I’m changing the terminology I use about many areas of my life in order to change how I feel about them, including my writing. I don’t want to call myself an amateur writer - because I’m not; I’ve been writing for a long time and it has negative connotations of being bad at something almost.… Continue reading How to be a practising writer
Language Barrier – a poem
Swollen tongues and bite marks Dented lips, chapped and flaking Skin falling like snowflakes: Confetti? Whose mother tongue is the top of this cluttered matriarchy? Woven walls wicked barriers Blocking words flung from mouths That never close. Breathe through your nose - Inhale...Exhale... Good. That's better! Walls tumble brick by broken brittle brick When we… Continue reading Language Barrier – a poem
What does it mean to be good at something?
When I'm being cruel to myself, it's easy for me to think that I'm not good at anything. That everyone I know has some form of expertise or skillset that I just don't feel I have. That everyone else is successful at the things they want to do, and I'm not. But today I wondered,… Continue reading What does it mean to be good at something?
How to Make Writing Fun Again
When I was younger, writing was more fun. Pure creative expression with no limits. Yes, in adulthood I've become more serious and I've learned more about the craft, but that doesn't mean the fun should be lost from the process. There are a lot of benefits to making your writing feel fun again, most importantly,… Continue reading How to Make Writing Fun Again
The path is long and difficult – will you journey anyway?
Since I was a little girl, I’ve known I’ve wanted to tell stories. Once, I didn’t know I could make a living from this; the word author wasn’t known to me. But when I learned that word, I grasped on tightly to it and haven’t let go since. And that’s painful. Why? Isn’t it lovely… Continue reading The path is long and difficult – will you journey anyway?
Wintering: how to be aligned with nature and embrace true winter energy
This year, I’m trying to do winter properly. To remember that it’s winter and so I needn’t treat the new year as an invitation to start racing towards my goals. Nature is resting and so should I. Sinking into Winter is something I have never fully embraced. What would it even look like for me?… Continue reading Wintering: how to be aligned with nature and embrace true winter energy
How to actually grow and be successful in 2024
The theme for 2024 for me is playfulness and calm. I want to chill the F out a bit. There’s a lot that goes into this theme, not just buzz words that can be interpreted in different ways but in terms of this post, in order to be successful in 2024, you need to bring… Continue reading How to actually grow and be successful in 2024
My vision for the New Year
I love new years. I’m one of those poetic and hopeful souls who places a lot of meaning on the blank calendar and sees the end of a year as a closing of a chapter. I like to plan and think in terms of seasons, months and years. It’s neat and helps things feel simpler.… Continue reading My vision for the New Year
Writing Goals for 2024 – that aren’t basic
Next year, I want to look at my writing differently. I don’t want to do what I’ve tried to do years before which hasn’t quite worked. I don’t want to set the same boring goals: Write 100,000 words Write two completed first drafts of novels Look for an agent Publish a book Query a book… Continue reading Writing Goals for 2024 – that aren’t basic
How to Choose the Right Books for You: why do you read?
This question stemmed from my mini reading rut that I’m in. I am considering DNF-ing another book and I really don’t know what I want to read next that will engage me for the length of a book. Am I just too impatient and don’t give a book enough time to get good? Do I… Continue reading How to Choose the Right Books for You: why do you read?
S. R. Crawford 