annedegraaf.com

International—Intrigue—Injustice

When the actual writing has to happen . . .

· Take baby steps

· Write in twenty-minute chunks of time (which grow)

· Write down the fears—shedding light on them lessens their power. Then write down the dreams, hopes, and promises—shedding light on them increases their power

· Take walks—lots of them—and notice a new detail daily

· Write longhand first thing in the morning for 20 minutes as a sort-of brain dump

· Give yourself permission to write badly

· What you like to watch movies about and read books about—that’s what you most love to write about

· When all else fails . . .

More Writing Wisdom

Writing often heals the writer more than the reader.

If God plants passion in your heart, follow it.

If it’s not fun to write, it won’t be fun to read.

 

Books that helped Anne de Graaf:

· The Right to Write, The Artist’s Way, and Vein of Gold—by Julia Cameron

· On Writing by Stephen King

· The Breakout Novel and The Career Novelist—by Donald Maass

· Bird by Bird, Traveling Mercies, and Plan B—by Anne Lamott

Find yourself a tropical island and go there

(at least in your mind)

O No!