In yoga there’s a concept called Beginner’s Mind based on the view that yoga is a “practice” not a destination. We’re always learning, even when we already know the steps and movements. How many times has the average person done a downward dog or child’s pose? Lots. But each time…
Being a writer is a wonderful rollercoaster of tremendous highs and terrible lows. It’s thrilling to imagine new worlds and find the best way to articulate the perfect sentence. It’s pure magic when a reader connects with the story you’re trying to tell. But it’s also incredibly hard when someone…
There’s nothing that makes a good story like a good villain. There’s nothing that drives a plot or builds great protagonists like a bad guy that we love to hate. Think of your favorite heroes in any book or film, and more than likely, they have an equally awesome antagonist…
One night several years ago, I attended a yoga class I’d been to many times before. Only this time a substitute had replaced the regular teacher. She moved around the room in the darkness, silently correcting body postures and giving encouragement. She seemed calm and constrained — less like she…
Lately, I’ve seen a lot of articles encouraging writers not to finish posts they’re not excited about, ditching their crappy NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) novels, and writing only when they feel the joy of it. I agree that sometimes you have to know when to cut your losses and…
Writing, both as a newbie and as a seasoned author — or anything else in life — is all about finding ways to be just a little better each day.
I’m a huge fan of James Clear’s Atomic Habits because he recommends starting at the smallest possible step in order…
Many writers spend countless hours researching their stories or studying how to be a good writer. Both of those are important, but in moderation. The only way to become good at something is to do it. Period. Confidence comes from doing the work and watching yourself make progress. …
I often hear productivity experts talk about the importance of giving up TV and gaming and other frivolous time wasters in order to create more content and use time more effectively. I understand the value of data and real-life experience via non-fiction and podcasts and self-help. I actually enjoy reading…
Why to be grateful when it feels like there’s nothing to be thankful for
Since this week is Thanksgiving in the U.S., I’ve been seeing a lot of social media posts with people expressing gratitude. And I’ve seen almost as many talking about how being blindly optimistic right now isn’t…
1. Do the job consistently: I can’t tell you how much difference it has made for me just to go from the mindset of writing when I feel like it to writing on a predetermined schedule. I write first thing in the morning, every day but Sunday, and it gets…
Publisher and indie author sharing thoughts about writing, wellness, and productivity. MA in Literature and lover of pop culture. https://www.emmaboone.com/
