Sequels are supposed to come second, so why in the world am I torn between writing a first and second novel? Shouldn’t I recognize the starting place?
Category Archives: Writer Troubles
Attitude as Style
The other day I did things that were “extra” good with the kids with an attitude that didn’t match. Sin stinks. Anyway, it struck me that writing is sometimes like that, too, if we just translate attitude as style. Good content and a good project, but the tone spoils the effect. Sigh. Sin.
Filed under As Christian Writers, Writer Troubles, Writer's Life
Too Many Thoughts
I’m pretty pleased with how much I’ve been writing. Admittedly, I’m not actually working on the projects I’d hoped to, but doesn’t that happen to all of us sometimes? Still, I’ve been working on an article on a new thought, which is nice. I like thinking through things from different angles, so I prefer to write about newer-to-me subjects, but I have too many thoughts! It is so hard for me to figure out what should stay in and what should be cut out!
Filed under Writer Troubles, Writing Exercises
Harder Days
I don’t know why some days are just harder days than others. Granted, we’ve been having basement issues lately, which complicates and frustrates things, and the kids can’t seem to beat a certain bug, but sometimes it is just plain harder for unknown reasons.
Filed under Writer Troubles, Writer's Life
Help Lutheran Authors
There is a lot I don’t know. I don’t know why Amazon was given a different release date than CPH used for my most recent book. (Today, Blessed: God’s Gift of Love releases on Amazon, and today people can start posting reviews!) I don’t know who initially sets up pages on Amazon for book sales—maybe the publisher fills out a form? I don’t know why there are authors who still haven’t set up Amazon author pages. Ultimately, I don’t know who is out there to help Lutheran authors? Continue reading
Filed under Writer Troubles
Money-Induced Doubt
You’ve probably seen some of his funny Facebook stuff floating around: Chris Brecheen, on Facebook with Writing about Writing, shares both the pithy and the ponderable. I won’t say the guy himself would appeal to everyone, belonging to a very different worldview, but, being honest, there’s a lot on his website worth consideration and sharing, including today’s article on money-induced doubt.
Filed under Resource, Writer Troubles
Deep Work
A kind reader sent me a great link to share. Below is an interview from The Federalist Radio Hour about focusing and doing creative deep work. It features Cal Newport, an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, speaking about concepts from his recent bestseller, Deep Work. Give it a listen and tell me what you think.
Filed under Writer Troubles
Fear
My biggest fear about blogging, and really writing in general, is burn out. Churning out text can be daunting enough, but striving for it to be interesting and in some way crafted too? But I’ll tell you my hope (and it is not a hope in myself):
Filed under Theological reflection, Writer Troubles, Writer's Life
Where to Submit
In a sense, the question “Where to submit” draws the line between the writing hobbyist and the dreamer. There’s a sense of finality to it, at least for me. It’s like asking, “Where will I lay my hopes?” and, of course, that’s truly a part of it. So, while I would not presume to answer such a personal question, for now let’s consider some of the related questions that get us one step closer to finding our place (or places) in the world of writing.
Writer Closure
Closure can be an illusion in a relationship, but it seems pretty concrete to a Writer. (That’s it, I used the capital W for those of us swimming against the tide in a committed fashion. I may never use it so again.) Continue reading
Filed under As Christian Writers, Writer Troubles