Category Archives: A blog about the topics of writing

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing thoughts

Can you be Too Old to be a writer?

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When is one considered old? This headline caught my attention. It made me wonder if one can be too old to be a writer.

Of the writers I know locally, many are long in the tooth, as the saying goes. That has not slowed them down much.

If the bug is in you to write, or whatever your passion is, it doesn’t matter why your age, race, gender, or nationality is. For once it is in you, little will derail you. Yes, life has a way of slowing us, stopping us in our tracks. Even if one writes with no intention of being published, it is part of who you are.

I know writers who have been writing since they were teenagers. They always seem surprised when I tell them that I began writing in my 40ties. Yes, I wrote some poetry when I was a teenager, but it was my way of letting things out.

I wonder if I had continued on that path where my writing career would be, how many more would I have written.

While I am relatively new to this field, in comparison to those around me, this is something that I will continue to do as long as I can do it.

The bug is strong within me. May it be with you and the passion that burns inside.

A blog about the topics of writing

Making contacts through a social platform

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A fellow author reached out to me to collaborate with them on a book. Others have reached out to me over the last few years, and it has always fizzled out.

Knowing me already from a couple of local conferences where he was the lead speaker, he reached out for my expertise.

Yet, this post is not about me collaborating. It’s about making contacts through your writer’s group, online form, webinars, and conferences. I can’t stress enough how valuable it is in making contact.

I’ve said this many times in the past. I met someone through social media in a writer’s group. He told me about his editor, and at the time, I didn’t have one and couldn’t afford one. Reaching out, she soon became my editor. Nancy is worth her weight and gold and then some. But that’s how I found my editor. How did I find my first publisher? It was through LinkedIn. My second? Another contact

I stay vigilant when it comes to my social media, paying attention to everyone else, watch what’s going on. I keep my eyes out on people who I can help and who can help me. And from that, I’ve been fortunate in having some books out. I have met editors, illustrators, and just amazing people who have been supportive and helpful.

But it comes back to making contacts. If you want to do this alone, go for it. The journey is more interesting when you don’t.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing Advice

Do you get distracted when you write?

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Do you get distracted when you write? Are you near your TV, fridge, music, and things to keep you from writing your next great novel?

Focusing your mind on your story or your book is hard enough, but we have things that keep your mind off it makes it even harder. Help you if you go online to social platforms, Youtube, the weather, news, and anything else that can keep you distracted.

If so, how do you get yourself back to writing? One thing that I do is start a timer. I write for 10 minutes or more, and all I do is write. When time is up, I take a break from the computer. I get a snack, watch a video or walk around the house. Just taking a break from the writing helps me to stay more focused instead of just riding all the time.

By doing so, it breaks up my time. I can be more productive with my writing. If all you’re doing is writing, your mind will wander on things that aren’t relevant to the book. I also time my breaks with the same timer so when it goes off, I can get back to work. Does this work all the time? No, no it doesn’t. But it works a good portion of the time.

This is just an idea or thought that might help you with your writing. It may not work for everybody. It might just work a small percentage for you than it does for me. But maybe give it a try. You might find that you’re getting more writing done by taking breaks and having a bit of fun in between the sessions.