The first time I discovered Notion, I was just starting college and I had no idea what I was doing with my life. I don’t remember why I didn’t stick with it, but knowing me, it was probably because I missed having a notebook for everything (that was back when everything was only like two…
How to Set Manageable and Measurable Writing Goals
For the longest time, I was all about setting huge goals and putting crazy pressure on myself to achieve. I figured that if I set a big goal and committed to it, then I’d have no choice but to make it happen… the bigger the goal, the bigger the success, right? Nope. It wasn’t until…
How to Outline Your Novel in 6 Simple Steps
I don’t know about you, but my outlining process is different for every single novel I write. I outlined the crap out of the first novel I ever wrote, did a one-page outline for the third, and didn’t even think about outlining the fourth. The truth is that every novel needs something a little different…
A Journaling Practice for the Busy Writer
When it comes to tools for self-care and self-love, journaling is at the top of almost every list. It allows for intentional reflection, promotes internal harmony, and gives you an opportunity to spend time with yourself. However, the problem with journaling (or at least what people generally think of when they hear the word) is…
5 Books on Writing That Will Change Your Life
My love for books on writing began in high school when my favorite English teacher lent me a copy of Creating the Story by Rebecca Rule and Susan Wheeler. This book got down and dirty with all the must-knows of story writing and I devoured it. In fact, I distinctly remember sitting on the back…
5 Things to Do When Writing Isn’t Working
We all have those days. You’ve been sitting at your desk for hours, staring at a blank page, and you just can’t seem to get inspired. Or maybe you haven’t even sat down at your desk, yet. You’re just dreading it. You feel unmotivated, drained, and totally unsure what to do about it. Thankfully, there…
How to Maintain a Consistent Creative Practice
A creative practice is the KEY to a successful writing career. It is the piece of your writing life that will help you: Be creative however and whenever you want. Recharge your creative energy battery. Feel more motivated and less like you have to fight yourself to write Turn your writing hobby into a writing…
My Favorite Classical Myths
* Trigger warning: Brief discussion of rape in myths. When I went off to college, I was dead set on majoring in English and ONLY English. I knew I wanted to write, I knew I was fascinated by words, and that was literally the only thing I could think about. Then, in my Freshman year,…
Multi-Creating: The Key to a More Creative Life
The truth about multitasking Multi-tasking is one of those things we do every day, even though we know it can actually be detrimental to our productivity. Like Garry Keller and Jay Papasan point out in their bestselling productivity book, The One Thing, “the modern office is a carnival for distracting multi-tasking demands.” In fact, modern…
3 Ways to Jumpstart Your Creativity
Creativity is often considered an innate talent. However, it is also a skill that you can learn, hone, and practice. Because of this, I’ve compiled a list of three things you can do to increase your level of creativity. Ultimately, practicing creative habits will lead to a more fulfilling and creative life. So, let’s get…
17 Snippets of Writing Advice to Get You Going
When I’m struggling to write, one of the first things I do is look to my favorite writing books and websites in search of advice from published authors. Reading these quotes, tips, and tricks never fails to inspire me and catapult me into a writing frenzy (okay, so it’s not always a frenzy, but at…
Starting Fresh (Summer 2021)
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to start fresh. Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot about a bunch of things: writing, free time, the life I envision for myself, the people I hope to help. This list goes on and on, and when I think about that–the endless nature of my thoughts–it…
How to Find Balance Without Burnout
This time last week, I was taking a much needed break. I cleared my schedule so I could spend time on the things that really matter to me, cleaned up my workspace, and promised myself that I would prioritize. In other words, I had all the right intentions, but by the end of the week,…
How to Establish a Sacred Writing Hour and Stick to it
A sacred writing hour is one of the four components of a complete creative lifestyle. It is one hour at the same time every (or almost every) day that you set aside to work on your writing–or any creative project. Not only does this designated hour increase productivity by training your brain to create at…
Writing as Self-Care: 3 Benefits of a Creative Lifestyle on Mental Health
There are about twenty-thousand reasons why writing benefits mental health. Writing is emotional, raw, and honest. It allows us to get in tune with ourselves, to work through our feelings, and to see ourselves reflected on the page. For these reasons and countless more, writing is a form of self-care. However, I’ll save you the…
How to Build a Creative Lifestyle: Getting Started
Over the years, I’ve learned that writing is not just a hobby or a career path. It’s a lifestyle. Writing requires us to occupy different worlds and make them come alive, and that is a process that does not just happen on the page. It stays with us, follows us to work and to bed…
Creative Writing Starter Pack: Personalized Tools to Get You in the Zone
Recently, I was sitting at my desk staring at the pictures and candles and books all around me, and I realized that the workspace I’ve created is the perfect workspace for me. Why? Because I know what kind of writer I am and what tools I need around me to get in the writing mood….
How to Prioritize Writing in your Day-to-Day
Being busy sucks, except when it doesn’t I’ll be the first to admit that it’s hard to prioritize writing with day-to-day life hovering over you. As a college student with two jobs, a business, and a life-after-graduation waiting for me like a giant seven-headed monster at the gates of hell, I have spent most of…
Creative Lifestyle Planner
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