"Breathe in experience, breathe out poetry." Mariel Rukeyser
A Writing Tool
Here are three of my favorite gifts for writers:
Chicago Manual Of Style Guidelines (Quick Study) - This laminated, trifold guide answers 99% of an author's style and grammar questions using the style demanded by publishers. This is a tool writers will use over and over again.
My favorite craft book for writers is Story Genius by Lisa Cron. This book helps writers develop robust characters and stories that have meaning.
Because it's 2020, why not get the writer in your life a literary face mask? A quick search on Etsy turned up a variety of fun face masks for writers.
Productivity Tip
Keep writing your novel until you reach "The End." The temptation to go back and start editing before the novel is finished can feel overwhelming. If you've been writing for NaNoWriMo or are nearing the end of your novel for any reason, give yourself permission to keep writing until it's finished, even if it isn't as good as you would like. Once the story is on the page, you'll have something to fix. Writing a novel means revising, so give yourself the raw material you need to create something great. Finish your novel.
There's a Story Here: Hondarribia, Spain, 1997
What story would you write about this photo?
Next Step Book Coach - If you're ready to start your novel, are stuck in the middle, or have finished and need to know what to do next - we can help.