• There are two different camps writers fall into when it comes to how much writing goes into the first draft. There are those who choose a skeleton draft...

    The First Draft: Skeleton Draft or Bulging Draft

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    Just like there are two different types of plotting styles—plotting and pantsing—there are also two different camps writers fall into when it comes to how much writing goes into the first draft. There are writers who choose a skeleton draft, meaning they put the bones of their stories down during the first draft and then use subsequent drafts and rounds of revisions to continue to grow and fill out their manuscript until it’s complete. Other writers aim to put anything and everything down on paper during the first round, which is typically a bulging draft and way over word count.…

  • Go forward into the rest of the year with a clean, and distraction-free writing space. Here are 5 simple ways to spring clean your writing space this year:

    Spring Clean Your Writing Space

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    It’s time to spring clean, which means it’s also time to tackle your writing space. Leave no stone unturned in your home office or writing zone, so you can go forward into the rest of the year with a clean, clutter-free, distraction-free writing space. Here are 5 simple ways to spring clean your writing space this year: 1. Clean out old paperwork and notebooks you aren’t using. Take the time to go through all the old paperwork that may have piled up in your office and go through any old notebooks you’ve kept. Make three piles: shred, keep, and trash.…

  • Use the rest of this month to experiment with some new aspects of writing. Here are 5 writing goals you can still accomplish this month: 1.) T...

    5 Writing Goals to Add to Your List

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    You don’t always have to be working on a “book” to be a writer. Use the rest of this month to experiment with some new (to you) aspects of writing. From research to reading, and everything in between, there are plenty of different activities you can explore that still fall under creative living. Here are 5 writing goals you can still accomplish this month: 1. Search for inspiration. If you’re between writing projects, start researching your next project. Scroll through Pinterest to find character inspiration. Take daily walks and snap photos of objects, buildings, and scenery that inspire you. Sit…

  • There are some negative habits a writer can easily develop. Take these last few weeks to refocus on these 6 habits you can remove from your writing life...

    6 Bad Habits to Give Up This Month as a Writer

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    If you participate in Lent, you’re accustomed to giving up certain things—chocolate, social media, soda—in your life during the 40-day period. As a writer, however, there are also some negative habits you should give up, too. So, with the last few weeks left of Lent, refocus on these six habits you can remove from your writing life.  1. Comparison. We all get caught in the comparison game at some point or another, and as a writer, it can be hard not to compare your current writing status with someone else’s status, especially with access to other writers’ lives on social…