writing – Y. M. NELSON

NaNo Day 17 – Quote of the Day

I saw this from a Pep Talk email by Alexander Chee. I thought, this is the hardest thing for me to do. I’m always giving my writing time to others, and later, I feel guilty for it. One more habit: if someone asks you to do something during your writing time, say no. Protect yourContinue reading “NaNo Day 17 – Quote of the Day”

Writing Insight: Inagural Post

Each month, I will post a lesson or tip regarding writing: techniques, inspiration, revising/editing, etc. and answer any questions you may have regarding writing. Post any questions in the comments below, and I will answer them in subsequent “Writing Insight” posts. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lost in the Maze: Revising and Editing

Revising is sometimes ‘like a nightmare’, especially when you’ve crafted what you think is this easy-to-follow, wonderfully evolving story. Line edits are much easier: for the most part grammar is black and white. This is part of a comment from a post I read about revising and editing from Joynell Schultz’ Blog on revising and editingContinue reading “Lost in the Maze: Revising and Editing”

. . .Then This is for You! (A Post about Target Audiences)

When I think about an audience for a piece, I think about not what I want to say, but what does someone who’s going to pick up this piece of writing want to hear? In business writing, it’s all about audience: it’s about connecting to them, respecting them, and most of the time, soliciting theirContinue reading “. . .Then This is for You! (A Post about Target Audiences)”

Reflections on the Journey

For the past several years, my career and my life has been one of transition: going from writer-in-my-head (and to a few friends) with a day job to struggling novelist with a day job to unpublished novelist and adjunct English instructor to struggling novelist with a day job and adjunct English Instructor. I never thoughtContinue reading “Reflections on the Journey”

The anxiety of waiting

If you’re a writer, you’ve felt it before: the creepy crawly feeling up the back of your arms, the burning racing feeling inside your chest, the tingly feeling in your fingers and toes. No, it’s not a crazy heartburn: it’s the anxiety of waiting. Most people have spent some of their time waiting, but forContinue reading “The anxiety of waiting”

You need a job, not a dream

Recently, I went back through my blog and found this post about quitting a day job to start a writing career. It got me conversing and thinking deeply about my current job search and writing career. I’ve had a very emotionally draining last few years, but they have taught me a lot about what IContinue reading “You need a job, not a dream”