goal-setting

Read more about the article [Podcast] Kobo Writing Life Podcast: #344 – Committing to Your Writing Practice with Jessie Kwak

[Podcast] Kobo Writing Life Podcast: #344 – Committing to Your Writing Practice with Jessie Kwak

I recently had the pleasure of joining the Kobo Writing Life Podcast to chat about all things writing and publishing! As an author of over fifteen books, including series like The Nanshe Chronicles and The Bulari Saga, as well as standalone thrillers such as From Earth and Bone, my expansive career has touched on many aspects of the publishing world, and I had lots of amazing advice and insights to share. During our conversation, we covered a wide range of topics, including ghostwriting, writing sci-fi and paranormal thrillers, and time management as an author. I also shared what inspired me…

Read more about the article A look back, a look ahead

A look back, a look ahead

I've been thinking a lot about work these past few months. It's in the zeitgeist, as we collectively as a society realize we can't keep hustling at 125% day in and day out while the world goes up in flames around us and we pretend everything's fine. It's on the minds of several of my ghostwriting clients, who are coaching their own clients through burnout and trying to find meaning in their lives. And it's been on my mind as I juggle writing thoughtful posts about burnout for said clients — while kickstarting From Big Idea to Book, racing up…

Read more about the article What I Learned in My Third Year of Freelance Writing

What I Learned in My Third Year of Freelance Writing

Welcome to my annual review post, where I'm taking a look back at 2016 to see how I make a living writing. Read about Year 2 (2015) and Year 1 (2014). It's hard to believe I just finished up my third full year as a freelance writer. Every year has been a little different — and every year has gotten me that much closer to where I want to be in my business and life. I like doing these end of year posts — in part because they help tie a nice, tidy ribbon around the year, and in part because they…

Read more about the article Planning a Personal Retreat for Creativity and Career
Photo by Vladimir Kudinov via Unsplash.

Planning a Personal Retreat for Creativity and Career

I'm one of those people love fall. I mean, don't get me wrong – summer is great. I love the whole sunshine and being warm thing. But there's also something about summer that can be, well, exhausting. When the sun’s out, I feel compelled to take advantage of every gorgeous second. It's hard to hunker down and work when people are inviting you out for bike rides, and hikes, and early afternoon happy hours on sunshiny patios. Who wants to stay home for the weekend when you could go camping or out to the Oregon coast to get rained on?…

Read more about the article 9 Ways To Invest in Your Writing Business

9 Ways To Invest in Your Writing Business

(Fun fact!: 500,000 Venezuelan bolivares used to be worth about $300 USD. It is now worth $0 USD because they reissued their currency. Change your unstable currencies in the airport *before* you fly home, kids!) I like to set a theme for each year — particularly for my freelance writing business. This year’s theme? Pruning back the wrong opportunities, and investing in my business. Of course, I’ve been investing in my business all along. I joined the Freelance Writers Den. I took classes with people like Carol Tice and Ed Gandia. I invested in the software and tools, like Freshbooks…

Read more about the article What I Learned In My 2nd Year As A Full-Time Writer

What I Learned In My 2nd Year As A Full-Time Writer

My most popular post on this blog was last year’s look back at being a full-time writer in 2014. My goal in writing that post – and this one – is to share my story with others who are just dipping their toes into making a living with their writing. And, of course, others like me who are managing to make it pay the bills, but aren’t at “guru” status just yet. :) At the end of every year, I like to do a client analysis that helps me get a grasp on where I’m spending my time, and what are…

Read more about the article How to Set Goals You’ll Actually Keep

How to Set Goals You’ll Actually Keep

(Note: I originally wrote this post last year for GovLoop, but as the year’s end has rolled back around I think it’s still relevant. I’ve adapted it for this blog.) The new year is a traditional blank slate for most people, but despite our best intentions most of us don’t keep our New Year’s Resolutions much longer than January. The problem with the usual way of making resolutions is that they’re not often made in the context of our lives. I’m as guilty of that as anyone, so I want to propose a new way: rather than simply picking a goal…

Read more about the article Get In the Habit of Yearly Reflection

Get In the Habit of Yearly Reflection

(Note: I originally wrote this post last year for GovLoop, but as the year's end has rolled back around I think it's still relevant. I've adapted it for this blog.) Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love, And Play When No One Has The Time uses the word "time confetti" to describe the harried mishmash of time in modern life. Our days are sliced to ribbons by hordes of overlapping responsibilities, our constant connectivity to work allows it to seep into our personal lives, and the demands of our families seep into our work days. And any free time we manage…