Just as an artist wouldn’t be able to rework a blank canvas, a writer cannot edit a blank page. Making mistakes is part of the process; don’t smother your creativity out of fear and doubt. Everyone has ebbs and flows in their creativity. Just as bamboo is strong but...
You know that feeling when you open up your closet and it’s so stuffed with clothes you don’t wear that you can’t find the ones you really like? Or maybe your desk is piled with papers that need filing, and you waste all kinds of time looking for that one you need?...
You’re a great writer. You’re writing excellent posts with nuanced arguments and sharing practical advice and personal experience on your own blog. There’s just one problem: only your sister is reading it. Blogging on your own site helps establish your voice and...
Does this story sound familiar? Whenever I submit something I’ve written for a client, I develop a nervous twitch. I wonder if the client is going to like what I’ve written, or if they’ll think it’s absolute garbage. No matter how much time and effort I’ve put into...
The idea of writing a whole book can be pretty daunting. Even if you’re a fairly experienced writer, you might think it’s beyond you. But if you’ve been blogging for a few months or years, you may have already written enough to fill a book. Turning your blog into a...
Someone, somewhere, will fail today. That person might be you. In fact, it’s pretty likely that something will go wrong for you today — no day is ever absolutely perfect. Maybe your favorite client doesn’t like the work you delivered. Maybe you said...
Have you experienced this moment? It happens to nearly every independent and spirited writer stuck on the corporate ladder to make ends meet: the moment you’re sitting in your cubicle and the padded beige walls start closing in on you. You don’t think you...
Editors receive hundreds of pitches each week. When so many of them sound exactly the same, they all start to blend together in the inbox. If you’re able to capture an editor’s attention, there’s a much greater chance you will actually get an assignment. That’s where...
Looking for some writing inspiration? One fantastic source is TED.com, home of “Ideas Worth Spreading.” This series of posts features notable TED talks related to writing, storytelling and creativity. Enjoy! Ready to change the way you look at Twitter? In this TED...
It’s hard to believe, but The Write Life is celebrating its first birthday! Thank you for being part of this community of writers: for reading, subscribing, contributing, commenting and sharing. We’re glad you’ve enjoyed our posts this past year, and look forward to...
