Should writers ask that question? — One of my favorite lines in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic is when she says that she made a deal with “writing,” vowing that she would never ask anything of it but that she would always be there to support writing. She would work to finance it and take care…

How to design your book cover — As I move weekly through the steps of book creation, I feel like I’m bringing you with me. I hope you find learning about publishing a book as fascinating as I do. Each step is significant and exciting and can make or break your book. Writing, of course, is the…

Use both to write your book — Writing a book is a big, challenging undertaking, and it takes time, patience, effort, and a willingness to return to our chair daily to keep working. Two other ingredients are necessary to help us complete our book. Those two ingredients are motivation and inspiration. Both guide us and move us…

The only relevant writing process is yours — At conferences or speaking engagements, writers are often asked about their writing process. The question usually comes from an audience member who wants to write their book. Maybe they are honestly curious about the process or don’t know what else to ask, so they raise their hand and ask a…

Creating that space anywhere — Staying focused and on target when your writing environment changes can be challenging. Humans like routines, and writers like having a workspace to perform their writing routines. I’m always amused when I begin teaching a new semester, and college students choose their seats on the first day of class. If…

And it’s good for your health — When we do what is good for us, when we behave in what we know is in our best interests, we feel good. When we eat healthy, exercise, and put in the writing time needed to reach our writing goals, we feel proud, satisfied, and happy. So, why don’t we…

Especially on social media — My husband recently pointed out that I talk a lot about my dogs. This made me laugh because it’s true! I love my dogs. I talk about them, take pictures of them, share stories about them on social media, and today I’m even writing a blog and mentioning my dogs…

Getting refocused on our work — Between crazy weather (-12 one day, 45 degrees the next in the Midwest), Chinese spy balloons drama, and a packed work schedule, distractions are everywhere, drawing my attention away from my schedule for writing. Though I’m currently not home and in my ideal work environment, I have to be honest…

How to start your novel — Writers stress over how to begin their novels and struggle to know what to include. It is often the most rewritten part of a novel. If writers have read the advice given by professionals about the importance of writing the beginning of a novel, there is good reason for this…