These (hopefully) really quite helpful creative writing tips offer what I’ve learned as an award-winning author who writes a million words a year, and as a private writing coach serving writers at all experience levels.
If you have a particular writing question, email it to megan@howtowritesomething.com and maybe I’ll blog an answer for you!
xo Megan Cohen
Best of Megan (a few faves)
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On Writing Consistently
(2 min read.) Writing consistently isn’t about showing up every day. It’s about always coming back to the page, no matter how long you’ve been gone, because the page is home. Your brain wants consistency. On a neurological level, the brain finds inconsistency alarming or aversive (science fact.) So, if… Read more…
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Nailing the Writer-Reader Relationship
(3 min read.) Ok, here’s my real tea on the writer-reader relationship. I’ll give you four practical rules to write by at the end, but first I need to explain why they matter. The Core Writer-Reader Relationship Your reader owes you nothing and you owe them everything. That’s the basis… Read more…
Quick Creative Writing Tips (3 mins or less)
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On Writing Consistently
(2 min read.) Writing consistently isn’t about showing up every day. It’s about always coming back to the page, no matter how long you’ve been gone, because the… Read more…
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Three quick fundamentals to write more and write better.
(1 min read) These are simple ideas but I love to repeat them. To myself. Because sometimes I forget. When my focus drifts, I bring it back here.… Read more…
see all Quick Writing Tips posts
Procrastination & Perfectionism (nudge ’em aside)
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Practical Tips for the Perfectionist Writer (I really live this way.)
(5 min read) If you’re a perfectionist writer, I want to tell you right now that it doesn’t have to f*ckin’ matter. You can keep all your perfectionist tendencies and still be productive, make work that’s… Read more…
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I Love Perfectionists (Perfectionism is not a Problem)
(5 min read.) Perfectionism is awesome. I’m a professional writing coach and I heart perfectionists. Being perfect is not an unattainable standard. Some of us ARE perfect. (At least some of the time.) People have made… Read more…
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How to Beat Perfectionism with STAR WARS
Beat Perfectionism with Star Wars (5 min read.) If you want to beat perfectionism? Fall in love with what you’re best at. Then fight like hell for its right to be seen. STAR WARS taught me… Read more…
see all Procrastination & Perfectionism posts
Journal Prompts (why not try ’em?)
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January Journal Prompts. Have a Brand New F*ckin’ Breakthrough!
Are you alive? Work it out with my January Journal Prompts. If we haven’t met, I’m Megan. I’m a trained facilitator, respectful writing coach,… Read more…
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Have a Festive F*ckin’ Breakthrough! December Journal Prompts
Having thoughts and/or feelings? Work ’em out with my December journal prompts. (If we haven’t met, I’m a trained facilitator and author who knows… Read more…
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We Love a Cozy Breakthrough! November Journal Prompts
Having thoughts and/or feelings? These November journal prompts can create some breathing room, and help you get the supportive neural well-being benefits of writing… Read more…
Writer’s Block (creative writing tips to get unstuck)
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Free Journaling For Writer’s Block: Unstuck In One Week
When in doubt, journal it out. Get unstuck in a week with the prompts in my free journaling for writer’s block challenge. (PS. I’m a million-words-a-year author. That’s why I put this resource together. I’ve been… Read more…
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How to Beat Writer’s Block: Write Like You’re Getting Paid
(3 min read.) Here’s my quick pep talk to beat writer’s block. Would you still have writer’s block if you got paid a hundred dollars a word? Or could you FIND A WAY? Really think about… Read more…
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Overwhelmed by Creative Writing Advice? (It’s a vibe.)
(3 min read.) There’s as much creative writing advice on the internet as there is plastic in the polluted ocean. As a writing coach, I see this doing damage. I’m not against advice. On this blog… Read more…
First Draft (creative writing tips for the blank page; more coming soon)
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How to Edit a First Draft (Forbidden Writing Tips)
(7 min read.) Forbidden writing tip: I edit as I write. It makes my writing better. Here’s how to edit a first draft WHILE you write it. I’ll also share quotes from a few famous folks…
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Writing a First Draft: How to Do It, Y’all (5 Tips & What to Avoid)
(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…
All My Feels (personal, offbeat, and/or passionate posts that are extra-meggy)
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On Writing Consistently
(2 min read.) Writing consistently isn’t about showing up every day. It’s about always coming back to the page, no matter how long you’ve been gone, because the page is home. Your brain wants consistency. On a neurological level, the brain finds inconsistency alarming or aversive (science fact.) So, if you think you’re not a…
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I’m not writing.
(1 min read.) I’m not writing today. This blog post was written and scheduled days ago. Today, I’m with my loved ones and I’m eating snacks and taking naps. My projects are languishing on a hard drive, no new words are getting written, and nothing “important” is being made. I don’t write every day. If…
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Overwhelmed by Creative Writing Advice? (It’s a vibe.)
(3 min read.) There’s as much creative writing advice on the internet as there is plastic in the polluted ocean. As a writing coach, I see this doing damage. I’m not against advice. On this blog alone I’ve got dozens of practical strategies, big and small, to help you be a “better writer.” But here’s…
If you want a private coaching session but can’t afford it, email megan@howtowritesomething.com and ask for scholarship info.
THANK YOU to this month’s generously supportive patrons who are helping me make time for building a digital library of free writing resources to support writers with different access needs! Three cheers for A.J., Dan, Jason, Jennifer, Jessica, Josh, Katherine, Kathleen, Marianna, Nell, Sarah, and some anonymous folks who’ve asked not to be named. Come on in, the Patreon’s fine.