Category Archives: focus

Focus: Are You Centered Or Are You Fragmented?

Any writing day can feel overwhelming if you’re trying to juggle several projects. Right now, I’m proofing a book due next week, finishing one not due for a while, and plotting a novel to get ready for NaNoWriMo. I blog and … Continue reading

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Focus: Avoid Split-Brain Writing

Over the weekend I spoke with a writer dealing with some worries that are daily robbing her of her hours of creative time. It reminded me of an earlier post on Fighting to Focus. Where’s Your Focus? From studies I’ve read, when you’re … Continue reading

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Organized Books and Lives

A couple weeks ago I encouraged you to get ready for NaNoWriMo–the writing group that produces a book in November. I hope you have an idea for it now. I also encouraged you to spend October getting organized so that … Continue reading

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Finding–and Maintaining–Passion for Your Writing

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality…Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” ~~Ralph … Continue reading

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Drains in Disguise

I was wrong–again. For twenty years, I’ve told students and wannabe writers that you have to put the writing first! Do it before other things take over your day. Fight the impulse to clean your kitchen first, or straighten your … Continue reading

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Gradual Exposure

  For many reasons, we set writing goals–and then promptly get stuck. The reasons vary: The goal is overwhelming, and we don’t know where to start. We don’t have an hour or two each day to devote to reaching our … Continue reading

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Can You Compartmentalize?

When re-reading Getting It Done by Andrew J. DuBrin, PH.D., I came to a section on dealing with procrastination. One suggestion is something I’d like your feedback on. He said you can make progress with procrastination if you “compartmentalize spheres of … Continue reading

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How to Create the “Not To-Do” List

Back in March, I wrote about pruning some things from life in order to have more time to write. (See my former post “The ‘Not To-Do’ List”.) In order to make time for anything new in your life, it requires … Continue reading

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Taking Effective Action

In the August edition of Randy Ingermanson’s free (wonderfully  helpful) newsletter, there was a link to a free e-book describing a new time management system Randy is using. (For back issues of Randy’s newsletter, go here.)  Since “free” is one … Continue reading

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How NOT To Be Taken Seriously

If you take yourself seriously, you will be taken seriously. A common complaint among new writers is that friends and family members don’t take them–or their writing–seriously. I tell them–truthfully–that the main thing they need to do is convince themselves … Continue reading

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