The Biggest Fan: Why Every Writer Needs Someone to Believe in Them

Writing is hard, it's often thankless, and it's full of rejection. 

Every. Single. Day. 

Rejection.

If you're a writer, you probably already know how important it is to have someone on your team--someone who believes in you.

Why?

Photo by fauxels

1. Motivation

Having someone believe in your writing gives you the confidence to get started and keep going, even when it's tough. Sometimes all you need is a little push, and this person is here for it.

2. Confidence

Knowing that someone out there thinks your work is worth reading can make a huge difference. They know you have what it takes, and they never hesitate to tell you. 

3. Feedback

An ardent supporter is someone to bounce around ideas with, making it easier to get feedback and constructive criticism. This becomes invaluable when developing your stories and craft.

4. Encouragement 

They push you to be better and help you reach your potential, cheering for you the entire way. This can mean the difference between getting published and giving up too soon.

***

Every writer has a story to tell, but not every writer has someone who believes in them. 

I won't go so far as to say that a support system is essential to a writer's success, but having someone in your corner through the discouragement and the vulnerability--when the rejections pour in--can be a huge motivator to keep at it.

So if you're a writer and there's someone in your life who fits this description, cherish them. 

If you're not a writer (and you stumbled across this post by accident) but there's a writer in your life, be that person for them. 

If you're a writer without a tribe, consider joining a writing group (in-person or online) and start building relationships with other writers who can be that system for you.

And if you're in need of a quick pick-me-up, feel free to drop me a line or tag me in a tweet.

I'm more than happy to be that person for you.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

Setting Goals that Work for You

When it comes to achieving our writing goals, motivation is key. But sometimes it's hard to stay motivated, especially when we're facing challenges. 

(I wrote an entire book on how to work past those challenges, btw.) 

With #NaNoWriMo coming up and thousands of writers making plans to sit down at the keyboard and pound out those words, I thought I'd post a few reminders about staying motivated and working toward your goals.

Photo by Engin Akyurt

1. Be realistic. 

It's important to set goals that are actually achievable. 

Yes, it's possible to write a book in 30 days. It's less likely this can be accomplished in a single weekend. Don't set yourself up for failure by demanding something of yourself that isn't attainable. Goals should be challenging but not impossible. 

2. Get an action plan together.

Once your goals are set, break them down into smaller steps. 

It's possible to write 50,000 words in a single month, but it means sitting down and writing 1,666 words every day for those 30 days. That might mean writing 833 words in the morning and 833 more words at night. Or it might mean writing 416 words every hour for four hours. 

Either way, having a plan of action will help you stay on track and focused on what you need to accomplish.

3. Take things one step at a time. 

Trying to do too much at once can be overwhelming and lead to discouragement. 

I've only been able to participate in NaNoWriMo one time many, many years ago. As much as I adore this idea and as hard as I cheer everyone else on, my work schedule just doesn't allow me much free time in November. I'd be more likely to sign up if it were in June or July. 

The point? Don't set a goal or make a plan that's going to tip your (already full) plate of responsibilities. If you can't write a novel in thirty days, why not extend your finish line through the month of December? Give yourself 60 days, instead. 

Only you know what you're capable of realistically accomplishing. 

Push yourself, but don't push yourself. That is, don't push yourself past your reasonable limit. :)

And above all:

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~ 

Writing as Therapy: How Pen & Paper Help Us Heal

"This was so therapeutic." 

These are the words I see most often on the submissions for the "humiliation" piece in one of my classes. 

This is a creative non-fiction assignment that asks my students to examine an embarrassing moment or a dark secret--something they've never told anyone, are still working through, or have finally overcome.

Affairs, divorces, abortions, abuse.... 

I've read it all.

Outside of the requisite writing feedback, I am a no-judgment reviewer. They can tell me anything.

So yes, writing is therapeutic.

Photo by Cristian Escobar

It's a way to process and release emotions surrounding a specific event. It helps us understand our emotions or even view the situation from a different perspective. 

It can help us cope with anxiety and reduce stress. It can help us sort through our emotions and gain insight into our thoughts and feelings. 

Writing can help us understand ourselves better. It can help us move on from difficult experiences. 

The page doesn't judge, so expressing ourselves in this way is safe. The paper isn't going to misunderstand us. It isn't going to get angry or lash back. It's simply going to soak up the words until we're done with them and feel ready to move on. 

So if you're feeling low right now, if you're struggling with something, why not pull out a sheet of paper or open that clean word processing document and give it a try?

Then shoot me a message and let me know how it goes.

No judgment here. :)

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

When You're Burning Out

Writer burnout is a very real thing, and I feel fairly confident in saying that it affects every writer at one point or another. 

"Burnout" is the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that leads to a decrease in productivity. Writer burnout happens when a writer finds themselves not feeling any sort of passion for their work. 

Photo by Sebastian Sørensen

Now, I love a good slow-burn romance, but a slow burnout? Not so much. A slow burnout looks a lot like sitting down and not getting any work done, or struggling to get words onto the page, or avoiding sitting down to work at all, and it will seriously affect our productivity if it's not addressed. 

Early signs of writer burnout include a lack of motivation to get to work or a lack of excitement about our current project. It looks a lot like a lack of energy that can leave us feeling depressed or irritable. We may even dread going to the page because we know the writing isn't going "well."  

But if we can learn to recognize burnout at the onset, we may be able to rest and recharge before it gets too severe. 

(We need your stories, so please don't throw in the towel just yet.)

The best way to figure out how to recharge your writing batteries is to take a step back from your work. Try to focus on something else for a few minutes, a few hours, or even a few days. It can be as simple as doing the dishes or straightening up your desk. You can try meditating or taking long walks outside. Personally, I use movies to recharge. (Hello, Netflix!)

If you feel like you're in a rut and still want to write (especially if you're on a deadline), try going somewhere that's not your usual writing environment. Instead of writing in bed, head to a local coffee shop. Instead of writing in the morning, write at night. 

If you're not on a deadline, change up your format or genre. Instead of writing romance, try a mystery. If you were working on a novel, turn your attention to a short story or a poem. If you write on a laptop, pull out a pen. 

It's a truth that bears repeating: writing is not always fun. There are good writing days and not-so-good writing days. 

On those not-so-good days, focus on the long game, the end game, and try to remember your "why." 

Think about the readers you want to connect with. Think about the characters you want them to relate to or the storyline that you'll use to pull them away from reality for a few hours. Think about all the ways you'd like to inspire them and the message you want to impart.

Most importantly, keep in mind that for everything there is a season.

There is a season for writing, and there is a season for resting, and taking periods to rest is just as beneficial to your writing practice as "sitting down to write every day."

In fact, it's one of the best ways to...

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

On Rejection

Rejection is the universe's way of saying there's something better out there for us--that we're worth more than whatever this thing we are pursuing has to offer right now.

For writers, a rejection could mean there's a better publishing house, a better agent, a better journal, or even a better path than the one we're currently working toward.

Maybe we didn't place in that anthology contest, but there's a literary magazine we can submit to that will showcase our writing in a more effective way. Maybe we're not right for that agent's current list, but there's an agent we haven't submitted to yet who is going to champion us 100%. Maybe the book hasn't found a home because it's too niche, but we can reach our market more effectively by self-publishing. 

On the other hand....

Sometimes the rejection happens because the writing isn't ready or the story isn't as strong as it could be or the novel is missing that extra something that will make it stand out. Maybe the rejection is telling us that this obstacle will be one that helps us grow--it's going to turn us into better writers and storytellers.  

When it comes to rejection, though, we just need to trust the universe (that LIFE!) is supporting us. 

Photo by Monstera

Soren Kierkegaard said: "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."

We're not going to fully understand the path that we're on as we experience it, and, when we're in the middle of it all, it's so easy to lose hope. 

But the universe WANTS us to succeed. 

It's working for us and it's working with us. And whether it's for our growth or because something better is headed our way, that rejection is going to be what sends us down the right path: exactly where we're meant to be. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~  

Why You Need An Inspiration Board

If you've followed me for a while, you know how I feel about Scrivener as a writing tool. 

(If you haven't and don't know how I feel about it: I love it. There is no comparison. It's like it was made for my ADHD brain. If you're in the market for a new word processing program and ask my advice, I will proselytize--Scrivener--and thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.)

So one of the things I love most about Scrivener is that I can keep everything related to a project I'm working on in a single file. I have my chapter sections organized in Draft, sure, but Research is where I have the most fun. 

This is where I keep my brainstorming pages, links to any web pages I might need, my project Bible, and my...

INSPIRATION PAGE.

What's an inspiration page, you ask?

An inspiration page (also inspiration "board" or "folder" or "box," depending on the method of collection) is exactly what it sounds like: a page where I keep the items that inspire me most as they relate to the particular project on which I'm working.

What's on my inspiration page?

-Pictures of my main characters.

-Pictures of their houses or the key places they go (if they're described in the book). 

-Pictures of important articles of clothing--like a prom dress--or a hairstyle or piece of jewelry that plays a prominent role.

-Seasonal images (spring, Christmas, etc.) for world-building purposes.

-Links to songs that I associate with certain scenes.

I do have playlists for most of my books, but the inspiration page tells me exactly where the song fits into the book because I often put the song on a loop when I'm working on that particular scene. For instance, the Library Gala in The Guardian when Seth appears and dances with Genesis is linked to "So Close" by Jon McLaughlin.

 

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Here, we have an inspiration "wall." ;)

The inspiration pages vary from project to project, but what they help with most is grounding me in my story and the world in which it takes place. I keep pictures of my characters so I don't have to remember if I've written them with blue eyes or green. If I can't remember if the guy's hair is brown or black, it's easy to click over to my inspiration page to look at the image I've based him on. 

As an example: Luke Castellani (Revelation) was my young Gerard Butler. ;)

Thank you, Inspiration Page! 

Every now and again I'll toss in a YouTube link to a movie scene or trailer that elicits some kind of emotional response--anything that triggers the mood I need to capture for a certain scene.

The Bridgerton trailers are great at triggering, FYI, but I also love the scene from My Best Friend's Wedding when Jules confesses she's in love with Michael, and when Miles shows up for Arthur's big night, plops down beside Iris, and tells her she looks beautiful in The Holiday.  

I can't always trust myself to remember the color of my character's hair or the dress she wore or the song to which the love interest confesses his adoration, but if I upload an image or paste a link on my Inspiration Page in my project file, the information is always at my fingertips.

But Katie, you've just described Pinterest! Novel boards! Links! Images!

My dear Reader, do you even know what would happen to my ADHD-addled brain if I left my story to access a Pinterest board?

Nothing.

As in NOTHING would get accomplished for the rest of the day.

(My Pinterest board, however, would look lovely.)

Ergo, the Inspiration Page is built in Scrivener, and it stays in Scrivener.

Why an Inspiration Page? 

Because I believe if we sit down and get to work expecting the Muse will show up, she will. I also believe we can hurry her along--get her moving a little faster--if we can tap into the mood of our story, and that becomes possible once we've collected audio and visual material representative of what we're trying to create.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

Where Do Writers Get Their Inspiration From?

The Insecure Writer's Support Group Romance Anthology Authors are talking Inspiration over at the blog this week! 

Find out where we get our ideas from. 💖 

"I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve come to believe that writers co-create with the universe—that it offers us bits and pieces of information/inspiration because it wants us to do something with them. It’s happened when listening to music, while watching movies, when a character’s name fell right into my lap…. It’s never just 'thinking' about something; it always feels like more, somehow. So I take these bits and pieces and ruminate on them, adding and subtracting in the best interest of the story, and draw on whatever additional insights the universe is willing to toss my way with gratitude as I work toward 'The End.'" 

-- Katie Klein, "How to Save a Princess"

What Should I Write About? Part Deux

A few weeks ago I wrote a post called "What Should I Write About?" 

In it, I argued that a writer should focus on an idea that excites them and/or something that piques their curiosity. 

This week, I'll be more specific, so. . . .

What Should I Write About?

Well, look around you. 

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels

What's in the news? What are the hot topics? 

What headlines are grasping people's attention? 

What books are people reading? 

What movies and shows are they watching? 

What do they seem to want more of? 

What stories or storylines could use reinventing? 

Is there a new spin you can put on an old tale? 

Every new story told is informed by the stories that came before it. One story inspires the next and the next. . . .

There is nothing new under the sun--there is only our unique voice and style, and the choices that will make the story exclusively ours.

So take a familiar topic (that interests you and/or piques your curiosity) and manipulate it, telling the story as only you can.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

What Should I Write About?

An idea that excites you. 

Let's be real: you'll be reading this book a lot. And I mean . . . A LOT. If it's going to bore you, it's going to bore your reader. And since you're going to be investing the next three, six, nine, and/or twelve months of your life on this one story, it should be a good one. 

Something that piques your curiosity.

What's a topic you're interested in learning more about? And this doesn't only apply to non-fiction writers. Fiction writers: what setting and emotions do you want to dive into? What ideas and themes do you want to explore?

Stories are everywhere. Ideas are all around us. The more you take in (via books, the news cycle, movies, music, etc.) the more you'll have to draw upon when it comes time to sit in the chair and get to work. 

Life is too short to waste time on ideas you're only marginally interested in exploring. 

Keep it curious, and keep it exciting.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~ 

Your Gift To Readers

Why should I write a book?

No. The question is: why shouldn't you write a book?

Books are amazing contributions. They're a way to inspire or help other people. They teach us empathy. They transport us to other worlds.

They are a gift to those who read them.

But I'm scared. Writing a book is hard.

Yeah, writing is hard. Writing a book that resonates is even harder. But the perfect moment to sit down and do the job? That will never come. There will never be a time when fear isn't present. Our job is to act in spite of our fears--to show up and do the hard work anyway. 

Besides, it's not really about us. If we, as creators, see ourselves as a conduit of something that already demands to be birthed, well, that takes away at least some of the pressure. 

This thing--this book--it wants to be written. 

It wants you to write it.

Why?

Because it's your idea. It came to you. It chose you.

Because maybe someone out there needs your stories or the information you want to impart or your encouraging words.

Seems pretty rude to withhold that from the world, don't you think?

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

A Love Note To the Bloggers (and Readers) Out There

"The most important blog post . . . It is on the most important blog. Yours. Even if no one but you reads it. The blog you write each day is the blog you need the most. It’s a compass and a mirror, a chance to put a stake in the ground and refine your thoughts. And the most important post? The one you’ll write tomorrow."

-Seth Godin-

This space *is* my compass and my mirror, and even if there are those who claim that blogging has gone stale (at best) or is completely dead (at worst), I love having this record of these years--a place to call my own. 

So here's to you, writers of blogs--to everyone who shows up with and shares their ideas. Thank you.

And thank you, blog reader, for hanging with me as I refine these (weekly) thoughts on reading, writing, and all things creative.

You keep this space alive.

Photo by Monstera from Pexels

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

On Writing for Writing's Sake

"Writing is not about publication, 

though publication can be a splendid event. 

Writing is about writing."

"People should be able to write and feel proud 

without ever being published. 

Writing is a human right . . . 

and humans should be able to do it 

without being judged as failures 

for not making the professional cut."

-Mark Edmundson-

Why Write?

On Creating Yourself

Lately I’ve Pondered. . . .

(from the newsletter)

“Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” —Lolly Daskal

This is a really nice reminder for us to stop looking and start doing. We are the sum of the little decisions we make every single day. If we want to be a writer, we need to sit down and write. If we want to learn French for that trip to Paris, we need to gather the necessary resources and start using them. If we want to learn to play that song, we have to put in the time and practice.

Life is not meant to be lived passively, with things happening to us—we’re supposed to go out and do all the things—to make life happen for us to the greatest degree we’re able (because yes, there is sometimes the unexpected, which forces us to recalibrate).

Even so, we will only understand the path we’ve charted when we look back on our lives—how this action led to this discovery which led to that situation—but even if life can only be fully comprehended in reverse, we were not called to this earth to remain on the sidelines.

We get to decide who or what we’re going to be. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

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The Time is Passing Anyway

Lately I’ve Pondered. . . .

(from the newsletter)

“Never give up on a dream just because of the time 

it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” 

                                                                —Earl Nightingale

When we’re caught up in the day-to-day, drowning in an endless cycle of “responsibilities” (I mean, how many loads of laundry *must* a family of four produce each week?), it’s so easy to forget that time is passing. 

When I was younger, I knew I wanted to grow up and get married, but I’m not sure I envisioned anything past that benchmark. In another year, I will be staring down 40. The time is passing, and, looking back, I am grateful I have carved out a serious writing space in the last decade. Am I exactly where I want to be? Not necessarily. Because I find as I accomplish one goal, I immediately set another. I try to raise the stakes in my expectations for myself as much as I raise them in my stories. 

There’s still so much I want to do—so much I want to learn and make happen. But all I really have is today and how I choose to spend whatever minutes I can spare for myself when I’m not staring down a pile of darks or folding towels into thirds. Writing is the dream, and the time is passing anyway.

So the point to ponder is this: what’s your dream, and what’s keeping you from making it happen?

Don’t let time run out on you. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

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No Failures, Only Lessons

Lately I’ve Pondered 

(from the newsletter)

There are no failures, only lessons. We either win or we learn. 

I don’t know who to attribute this aphorism to. There are many iterations of this idea spoken by any number of influential people. 

Nelson Mandela might come closest with: “I never lose. I either win or learn.” 

It’s a worthy endeavor, I think, to reframe the “failures” we experience as lessons—ways to grow, markers to gauge improvement, milestones on our journey. Because if we try and fail at something, but we learn something new to apply to next time (in that the failure could eventually lead to a success), is it even failing? 

Really?

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

Five Things to Remember When Setting Your Goals

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's that time again!

Let's be real: 2020 was kind of a cluster. I'm holding out hope that 2021 will be better. So, if you're like me and want to accomplish all the things this year, here are five things to keep in mind:

1. Write the Goals Down

It's proven that just in writing your goals down, you're more likely to accomplish them. Make a list and keep it handy. (But don't overload yourself. Limit your list to the three to ten things you MOST want to accomplish.)

2. Make them Specific

Don't just say you want to "read more" or "write more." Write down how many books you want to read a week. Determine how many words you want to write a day, and which story (or stories) you want to write.

3. Create a Plan and Set Deadlines

What will it take to read a certain number of books in a year? Trips to the library? Penciling "reading time" into your schedule? If I wanted to read six books a month, that's one book every five days. With due dates, that's two individual trips to the library. The first and fifteenth could be designated library days. I could find a quiet place and read for thirty minutes after dinner every evening. . . . 

Get an action plan together.

4. Get Out of the Way

I fully believe that we are in control of our own destiny. I'm not a fan of assigning blame or even letting past events or situations affect our today and tomorrow. Don't sabotage your goals with a negative mindset. 

Believe in yourself.

And that voice in your head that says you can't? He's a liar. Tell him to shut the hell up. 

5. Remember WHY These Goals Were Set

Maybe it's to become more well-rounded. Maybe it's to step outside of a comfort zone. The "why" is just as important as the "what" and "how." This is what you will return to when the road gets tough. 

So . . . what do you want to accomplish in 2021?

Your goals don't have to be reading or writing-related, either. Make this the year you get healthy--both physically and spiritually. Make this the year you save for that trip. Learn that language. Work for that promotion. Make that career change. Go back to school.

Step into your "discomfort" zone. 

Live intentionally.

Figure out what matters most to you and make those tough decisions (if necessary). 

Get moving.

And, as always: Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

A Writer's Superpower

Dear Writer,

Your self-conscious, overthinking, over-analyzing brain is your Superpower.

You are an introvert, yes, and you may tend toward some anxiety and obsessive behaviors. Society wants you to see this as a negative, but it's not. You have a rich, inner life that allows you to do what you do. 

It's that self-consciousness and over-analyzing that ensures you only put out your best work at the time, and the obsession means you will go through a work again and again until it's the best you can possibly make it.

There will be gaps when you first begin--of course there will be--but the traits you consider "bad" can only be so if they're keeping you from submitting or finishing a project completely.

So write the words. Be self-conscious about them. Overthink the project. Over-analyze everything. Fix whatever bothers you about it until you are done thinking and analyzing and ready to let it go.

Use your Superpower, then share the story you've spun from nothing (your own tiny miracle) with the rest of us.

We're anxiously waiting.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~ 

Never Too Late

lately i’ve pondered. . . .

(from the newsletter)

“I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.”

It’s possible to wake up one morning and not even recognize the person we’ve become, but this change rarely happens overnight because we are a product of a hundred thousand tiny decisions made in various increments over the course of weeks, months, and years.

It’s *never* too late to amend a habit or characteristic or begin working on a new goal, but this means adjusting who you were yesterday to reflect who you want to be tomorrow, which means making even the smallest of changes today.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~ 

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Do the Work

lately i’ve pondered. . . . 

(from the newsletter)

A tweet recently went out from one of the quote feeds I follow: 

“Do your work with all your heart and you will succeed.”

What a lovely thought, right? That if we do what we love then success will inevitably follow? I’m not sure it’s fair to promise this, though. Success is never guaranteed. We hope that, of course, if we consistently show up and do the hard work we’ll be rewarded in some way, but no one promises fame, fortune, or “success” just because we’ve worked hard at something. 

Or maybe I’m looking at this from a very Westernized idea of what “success” is. Maybe it’s time to redefine “success.” Because sitting down to write a book and reaching “the end”—that, in itself, is a success. Completing the painting, learning the instrument, preparing the new dish—these are their own little successes. 

Do the work with all your heart, and you will succeed . . . by having done the work?

Not quite as pithy, but sometimes it has to be enough to just “do the work with all your heart.” Full stop. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

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On Being "Not Good Enough"

It's in our nature to assume someone (or anyone, or everyone) else is more creative than we will ever be.

But don't let your feelings of being "not good enough" stop you from doing what you want (or were meant) to do.

Practice your creativity. Show up. Do the work.

It's risky putting yourself out there, but it's worth it.

Jump, then strengthen your wings on the way down.

Above all, keep your eyes on your own paper. Your creative journey will look vastly different from the person next to you, just as his journey will look different from hers, just as hers will look different from. . . .

You get the idea. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~