4. Continuing to work on a project you have no passion for or interest in (just for the sake of finishing it) is never worth it.
1. Even 500 words of a story is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
2. You’ll forget about the unfinished stories that never would have landed anyway — and that’s OK.
3. You will forgive yourself for walking away. Most of the time, it’s for the best.
4. Continuing to work on a project you have no passion for or interest in is never worth it.
Continue reading “10 Lessons Your Unfinished Writing Projects Will Teach You”
Writing for companies and websites isn’t always the end goal, but it’s worth it.
1. You often, technically, do not own your work, even when your name is on it.
2. But working for a large company with a website can get you the exposure you need to branch out.
3. Not all writing opportunities will give you the chance to work closely one-on-one with an editor.
4. But the ones that do will change your life.
Continue reading “The 12 Things No One Ever Tells You About Writing for Other People”
3. Once you learn about distracting website blocking apps, you’ll never go back.
1. Twitter isn’t the only place to share your work/connect with writers, and it’s probably not the best, either.
2. Writing forums and Facebook groups still exist – and they might serve as better communities to be a part of, if you can find positive, supportive ones.
3. Once you learn about distracting website blocking apps, you’ll never go back.
4. You don’t “need” the internet to write a book. You don’t have to know every detail when you’re writing a first draft, even if your brain tries to convince you otherwise.
Continue reading “10 Reminders for Writers Who Are So Done With the Internet (Ugh)”
5. Don’t ask yourself what you did wrong. Instead, look at what you can do better next time.
1. Make it about the work you submitted, not yourself. Your work and your worth are two separate things.
2. Don’t treat rejection as a failure. View it as a chance to learn and grow. (I know that sounds like a fluff response, but never underestimate the power of asking: “What do I need to learn from this experience?”)
3. If your rejection came in the form of an email or phone call, try not to keep rereading or replaying it over and over. There might come a point where you can look it over to learn from it (if it includes helpful feedback), but not right now. Not yet.
4. Work on a project for no reason other than it brings you joy. Focus, for now, on what makes you happy.
Continue reading “12 Tips for Writers Struggling to Rebound After Rejection”
Writing is a constant cycle of learning, applying what you’ve learned, and learning even more.
The Blank Page is a new weekly series on Novelty Revisions dedicated to any writer who is just beginning their journey or starting again after a long pause. Check back every Monday for more tips and inspiration.
Writing is a constant cycle of learning, applying what you’ve learned, and learning even more. Even those who have mastered their craft still learn new things every single day.
Not all these lessons are easy to accept. But they will change your life as a writer all the same.
Continue reading “The Hardest Lessons a Writer Will Ever Learn | The Blank Page”
Sometimes we set out to tell a story because we can’t escape its call. It’s not always necessary to tell us everything we could have done better.
Many, many writers are desperately searching for feedback on their work.
And rightfully so. Constructive criticism boosts confidence and helps writers set goals for improvement.
But not every writer wants (or needs) specific feedback on their work from strangers.
Continue reading “Sometimes Writers Aren’t Actually Looking for Feedback”
You will always regret the words you never say/write.
1. Your words are enough. And so are you.
2. You have every right to express yourself and write about what interests and inspires you.
3. What’s “valuable” to a person differs by the person. Just because one person might not resonate with it doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.
4. Honestly? The only person who has the right to decide whether or not your words have value … is you. Almost all that self-doubt is likely coming from somewhere or someone else.
Continue reading “12 Reminders for Writers Who Feel Like They Have Nothing Valuable to Say”
3. Rejection isn’t the end of your journey. For many, it’s the beginning.
1. More writers are nervous about writing, querying, publishing, etc. than you think. We just don’t talk about it enough.
2. Fearing failure is normal and OK, as long as you’re also willing to face that fear.
3. Rejection isn’t the end of your journey. For many, it’s the beginning.
4. If you don’t feel like sharing your writing with a bunch of strangers (yet or ever) … you don’t have to.
Continue reading “10 Things Every Nervous Writer Should Know”
3. Write about things that interest you even if it’s “just for you.”
1. Set a goal. Define exactly what “more” means for you personally.
2. Write consistently. NOT EVERY DAY (unless you can/want to), but on a schedule. The more you practice writing on a schedule, the easier it gets.
3. Write about things that interest you even if it’s “just for you.”
4. Embrace the First Draft Philosophy. Write now, edit later.
Continue reading “10 Secrets to Writing More (and Getting Really Good At It)”
3. You treat mistakes and rejection as learning experiences instead of epic failures.
1. Reminding yourself that facing a challenge does not mean you’re a bad writer.
2. Reaching out to other writers when you need help. Sometimes a quick “you got this!” is enough to calm your nerves and help you refocus your efforts.
3. Treating mistakes and rejection as learning experiences instead of epic failures.
4. Leaning on your support system. Sometimes it’s a friend or family member. Sometimes it’s someone in your online writing network. It could be a mentor, an instructor, an editor — if you have someone or something to hold you up, you’ll never sink low enough to seriously consider quitting.
Continue reading “12 Strong Habits of Writers Who Don’t Give Up”
Meg Dowell Writes 
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