Today I'm talking about the struggle to get back into a writing routine after the winter holidays. I know I'm not alone in expecting that fresh start feeling to kick in, in January, but it hasn't happened for me yet. The chaos of the holidays can make it hard to get back into a routine. But, I have learned over the years as a writer, that if you want to improve, you have to take action and actually write. I have some tips that can help, and an invitation to join me in a tiny challenge later this month... Thanks for listening.  LINKS: January Challenge: https://storyaday.org/jan-challenge

Back To Writing

It's an end-of-year episode with a twist (hint: don't want to set New Year's Resolutions? Join the rebellious crowd!) LINKS: Podcast interview archive: https://stada.me/interview Reading Room reviews: https://stada.me/read StoryAWeek Newsletter: https://storyaday.org/storyaweek

StADa175 Creative Rebelllion

In which we talk about ways to build a writing practice even when dealing with challenges like depression and ADHD (checkboxes, spreadsheets, and stickers...oh my!); and Mary Robinette shares a great method for ramping up writing productivity after a break. LINKS Part 1 of this interview Mary Robinette's Patreon

Where's My Butler? or Building a Writing Life, with guest Mary Robinette Kowal

Award-winning writer, podcaster, voice actor and puppeteer Mary Robinette Kowal stopped by the StoryADay podcast to talk about the novel, writing, and why you should consider putting a pet in your stories. 10:13 Research for Writers 11:49 Writing The Other 12:34 Can a stable relationship be interesting? 14:20 On the benefits of pets in stories 25:52 Part 1 Wrap Up and Links LINKS MaryRobinette.com Mary Robinette Kowal's Patreon  My Favorite Bit (10 best Fantine curses)  Buy the book, support an indie bookstore: https://stada.me/thespareman

Mary Robinette Kowal discusses The Spare Man - her new sci-fi murder mystery (Pt. 1)

Nobody ever feels they've done all the writing they could have done, in a year...but that's no reason to bury your head in the sand. Let's dig for treasure, instead! LINKS Annual Review Bundle: https://stada.me/apb Set and Meet Goals article: https://storyaday.org/set-and-meet-goals

It's Annual Review Time!

With six weeks left in the year, you may be looking to do a big push or you may want to chill. I have one tip that will make either of those options (or something in the middle) work. Also in this episode, some updates on my Tidy Desk Challenge and what's been going on around here at StoryADay recently. LINKS Read to write? Watch this peptalk Want to build a slow, steady practice? What this Want to finish one project this year? Watch this Ready to chill? Watch this

6 Weeks of Creativity

In which behavioral science tells me things I do not want to hear and I issue myself a Tidy Desk Challenge. (You are welcome to join me. Post on Instagram, use #TidyDeskChallenge and tag me @storyadaymay). LINKS: The StoryAWeek Newsletter: https://storyaday.org/storyaweek

StADa270 Tidy Desk Challenge

If you have set a writing goal for this month -- or if you have ever struggled with goals -- this is the podcast for you! My mentor said something so brilliantly simple this week that I simply HAD to share it with you...because it unlocked something about goals and our life's purpose. LINKS SWAGr post: https://stada.me/swagr

StADa269 - Goals Disrupt

Not every period in your writing life has to be one where you're churning out new words. So what should you be doing if you're in 'The Pause'? Follow the links for a workbook that will help you figure out your next steps. LINKS The Pause - https://storyaday.org/the-pause/ The Keep Writing Workbook - the perfect prep-work while you're in The Pause: https://stada.me/kww  

Are You in The Pause? - Episode 268

I've done a few challenges in my time (from StoryADay to NaNoWriMo) and I have some questions for you about how you're preparing and what you'll do instead/as well as outlining to sustain you through the month. LINKS Creative Challenge Workbook: https://stada.me/ccw StoryAWeek Newsletter: https://storyaday.org/storyaweek This episode: https://storayday.org/episode267    

StADa267 - Prepping for NaNoWriMo

It's dangerous to allow rejections, acceptances, marketing budgets or any other business-related nonsense to determine your worth as a writer. So who should you be listening to? In this episode, I have some thoughts... LINKS StoryADay Critique Week: https://stada.me/critique StoryAWeek Newsletter: https://storyaday.org/storyaweek 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc  

Who Do You Listen To?

This week I read you a writing prompt. Let's get writing! LINKS: https://storyaday.org/storyaweek  

A Writing Prompt

  What do you need to do to help you soar in your writing life? Join me for a Lesson in Creative Thermodynamics! LINKS: Leave a comment: storyaday.org/a-lesson-in-creative-thermodynamics The 3-Day Challenge: storyaday.org/3dc This episode: https://storyaday.org/episode264

Soaring

I'm obsessed with helping you write more and feel successful in your writing life (Yes, I was watching the E! Emmy's red carpet show this week. Thanks for the epithet, Laverne Cox!) What are you willing to do to become the writer you know you are inside? LINKS: Join the Superstars: https://stada.me/superstars

I'm Obsessed! Are You?

There is a lot going on in a writer's life. Make sure you are designing the one you actually want. LINKS: Fun-Size Challenge: https://storyaday.org/fun-size StoryAWeek Newsletter: https://storyaday.org/storyaweek

Design Your Writer Life

StoryADay September is coming! What's it going to look like, this year? Tune in and find out. PLUS I got some great advice this week on how to write a sequence that was stalling me. I'll share it in this episode. LINKS Sept Challenge: https://storyaday.org/fun-size StoryAWeek Newsletter: https://storyaday.org/storyaweek

Out of Order

Short stories and novels are different beasts, but there are skills that transfer between them, both in the craft and in the writing life. This week I'm talking about something I learned about the writing process, in my own writng this week. You might be surprised...   Sign up for the Fun-Sized StoryADay September Challenge: https://storyaday.org/next-challenge   Join the StoryAWeek private newsletter here: https://storyaday.org/storyaweek

From Short Story To Novel -- And Back Again -- Episode 250

Learning about the realities of the publishing industry can free you to create your own definition of success (that may or may not include traditional publishers). Step 1 towards success is to imagine your vision. Step 2 is to turn up for your writing, something the new StoryAWeek newsletter can help with! For industry perspective: Jane Friedman's The Hot Sheet: https://hotsheetpub.com/ Leave a comment about this episode: https://storyaday/episode259 Step into endless inspiration and creativity with StoryAWeek: https://storyaday.org/StoryAWeek   

Endless Inspiration and Creativity

This week I talk about the  creative boost I got from my recent travels, and how you can get a similar boost in your writing life, without even leaving home. I also tease some of the upcoming events at StoryADay as we look towards the change in seasons. Want more? Join me at the Writer Unboxed OnConference 2022:  https://writerunboxed.com/2022/08/05/writer-unboxed-onconference-community-focus/ Get the StoryADay Short Story Framework: https://storyaday.org/framework  

A Writer's Vacation - episode 258

Crafting a writing life isn't all about knowing where to put commas and how to develop characters. It's also about engaging with other humans. This week I'm in conversation with Larissa Sjarbaini, a high performance coach, about how to do that and why you might want to, even if you're an extreme introvert. And stay tuned for an opportunity to develop your own game plan for a writing life LINKS This episode: storyaday.org/episode257 Set Yourself Up For Success: storyaday.org/success-coaching

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