Tag: writing mindset

Break Out of Your Writing Rut with Experimentation

Posted September 29, 2022 by Amanda Shofner in Writing
Break Out of Your Writing Rut with Experimentation

Ever had a writing rut? Blogging rut? A life rut? It happens to the best of us. Me. You. But whenever you land headfirst in a rut, how do you react? If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’re going to keep getting what you’ve always got That didn’t become a famous adage for […]

Your First Draft Should Suck (And Here’s Why)

Posted September 22, 2022 by Amanda Shofner in Writing
Your First Draft Should Suck (And Here’s Why)

When I took my first college-level English course, my professor had us read “Shitty First Drafts” (from Bird by Bird) by Anne Lamott. The point? Your first draft is supposed to be shitty. It was something I understood on an intellectual level, but never applied to myself. In fact, I have a long history of […]

Self-Care for Writers with Day Jobs

Posted November 27, 2018 by Amanda Shofner in Writing
Self-Care for Writers with Day Jobs

Writing can be hard. And when you have a non-writing job that pays your bills, finding the time and energy to sit down and get words down can be challenging. I get it. I’m right there with you. I mean, I’ve been thinking about writing this post on self-care for writers for at least a […]

On writer’s guilt (and setting goals)

Posted December 13, 2016 by Amanda Shofner in Writing
On writer’s guilt (and setting goals)

Writer’s guilt usually comes in the form of the voice that whispers you should be writing. Writer’s guilt doesn’t care what else is going on in your life. If you work 40 hours a week, commute to work, and have kids (human or fur), you should still be writing enough to compete with people writing full time. […]

On the Comparison Trap

Posted August 13, 2015 by Amanda Shofner in Writing
On the Comparison Trap

Listen, writers, we need to talk. As lonely as writing can be, sometimes it can be even lonelier when you see your writing buddies or role models slapping down more words and publishing more successful books than you are. It’s easy to forget we’re unique. That we have circumstances or skills or brains different from […]