When I first started writing in school, I was crippled by indecision. I’ve always been pretty good at beginnings, but I never finished a story because I was afraid I’d write the wrong ending. What if I write something that the readers don’t want? What if it’s not what the character wants? What if it’sContinueContinue reading “Overcoming writer’s indecision”
Author Archives: writersam77
Being thankful for the writing journey
As writers, it’s easy to fall into many traps. No, I don’t mean plot holes. I mean the human traps. Comparison. Fear of rejection. Worry. Unrealistic expectations. As we celebrate this season of thankfulness with food, shopping, and gift giving, let us also be thankful for this journey. Whether you’ve written three words this yearContinueContinue reading “Being thankful for the writing journey”
How to catch up when you’re behind on your word count
Are you behind on your word count for NaNoWriMo? Me, too. Let’s catch up together. Here’s how.
How to create a generational timeline in 4 steps
Lately, I’ve been really interested in generational stories as well as stories told from multiple points of view. Naturally, I decided to create a generational story told from multiple points of view, which is what I’m working on for NaNoWriMo. I’ve never done this before, but I felt the story form inside of me and IContinueContinue reading “How to create a generational timeline in 4 steps”
How to start writing again
Writing is like working out or eating healthy. Doing it every day is really hard. You’ll stumble upon challenges, roadblocks, and get distracted. You might lose progress or your sanity. But all are worthy commitments and causes. I’ve learned during my fitness journey that eating healthy and working out is a lifestyle. Mirriam-Webster defines “lifestyle”ContinueContinue reading “How to start writing again”
4 reasons to do NaNoWriMo
I get it. You’re too busy. You don’t have time. You’re worried you won’t even come close to writing 50,000 words. There’s always going to be something standing in the way of our writing time. Life doesn’t make time for us, so we have to set the time aside for ourselves and our stories. IfContinueContinue reading “4 reasons to do NaNoWriMo”
Distractions in the Forest
When I first started working from home, I struggled with distraction. Every 20 minutes I’d find a dog to pet, dishes or clothes to wash, or something shiny to look at. My phone would buzz and I would check it, only to be on it for 15 more minutes, scrolling away when I should beContinueContinue reading “Distractions in the Forest”
3 things to avoid as a new writer
Sheep are cute and fluffy. They are very useful in many ways, which is why farmers have raised them for thousands of years. But sheep aren’t something we should aspire to be. Yet, many writers, especially new writers, struggle with many temptations. Temptations of becoming sheep. Here are 3 things to avoid as a new (orContinueContinue reading “3 things to avoid as a new writer”
5 things they don’t tell you about working from home
Working from home is amazing, but like any other job, it has its own unique challenges. Before I started this journey a few months ago, all I wanted to do was spend more time at home. I loved my coworkers, but I was physically exhausted and mentally drained most of the time from working 50-60ContinueContinue reading “5 things they don’t tell you about working from home”
Fighting Turnover
Do you ever start a story and somewhere in the middle it turns on you? Maybe you plotted an idea, but there’s a loophole and suddenly what you planned doesn’t work. Or maybe you started writing as a happy pantser, but now you’re stuck in the corner of the room you created, paintbrush in hand,ContinueContinue reading “Fighting Turnover”
How to prepare for NaNoWriMo in 7 steps
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is on the horizon. I know, I know. It’s more than a month away, but it will be upon us before we know it. Okay, so maybe I’m a NaNo geek. Out of three attempts in the past three years, I’ve won all three. I’m surprised I won my firstContinueContinue reading “How to prepare for NaNoWriMo in 7 steps”
Maple Brussels Sprouts and Eggs
Brussels sprouts, meet breakfast.
The big move and why it matters
My husband and I recently packed up our furniture, dogs, and belongings, and moved to a little tourist town three hours north of where we both grew up. Why? To pursue new opportunities. Everything has fallen in place for this change. My husband got a new job and we got a house to rent withinContinueContinue reading “The big move and why it matters”
What I learned while working in a temporary restaurant
When I first learned that my husband and I were going to work on a food truck for a week, I was excited. I had visions of my husband and I working in a cute, little food truck, deep frying foods and handing out overpriced fountain drinks in large cups. Boy, was I wrong. FirstContinueContinue reading “What I learned while working in a temporary restaurant”
My journey to working remotely
When I first started my search for a remote job, it was out of desperation. I needed to find a new job (for reasons mentioned in this blog post). I applied to so many jobs. Full-time and part-time. In Michigan and outside of the state. I just wanted something. Anything. I had phone interviews galore,ContinueContinue reading “My journey to working remotely”
Goodbye from the Reference Desk
In the past two months, I have had to say goodbye to two part-time jobs in order to pursue one full-time job. Leaving both jobs was difficult. I’ll miss my coworkers and the job duties. But mostly, I’m sad to leave the library patrons. I’m going to miss patron A who calls my by firstContinueContinue reading “Goodbye from the Reference Desk”
Protein smoothie without protein powder
When I crush a workout first thing in the morning, I feel awesome. And sweaty. And famished. When I don’t have time to break out the eggs and make an omelette, I break out my blender. I love my morning post-workout smoothies. My favorite smoothie involves chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, and peanut butter. YUM!ContinueContinue reading “Protein smoothie without protein powder”
The 80/20 balance lie
If I workout 6 days a week, I’ll get stronger. If I work 5 days a week, I’ll be able to pay the bills and maybe even get a promotion. If I write 5 days a week, I deserve to rest over the weekend and still get my book ready for a publisher soon. IfContinueContinue reading “The 80/20 balance lie”
A random hello from the Reference Desk
Hello. How are you today? I like your hair. It looks extra nice today. Hey. Are you okay? Do you need a hug? A random hello. A compliment. A smile. Genuine questions and concerns. A moment is brief, but it can create a lasting impression. Working in a library, I see a lot of differentContinueContinue reading “A random hello from the Reference Desk”
A reason to continue writing – a pep talk
Life deals our characters a lot of crap. Okay…. We deal our characters a lot of crap. But why do we love them? Why do we keep writing their stories and rooting for them anyway? Because they make changes when life changes. They make life-altering, heart-throbbing, breath-catching changes. When someone breaks their heart, they planContinueContinue reading “A reason to continue writing – a pep talk”
Holy Homesteading 