(3 min read.) During private writing coaching sessions, the question I ask my clients the most often isn’t exactly about writing craft, motivation, habit, style, structure, or anything else complicated. The question is very loving and kind out loud, but in print it seems sort… Read More »My Private Writing Coaching Question that Makes People Cry?
(6 min read.) Repeat your best ideas. This creative advice is backed by neuroscience and can help you please readers and build a fanbase. It also makes writing easier. Yup. Repetition makes reading your work more fun. It makes writing less stressful and strenuous, because… Read More »Realistic Creative Advice: Repeat your Best Ideas
(2 min read.) Like many of the writing techniques here on my blog, this oddball creative writing tip is backed by science. For better creative performance, you can leverage the phenomenon of “enclothed cognition.” If you want to write better or differently, try changing how… Read More »Oddball Writing Tip (Backed by Science): Change your Clothes
(5 min read.) Writing a first draft is a thrill. I’ve written thousands of first drafts in my 20+ year career as a creative writer. Some were easy, some were hard. I’ve learned STUFF. I hope my sweat and mistakes can save you some time.… Read More »Writing a First Draft: How to Do It, Y’all (5 Tips & What to Avoid)
(4 min read.) I’m a huge fan of any low-effort, high-impact, easy-to-remember editing tip for writing. This is one of my favorites because it’s SO simple. If you can only handle three words of writing advice today, make ’em these: STICK THE LANDING. Your story, your… Read More »Stick the Landing: Simple Editing Tip for Writing
(2 min read.) Today’s creative writing tip can help you add momentum and urgency to your writing. Not sure where to start your story? Try writing the ending first. Why this Creative Writing Tip Works For creative work, I’m a huge fan of doing the… Read More »Quick Creative Writing Tip: Start with your Ending
(90 sec read.) Today’s 90-second writing tip can help you focus your voice, find more specificity, and break out of overwhelm. Since you can do anything you want in creative writing, it’s easy to wander around and get lost. If you’d like a simple compass… Read More »90-Second Writing Tip: Write for One Person
(2 min read.) You don’t have to write every day. I promise this is better. It helped me build a writing habit without burnout, and now I write a million words a year. Plus, I always have a “just tough enough” level of challenge. This… Read More »How to Build a Writing Habit Without Burnout (My “Four Easy” Rule)
(3 min read.) You can use this set of guided journaling prompts for creative writers as a writing warm-up, or as a standalone exercise if you’re feeling blocked or stuck and need some fresh energy and vision. If you want to ask personal questions, you… Read More »Guided Journaling for Writers: 21-min Exercise with Writing Prompts