I bought a bottle of champagne part-way through writing the first draft of my book last year. So far, I've finished my first draft, I've finished three very serious edits, I've finished and sent it off to peers to read, and I've finished editing again. Have I opened that bottle of champagne?
As I'm editing, and also as I'm getting feedback from others, I've noticed three words that getting rid of significantly improves my writing. Here they are.
Getting back into the grind of writing is difficult for me when I've traveled somewhere that has put my emotional headspace to different use.
I joined a weekly writing group, and it was the best decision I've made all year.
Looking over the sea from a Greek island with a group of strangers. Some moments are too beautiful to keep to yourself.
Fear is a real part of my life. A real emotion I feel every day. And with the new year coming up, I've started thinking about the direction I want my life to go and how to get there.
Herds of bison roam the protected lands left for them. Without intervention, they'd be gone. Of all the rolling hills I've seen, North Dakota had a different feeling, a different peace, a different texture than the rest of the world. I love experiencing what small corners of this world has to offer.Â
Every writer knows that as soon as you sit down to write, focus tries to allude you. Some days it's easier than others to hang onto, but here are four things I avoid when I write.Â
Writing is similar to exercising. Your mental strength and stubbornness is more important than your physical capability. What you believe you can do dictates what you'll accomplish.Â
I went to university in Scotland, and over there they do classes differently. Preparedness is valued, and if you aren't prepared, you receive judgmental glares from a disappointed lecturer who then marks down your paper. Uni exhausted me, but I did learn my lesson.
Jules Conrad 