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.

Top 12 Ergonomic Writing Tips

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Do you have a physical condition that is aggravated by writing? I do. I suffer from a right wrist injury from gardening that flares up when I do a lot of cutting and pasting on my computer. Writers perform repetitive movements that can injure muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. A common injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, but repetitive motions can also cause back and neck injuries. However, we can use strategies to prevent injuries and help heal them.

9 Benefits Found on a Group Writing Retreat

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

This year I’ve had several opportunities to join with other writers and go off, away from home, for a writer’s retreat. From the ocean to the mountains, we had a dedicated time to write. All who gathered had different needs for their writer’s getaway, but all desired the focused time for their work. 

Each week I also have a pseudo writing retreat as a crew of us meet to put words into our current WIP (Work in Process) for several hours. We have several die-hard crew members, and others join as they can. Again, it’s time focused on a specific project.

Healthy Writer Habits

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

To be effective as writers we need to take care of our physical and spiritual health. Studies prove physical activity improves one’s well-being. Unfortunately, writing is sedentary. The following seven tips will ensure you maintain balance in these areas.

Have You Considered a Writing Retreat—4 Things I learned at a Writers Retreat

by Patty Smith Hall @PattySmithHall

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending my first writing retreat. For those of you who aren’t sure what that is exactly, it’s a chance to get away with other writers for a short period of time and simply write without the concerns of home and job.

But it’s more than that. During my week at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I learned so much, it was almost like a mini writing conference! 

A Deadline Acrostic for Writers

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

It’s deadline season friends. This is the fourth year in a row that I’ve had a book due on March 1. This is third year in a row that I’ve also had a book releasing on or near March 1. 

This means that my brain is not a very happy place right now. I’m thinking about publicity, marketing, and launching a book. But I’m also frantically trying to finish writing a book. It’s a lot. 

Which is why I want to bring you a fun little acrostic to help you remember the important things the next time you’re on a deadline. 

Find the Writing Inspiration You Need to Reignite Your Muse With These 8 Tips

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Writers understand the torture from time to time when they are washed over by a lack of inspiration. We can have difficulties in finding spare time to sit and write with the schedule or happenings of our lives taking over most of our spare minutes. Even worse, when we’re in a busy season and do carve out time to sit down to our computer we have the angst of that blank screen and the nemesis of that taunting blinking cursor. 

It doesn’t matter what form of writing you are doing, you need to be refilling your writer’s tank with inspiration. I don’t know about you, but often my inspiration strikes at the most inopportune time—shower, driving, at a presentation—all situations you must be giving attention to and be in the moment. Yet, some golden ideas may have come upon us and we need to write them down. 

Let Spring Thaw Your Writing

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

In our neck of the woods (don’t you love that expression), the temperature has risen and we’re enjoying some early spring-like weather. The flowers are so confused. The weather analysts remind us that winter isn’t over. But, for now, we can enjoy the sunshine, the early blooms (before allergy season hits), and the pleasant temperatures until we have to dig out the heavy coats again.

Writing 3-D Scenes, Part One

by guest blogger, Linda S. Clare

Writers must master all sorts of skills, from learning how to best describe a character, to creating good dialogue to understanding grammar, spelling and usage. Whether you are writing fiction, memoir or creative nonfiction, it’s my belief that the single most important thing a writer must do is to immerse the reader in a story. Even a lot of nonfiction comes to life when a story is presented. Most of us can always use better skills at scene writing, because scene writing is integral to helping the reader connect with the story.

PreWriting Rituals

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Do you have any pre-writing rituals? On any given day, I don’t. But when I’m about to begin a big project, I absolutely do. 

 

As you read these words, I am up to my roots in revisions. Some people love revisions, but I have to admit that they are not my favorite (see this post for my thoughts on that process). 

Managing Writing Deadlines: How to Get Them Right and How to Get Them Wrong!

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Deadlines are a painful reality for authors. If you do an internet search for how to handle a writing deadline, you’ll find lots of fabulous advice. While the specifics vary, they will inevitably include some common suggestions

How to Manage Writing Deadlines

1. Don’t panic. Stay positive. 

2. Stay focused. No social media. No Netflix. No reading. Keep your mind on the story you’re writing. 

3. Leave the laundry for later. Or get someone else to do it. Same with housework. Those dust bunnies aren’t hurting anybody. Feed your family takeout and pizza. They can have healthy meals next month.

4. Take plenty of breaks and be sure you’re getting enough sleep. You can’t create if you’re exhausted. 

5. Say no to everything you can possibly say no to. You don’t have time for anything extra in your life.

6. Set word count goals and stick to them. 

7. BICHOK - Butt in Chair; Hands on Keyboard. This your life until you’re done.

8. Go for a walk or take a shower when you get stuck. You may get some of your best ideas this way.

9. Make time to do other things that will fuel your creativity. Spend time with family and friends, bake a cake, knit, plant a garden, photograph some birds. You have a life other than writing. You’ll be a better writer if you don’t forget that.

10. Drink plenty of water. Hydrated writers are happy writers. 

Now, friends, there’s nothing wrong with any of that advice. It’s solid. 

But as someone who survived not one but three deadlines in March, I’m afraid that’s just not how it works. At least not for me. So today, I give you some of the ways I handle a deadline.

*** Please note that this list is descriptive not prescriptive. I’m not recommending any of this. In fact, I would say don’t do it. Just. Don’t.***

Lynn’s approach to deadlines:

1. Panic. Just go ahead and freak out. Cry. Pray. Moan. Rock back and forth in your chair as you stare at the blank pages of your manuscript. Trying to avoid this step is futile. 

2. Scroll through FB and Instagram every 10-15 minutes. When you finish, google ways to handle writing deadlines. Who knows? This article might show up. If that’s what brought you here, um, yeah, I’m sorry about that. 

3. Sleep is for people who’ve turned in their books on time. Until then, get by on the bare minimum to keep you functional. When you do sleep, don’t be surprised when you have alarmingly detailed dreams. Your subconscious is doing the best it can. You’ve stressed your brain to the max. When you finally sleep, it’s processing everything from the meaning of peach roses to the use of strychnine as a modern poison option. Accept the bizarre and move on.

4. Don’t bother cleaning your office/writing space. If you get to the end of your manuscript with a clean desk, you did it wrong. But do give in to the compulsion to clean everything else in your house. This includes closets and drawers that haven’t been touched since your last deadline. And go ahead and do all the laundry. You know you want to.

5. Allow mom/friend guilt to convince you that you do have time to bake a bazillion cookies or throw a party. You can write when you’re done…right?

6. Set word counts goals which would require you to write eight hours a day. Be shocked when you aren’t successful. Adjust goals daily. Never meet them.

7. Sit down to write, but then spend several hours brainstorming your next book. This could include searching out cool names, professions, hobbies, and the tropes you want to use or avoid. Be sure to leave the notes you make all over your desk so they’ll taunt you every time you sit down to finish the book that is due, but which you no longer want to write. 

8. Pause several times a day to send pitiful text/voxer/direct messages to your writing friends. Pro tip: Do not send these types of messages to non-writers. They won’t get it. They will try to help, but their suggestions will just tick you off because they’re ridiculous or because they imply that perhaps you didn’t use your time wisely in October and that’s why you’re in this mess. Your writer friends will understand and may even send you Starbucks gift cards via text message. At the very least they’ll send encouraging memes.

9. Send a group text to your friends and family telling them that you love them, you miss them, and you’ll see them after you turn in your book. Sigh as you walk past the stack of new releases you want to read. Forget how to knit. Order cake online—you don’t have time to bake one. (But you definitely have time to eat one). 

10. Coffee is life. If tea’s your thing, that’s fine too. I hear there are these unicorn writers who do not consume caffeine of any kind. If that’s you, then I have no idea how to help you power through. You’re on your own. 

Again, I can’t recommend the above methods. But even with this ridiculous approach, I survived. It’s been a week since I turned in my book. My family still loves me, my dreams are still bonkers, my office is still trashed, my body is still sleep deprived, and I’m still panicked because now my editor has my novel. 

But I no longer feel compelled to do laundry. 

Grace and peace,

TWEETABLE

Managing #Writing Deadlines: How to Get Them Write and How to Get Them Wrong, insight & honsesty from author @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Lynn H. Blackburn loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she's sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas! 

Unknown Threat, the first book in her Defend and Protect series, was a 2021 Christy Award finalist and her previous titles have won the Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award. Malicious Intent, the second book in the series, released March 2022.

She is a frequent conference speaker and has taught writers all over the country. Lynn lives in South Carolina with her true love and their three children. You can follow her real life happily ever after by signing up for her newsletter at LynnHBlackburn.com and @LynnHBlackburn on Bookbub, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Featured Image: Photo by Fábio Lucas on Unsplash

Throw Out the Crutches When You Write

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

I buggered up my knee. It wasn't one of my more graceful moments and of all things, I let the competitive side of me win. "Let Grace have the chair. You don't need to win the game."

But noooo! I made a dash for sole surviving chair. It was between Grace and me . . . Grace won. Me, well, I caught my boot on the carpet, sailed into the air, and landed like a half-ton of bricks on my knees. Short version: torn ligament, broken patella. Yep, I needed crutches. I declined them and decided to push through, and find better ways to walk and strengthen my knee.

Early in my writing career, I had writing crutches . . .  words that, though they sounded really spiffy, were a lazy form of writing. I needed to push past them to improve. They were words that sounded well placed but as time and experience taught, proved to make my writing stilted and wordy. I learned not to write to impress, rather write to improve.

How to Battle One of a Writer's Worst Enemies—PROCRASTINATION

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I have confession to make. I am and world class master at procrastination. If I'm on a deadline I can find more things—non writing related—to keep me away from the computer. Some of my favorites include:

• Cleaning out my shoes
• Organizing my craft closet
• Deep-cleaning the bathrooms
• Rearranging my phone screens and apps
• Planting a garden (did I mention I am not and have never been a gardener?)
• Scheduling a mammogram (okay this one IS important, but normally I should have done it months earlier and I'm now using it as an excuse)

I think you get the idea. 

Don't get me wrong though. I love writing. And I love talking about writing.

When the Writing Life Doesn’t Go As Planned We Learn to Roll with the Punches

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

Expectations! We all have them—from the newest writer to the most seasoned, we have expectations for our writing. But what happens when we’re thrown a few side punches that send us sailing off course?

It’s easy for writers to “buck up” and share that “buck up” attitude. You know how it is. You hit a roadblock, and your writer friends show you a moment of compassion and then say, “Just keep at it. Rejection is part of the plan. Buck up and get a thick skin.”

Sitting Pretty While We Write

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

My head hurt. My neck was stiff, and I kept a lump on my right shoulder blade that ached and stung. I dreaded sitting at my computer. After countless hours with a massage therapist and the chiropractor to get the kinks worked out, the error of my ways became clear. I wasn’t paying attention to the cries of my body. It’s an occupational hazard for the writer. We become so engaged in the work, we forget the needs of our bodies—even when they’re squawking at us.

How Can Writers Take Better Care of Themselves?

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Anyone else surprised that it’s March, and that Daylight Savings Time happens tomorrow? (You’re welcome for the reminder!) 

We’ve had nine weeks to work on our 2024 resolutions or to focus on our One Word for the year. Today, I want to pause for a moment and encourage you to—what else?—take care of yourself. 

Amid all our busyness, we can overlook ourselves. We have so much to do that we just shove ourselves to the backburner. We get used to being ignored.

Tips to Stay Physically Active When Writing

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health. However, how can you exercise when you are sitting on your behind writing? This post provides tips about how to add movement into a writer’s daily routine.

The Differences Between Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing

by Susan U. Neal @SusanNealYoga

Should you traditionally publish or self-publish? Some authors can’t land a traditional publishing contract, so that is not an alternative. Since the pandemic, it has become even more challenging to get a traditional contract. Other authors are traditionally published and could continue to do so but are curious about self-publishing. They may get frustrated about specific aspects of the traditional world.

Get Started as a Freelance Writer—Part Three, What Should I Query?

SPECIAL NOTE: I am out of the country until June 18. I’m on a mission trip in Ethiopia (and I’d love to have your prayers). But please don’t let this stop you from reading and commenting (if you read the post below you’ll see why)! I’ve scheduled all my regular blog posts, so nothing will change, except I won’t be able to answer your questions or comments. But don’t worry, I’ll catch up with you all when I return. And I’ll have lots of stories and experiences to share.

Blessings,

E

Making a living as a freelance writer sometimes requires nerves of steel. It’s a business where you have to be willing to take risks. What does that look like in a profession of words? It means applying for many different types of assignments—often where you have little or no expertise.

I know that makes some of you want to hyperventilate, but stay with me. We live in the age of instant access. Instead of being a negative, for a freelancer that’s a positive. It means that you have the ability to learn about almost anything—all from the comfort of your desk chair. In this business, Google is your best friend!

So how do I decide what to query? Here are some of the factors I use to decide: 

• How much it pays. Okay, I know it’s crass to start with money—but this is the way I make my living.
• Do I have expertise with this type of writing? If I do, I want to make good money. If not, I may take a low paying job or two to get some experience.
• Am I interested in the topic? Life is short and I like to look for things that I enjoy writing about. I can't always choose cool topics, but it helps to have assignments I enjoy sprinkled in with the ones that earn money. With freelance writing it's always a balancing act.

 How do I get experience in new areas? 

• Take assignments that pay less (or even nothing) to gain experience.
• Offer to help an established writer in that specialty in exchange for tips and techniques.
• Network, network, network! Did you know you have access to a network here on this blog? Everyone who comments is visible to others—and you all already have something in common—me! Are you taking advantage of this network?

Now it’s your turn. What are some of your questions and experiences? Remember, I’m out of town for a couple of weeks so you’re going to have to help each other. Take a minute to read the comments section and help each other out—here’s your chance to start that new network!

Don’t forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

Writers, Make the Most of Your 15-Minute Conference Appointments

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

Chapel steeple at the Cove, site
of the Writer's Advance Bootcamp.

Edie here. I'm excited today to welcome the director of the Writer's Advance Bootcamp conference, Cindy Sproles. As an author and conference director, she knows the tips and tricks writers need for a successful conference experience. I have a soft spot for Writer's Advance and think it's one of the most valuable small conferences around. It takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains and registration is now open.  

Made the Most of Your 15-Minute Appointments