Continuing the theme from last week of ‘know yourself‘ — and more importantly, I suppose, to know your habits — I have some homework for those who would actually like to write more. Take inventory! Not of things, but of time. Here’s the form. Print it out and consider a typical day. I know that…
Category: Writer Wednesday
Writer Wednesday: Know Yourself
γνῶθι σεαυτόν Pronounced gnōthi seauton, this famous Greek phrase means ‘Know yourself.” It’s been attributed to a variety of old sages, but if a thing’s worth saying, it will get repeated. Know yourself: in the context of writing it means you will get the most work done and pleasingly if you take advantage of your…
Writer Wednesday: Romanticism
I’ve aimed to focus these posts on the project How to Keep Writing with a Full Time Job but allow me a bit of a digression today for something that bears repeating. I used to give my creative writing students a handout on the first day to demonstrate the difference between a dilettante and writer…
Writer Wednesday: Time is Elastic
“I never want to see anyone, and I never want to go anywhere or do anything. I just want to write.” – P. G. Wodehouse I am overcome by this feeling a lot. Especially in times like the present where other demands have taken up a lot of my time. There are never enough hours…
Writer Wednesday: Goals
Goals: something to aim for to keep you from falling off the path. There’s an art to choosing them. We have a tendency — when trying to change our lives, and that’s what writing’s all about anyway, right? Changing our lives and maybe just changing the world a little bit — to want to make…
Writer Wednesday: Write Every Day
“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is persistence in practice.” ― Octavia E. Butler I want to speak in this latest installation of How to Keep Writing with a Full Time Job about…
Writer Wednesday: Get Organised!
Step One on How to Keep Writing with a Full Time Job (or with various other demands on your time): getting organised! Or even organized — whichever spelling you prefer. The process remains the same. While I am a firm believer in the freedom of chaos in my life — and grateful to the powers…
Writer Wednesday: A New Project
Usefulness! It is not a fascinating word, and the quality is not one of which the aspiring spirit can dream o’ nights, yet on the stage it is the first thing to aim at. ~ Ellen Terry I’ve been thinking about usefulness and one of the ways I thought to employ my own usefulness would…
Writer Wednesday: News
The pressing news is that ACTION: Pulse Pounding Tales Vol. 1 can be obtained for FREE today and tomorrow. This slamming collection offers jam-packed thrills from me, Mr B, editor Matt Hilton, Absolutely Kate, Col Bury, Richard Godwin, Graham Smith, David Barber and many many more. Highly recommended! Not just because I’m in it (though…
Writer Wednesday: Post Card Fiction Prizes
Making your mark in the world can be a tenuous thing; as long as the good will of others holds up or their indifference doesn’t take over, you stand the chances of being forgotten within your lifetime. You may find fame and fortune, but the odds are against it. So don’t be depressed by that!…