Sometimes I find it hard to get started. Ironically, this happens most when I have too much time to write. You’d think a wide-open afternoon or a quiet weekend would be ideal—a golden opportunity to sink into the novel, churn out a short story, or finally respond to one of those tempting calls for flashContinueContinue reading “The Power of Words Inside Your Brain”
Category Archives: mindset
The Hidden Ground: Layers of Meaning in Storytelling
When I paint, I begin with a ground—a foundational layer brushed across the canvas to prepare the surface. Sometimes it’s a neutral tone, sometimes a subtle color. You don’t see it in the final image, not exactly. But it’s there, affecting everything laid on top. A cool blue ground makes the warm tones above itContinueContinue reading “The Hidden Ground: Layers of Meaning in Storytelling”
How to Edit Like a Pro: Tips & Tricks
Editing, is actually one of my favorite parts of writing. It’s where your rough draft is polished into something professional, compelling, and clear. But what is the best way to optimize your editing time? I’ve come to an approach through trial and error, and I hope these tips and tricks will help you refine yourContinueContinue reading “How to Edit Like a Pro: Tips & Tricks”
Open House: On Strangers, Judgment, and the Writer’s Unease
Today, strangers are walking through my house. They are peering into closets, glancing at the scuff marks on the stairs, maybe silently judging my taste in rugs or the fact that I’ve never fixed that one crooked cabinet door. I’m not there to see it—I’ve been banished to a local café by my realtor, likeContinueContinue reading “Open House: On Strangers, Judgment, and the Writer’s Unease”
Keep the Habit: Why Writers Must Keep Writing (Even in the Gaps)
One of the biggest dangers for a writer isn’t failure—it’s silence. Life has a way of crowding out creativity. Maybe it’s a high-pressure job, a move, a tough parenting stretch, or the illusion that you’ll “get back to it when things calm down.” But here’s the truth: if you stop writing, the skills begin toContinueContinue reading “Keep the Habit: Why Writers Must Keep Writing (Even in the Gaps)”
How Themes in Your Writing Can Help You the Author
Some famous author, and of course, I cannot remember who, and Google has failed me, once said they were tired of people asking him/her what the theme of their novel was as “Themes are for critics and academics to figure out, not for authors.” Given I can’t remember who said it, I’ll go with whatContinueContinue reading “How Themes in Your Writing Can Help You the Author”
Aspirational Bios
I often write about meeting writing goals: setting SMART goals, psychological tricks to make writing habits stick, and circumnavigating writer’s block. But one thing essential in reaching your goals is knowing clearly what they are. Do you know clearly what you should be working on right now? One trick from the life-skills and coaching literatureContinueContinue reading “Aspirational Bios”
Should you Finish Your Stories?
Well, you definitely should finish some of them. If you don’t you’ll never have anything published. I also do think you should finish most things. In part because endings are critical to a solid story, and if you only finish the really good stories, you won’t get in the practice on making the endings stick.ContinueContinue reading “Should you Finish Your Stories?”
View From the Other Side of the Slush Pile
So I slush read for two spec fiction magazines and have done so prior for one other. Without divulging anything sensitive or non-public, I thought it might be interesting to people to hear at least a little about what being a slush reader is like. Slush piles are different. Editors are different. Processes are different.ContinueContinue reading “View From the Other Side of the Slush Pile”
Writing with COVID
So don’t worry, this post isn’t really about COVID. Or not exactly anyway. It’s about adapting our writing and goals when life gets in the way. The reason for the title is just that COVID is the latest one of ‘lifes mishaps’ that has impacted my writing life. Coming back from vacation I had grandContinueContinue reading “Writing with COVID”
Gideon P. Smith 