Self-Care for Writers

When we’re constantly writing under pressure, it turns into something we do out of fear of failure and no longer out of joy or passion. And that’s why self-care is so important for writers.

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What A Christmas Carol Can Teach Us About How to Write a Book

More than just a fantastic holiday story,  A Christmas Carol actually provides great examples for authors of some of the most common advice we hear about writing.

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Self-Editing Your Manuscript: It’s All About Perspective

The key to self-editing is to create enough distance between yourself and your work that you can come at it with an objective eye and a clear perspective.

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Why I Created Austin Brown Dogs

AUSTIN BROWN DOGS: THE SHELTER DOGS WHO RESCUE US celebrates that incredible bond between Austinites and our rescue dogs. Through contributed essays from adopters (along with photos of their beloved adoptees), this book illuminates the intimate stories of all the ways the dogs we’ve saved have impacted our lives.

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The Emotion of Writing

It wasn’t easy, but I learned just how incredible it feels to finish a work you’re proud of, get it out into the world, and bring together your community to celebrate your accomplishment.

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New Perspectives: Stimulate Writing Through Travel

After all, as writers, we draw so much from our experiences, and the more we can drink in new ones, the better.

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How to Write a Novel, Ten Minutes at a Time

Think you don't have time to write? Think again!

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Practicing with Purpose

I think a prompt can be helpful in getting us warmed up or breaking us out of a rut. But I hadn’t looked at them from Smith’s perspective, and while I don’t agree entirely, I do think she has a point.

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Starbucks in Westeros and Suspension of Disbelief

This is a world where nobody ever drinks anything besides wine and beer. Where the only dishes are metal and the only paper are the scrolls used to send messages via raven. There are no stores, no restaurants, no coffee meetings to discuss battle strategies. Caffeine, disposable dishware, to-go food and drink? Nonexistent.

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Why Hire a Writing Coach?

We think of writing as a solitary activity. Sure, there are writing groups and, once a book is finished, there are editors, but when you get down to brass tacks, the relationship is between the author and her word document. Sometimes it’s beautiful, and sometimes it’s a battle, but it’s always one-on-one. Well, here’s a secret: it doesn’t have to be that way.

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