The last post published on this Tools and Tactics for Writers blog was about writing and anxiety. I’m guessing most of us go through times when we’re nervous or downright fearful about writing; sometimes it can be paralyzing. So I’m going to share some tactics for relieving that anxiety that work … [Read more...] about How to Reduce Your Writing Anxiety
writing tips
Are You An Anxious Writer?
Meredith Arthur runs Beautiful Voyager, one of the top 10 anxiety sites with personal stories, guides, and a community for overthinkers. She is also the editor of Invisible Illness, a group blog appearing on Medium.com. I asked Meredith to share her views on the connection between writing and … [Read more...] about Are You An Anxious Writer?
Writers: Got Too Many/Too Few Ideas?
The range of obstacles writers face with their writing projects never fails to surprise me. Here are two that some of my writing students have faced and a few ways that could help you get beyond that perky problem. What if you have too many ideas and can’t figure out how to narrow them down … [Read more...] about Writers: Got Too Many/Too Few Ideas?
More Challenges to Writing About Your Life or Your Family
In my last post, 5 Emotional Challenges of Writing About Your Life or Family I discussed a few emotions—none of them good—that writing about our lives or our families can generate in us. Here are some other obstacles we life and family writers face. You Think Your Writing is Boring We’re … [Read more...] about More Challenges to Writing About Your Life or Your Family
5 Emotional Challenges to Writing About Your Life or Your Family
When we write about our lives or our families, our challenges aren’t just literary. Emotions play a significant part in our efforts and they can actually undermine our creative process or shut it down altogether. Emotions that can affect life and family writers: Fear—of getting the facts wrong … [Read more...] about 5 Emotional Challenges to Writing About Your Life or Your Family
Publish Essays That Pay
I teach essay writing and I've also been pretty successful having my own personal essays published. But I know that I (and my writing students) can always improve our odds of getting our work into paying publications. So today, I'm recommending a book I believe will be useful for us (and you) in … [Read more...] about Publish Essays That Pay
Who Do You Write Life or Family Stories For?
If you are writing about your life or your family, whom do you envision as your audience? Are you writing for family and friends or for a larger audience? Are they old, young, or in between? Men or women? Working or retired? Like to travel? Enjoy romance novels? Prefer mysteries? Addicted to reading … [Read more...] about Who Do You Write Life or Family Stories For?
Writing Contests: Are they Worth the Hassle—and the Cost?
Considering the Value of Writing Contests I’ve been absent from this blog while polishing up my essays and memoir opening to submit to contests. Entering these contests has provoked several questions with answers, some good, others not so much. In a blog post several years ago, I asked my site … [Read more...] about Writing Contests: Are they Worth the Hassle—and the Cost?
Answer to Another Memoir and Family Story Writing Question
Remember I asked you to send me your questions about writing memoir, stories from you life or about your family? Well, a reader asked the following: Something I struggle with is knowing when to ask for feedback on my writing (or more honestly, being willing to show others something that I … [Read more...] about Answer to Another Memoir and Family Story Writing Question