It’s OK If You Don’t Have Lion Mode
Today I saw a status update from a writing teacher who said: Lions spend most of their time relaxing but turn into focused predators when there’s food nearby. Writers should also spend most of their time relaxing. But when it’s time to write, they tune out distractions and be 100% focused. Whenever you write, turn…
Good Writing Is About Good Data
At Christmas my husband gave me an Oura ring, which tracks your sleep, activity levels and your ‘readiness’ — how much pressure your body can handle during a workout. I love it. I love seeing all the data and being able to track what effect certain variables have day-to-day. Sometimes, though, the data can mess with you. Like…
Focus On The Work, Not The Clock
The alternative subject line for today’s email was, help, I live with a small dragon. My dog, Obi, has a pretty robust hoarding habit, snorts like a dragon many times his size, and he does a little celebration dance every time he gets a new treat or treasure to add to his stash. Then once he’s…
It’s Art, Not A Dietary Regimen
Sometimes writing can feel like a chore. It goes on the to-do list, jostling with errands and deadlines, scrabbling to make it through the battle royale of a modern workday. On these days, when it just feels like another task to check off, you know what I do? I don’t write. I go and read…
Proof That Your Secret Dream Is Within Reach
Today I saw an ad for a new dating show on Netflix called Sexy Beasts. The pitch is… “Real-life singles sport elaborate makeup and prosthetics to put true blind-date chemistry to the test.” All these people are going on dates, in public, wearing various alien, animal and indescribable heads over their own, and I imagine this…
Try Again
I had such a lovely morning today. I woke up with that deeply smug feeling you get after 9 hours of sleep, and glided around the house, drinking my coffee and catching up with my sister. It was beautifully sunny outside, with a gentle breeze off the Atlantic rustling the trees overhead. So, fortunately, I…
Start Today
Today’s email is going to be a quick one. I have something very important to tell you, and I don’t want it to get lost in a long string of words. If you want to write, start today. Start now. If you don’t do it now, then when? There will always be a reason not…
You Can Only Vomit What You Eat
It’s a bit gross, I know, but it’s true. You can only vomit what you eat. Whether you’re working on becoming a better writer, a better artist, a better boss — what you produce is closely tied to what you consume. Let’s say you’re trying to be more honest with yourself in your private writing.…
What Do You Most Need To Write Today?
Today I fell down some stairs and now I have a perfectly straight, 10-inch bruise across my butt. I giggled when I finally looked at it, but I can tell you, taking a tumble did not put me in the mood for writing. However, the writing must go on, because the writing matters a whole…
Read Living Writers
Today I was doing some professional research (by which I definitely do not mean clicking manically through Amazon’s ‘suggested reads’ feed), and was struck by a happy fact.Most of the books showing up were written by people who are currently alive and working. Many were debut novelists and essayists; some were repeat achievers, and others…