#123: Writer’s Mind, Beginner’s Mind

Hello Story Nurse,I want to write a novel. But I'm stuck. I have previously published non-fiction work in thesis, publication, monograph and script format. To me this kind of writing is, if not easy, intuitive. Pitching what I'm writing to the right audience is my particular strength. I've written for experts in my field and …

#118: NaNoWriMo and Writing like a Machine

The secret secondary goal of NaNo is to learn how you write under pressure.

#104: Blocked When Switching from Fanfic to Original Fiction

You're not entirely starting from scratch—many of your skills will carry over—but skills aren't methods, and you will have to develop new methods.

#100: Knowing When to Throw In the Towel

You have written 100,000 words of a lesson for yourself, which is that you cannot start by taking harmful stereotypes as givens and then write a harmless book.

#98: How to Write Without Plotting

When words like "hate" and "agony" come into play, then I do think it's time to consider not doing the thing that makes you feel like that.

#90: Writing Inclusive Stories That Are Scary, Angry, Painful, or Sad

I hope none of this discourages you from telling the stories you want to tell. They are valid, valuable stories about things that really matter, and there is an audience out there for them.

#69: Getting Unstuck from “Should”

Every single approach to writing is perfectly okay, as long as it's in line with the kind of writer you want to be.

#59: Accepting Your Writing Style

Celebrate your glorious ideas rather than treating yourself as a failure because plots are trickier for you.

#49: When Settings Are Fun and Stories Are Hard

You are totally permitted to just do the fun parts of this and skip the parts you dislike. Hobbies are for enjoying.

#48: Writing Characters Who Share Your Identities

Don't try to tell an "authentic" story. Instead, tell an "inauthentic" truth.