We’ve spent the last few weeks unpacking all kinds of creative writing ruts. Missed a post? Here they are below.
I’m working on a lovely ghostwritten memoir project with a client who has always wanted power and control over their situation. (Who doesn’t?) Part of their philosophy is that we always have the ability to analyze a situation, take responsibility, and change our circumstances. He’s talking about business, not creativity. It’s even more true with creativity! (Where we deal with fewer external forces and the only supply chain issues are in our neurons.)
We can choose to see our creative responsibility as a burden, or as power. The truth is, nobody is going to give as much of a shit about your creative writing as you are. Not your spouse, not your parent, not your agent, not your editor. I hope that they all care very much about it, but you are always going to care more.
The burden is that, yeah, you need to then ideate, draft, self-edit, submit yourself for writing feedback, learn the craft and the market, and all of that other stuff that comes with your dream of having a lifelong writing journey. But that’s the good part, too. Because only you’re standing in your own way. And if you’re not standing in your own way, or if you want to stand in your own way a little bit less this year, then the only person you have to talk to about that … is YOU!
About Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.
Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com
About Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.
Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600
Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3MHPZFL
NEW RELEASE! How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ
Get social with us:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco