LJ Cohen gives us a writing prompt that proves to us that limits are awesome when it comes to productivity

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170504-LJ

LJ’s Books: http://amzn.to/2q62a3l 

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

We’re back today with another fantastic writing prompt from writer Kylie Quillinan, along with another heartfelt pep talk from me. Are you still writing? Gold star, for you!

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170503-kylie/

Kylie’s books: http://amzn.to/2oJIL6m

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

You’re back for Day 2. Good for you!

Today we celebrate that fact and bring you a writing prompt from mega-best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins (of the Left Behind series)

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170502-jerry/

Jerry’s free stuff: www.jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-a-book

 

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

StoryADay May 2017 is here!

Get your pep talks and writing prompts all month long.

Today we start with a writing prompt from writer Gregory Frost, and a pep talk from me, Julie Duffy.

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170501-frost/

Social Media Graphics (tell everyone you’re writing this month!): https://storyaday.org/category/resources/graphics/

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

This week I talk about the different cycles we go through in a creative life: fertile and fallow, frenzied and fatigued…and how you can make the most of them.

 

Also in this show: concrete steps for preparing for StoryADay May, including a description of Story Sparks and a reminder to make your own rules (you don’t actually have to write a story every day. I don’t!)

 

Lastly, here’s the link for the Online Flash Fiction Workshop on April 22, 2017. Get your tickets now, before they sell out!

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

This month is all about publishing; how, why, and why not. 

I don’t talk much about publishing at StoryADay because the focus has always been on creativity. However, seven years in, I think we could stand to talk a little about what might be your ‘what next’. 

(Please excuse the slightly tremulous voice this week. Throat surgery last week has left me a little wobbly, but I’ll be back to full strength soon!)

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Sometimes it’s hard to write, or hard to get started, or hard to remember why we put ourselves through this! That’s when you need to assemble your cheerleaders…In this episode I talk about what my cheerleaders have done for me lately and how you might get some of your own.

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

This episode is a companion piece to this blog post:

https://storyaday.org/stay-excited.

Be sure to check it out for more details and to find all the exercises I talk about in the podcast.

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Hopefully, you’ve been doing something looking back at 2016, making note of all the places where you did wonderfully things.

Now it’s time to look forward to building on them next year. This ‘look forward’ to 2017 offers some strategies for making the most of your writing time, setting P.A.C.E goals, and staying on track throughout the year.

Here are the worksheets I reference in this podcast, to help you plan for a successful 2017:

Annual Review Worksheet

Individual Goal Worksheet

Annual Goal Tracker/Overview

And here’s a detailed article about how to set exciting goals and actually achieve them, this time!

 

Like this podcast? Subscribe! iTunes | Android | RSS

Today’s episode is all about looking back at your year and capturing the achievements in your writing life that can help power you forward into your next year of writing.

Includes

WHY it’s good to track your achievements

HOW to remember what you’ve achieved

EXAMPLES of the kind of things you might list

RECOMMENDED READING for further thoughts on motivation

 

LINKS mentioned in the podcast

writers.digest@fwcommunity.com (to nominate StoryADay.org or another favorite blog for a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers listing)

Motivation For Creative People by Mark McGuinness (AF)

How Do You Want Your Novel to Change the World? by Julia Monroe Martin at WriterUnboxed.com

 

You may also want to listen to the follow-up episode: Looking Forward: Setting & Meeting Goals For Your Best Writing Year Ever or check out the accompanying post (with worksheets!) How To Set Exciting Writing Goals for Next Year — And Actually Meet Them This Time!

 

 

 
Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

November is here and whether you’re facing NaNoWriMo or just the change of seasons, it’s a great time to think about energy in your writing life.

Energy is the theme for November at StoryADay.org and I start out this week with a plea for physical activity (walking, specifically) and will be writing about this and other ‘energy’ issues through the month.

This episode also includes a writing prompt and some theft. Settle in…

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

National Novel Writers’ Month is coming! 

How can writing a short story every week this month help you conquer NaNo?

Tune in to this 7 minute episode for answers…and a writing prompt about the upcoming holiday season and why it’s (almost) too late to start writing holiday stories (I know! Already!)

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today we explore the power of three and use it to make your story Bigger, Badder, (Too Much For Mr. Incredible!! Wait, no, that’s something else….)

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Hey, we’re almost there! It’s almost the end of the month. 

By now you’re probably pretty sick of this StoryADay nonsense, but you can’t quit because you’re so close, right?

Take out your frustrations on your protagonist! There’s nothing better for a compelling story than a little bit of mistreatment of your beloved protag…

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today we take a look at pacing, and the differences it can make to a story.

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

This is a bit of a ‘cheat day’ because I encourage you to write something that may not be a complete short story. Gasp!

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today’s prompt encourages you to think about stirring up some emotions in your readers.

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today’s writing prompt is all about changing perspective. Most of us have a particular POV we like to write in. Today, we try something completely different.

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today we’re going to take a deeper look at genre and the expectations readers have, based on that genre…

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Quick: grab a book from your bookshelf, and look at the first page. Can you tell what kind of book it’s going to be just from the tone of that page? Does it match your expectations? 

Today you’ll write a story focussing on tone: is it consistent? Is it appropriate to the story you’re telling?

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

With four weeks of writing under your belt, you will have learned a thing or two about your strengths as a writer. This week we use what you’ve learned and build on it.

Today’s focus: Finding Your Voice

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

I don’t often give you a traditional ‘story starter’ kind of prompt, but today that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m really curious to see what everyone does with this one!

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today you’re going to tell the story of a painting (literally or otherwise). I have some suggestions for you, and, if you want to find the original blog post, with links to good sources of art, go here: http://storyaday.org/2016-18-painting/

You did it! You’ve made it to week three! Congratulations. And don’t worry if things are getting harder this week. This is your RESCUE WEEK, full of prompts exclusively designed to help you over the hump.