Meaningful Resolutions for Writers

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Resolutions to eat healthier, lose weight, scroll less, read more…I don’t need to go into detail. You know exactly how this works. 

I can’t remember the last time I made New Year’s Resolutions. I lean toward a “word of the year” approach. 

But this year, I started thinking about my writing goals and decided it was time to make some resolutions, Jonathan Edwards style. He had seventy resolutions. I’m going to keep it to six. You’re welcome!

Excellent Reasons an Author Would Write a Novella

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

If you’d asked me a few years ago for my feelings on novellas, I would have told you that they were okay, but they weren’t my first choice for reading material and that I wasn’t sure if I would ever write one. 

I had my reasons. I like books that delve into the characters and relationships. I like complicated plotlines and secondary characters who have personality and depth. That’s hard to pull off in 90K. It’s close to impossible in 25K.

Why a Writer Needs Healthy Writing Habits

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Writer, Get Out of Your Chair!

Wait? What? That’s not right, is it?

This is a site for writers. Writers write. 

BICHOK, right? (That’s Butt in Chair Hands on Keyboard). 

 

Oh, this must be an April Fool’s Joke, right?

Sadly.

No.

 

Let me tell you a little story. We’ll pretend it’s hypothetical but between you and me it is 100% true.

Writing Rejection Doesn't Mean Writing Reject

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Rejection stinks.

It hurts. 

I hate it.

And I deal with it all.the.time.

Thoughts on Writerly Gratitude

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

November is the time of year in the U.S. when it’s become common practice to focus on what we’re grateful for. People will share gratitude posts on social media every day. Children will write down things they are thankful for on leaves that will be attached to tiny trees or made into decorative garlands that will adorn tables at Thanksgiving. There’s nothing wrong with any of it, but I think because it’s so common, it’s easy to forget how important it is. But writerly gratitude is vital to a writer's well-being.

God Sees All the Seasons of a Writer

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn 

It’s officially Hurricane Season. I don't know about you, but I am fascinated by storms. I will watch The Weather Channel all day for continuing coverage of whatever massive event is happening.

Atomic Habits - a Book Recommendation for Writers

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Atomic Habits by James Clear is one of those books that kept popping up in my world. I'd hear about it on the podcasts I listen to and I'd see it mentioned in Instagram posts and all sorts of random places. 

I put the book on hold at the library and waited for it to arrive. I love books about habits, but I rarely buy them. I check them out from the library, read them, make a few notes, and return them.

The picture above? It's what my library copy of Atomic Habits looked like when I finished reading it. So I had no choice. Y'all, I bought it AFTER I'd read it because I knew I was going to need more time to absorb everything. 

Waiting for the Right Time to Write

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

March of 2019 marks ten years since I began writing. I sat at a computer in our bonus room and the story in my head found its way onto a page. That book remains in a drawer, but that night was the beginning of all that has come since.

The Value of Studying Personalities for Writers

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Are you a personality geek?

I kind of am.

I’m not to the point that I would claim to know and understand all the variants of all the different types out there, but I may get a little bit too excited when I read a description and have that “Oh, my word! How did they know I do that?” moment. 

The Danger of Just One More Thing for Writers

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I want to tell you a story about a washing machine.

Hang with me here.

Evaluate Your 2018 Writing Year - What Worked & What Didn’t

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Have you made resolutions for the new year? Did you choose one word? Do you think all of it is a waste of time because it won’t really make any difference by Valentine’s Day?

I’ve been all of those people over the years. I’ve made resolutions, chosen words, and sometimes refused to do any of it. I’m not knocking any of those options (I still like to choose one word), but over the past few years, there’s one simple process that I’ve found to be truly beneficial for me. You can do this exercise at the conclusion of any major or minor event—a calendar year, school year, vacation, writing conference, or birthday party—and it will be pay off down the road. 

5 Writing Life Lessons Learned by Choosing an Orthodontist

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I’m a firm believer that you can learn lessons about your writing life anywhere—as long as you’re paying attention.Case in point? I got the idea for this blog post from taking my oldest to three different orthodontists. 

Called to Create

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Called to Create has been on my radar—and my desk—for months. 

Even before I turned to the first page, I knew I was going to enjoy this book. The premise was intriguing. Friends have read and recommended it. I expected to jump in and finish it off in a week.

It’s been closer to four months. 

When I found myself digging around my desk for a highlighter after reading the first paragraph of the introduction, I knew this wasn’t going to be a quick read.Called to Create has been the kind of book where I’ve found myself needing to read a few pages and then let them swirl in my brain before coming back to read a few more.

Ancient Words to Inspire Writers

 by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn
 

In these posts, I often recommend books on the craft of writing. But this month, I want to recommend a book to you that isn’t about the craft, but that I think could be quite meaningful to you in your life as a writer and creative.

Soul Care When You're Weary

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I’m coming off an intense writing season and I’m drained in every imaginable way.

So the timing couldn’t have been better for me to get my hands on my friend (and the wonder woman who runs The Write Conversation) Edie Melson’s latest book, Soul Care When You’re Weary.

The idea behind this book is that in a world where our margin for recovering is shrinking (or nonexistent) and peace is elusive we all need a way to be refreshed at the soul level.

The Connection Between Rest & Word Count

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Take a break.

As you read these words, I will be chilling out on a beach enjoying a long-anticipated, and—dare I say it—much deserved vacation.

When Your Writing Conference Doesn’t Go the Way You Planned

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I love writing conferences. I love attending them, and I love teaching at them. 

No two events are exactly the same. Even the same conference will have a different feel from one year to the next. Some years, I look back and see them as crucial networking years. Some years they are fun. Some years are educational and informative. All are important in their own way. 

It's Okay to be a Beginner

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

A few months ago, I learned to SCUBA dive. 

I was so excited! I’ve wanted to learn for a long time. 

Unfortunately, I was NOT a star student.

What I Love about Scrivener 3.0

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Are you familiar with Scrivener? If not, you can check out this quick video. Scrivener, according to their website, is a writing software “tailor-made for long writing projects.  Scrivener banishes page fright by allowing you to compose your text in any order, in sections as large or small as you like.”  It was first made available to Mac users, then to PC users, and for the past seven or eight years, has been trucking along with a few updates here and there, but no major changes.

Brainstorming Isn't Cheating, It's an Author's Secret Weapon

Edie here. I'm super excited about Lynn's newest series. I had the opportunity to be in on the very beginning of this book and I promise you it is AWESOME! Be sure and follow the links at the end of the post to grab a copy for yourself. 

Brainstorming Isn't Cheating, It's an Author's Secret Weapon!
by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn