Why you should rush through your first draft — I find that television writers give the best writing advice. Why is that? Well, there are a few reasons. They have to produce a large volume of work on a strict deadline, usually as part of a larger writing team. They get instant feedback on their work in the form…

Reframe your fear, write your best stuff, and publish your work more often — Will I get rejected again? That was the #1 fear that went through my mind when I pressed “submit” to The Paris Review. I’ve scored a few publication credits but none in any journal as prestigious as The Paris Review. I felt like a fraud. What made me submit to…

5 principles that work better than a New Year’s Resolution — We’re well on our way through January — which means you may be a few weeks into your “New Years Resolution.” It’s a natural urge to reflect on a new year and makes plans for things to be different. Unfortunately, most people find it difficult to sustain their resolutions. In…

How I found writing success this year — The shutdown in March provided the perfect opportunity. For a few years, I had wanted to start a blog but had struggled to get it off the ground. All of a sudden, I had more time on my hands — and fewer excuses. …

3 tips to help you write more every day — To succeed as a writer, you need to write consistently over a long period. Preferably, you should be writing every day. One of the most challenging things about going from a fledgling (or wannabe) writer to a professional one is carving out the time and space to write every day. …

How to unlock your hidden insights — In the 21st century, creativity is the number one skill. We’re riding on a wave of new products, new technologies, new ways of doing things — and it’s not slowing down; in fact, it’s only getting started. …

Write to understand, don’t wait until you “know” something — Last year, I took a writing class at a local writing loft. It was a beginner’s class, and you could feel the nervous atmosphere — most of the people there were not accustomed to sharing their writing, and their discomfort of the process was evident. A young woman shared a…

How to turn a destructive emotion into a benefit. — Jealousy is a powerful emotion. It’s often destructive — it contaminates your heart and soul and makes it impossible to enjoy anything in your life. In Othello, Shakespeare writes of jealousy: “But jealous souls will not be answered so. They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for…

Suggestions from 10 masters of the craft — Writing is hard work. Some days the writing flows, but others — it feels like torture to get even a little trickle out. I have found that by working consistently, I can eke out even a few words every day. …