I wonder if other writers are influenced by unrealistic expectations and self-inflicted pressure when undertaking the task of revision. Do they also sit around, expecting ideas to land on their lap like so many butterflies on a spring day in a sunny meadow? Robins are nearby singing, not a cloud in the sky, and so on.
Tag: books
The Joy of Reading
Each time a book is shared, the reader and the writer collaborate in the construction of meaning. I don’t know about you, but I find this exciting and magical and a reason to get up in the morning.
My Strange Writing Habit
by Debbie Bateman Photo by evgenyatamenko on iStock. Public domain. A Useful Revision Technique It started innocently enough as a revision technique I learned from Stella Leventoyannis Harvey when I was in The Writer’s Studio program. She suggested we retype our manuscript really fast without thinking too much. What an idea! I love speed. That…… Continue reading My Strange Writing Habit
The Feedback Loop
Image use purchased from Adobe Types of Feedback Over the years, I’ve experienced a lot of different forms of feedback on my writing—from encouraging rejection notes to varied insights in workshops and in-depth analysis from a mentor. Most of this has been helpful. I would not be the writer I am without that support. And…… Continue reading The Feedback Loop
Working the Empathy Muscle
Image use purchased from Adobe First Comes Reading My urge to put words onto the page began with reading. Owen Meany, an elephant whose name is Mud, an Irish boy called Henry, couples sat about a table drinking and talking foolish about love—these encounters with fiction can be as real and meaningful as my actual…… Continue reading Working the Empathy Muscle
Star Ratings
Image use purchased from Adobe The Age of Stars We live in the age of stars, not the ones in the sky nor the famous actors, but the system of ratings we issue for everything from toilet paper to movies. I’ll be the first to admit that this system comes in handy, especially when I’m…… Continue reading Star Ratings
Everything in Your Head
Image use purchased from Adobe Stock Being Read A few days ago, as I approached the house where we hold a weekly drumming circle, I was greeted by a fellow member of our happy little group. As we walked the remaining steps towards the house, carrying our djembes inside their own special backpacks, she said…… Continue reading Everything in Your Head
Ideas That Stick
Image use purchased from Adobe Stock About First Drafts In the earlier days of becoming a writer, I’d panic at any lack of fresh ideas. A lot of the advice I read said to keep going no matter what, that first drafts were all a mess, and the trick was to continue. Good or bad,…… Continue reading Ideas That Stick
Freshening the Mind
Image use purchased from Adobe Stock An Innocent Start It started innocently enough as a habit formed on sound advice from Stella Leventoyannis Harvey. Early in The Writer’s Studio program I completed a few years ago, she suggested to the workshop group that it can be helpful to retype a story as a final act…… Continue reading Freshening the Mind
Do You Believe in Writer’s Block?
Image use purchased from Adobe stock Smarty Pants Not so long ago, I responded to a general author question on Goodreads asking for my thoughts on writer’s block. Thinking myself smart, I immediately declared that I no longer believe it exists. I scoffed at the very suggestion that a writer could be blocked. A few…… Continue reading Do You Believe in Writer’s Block?
Debbie Bateman 