Category Archive

Don’t think you’re worthy of publication? Pretend you’re Pam! Did you know that Stephen King was reportedly rejected forty-one times before his first manuscript was accepted? Every writer who submits work for publication gets rejected. The majority of us get rejected many, many, many times. In fact, the more published work a writer has, the fatter his rejection file is … Read More

The more I speak to writers about productivity, the more convinced I become that fear is at the root of everything that gets in our way. Perfectionism and procrastination are two of the most prevalent and misunderstood faces of fear. Think about it: have you ever received a rejection note that is anywhere as nasty as the things you tell … Read More

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”—Dorothy Bernard Here’s my theory. Fear is the unconscious belief that we are not good enough. It is the subliminal act of rejecting ourselves before anyone else has a chance to weigh in one way or another. Fear says, “You can’t, you won’t, so why even bother?” And I believe that fear is … Read More

Now that you’ve made a case for your future by studying what is being accomplished and who you admire in your field, celebrated down to the last comma all that went well in your writing life in 2010, and dreamed big about your Productive Writing Life, let’s drill down to some details of exactly who you are and what you … Read More

Happy New Year! As we stand on the threshold of the erased blackboard of 2010, I’m wondering if you’ve chosen the word that will be the North Star for your writing life in 2011. Not yet? Consider this. Having a single word as an organizing priciple for your Productive Writer aspirations can be very powerful. At the start of each … Read More

I recently insisted that you celebrate all things good as you wrap up 2010 to help make space for and invite in all the successes that are waiting to claim you in 2010. Now I’d like to share a little celebration of my own. But first, a bit of back story. I first spoke my poetry in front of a … Read More

In my experience, success starts with celebration. Which is why I suggested last week that if you want to make 2011 your best writing year yet, you should start with noticing and appreciating everything good in your writing life this year. If you haven’t taken this step yet, I hope you’ll do it now. Then, with the wind of self-appreciation … Read More