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?
Stop Breaking Promises You’ve Made to Yourself
A youtuber I watch called Muchelle B mentioned in a video that a large part of low self-esteem and failed goals is about constantly breaking promises we make to ourselves. And since I watched that video, I’ve seen how true this is. In the half term break from work, I said I wanted to try… Continue reading Stop Breaking Promises You’ve Made to Yourself
Graduating at 28: a reflection
I already did a post about finishing university but I’d like to do an update now that I’ve graduated and it’s been 5 months since I handed in my last essay. My graduation ceremony was perhaps the best day of my life. I’m already married (technically had two weddings!) but that wasn’t the best day… Continue reading Graduating at 28: a reflection
How to Create Actively: Redefining Success and Creative Habits
Anyone who actively follows my blog must have noticed I've been feeling a bit icky creatively. It's only last week that I reminded myself that I'm not in a creative catastrophe! This is not a creative slump. I finished writing a novel's first draft only at the end of August, just two months ago. That… Continue reading How to Create Actively: Redefining Success and Creative Habits
Writing goals and aspirations: do I want to be an author anymore?
I’ve been thinking about my journey as a writer lately and I’ve shared some of that already, but I want to go a bit deeper. Next year, I am not setting the goal of pursuing a good story for publishing. I don’t want to think about publishing anymore. I think I need to forget that… Continue reading Writing goals and aspirations: do I want to be an author anymore?
Black and Bloodied (a poem)
It should never have become the norm For children to see other children Black and bloodied From bombs brutally bombarding Their innocent childhood. Frolicking freely Is a luxury these children can’t afford. Does brown skin equal sin Still? We mourn the white dead But place tape on our mouths If the child is brown. Don’t… Continue reading Black and Bloodied (a poem)
Writing Updates: Am I doing NaNoWriMo this year? What’s next?
At first, I thought My NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month in November) this year was going to be more of a National Short Story Writing Month (NaSSWriMo). This is because I want to write lots of short stories, even if they’re flash fiction. I want to use my voice and play with style and genre… Continue reading Writing Updates: Am I doing NaNoWriMo this year? What’s next?
How to ask for feedback as a writer
Writers need feedback to get better. Whether this is from friends, critique partners, beta readers, an agent, or editors. There’s no avoiding it. But how do we get the right feedback from people who perhaps aren’t in the professional field? What kind of questions do we actually need answered? Here’s some of my thoughts on… Continue reading How to ask for feedback as a writer
S. R. Crawford 