There are so many ways to get discouraged, as a writer. Let’s not allow Social Media spats to become another.
This week I talk about ways to get your writing done, going a little slower, and how you can join me for a step-by-step walk through short story writing.
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Know you want to write, but can’t get started? Why not start a fun project, just for you?
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This episode: https://storyaday.org/episode237
@faithbougan’s tweet: https://twitter.com/FaithBoughan/status/1481844112546484225
Writing Prompt: https://storyaday.org/wow-irritable
Writing About Anger: https://storyaday.org/write-on-wednesday-anger/
Finding writing ideas: https://storyaday.org/finding-writing-ideas/
Breaking Writers’ Block ebook: https://amzn.to/3fGItKJ
The 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc
Encouragement to see possibilities, and not be burdened by perfectionism, in the New Year.
LINKS::
This episode: https://storyaday.org/episode236
3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc
Serious Writers’ Accountability Group: https://stada.me/swagr
I saw a tweet this week, asking ‘am I overly-emotional because I’m a writer, or a writer because I’m overly-emotional?” I have some thoughts…
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This tweet, from author AD Graves, got me thinking (shared with permission)
A link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode235
Writing your bio and summaries of your work causes authors all kinds of angst, but I have good news: you’re probably trying to do too much and be too clever…and this comes to our writing lives too. It’s time to strip it all back to the essentials.
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This episode: https://storyaday.org/episode234
Write Your Bio & Summary Workshop: https://storyaday.mykajabi.com/join-workshop
Setting writing goals for next year includes reflecting on what we’ve achieved in the past. In this episode I invite you to expand your definition of ‘success’ and talk about Stephen Sondheim. I also encourage you to see moments of frustration as signposts.
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If you don’t know what to write in your bio…steal!
Plus a writing prompt from Michael X. Wang, author of the short story collection “Further News of Defeat”
LINKS
The Writing Prompt: https://storyaday.org/2021-day-12/
Michael X. Wang’s “Further News of Defeat”: https://stada.me/mxwang
The 3-Day Challenge, a short story course: https://storyaday.org/3dc
You have to talk about yourself and your work. I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable. The good news? If you can give yourself permission, you CAN learn to do this.
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What is the difference between writing a scene and writing a summary and when should you do each? I’m sharing notes from my upcoming workshop on that topic, in this episode. Learn why it’s important to write scenes not just summary. And learn when to use them.
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Register for the workshop
Take the 3-Day Challenge
Find the story ‘Escape from the Dysphesiac People’ by Brandon Hobson in The Best American Short Stories 2021
Million Dollar Outlines by David Farland
(These book links help support indie bookstore Reads & Company in Pennsylvania)
Seven peices of ‘advice’ you NEVER need to hear again, on the topic of revision. Come with me on a myth-busting adventure.
Plus a writing prompt called The Post-Modern Pop Song
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This episode: storyaday.org/episode228
3-Day Challenge: storyday.org/3dc
The Writing Prompt: https://stada.me/prompt-pop
Sharing your writing with other can be fabulous, but also a scary and, occasionally, can dent a writer’s confidence. This episode shows you how to give and recieve critique in a way that will make you and your writing stronger.
This week’s writing prompt: write a story in three sections about two characters who love each other. (at 32 minute mark)
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StoryADay’s Critique Week: https://storyaday.org/critique
Now that you have a stack of stories, what do you do with them? There’s a lot to the next part of the process, and I’m here to break it down into manageable steps for you.
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Superstars Full Payment: https://stada.me/superstars-full
Superstars Payment Plan: https://stada.me/superstars-pp
3-Day Challenge: storyday.org/3dc
Are you avoiding your writing? It’s possible you’re suffering from burnout. Learn how to identify it and combat it in this episode of the StoryADay Podcast
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3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc
Gabriela Pereira of DIYMFA talks about her belief that you don’t go to a workshop, you workshop writing and what that looks like in her DIYMFA community.
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How is writing like a martial art or a Montesorri school? Find out in my interview with DIYMFA’s Gabriela Pereira
And stay tuned for my thoughts on Caroline Kim’s prompt for the StoryADay Challenge
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Going from week 2 to week 3 of the challenge, something wonderful happens…things start to get weird, and it becomes about ‘getting it done’ not ‘making it good’. And that is a gift.
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This week’s writing prompt, from Roxane Gay: https://storyaday.org/2021-day-07
The 3 Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc
What are you learning about writing in this, week 1, of the StoryADay September challenge, 2021?
Let’s talk…
PLUS my extended notes on last week’s writing prompt from award-winning writer Fran Wilde.
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Join the Challenge+ https://stada.me/challengeplus
Fran Wilde Prompt: https://storyaday.org/2021-day-01
3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc
There are so many easy excuses for not writing, not taking part in challenges, not joining groups…even when we know they’d help. In this episode I encourage you to dismantle those excuses and let yourself be a happy writer, instead.
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StoryADay Superstars: https://members.storyaday.org/join-superstars
Writing prompt: https://storyaday.org/wow-extra-help
StoryADay September sign up: https://storyaday.org/signup
Writing can be a solitary act, but being a writer can’t be. In this episode I celebrate all the knowledge we have at our fingertips AND the generosity of writers.
Includes a writing prompt from writer Premee Mohamed.
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Premee Mohamed’s Writing Prompt (Text) https://storyaday.org/20-mohamed/
Buy Premee Mohamed’s books: https://stada.me/racpremee
Join me at a 5-Day Retreat in Pennsylvania: https://stada.me/5day2021
If you’re serious about your writing, doesn’t it seem like you should be working on your novel or the story-you-want-to-get-published rather than messing about with writing prompts?
Respectfully, no.
Using writing prompts has many benefits, if you’re getting good prompts and you know how to use them.
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Writing prompts: https://storyaday.org/category/inspiration/writing-prompts/
The 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc
If Simone Biles can get Gymnast’s Block, and Simone Manuel can get Swimmer’s Block, can we stop staying Writer’s Block isn’t real?
In this episode I talk about performance, confidence, skills and why we need to start being kind to ourselves.
Also includes a writing prompt that puts your character in an uncomfortable situation.
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John Burns Murdoch’s Tweet Thread: https://twitter.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1420026131604979719
Babies belly-laughing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L49VXZwfup8
Animal friendships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c0CyjhwtGg
What are you working on right now, and how do you work? Do you flit between projects or knuckle down and master each skill? That’s what I’m talking about this week on the podcast.
Also, I talk a little about the new Kindle Vella project…
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My latest column at WriterUnboxed: https://stada.me/wu8
This week I talk about a concept you either love or hate: consistency. If you’re a hater (like I was) I’m here with some new ways for you to think about consistency that will contribute to that beloved word: progress.
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Join the I, WRITER Course: https://stada.me/iwriter
This week I encourage you to look at your writing plans for this year and revise your goals. I also talk about putting some structure into your writing life in order to make it easier to get to the fun parts!
This week’s writing prompt is all about character.
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Annual planning documents: https://storyaday.org/annualplan
Your Writing Life Series: https://stada.me/writinglifeclass
The podcast is taking a brief vacation this week but you can find a directory of hundreds of episodes here.
This week I share some lessons learned by the StoryADay Superstars ranging from process and habit lessons to lessons about writing topics and techniques.
Continue reading “Work With What You’ve Learned About Your Writing”
It may seem strange after telling you to write a story a day but I think you should slow down and start thinking about maximums. What is a reasonable amount for you to write every day that you can sustain day after day? Why does this matter?
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Greg McKeown’s book “Effortless” – http://stada.me/effortless
Writing Prompt: https://storyaday.org/wow-big-desire/
Shiny Objects Lesson: https://storyaday.org/shiny-objects/
StoryADay 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc
Part II of the StoryADay debrief process, which helps you assess what you learned during the challenge and what to focus on next. This process is useful after any big writing project or push, so don’t skip this episode, even if you didn’t take part in the StoryADay Challenge
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Comment on this episode here: https://storyaday.org/episode211
Get a printable version of these questions: https://storyaday.org/debrief
Last week’s episode: https://storyaday.org/episode210
After the challenge it’s useful to capture all the lessons you learned. In this podcast I take you through an exercise for doing that, and give you the Challenge Plus version of today’s writing prompt.
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Need a little more support as you transition out of the challenge month?
Try the 3-Day Challenge. Prompts, videos, short story lessons: https://storyaday.org/3DC
Lessons from StoryADay 2021, including what happens when we keep working through the resistance…
How to keep going as we enter Week 2 of the StoryADay May challenge (hint: it’s about purpose); and how to work with writing prompts.
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Writing Prompt (The Bridge): https://storyaday.org/2021-day-01
Writing Prompt (A Happy Story): https://storyaday.org/2021-day-07
Writing Prompt (Scenario): https://storyaday.org/2021-day-08
Story: The PILGRIM’s Guide To Mars by Monique Cuillerier: https://www.diabolicalplots.com/dp-fiction-75a-the-pilgrims-guide-to-mars-by-monique-cuillerier/
A supportive group of committed writers, who meet virtually, support each other’s efforts, and
become better writers today, not ‘some day’.
The only qualification to be a ‘Superstar” is a desire to write and support your fellow writers.
The only qualification to be a ‘Superstar” is a desire to write and support your fellow writers.
A supportive group of committed writers, who meet virtually, support each other’s efforts, and inspire each other.
Registration for 2024 open now-June 8, 2024
A 6-part journey through the short story.
Starts July 28, 2023
