As aspiring writers, we are told to develop thick skins to handle criticism that is sure to come our way. For some, compliments are equally hard to accept. Here’s how to deal with that. “Quotation is the highest compliment you can pay an author.” ― Samuel Johnson If you are, like me, insecure about the…
How to find a rhythm when you’re both working from home It’s a sunny November Sunday. Our little family of three is in the garden, enjoying the sun. That is, two of us are enjoying the sun. Our Amstaff is hard at work, trying to catch whatever is buzzing around us — a solitary bee,…
…and how you deal with that It happens to me all the time: I have an idea, usually in the shower or doing something else that prevents me from noting down that idea immediately. I will have to remember it until I can reach my phone (with dry hands) or one of my notebooks scattered…
The decisions I made this NaNoWriMo It is November and National Novel Writing Month is upon us again. With everything going on in my life at the moment, it sneaked up on me yet again, imposing questions on me: should I even participate this year? should I (finally) finish one of the books I started…
A Day of Change November 1 is my — late — grandmother’s birthday. Although ‘Oma’ has long gone from my life, I still feel her presence to this day. For as long as I can remember, November 1 has been a special day for me. It signifies new endeavours or major changes in my life….
How do you create ideal writing conditions? If you are committed to becoming a writer, you are going to have to question yourself on a regular basis. You may have to get to know yourself all over again, even reinvent yourself. “A little talent is a good thing to have if you want to be…