All in Writing
Starting always seems to be the hardest part. No matter what kind of beginning you’re facing—an academic paper, a blog, the first draft of a book, a business report, or even a new chapter in life—starting is a daunting task fraught with expectations, fears of inadequacy, and the worries of not knowing where it will lead.
Earlier this year, I attended the Festival of Faith and Writing and I’m still thinking about it. I realized that the majority of the sessions I was most interested in centered around the topics of race, diversity, equality, and inclusion within the context of publishing and writing; sessions that addressed issues like why men don’t read women authors, privilege and its role in building author platforms, and
It is always easier to copy than it is to create. It’s oh so simple to click over to my browser and reference what’s been said about the topic at hand, to glance over the millions of published articles and see how others have gone about starting. Rephrasing, adapting, and editing is much easier than writing, forming, and mining our own river for gold.
No matter your specialty, there are some books that every writer should be familiar with and have on hand. Whether you are a novelist, a nonfiction ghostwriter, fantasy world builder, technical editor, or a copywriter, these books will strengthen your understanding of language, story, and guide you through the ins and outs of the freelance industry.
For most writers I know, the muse is a loved enemy, a hated friend, an enigma. Just when you need inspiration—say, at the eleventh hour of a deadline— the muse is nowhere near. And when you least need it—say, at the eleventh hour at night— it’s present and shouting. But what if I told you that you can actually train the muse to show up when you need it to? I discovered this out of necessity, and it changed my life.
Music is one of the writer’s most helpful resources. It’s such a human thing, music is. Not only does it use the right and the left side of the brain simultaneously but it also embodies the dreams, joys, heartbreaks, and nostalgia of the human spirit. You’ll be hard pressed to find better inspiration for the writing process. But the benefits of music don’t stop at inspiration.
Music is one of the writer’s most helpful resources. It’s such a human thing, music is. Not only does it use the right and the left side of the brain simultaneously but it also embodies the dreams, joys, heartbreaks, and nostalgia of the human spirit. You’ll be hard pressed to find better inspiration for the writing process. But the benefits of music don’t stop at inspiration.
