How does one exactly balance the rigors of daily life and writing?  I think that question has as many answers as there are writers out there.  I know, we’ve heard from Sean that he needed to step away for a while when change in job was an issue.  I’ve seen evidence that when the stress and uncertainty of job-change is in the air, it affects others the same way.  Not having changed jobs in a while, I’m not exactly sure what it would do to me and my writing. But there are other things to consider too:  family, friends, hobbies, daily chores.  They all need time.  For me personally, I’ve got commitments with church, I’m taking an evening class, my […]

My competitive nature has never been more apparent to me than it is right now.  Bare with me a moment while I explain. I’ve been writing and editing AND plotting the past while.  I’ve been creating and sending out submission packages.  I even managed the time (with the rest of the SWN crew) to do an interview for The Writing Show (blatant plug).  But I haven’t REALLY been generating new story ideas.  Nope, I’ve been more focused on what’s in front of me than what’s ahead. I feel a bit stuck with the same old stuff, actually. As usual, I’ve been talking with Aaron who seems to have new ideas every day.  Sometimes every hour.  He bounces them off me, they […]

One of the most common questions I see (yes, see not hear) is “where do you get your ideas from?”  I say see, because I always seem to see it when I’m reading interviews with writers.  Personally, I don’t think I’ve had that question more than once or twice. Maybe it’s because my ideas don’t seem quite as interesting as someone else’s? Whatever the reason, I’m going to assume for a moment that you, dear reader, would like to know where I get some of the ideas for my stories.  That’s not what you’d like to know?  Sorry… what was that?  You’re kind of fading out on me…  Nothing to say?  Fine, let’s push on. I could tell you that […]

Everyone seems to be in a reflective mood this week.  I’m not sure if it’s because we’re all in the Winter Doldrums, going through work-related issues or just suffering existential-angst, but it’s affecting me too. The further down the writing pathway I get, the more I think about why I write in the first place.  Is it because I want fame and fortune?  Hmm… not really.  How about awards and recognition?  Again, the answer would have to be no. Don’t get me wrong, if I were to become famous and wealthy from writing, I wouldn’t complain.  The same goes for getting recognized by others for being good at this craft. Still, I think it’s much more fundamental than that.  When […]