If writers are not owed a living, how the heck do we survive? Following on from last week’s newsletter when I mentioned the WGA writers’ strike, Bill Maher summed up the issues by proclaiming that screen and TV writers shouldn’t expect a guaranteed income. He said that the nature of…

Have you ever tried to give something up? Like smoking — or drinking? What about drugs? Or sugar? Fat? Meat, Sex, Gluten, MSG, lemon popsicles, treating people badly, or even watching TV, or worst, scrolling Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok for hours… Well, I have good news for you because, after…

Many new pensmiths are drawn to writing about their travels, their holidays, and their observations about the world. ​​​​​​​ Many websites and “schools” these days offer (often expensive) courses on effective travel writing that promise a glamorous and fun-filled life as a writer for magazines or coffee-table books. As with…

It’s surprisingly easy to get writing work from local businesses. At least that’s been my experience. Basically, all you need to do is let businesses know you offer business writing services — and they’ll call. The main caveat I would offer you is that it’s best to contact business offline…

You write a book for someone else, and they pay you to put their own name on it. Is that even legal? It is. And professional ghost writers defend their right to do it. There’s money to be made here because there are many people who have a lot to…

Probably the most consistent problem I’m asked to help with is how to sustain the momentum required to finish writing projects. Writing a book is apparently the secret wish of 90% of the population — as though writing a book somehow validates us as humans — and perhaps makes…

How To Create Writing Success — Here’s a cute lie that most people believe: Writing is more than a skill, a pastime or a way of making a living. It is a vocation — like being a nurse or missionary. …

Ever have those days when you’re muzzy and unmotivated? You know how it is. Sometimes you’re aware you should write, but you don’t feel like it. And even if you did, you’re plagued by not knowing what to write about. Or maybe you have an important scene or an…

Nobody will ever miss something you didn’t write. People don’t wish they could find a genius they are unaware of, hanker after a writer to inspire them, or wish they could find the book that hasn’t been written. It’s the harshest reality a writer must face. Nobody cares whether you…