It’s been some time since I’ve written a Friday Ramblings and a few weeks since I’ve posted anything to TWL. I’ve been busy researching new ventures and business ideas. It’s fun but it takes time. I’ve also been outlining a new book which I’ll start on next week. It will bring two of my series…
Side Gigs-Freelance Writing-An Interview with Erin Mahoney
Please welcome Erin Mahoney to This Writer’s Life. She’s one of my private students and the author of Side Hustle Gigs, A Step by Step Guide to a Profitable Side Business. This Writer’s Life(TWL)-Let’s start with you telling everyone about yourself and how you got interested in side gigs? Erin Mahoney (EM)-By education and training,…
July Writing Prompts
It’s July which means new writing prompts. This time I thought we’d do something different and focus on work you’ve already created. Take a scene or chapter and if it’s in first person turn it into third person and vice versa. Read it through and see which version you like best. Take another scene and…
Your Why, Discipline, and Motivation
Despite being motivated are you still struggling with your writing? Recently, I’ve had a few private students who are very motivated but for some reason, they weren’t getting results. In fact, it’s one of the reasons, they asked me to coach them. During our weekly check in call, they’ve both reported they’ve written nothing, zero,…
Writing Makes a Great Side Gig
Are you thinking about starting a side gig or do you already have one? Are you using your skill as a writer for your side hustle? I can’t think of a better way to make some extra cash each week than putting your talent for writing to good use. These can be short pieces for…
June Writing Prompts
It’s June and time for a new set of prompts. Have fun and happy writing. Last Line Who would be next? Any Line No cell phone reception here. Story Fragments Use the following scenario in any part of your story Why do they always discontinue the flavors I like the best? Setting Deserted supermarket Your…
Finding Freelance Writing Jobs
One of the key elements to being a successful freelance writing is finding consistent work. When I started out, I’d spend a few hours a day researching markets, trying to figure out who hired freelance writers and what looked like a good match. Fast forward to today, and I think it’s gotten a little easier…
Four Writing Opportunities
I just finished going through today’s e-mails and saw four writing opportunities I thought I’d pass onto you- First one is a short story contest at The Writer…also check out their other contests too- https://www.writermag.com/contests/ Second one is over at Chicken Soup for the Soul. They’re looking for stories about angels…this isn’t a fiction market….
Writers Need to Be Trend Watchers
Do you study trends? I just finished writing a post over at my other site about how being a trend watcher or a future thinker can help you figure out how to make money. As I was writing it, I thought, this is probably a great topic for the audience at TWL too. I don’t…
Writing a Book-It’s About Mindset
What separates the writer who actually finishes writing a book to the person who just dreams about it? It’s mindset… A few months ago, I decided to start a new exercise routine. I’ve tried to do that many times before and for one reason or another, I’ve given up after a week or two. Good…
May Writing Prompts
Here are the writing prompts for May. Have fun and happy writing. Objects Place the following object somewhere in your story. Solar powered lawn mower Movie Titles How about creating stories based on movies. Imagine that you’ve never seen them before and let the title spark your imagination to come up with your own tale….
Set Some Goals
What are your writing goals? Plan your May writing schedule and stick with it!
Friday Ramblings-April Draws to a Close
Can you believe that today is the last one in April? I’m behind on my to do list and one of the reasons for no posts this week here at TWL. I’ll try to do better next week. In fact, two posts I have on my list are the May Prompts and how to get…
Research and Then Write
Wondering why your short story keeps getting rejected? Or maybe what you thought was the perfect idea for a publication still got a no, not for us response? It could be that you’re writing before you research. This was huge mistake I made and had I known about this easy to remember tip, I know…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Easy Ways to Write a Novel
A brief Ramblings as I’m in the middle of a project I want to get done by the end of the day. This week, I posted a new class over at Skillshare called Easy Ways to write a novel in 30 Days. It’s a great supplemental class to any of my write a novel in…
Score Points with Editors
Do you want to increase your chances of an editor requesting to see your manuscript or even getting published? It’s not just down to the actual story or proposal but how you can follow guidelines and instructions. Think of it as an entrance test. In the coming weeks, I’ll be telling you about markets that…
Create a Deadline
Are you working to a deadline even though you don’t have one? This week I published a new class at Skillshare Be a Better Writer-15 Easy Tips. 15 easy things you can do to improve your skills whether you’re writing a novel, short story, or even a non-fiction article. I’ll give you a link at…
Writing is Scary
Writing a book, writing anything can be scary but as this quote says if it wasn’t then it wouldn’t be a goal worth having. This week, get over your fear and begin writing.
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Another Month, More Goals? New Goals?
Did you set the goal of writing a book this year? Three months are behind us and have you started writing yet? If the answer is no, why not? Welcome to April and time for maybe some new goals? Mine is to get more self paced classes ready, go through old files and see what…
April Writing Prompts
It’s another month which means it’s time for another round of writing prompts. Enjoy and happy writing. Scenario Your character loses their car keys. First Line “That’s not the way to treat friend.” Any Line “No cell phone reception here.” Journal Prompt Remember the last time someone did something to embarrass you. Opening Scene Matt…
Should You Ever Quit?
You’ve had three rejections in the last month. An agent has just told you that the story you thought was great has lots of flaws. You’ve been writing for five years and not one single byline. Should you quit? My first response is no, never give up. However, here are some questions to ask yourself…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Ideas
The last Ramblings of the month. How are your writing goals working out so far this year? It’s a great time to look back at the first three months of the year and see if you’ve done all you set out to, or promised yourself, you’d do. I got more books translated this week. If…
Step Outside Your Writing Comfort Zone
All too often we get into a comfortable zone. It’s safe, it’s familiar, and why not you say, after all, we’ve worked years just to get to this point. However, in every writer’s life, comes the time when you have to step outside that zone. Venture into territory unknown and yes, it’s sometimes scary. A…
Earn Money for Some Quick and Easy Writing
The life of a freelance writer and author isn’t an easy one. It’s not just a time thing, but often a money thing especially when it’s your main source of income. I’ve had lean times, times when the publication or client I’ve worked with has been slow to pay. And yes, a few times, when…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Too Busy to Post
My apologies for the lack of posts this week. I’ve had too many projects and now it’s Friday before I even realized it. I got one of my budget related books translated to Spanish. It’s being published right now and I’ll let you know more about that once it goes on sale. I’m also working…
It’s Not Always Easy
It’s sometimes a struggle to find the energy and time to write, but think about how you’ll feel when you write the last word of the story.
Self Publishing Tool Kit
As many of you know, I have a budget related web site. I have products for sale and many of them are writing related. I’m taking part in a sale that starts today and runs through March 17th. You’ll find lots of great resources, some of them are also writing related, some are gift cards,…
Do You Like Podcasts?
I’m way behind with my posts this week. I’m juggling lots of projects and that got me thinking about what happens to our writing when we have too much stuff going on it our lives. I’ll be honest, I intended to start a new novella on Monday and it didn’t happen. Anyone else in the…
Monday Motivation-Approach Success
What are you waiting for? If you haven’t already started, this week, get those first words written.
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Many Projects, Little Time
Welcome to March and it’s almost spring. Or maybe it’s almost fall in your part of the world. I had every intention of posting more content here this week but I’ve been working on too many projects. Yes, that’s often my downfall. Too many ideas all at once. I’m still working on turning all my…
March Writing Prompts
It’s time for the March Writing Prompts, enjoy and happy writing. Scenario Your character starts having dreams that seem to be coming true. Fit the following object into a story Hair dye First Line I heard the sirens long before the police arrived at the front door. Story Spark What’s your favorite city? Photo Prompt
Writing Challenge Day 28-Final Word
You’ve reached the end of the challenge and it might have the same feeling as when you write that final word at the end of the novel, short story, article or even a poem. You did it. You committed to 28 days of writing each and every day. Now you’re going to repeat it next…
Writing Challenge-Day 27-A Future Author
Maybe you’ve already written a book or maybe during this challenge, you’ve written your very first words or chapter. Writing and getting published takes dedication and you need to be in this for the long haul. Today sit down and write about your future self as an author five or ten years from now. For…
Writing Challenge-Day 25-Your Synopsis
Hopefully, by now, you’ve written the first three chapters of your book. Congratulations because lots of people don’t even make it this far. After this challenge ends, it’s my hope that you would have gotten into a writing habit, and feel comfortable writing each and every day. I also hope that these first three chapters…
Writing Challenge-Day 25-Chapter Three
Did you get chapters one and two finished? You’ve started on the road to writing a book, you’ve pulled your reader in, built some suspense, given the story the I must read on quality and now it’s on to chapter three. Most agents and editors want to see the first three chapters before they request…
Writing Challenge-Day 24-Chapter Two
Did you manage to get chapter one written? Anything you struggled with? Anything surprise you? Do you need to make adjustments? Let’s keep on writing. Today it’s all about chapter two. How does it build from the first chapter? Are you creating suspense, conflict? Introducing new characters? Happy writing.
Writing Challenge-Day 23-First Chapter
We’re in the final stretch of the writing challenge. It’s time to start thinking about your story and everything you’ve learned so far. This week it’s going to be about getting those first three chapters written. One day at a time, one chapter at a time. Today, use all the resources you’ve gathered so far…
Writing Challenge Day 22-Don’t Hesitate
We’re in the final week of the Writing Challenge. What are your hesitations, what’s holding you back?
Writing Challenge-Day 21-Brainstorming Your Plot
Today, it’s a simple task. Sit down and write down everything you know about your plot. Doesn’t matter if you don’t create complete sentences. Just brainstorm, free write, get it all down on paper. Happy writing.
Writing Challenge-Day 20-A Chat with Your Character
Some people struggle with plotting while others find creating characters to be their Achilles’ heel. Many times it’s because we don’t know our characters well enough before we start writing their story. Today, imagine you’re going to a coffee shop to meet with your character. What are you going to ask them? What sort of…
Writing Challenge-Day 18-New Genre
This week we’ve been working with the story of the couple who housesit for their friend, Bob, and discover the painting that was stolen from their home is sitting in Bob’s basement. We’ve changed point of view and also from third to first person (or vice versa). Today, we’re going to step outside our comfort…
Writing Challenge-Day 17-First Person
On Tuesday, we began our story based on the short scenario of the couple finding their missing painting in the home of a friend. Yesterday, we changed point of view so today we change from third person to first person. Pick one of the characters and change your story to first person. If you’ve already…
Writing Challenge-Day 17-Different POV
Yesterday’s challenge was all about writing the basic story and today, we’re going with a different point of view. Who was your original storyteller? Pick another point of view character and tell the same story from their mind. It could be Jane…maybe she knew something that Harry didn’t. Or how about Bob? What’s his side…
Writing Challenge Day 16-The Plot Line
Let’s try something different and something that flexes our writing muscles. Here’s an basis for a story and each day we’re going to change things up while still using this plot line. Today, just write the story as you would with any other prompt. Jane and Harry are looking after their Bob’s house while he’s…
Writing Challenge-Day 14-Change Things
Yesterday you wrote for 15 minutes. Today it’s going to be 30 minutes. Take yesterday’s work and change it in someway. It could be from a different point of view, tense or even a different genre. At the end, check on how you did. Did having something already written to work with make it easier…
Writing Challenge Day 13-Write for 15 Minutes
We’re heading into week three of the writing challenge and let’s put what we’ve learned about our writing habits and preferences to good use. Set a timer for 15 minutes and do some work on your current project. If you don’t have a work in progress then start one. It could be a short story…
Writing Challenge Day 12-Final Prompt
Another story prompt to round out Day 12 of this writer’s challenge. Be sure to keep all your writing notes from the week because we’ll be putting them to good use this weekend. Here’s today’s story idea. Matt is waiting for his sister to arrive on the next train and while he’s on the platform…
Writing Challenge Day 11-Story Fragment
This week we’ve been focusing on story prompts. Using them as ideas to begin a writing session. We’re also making notes about where we write and for how long and how much gets written. Even noting if we’re sticking with the daily writing habit or not and why. Today, let’s try a story fragment. Something…
Writing Challenge-Day 10-Another Story Prompt
How did you writing day go yesterday? Are you noticing anything about your writing and writing habits. Why not keep a journal and make a few notes after each writing session. Let’s continue with this week’s story prompt, here’s one for Day 10. Your character arrives back from vacation only to discover all the photos…
Writing Challenge Day 9-Story Prompt
By now you should have figured out where your most productive writing spot is and whether it’s writing at home, away from home, with keyboards or pen and paper. This week we’re going to put that information to good use while we work on some story prompts. Here’s today’s prompt- Your character has forgotten his…
Writing Challenge-Day 7-Another Writing Space
Yesterday you choose a space to write and today is the second part of the exercise. Today, try another spot for writing. Yesterday, it might have been your living room so today try the bedroom or kitchen. If it’s warm enough, head outside. Record how long you wrote and how many words your produced. Make…
Writing Challenge Day 6-Writing Space One
Today’s challenge is part one of two. Today, you’re going to find someplace to write. It could be in your home or even at a local coffee shop, even outside. Spend as much time as you can there and write. Make a note of how long you were actually writing..30 minutes, two hours, and how…
Writing Challenge Day 5-Description
Today we turn to description for our challenge. Sit by a window…or if it’s warm enough sit outside and write a few paragraphs, (more if you want), about what you see. Don’t just look ahead but up and down. The ground below your feet, the sky above. The trees outside the window. Are they bare,…
Writing Challenge Day Four-What Works Best for You?
After two days of freewriting. One with pen and paper and the other using keyboards, let’s compare the two methods. Take a look at both pieces you wrote. Which made you the most productive? Was it the longhand way of writing or using keyboards? Is the wordcount near enough the same or did you pen…
Writing Challenge-Day Three
Yesterday we focused on freewriting with pen and paper. Today we turn to laptops, keyboards… Set your timer for ten minutes and once again freewrite. It could be something you see in the room, some dialogue between two characters, the opening of a new story or even random ramblings. Keep this handy because on day…
Writing Challenge Day Two
Today, set a timer for ten minutes. Pull out a pen and paper and write anything that comes into your head. Doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense, or on the other hand, if it’s part of a scene for a story, a poem, an observation…whatever. When the time is up, put the paper aside….
Worried Your Plot Isn’t Unique Enough?
Editors and agents see lots of manuscript each week. Readers see lots of newly self published books each week. So, how do you make yours stand out? How do you take a plot that everyone’s seen hundreds of times before and put a new spin on it? One easy way to give your readers something…
More Tips for NaNoWriMo
It’s NaNoWriMo and how are you doing? I thought I’d share with you some more of my favorite tips to help you finish the first week. Take Breaks A long, long time ago, I used to be able to sit for hours and write. Now if I do that, my body tells me it was…
A Major Reason for Getting Rejected
No Tuesday guest blogger this week so thought I’d address a topic that’s been on my mind for several months. While I haven’t done as much reading over the summer as I’d hoped, I have read the beginning of many stories and chosen to pass on them. They might have been great stories but they…
Saying Goodbye To My Writing Companion
Tuesday was a day I’d be dreading for a long time. It began not as I’d planned. My tabby cat who was 22 years and 2 months old (yes, you read that right), showed signs that his journey was coming to end. Up to a few weeks ago, you would never have believed he was…
How to Write a Non-Fiction Book in 30 Days
Two posts in one day, but I wanted to let you know that my How to Write a Non-Fiction Book in 30 Days is on sale. It’s a four week self paced course with other great resources like a Kindle publishing guide and self publishing planner. It’s on sale for just $5 because I’m taking…