your Novel’s First Paragraph

    14. Elizabeth Spann Craig

    Prolific mystery author Elizabeth Spann Craig blogs about all things relevant to a writer’s life, including public speaking, productivity, gaining visibility and connecting with the wider author community. Her weekly roundup of writing articles is also a reader favorite.

    Post you’ll like: Tracking Our Recurring Storylines

    15. Fiction University

    Janice Hardy understands that there’s no “right” way to write. So instead of giving advice on what writers should be doing, she explains how you can make industry rules work for you. With new articles and guest columns every day, you’ll gain valuable insight into the book-writing and publishing process.

    Post you’ll like: Why We Should Do Bad Things To Our Characters

    16. Ink and Quills

    With more than 10 years of studying the craft of writing under her belt, Kaitlin Hillerich created Ink and Quills to help other writers reach their novel-writing goals and tell beautiful stories. With blog posts, worksheets, ebooks and courses, there’s tons to explore.

    Post you’ll like: How to Create Life-like Characters in 6 Steps

    17. Inky Girl

    Inky Girl is the place for children’s book writers and illustrators. Debbie Ridpath Ohi shares original comics, interviews with industry experts, and advice on telling unique stories. Her series on writing picture books is a reader favorite.

    Post you’ll like: Why Picture Books Are Important

    18. KidLit411

    KidLit411 is the ultimate place for children’s writers and illustrators. Founders Elaine Kearns and Sylvia Liu curate the latest in the industry, including new blogs, conferences, awards, writing challenges, publishing resources. They also post weekly author and illustrator interviews and have a thriving facebook community.

    Post you’ll like: The Weekly 411

    19. Live Write Breathe

    Live with passion, write well, and remember to breathe. These are the core principles of author Janalyn Voigt’s site, where she reminds aspiring authors that only when we lead a passionate life can we properly fuel our writing and succeed.

    Post you’ll like: How to Make Time to Write a Novel

    20. Positive Writer

    In the pursuit of creating work that matters, all writers get stuck from time to time. Doubts can creep in, and it’s sometimes hard to get back on track. Bryan Hutchinson offers motivating blog posts to help you move beyond writing paralysis and finish the work you set out to create.

    Post you’ll like: The Audacity to Be a Writer

    21. ProWritingAid

    The ProWritingAid blog is all about transforming good writing into great writing. From grammar tips, writing techniques, and software recommendations, this blog is a great resource if you’re looking to polish your prose.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Tricks for Writing Fast Without Losing Quality

    22. Script

    For more than 15 years, Script has been the top place to go for inside information on writing for film and television. With how-to articles, interviews, podcasts, influencer columns, webinars, courses and resource directories, you’ll find everything you need to keep up with the industry.

    Post you’ll like: Choosing Projects: Which Screenplay Should I Write Next?

    23. Susan Dennard

    In her blog and newsletter, author Susan Dennard shares her secrets: from planning your novel and  maximizing productivity, to facing writing fears and getting published.

    Post you’ll like: Maintaining Passion for a Story

    24. The Write Practice

    The number one thing all successful writers have in common? Practice. At The Write Practice, Joe Bunting and his team help you develop your writing rhythm and grow into your voice and identity as a writer.

    Post you’ll like: 10 Secrets to Write Better Stories

    25. Witty Title Here

    Witty Title Here is the blog “For female writers who give a damn,” offering writing advice, inspiration, writer spotlights, and more — all with a feminist twist. This site also publishes reader-submitted pieces and is a great place for writers who are just starting out and finding their voice.  

    26. Write or Die

    Writer Mandy Wallace believes that when it comes to writing, don’t wait to become inspired or for luck to strike. Just “Show up, shut up, and write,” and sooner or later it will all come together. Wallace’s blog documents the writing lessons she’s learned and offers practical guides for upgrading your own writing.

    Post you’ll like: Where to Find Story Ideas So Good, They Practically Write Themselves

    27. Writers Helping Writers

    Authors Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are dedicated to creating one-of-a-kind resources that writers will actually use. Their books and blog posts focus on helping writers become better storytellers, and their One Stop For Writers library is teeming with tools for planning, researching and writing your book.

    Post you’ll like: The Subtle Knife: Writing Characters Readers Trust But Shouldn’t

    28. Writers In The Storm

    Just like their characters during perilous times, writers must weather the storm of their profession — and shifting industry tides. Run by a group of authors, the Writers In The Storm blog provides inspiration and tips for writers during all stages of the process.

    Post you’ll like: Honey, I Broke the Writing Process

    29. Writer Unboxed

    Frustrated their analytical articles about books and movies were rejected, founders Therese Walsh and Kathleen Bolton decided to create Writer Unboxed in 2006 so they could freely publish their observations. It has since grown into a thriving community where writers of all levels can contribute their thoughts on the craft of writing.

    Post you’ll like: Creative Work is Performance. Assess Your Creative Health Now.

    30. Write to Done

    Write to Done is all about learning to write well. Founder Mary Jaksch brings the age-old advice to keep writing to a whole new level, noting that it’s not practice that makes you a better writer — it’s practice directed in a positive way.

    Post you’ll like: 201 Ways to Arouse Your Creativity  

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    entrepreneurship

    31. Author Media

    A writer’s website should be robust enough to support their growing online platform, but also simple to use. The team at Author Media is made of web designers, coders, and social media managers who share tips, resources, and plug-ins for fantastic author websites.

    Post you’ll like: 7 Ways Author Websites Irritate Readers (And What to Do About It)

    32. High-Income Business Writing

    In the High-Income Business Writing podcast and blog, Ed Gandia brings you everything you need to know about building a successful career in commercial writing. With over a decade of experience, he lets you in on the strategies and secrets of various  industries so you can find great clients and command top fees.

    Post you’ll like: Why You Should Start a Newsletter (and How to Keep it From Being a Drag)

    33. Men with Pens

    In the world of business, content is king — and that means your content creation, blogging, and online marketing have to be on point. Men with Pens, led by James Chartrand, has over 1,000 blog posts to help with all your content marketing, website-writing and small-business needs.

    Post you’ll like: 7 Simple Ways to Write a List Post That Gets Read

    34. Paid to Exist

    Jonathan Mead at Paid to Exist believes you can and should get paid for doing the things you’re passionate about. His blog, training programs and resource “backpack” can help you create a career you love on your own terms.

    Post you’ll like: Why quitting your job won’t solve all your problems

    35. Penelope Trunk

    Penelope Trunk has founded four startups, and she knows a thing or two around building community. Read her blog for life advice, career advice, and everything inbetween.

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    36. Productive Flourishing

    Productive Flourishing is the place for “doers,” the people who are ready to use their creative talents to help themselves and the world around them. At Productive Flourishing, you’ll learn about the new world of work and how to thrive in it.

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    37. Riskology

    To be a great entrepreneur and make your mark in this world, you have to be able to own who you are and believe in yourself. The team at Riskology presents science-backed strategies for embracing who you are and going for your goals.

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    38. Seth Godin

    Seth Godin’s daily bits of wisdom on business, marketing and life help you approach your work in new ways. His posts never fail to  inspire an energy to “Go, make something happen.” No matter your industry, Godin’s blog is not to be overlooked.

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    39. Side Hustle Nation

    At Side Hustle Nation, you’ll learn how to take your tiny entrepreneurial streak and propel yourself to full financial freedom. Nick Loper’s blog and podcast spotlight different types of side gigs, along with case studies to fuel your business savvy.

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    40. The Creative Penn

    Author Joanna Penn has built a best-selling writing career, and she wants to help you do it, too. Her site has a wealth of resources on self-publishing and platform-building — from her articles and ebooks to her popular podcast library of author interviews.

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    41. The Identity

    At The Identity, Lis Dingjan and her team help entrepreneurs build beautiful websites, courses, applications and systems. Her blog is an archive of her thoughts about system development, creativity, entrepreneurship, marketing, and going for your goals.

    Post you’ll like: The Thing About Money

    42. Untamed Writing

    “Your life is YOUR life. You should be able to do whatever you want with it.” So says Karen Marston, founder of Untamed Writing, her internet home for helping people build a freelance writing career they love without having to sacrifice their freedom. Here you’ll find a full archive of blog posts, resources, and courses to develop your writing skills, fearlessly approach clients, and maintain a successful career.

    43. Writing Happiness

    You have a great online business and an active blog. Now it’s time to up the ante and create some digital products. Look no further than Marya Jan’s website for guidance on creating ebooks and online courses.

    Post you’ll like: How to make sure your ebook will sell before you write a single word

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    freelancing

    44. About Freelance Writing

    This site lives up to its name, with hundreds of practical posts on how to market your skills, price your projects, and deal with the nitty-gritty aspects of a freelance business. Around for more than  a decade, About Freelance Writing is a tried and true favorite for many writers.

    45. Comps & Calls

    On the first of each month, Cathy Bryant posts an extensive list of competitions, contests and calls for submission. She notes whether they’re paid or not, for quick skimming. This site is a great one-stop-shop for all recent writing opportunities.

    Post you’ll like: Comps and Calls for January 2016  

    46. Freelancer FAQs

    You have questions, they have answers. Team members and  guest contributors at Freelancer FAQs address all the things you’ve ever wanted to know about freelance life, including marketing, getting started, recommended resources, money management and more.

    Post you’ll like: How Does a Freelance Writer Stay Organized When They’re Too Busy?

    47. Freelancers Union

    You live to write, but remember that as a freelancer, you’re also an independent business owner. This means dealing with contracts, handling your own health insurance, figuring out taxes and more. The Freelancers Union is the major hub for everything having to do with living a great freelancer life.

    48. Freelance Writers Academy

    The founders of Freelance Writers Academy say enough is enough when it comes to low wages and content mills. In this community of freelancers helping freelancers, you’ll find valuable advice and resources for freelance business building as well as employment leads.

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    49. Freelance Writing

    It’s been around since 1997 and is still going strong: Freelance Writing has an extensive archive of articles, tutorials, media and resources all geared to helping you build a successful career. Its jobs listings are updated daily, so you’re always in the know about new opportunities.

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    50. Freelance Writing Jobs

    With a job board updated daily and more than eight years of freelance writing and blogging tips, this site is a favorite for writers all over the world. It’s regularly updated with all the latest trends and resources freelancers should know about.

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    51. FundsforWriters

    Hope Clark believes writing can be a realistic career for all writers. Her weekly newsletter lists the best competitions, grants and other well-paying markets, and her platform has grown to include a blog and a bi-weekly paid newsletter with even more high-paying opportunities per issue.

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    52. LittleZotz Writing

    Lauren Tharp has found a way to write as a freelancer full time and is dedicated to helping other writers do the same. With bi-monthly newsletters and blog posts along with a brand new podcast, LittleZotz is a great source of practical tips for your freelance life.

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    53. Make a Living Writing

    At Make a Living Writing, Carol Tice is dedicated to helping writers move up from low-paying marketings and start earning more from their work. With her blog, ebooks, and paid community, you’ll find awesome advice, support and resources to grow as a freelance writer.

    Post you’ll like: How I Made 6 Figures as a Freelance Writer

    54. Productive Writers

    As a full-time freelance writer, John Soares loves what he does. But he’s also interested in getting the most out of life and not having to work around the clock. At Productive Writers, he shares strategies to help freelancers get high-paying gigs, finish them quickly and get back to life.

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    55. The International Freelancer

    Freelancing isn’t the same everywhere in the world. Mridu Khullar Relph created The International Freelancer to provide targeted advice and resources to freelancers who work outside of the U.S. and U.K. This community is also a great source of support for U.S.-based writers looking to break into the global market.  

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    56. The Middle Finger Project

    Above all else in your freelance career, you want to build a business that feels good, is fun, and is totally you. Ash Ambirge provides an entertaining (and often NSFW) take on being fearless in your business ventures and dealing with the hard stuff in a bada** way.

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    57. The Renegade Writer

    We often think that to be successful, we have to follow the rules and play the game. At the Renegade Writer, Linda Formichelli offers advice on breaking into the world of writing by breaking the rules. If you’re looking to build a freelance writing career on your own terms, this is the site for you.

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    58. Winning Writers

    Winning Writers is a go-to source for information about contests for poets and writers. It sponsors four annual contests and keeps tabs on many other writing competitions. Subscription

    Subscribe for free to gain access to Winning Writers’ database of writing contests.

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    59. Build Book Buzz

    When it comes to book publicity and marketing, you can definitely DIY it. Author and public-relations star Sandra Beckwith provides articles, training programs and other resources that help take the guesswork out of book marketing.

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    60. Giving Voice to Your Story

    We all have a story — a key message we want to share with the world. Through her blog and corresponding radio show, Dorit Sasson helps writers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders build a trusting relationship with their audience so they can share their message and reach new levels of success.

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    61. Jessica Lawlor

    Don’t let low confidence get in the way of your marketing success. Join Jessica Lawlor and the #GetGutsy community to find inspiration and tips on how to step outside your comfort zone and go for your goals.

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    62. Kikolani

    Founder Kristi Hines  brings you the latest strategies, trends and how-tos in digital marketing. Kikolani is a must-have resource for business and professional bloggers who want to make their brands stand out.

    63. Michael Hyatt / Full Focus

    Michael Hyatt is the bestselling author of Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, and his blog will help you do just that. Read for tips and resources about personal development, productivity, leadership, influence and more.

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    64. Quicksprout

    Recognized as a top entrepreneur and influencer by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and even President Obama, Neil Patel is definitely a go-to guy for all things online marketing. He’s helped companies like Amazon and NBC increase their revenue, and his insanely useful content is sure to help your business as well.

    Post you’ll like: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Audience Before Your Business Launches

    65. Shelley Hitz

    Shelley Hitz believes everyone has a message, and she’s on a mission to help you reach your target audience and build your author platform. With her blog posts, podcast, and Author Audience Academy, you’ll find tons of content on book writing, publishing, and marketing.

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    66. Social Triggers

    To be successful in business, you’ve got to be able to persuade. At Social Triggers, marketing expert Derek Halpern shares his best tips, strategies and scripts for growing your audience and making the sale. His techniques are data driven, using the latest finds in psychology and social behavior.

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    67. The Story of Telling

    Bernadette Jiwa says the secret sauce to great marketing is building context and understanding between you and your audience. Read her blog if you see marketing as not just a department, but also part of a holistic — and successful — entrepreneurial experience.

    Post you’ll like: The Value of Unknowns

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    68. Author.Pub

    Getting published is hard, and it only gets more complicated with a rapidly growing and shifting industry. That’s where Author.Pub steps in: helping aspiring authors manage the overwhelm of the publishing and marketing process through blog posts, guides and directories of trusted names and companies in book publishing.

    Post you’ll like: What NOT to Say to a Literary Agent (or Editor)

    69. Bent on Books

    The Bent on Books blog is run by Jenny Bent and a team of literary agents. Every month, they share their agent “wishlist” — the types of books they are looking to represent — as well as advice on marketing, publishing, working with an agent and more.

    Post you’ll like: How to Fire Your Agent

    70. Better Novel Project

    Christine Frazier takes a scientific approach to writing a best-selling novel. She deconstructs popular books to pinpoint the common elements they share. These findings are then incorporated into the “master outline” for a better, research-backed novel.  Follow along for insights on plot, word counts and character development.

    Post you’ll like: How to Create a Remarkable Villain (Beyond the Cliches!)

    71. Blots & Plots

    Founder and author Jenny Bravo offers personal anecdotes and guidance for writers who want to take a leap into the publishing world. The blog itself reads like a story, so it’s best to start at the very beginning to watch Bravo’s own publishing process unfold.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Ways to Create Your Own Writing Space

    72. Goins, Writer

    Best-selling author Jeff Goins created his site to inspire others to awaken to their creative gifts and develop their true voices. Through his blog posts, podcasts, and newsletters you’ll get an inside peek into the life of a successful creative professional, as well as practical advice for pursuing your own art.

    Post you’ll like: The Secret to Effortless Writing

    73. Go Teen Writers

    Stephanie Morrill knows a love of writing often starts at a young age. That’s why she created Go Teen Writers: to provide encouragement, community and wisdom to aspiring teen writers who want to learn more about how to finish a novel and get it published.

    Post you’ll like: What Teen Writers Should Know About Pitching Their Book

    74. Guide to Literary Agents (Writer’s Digest)

    One of the most popular blogs in publishing, Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents is the go-to place for all types of information on finding literary agents, sending query letters, building an author platform and marketing your book.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Things I Learned on Deadline

    75. Helping Writers Become Authors

    Consider K. M. Weiland your writing and publishing mentor. With hundreds of blog posts, instructional e-books, and an exclusive e-letter, her website is the perfect place to find the answers to all your burning questions. She also responds to every email she receives (really!) about writing, publishing and marketing fiction.

    Post you’ll like: My Writing Process: How I Use Scrivener to Outline My Novels

    76. How to Plan, Write and Develop a Book

    Through her blog posts, weekly writing exercises, and 12-week book development courses, Mary Carroll Moore is devoted to helping writers bring their novels to fruition so they can move forward in the publishing process.

    Post you’ll like: Where Do You Get Your Ideas? A Basic Primer of a Novelist’s Writing Process

    77. Indies Unlimited

    Indies Unlimited is an overwhelming source of writing, publishing, tools and news resources for independent authors. With thousands of blog posts and weekly features like Tuesday Tutorials and Thrifty Thursday, you’ll always be able to learn something new.

    Post you’ll like: Self-editing: A Helping Hand

    78. Jane Friedman

    Former publisher Jane Friedman explores the intersection of publishing, authorship, and the digital age. With more than 15 years in the industry, Friedman knows her stuff — and her blog is a wealth of information on how to embrace the “future of authorship.”

    Post you’ll like: 5 Observations on the Evolution of Author Business Models

    79. Jody Hedlund, Author

    Follow along on Jody Hedlund’s writing journey. Her blog is full of advice, encouragement, and inspiration about writing and surviving today’s challenging publishing industry.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Traits that Foster Publishing Success

    80. Lisa Romeo Writes

    Non-fiction and freelance writer Lisa Romeo blogs on various helpful topics, like how to reclaim your writing life, get through troublesome pieces and navigate the business of writing. Her biggest piece of advice? Write first, and read blogs second!

    Post you’ll like: Unfinished: When it Comes to Personal Stories, Aren’t They All?

    81. Literary Rambles

    At Literary Rambles, blog partners Casey McCormick and Natalie Aguirre interview and highlight children’s book authors, literary agents and agencies. Get an inside look at the world of children’s book publishing.

    Post you’ll like: Researching Literary Agents Part I

    82. Nail Your Novel

    On Nail Your Novel, bestselling ghostwriter and book doctor Roz Morris shares her best traditional and self-publishing tips as well as musings on the writing process. Be sure to check out her radio show “So You Want to Be a Writer?”

    Post you’ll like: 5 Things That Established Authors Would Tell New Writers

    83. Novel Publicity

    The team at Novel Publicity believes every story should be told, and have its own platform and loyal fans. With that core belief in mind, it provides guidance on writing, marketing and publishing. Posts cover everything from social media strategy and book design to finances and author blogging.

    84. Rachelle Gardner

    Rachelle Gardner’s website is one of the most popular literary-agent blogs. Her blog archive is a great resource for sound advice on how to find and partner with the right agent, hone your elevator pitch, write a query letter and more.

    Post you’ll like: What’s an Author-Agent Agreement?

    85. She’s Novel

    It took Kristen Kieffer two and a half years to finish her first draft — then she realized she had made every mistake in the book. She vowed not to let these personal lessons go to waste, so she created She’s Novel, a blog and resource hub that helps writers more-easily navigate the journey of crafting brilliant novels.

    86. Standoutbooks

    You’ve written your book. Now what? Standoutbooks has tons of articles, templates, tools and resource recommendations for getting your book published and marketed to the max. Be sure to grab your free Book Marketing Plan and Press Release templates.

    Post you’ll like: Understanding Cultural Trends Can Help You Write a Bestseller

    87. Terribleminds

    If you’re looking for the honest — and often hilariously vulgar — truth about writing, Chuck Wendig is your guy. He’s not afraid to say what we’re all really thinking, which makes Terribleminds the perfect place to gain some writing confidence and get back to creating.

    Post you’ll like: Writing Advice Is Bullshit

    88. The Book Deal

    Established editor and industry insider Alan Rinzler offers advice on traditional publishing, self-publishing, landing an agent, marketing and more.

    Post you’ll like: What 4 Top Agents Desire in a Memoir

    89. The Kill Zone

    At The Kill Zone, you get access to the minds of 11 top suspense writers and publishing professionals. Each day brings new blog posts and insights into publishing, marketing and the writing craft.

    Post you’ll like: 12 Tips for a Book Blog Tour

    90. The Passive Voice

    Navigating publisher and writing contracts? Want to brush up on your knowledge of intellectual property litigation? Attorney David Vandagriff offers his (sometimes snarky) musings on the legal side of the writing business.

    91. The World’s Greatest Book

    You have a fantastic manuscript, and now it’s time to make it into a beautiful book. Author, editor and graphic designer Dave Bricker offers straight talk on the book production and publishing business, with insights on book design, typography and marketing.

    Post you’ll like: Book Design Basics: Choosing a Book Font

    92. Writability

    YA writer and soon-to-be-published author Ava Jae has made Writability her internet home for five years, sharing vlogs, book reviews, writing tips and how-tos, and blog posts about her own journey to getting published.

    Post you’ll like: How to Turn an Idea into a Plot

    writingcommunities

    93. 1st 10 Pages

    First impressions count, and that rule still applies in the writing world. At 1st 10 Pages, writers can post the first 10 pages of their work, to be anonymously reviewed by established industry insiders. Submit the beginning of your novel or movie script and see if you’re hitting the mark.

    Post you’ll like: Before You Submit To That Contest

    94. Fiction Writers Group

    This Facebook group of nearly 10,000 traditional, self-published and indie authors has been around since 2009. It’s a popular source of community and camaraderie without slimy self-promotion. The community also publishes three anthologies a year.

    Check out their member guidelines here.

    95. Scribophile

    At Scribophile, you’re sure to get high quality feedback on your work. The community works on a “karma points” system, in which you spend points in order to submit your writing, and receive points when you provide exceptional critiques. Scribophile also hosts free writing contests and hosts an active forum.

    Learn more about Scribophile here.

    96. She Writes

    Over 27,000 writers of all levels of expertise have joined this buzzing community, founded by author Kamy Wicoff. At She Writes you can create your own profile, build your network, share your work, get expert advice and feedback and discuss all types of things in the forum.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Tips for Turning Your Career into a Novel

    97. Two Drops of Ink

    Two Drops of ink is a literary blog accepting submissions from writers of almost any genre. The editors also post book reviews and blog posts about writing and the publishing industry.

    Post you’ll like: Memory Lane: Memoir and Reverse Writing

    98. Wattpad

    At Wattpad, “Stories are made social.” Hailed as the world’s largest community of writers and readers, members are free to post and read original stories and engage in conversation with each other. This is a great platform to build buzz around your writing.

    Join the community here.

    99. Write On

    The Amazon Kindle platform has branched out, creating an ultimate online community for writers at any stage of the creative process. Here you can talk shop on everything having to do with writing and publishing, and you can submit your writing and ideas for reviews and feedback.

    Start on the writer’s forum.

    100. Yeah Write

    To spotlight smaller blogs, Yeah Write hosts weekly writing challenges for nonfiction, fiction and poetry, and microstories. The entire community gets to vote on the most impressive stories and discover new favorite writers.

    Check out the writing challenges of the week.

    What writing sites would you add to this list? Did we include all your favorites?

  • Beyond Books: 12 Gifts Under $25 for Book Lovers on Your Holiday List

    Beyond Books: 12 Gifts Under $25 for Book Lovers on Your Holiday List

    You probably have at least one voracious reader on your shopping list this holiday season.

    She’s the one who always has a book tucked under her arm or a Kindle in her purse. She’ll skip plans or show up late because she’s busy finishing a riveting story.

    She also seems to own every book ever published. So what do you get her for Christmas?

    A book worthy of gifting can actually be more of an expense during the holidays than you were counting on. But a gift worthy of a book lover can come in well under budget, if you’re smart about it.

    I’ll admit: I am that bookworm. Here are some fantastic gifts for readers, ones I would have loved (OK, still would probably love) to receive:

    1. Gift cards for ebooks

    Sure, a Barnes and Noble gift card seems like a given for anyone who loves reading.

    But when you want to stretch your budget, ebooks are the way to go.While a $25 gift card could cover one or two hardcover or paperback books, it could go much further buying ebooks that cost as little as 99 cents.

    Make sure you know the recipient’s preferred e-reader — if they have a NOOK, buy a gift card for NOOK books.

    Most devices can also support a Kindle reading app, so an Amazon gift card is usually a good bet for any voracious reader.

    For iPad and iPhone users, an iTunes gift card can buy ebooks in the iBooks Store. For Android users, a Google Play gift card will purchase ebooks.

    More popular with international users, the Kobo bookstore also offers gift cards at various retailers around the world.

    2. Audiobooks

    Does the reader in your life prefer listening to audiobooks? Skip books-on-tape (er, CD), and go to Audible.com.

    You can gift an Audible monthly membership, which gives the recipient one free audiobook per month, plus 30% off any additional books. But the minimum you can gift is three months, which comes with a $45 price tag.

    If you have a specific book in mind, Audible will let you gift those, as well. These tend to cost a little more than their hardcover counterparts. Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman, for example, is narrated by Reese Witherspoon and available on Audible for $24.49.

    3. Bookmarks

    Any reader will tell you she’s constantly digging for a bookmark. Mine usually ends up being some corner torn out of a nearby notebook I had to scramble to find.

    Bookmarks aren’t the kind of thing we like spending money on. But we love to get them as gifts.

    Grab a few with clever sayings that speak to your resident reader’s personality — like this one that reads, “Keep Calm and Read On.”

    I also love this fingerprint bookmark from Fred & Friends that helps you keep your place within the page!

    4. Book light

    Paper books don’t come with the built-in light you get in an e-reader. That leaves us trying to balance courtesy on a flight, in bed or on a bus at night with the insatiable need to read just a little more…

    With the resurgence in popularity of “real” books over ebooks recently, it stands to reason your bookish friends may be in need of a book light for the first time in years.

    The most popular book lights on Amazon sell for less than $20. Look for something lightweight, with an LED bulb for longevity and a flexible gooseneck.

    5. Typography art

    You know those memes your friend is always sharing on social media? Now she can hang them on her wall!

    Nab one of these Jane Austen quotes from SpoonLily Design Company on Etsy for $14.99 plus shipping. They’ll make a nice fit for decorating a home office, library or classroom.

    For an even better price, download printable art and print it on matte photo paper to create a DIY poster.

    6. Bookends

    Another adorable addition to a home library or office, bookends are a fun way to personalize a basic storage solution.

    As a gift, they’re a cool way for you to show the recipient how well you know him — whether you tap into his affinity for owls, cats or something more classic.

    7. Floating bookshelf

    Wall-mounted bookshelves can be as decorative as they are functional. And you can find beautiful ones at pretty low prices.

    I’m personally fascinated by invisible bookshelves that make a stack of books look like it’s floating against the wall. For the minimalist on your list, “invisible” is about as minimalist as design can get!

    For a little more style, you could pick up this set of three plain white shelves for $16, or three walnut-finish U-shaped shelves for $19.95.

    8. Hands-free book stand

    Make someone’s life easier with this simple utility. Get a pretty wooden, adjustable, foldable reading stand for $14.99.

    Or, pick up this universal book stand a reader can use for books, cookbooks, e-readers or tablets for only $24.95.

    9. Coffee mugs

    Books and coffee go hand in hand. What’s cozier, especially as winter grows colder, than curling up with a good book and a warm cup of coffee (or tea)?

    And truly, a coffee drinker can never have too many mugs!

    Pick up affordable bookish mugs as stocking stuffers, teacher gifts or for the office Secret Santa. I love this one that simply states, “Reading is Sexy” — made from 100% biodegradable corn plastic.
    Or, go with another classic pair: readers and cats. Get a “Cats, Books and Coffee” mug on Etsy for $12.95.

    10. Throw pillows and blanket

    A good book, a warm cup of coffee and… What’s missing?

    Cozy up a book lover’s living room or study with a comfy throw pillow and blanket.

    Pick up a pillowcase with your favorite literary quotes plus the pillow inside, about $10 for the pair.

    Add a personalized fleece throw blanket for $12.99 — complete the picturesque scene, all for under $25!

    11. Sticky notes and tabs

    Another option for stocking stuffers or basket fillers, sticky pads and tabs are nice for a reader to have around.

    In those print books we can’t highlight with a swipe of a finger, these ancient relics help us remember passages we want to return to again and again. They’re also great, of course, for students and teachers to take notes as they read.

    So, why not make them as pretty as they are useful?

    Get this Van Gogh set for $5.99 or this cool set for teachers for $10.95.

    12. Forgotten English daily calendar

    This geeky desk calendar will excite any lit lover in your family or circle of friends.

    More than a typical word-a-day calendar, for under $10, this one supplies the definitions and origins of long-forgotten words of the English language.

    Is that reader on your list not so into classic literature? Try the Urban Dictionary Day to Day Calendar instead — $10.16 at Amazon.

    Your Turn: Are there book lovers on your Christmas shopping list? What are you buying for them this year?

    This post originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder. 

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