Tag Archives: advice

The Antidote to Panic

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Lida Bushloper

I saw a call for a new anthology. I thought had a story in inventory that would work. I had written it a few years ago and run it by my critique partner. Stephanie made some astute comments and I revised the story … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, anthologies, authors, experience, feedback, revision, short stories, the writing life, writers, writing | 2 Comments

It Depends

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Lida Bushloper

Back when I was a Girl Scout, I went to camp every summer. Even the littlest campers were expected to help out with chores, both in their individual units and in the larger campground. One week, I was assigned to … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, anthologies, authors, contests, feedback, Girl Scouts, persistence, short stories, submissions, submitting, the writing life, writers, writing | 1 Comment

Looking Backwards

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

I’m not one for nostalgia. I don’t view the past with some hazy golden glow. I remember all too well the struggles, heartbreaks and hard work of my younger years. Besides, I’m happy now, so the past holds little attraction … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, nostalgia, success, the writing life, writers, writing | 2 Comments

Roughing It

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

In my last post, I talked a bit about how we get ideas. But getting the idea is worthless if we immediately lose its essence. We have to capture not just the idea, but its context. Many writers talk about … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, ideas, the writing life, writers, writing | 2 Comments

The Least I Can Do

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

Writing can be overwhelming. It’s like any other huge job. Getting a college or advanced degree. Cleaning out the garage. Getting your affairs in order, for when you die. All the advice books tell you to break it all down … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, blog posts, blogging, creativity, essays, getting started, ideas, novels, productivity, short stories, the writing life, writers, writing | 6 Comments

Distraction Subtraction

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

“A definite purpose, like blinders on a horse, inevitably narrows its possessor’s point of view.” Robert Frost Horses have their eyes on the sides of the heads. They wear blinders to keep them focused on the task at hand, and not startled … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, distractions, focus, goals, quotes, resources, Robert Frost, the writing life, writers, writing | 5 Comments

The Words That Kill My Writing

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

Lots of words and phrases put my writing and my writing career in grave danger. Some come from inside myself. Well, actually most of them these days come from within myself, even if they originally came from outside sources. These … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, getting started, habits, performance, the writing life, time management, writers, writing | 6 Comments

We Are Not Alone!

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

No I’m not referring to extraterrestrials. I’m referring to the hurdles we face in getting published, getting accepted, getting read. I recently saw an article in my local paper titled “The Odds of Getting Hired,” by Angela Copeland. It stated … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, job hunting, networking, publishing, submitting, the writing life, writers, writing | 3 Comments

Note to Self: Stop Talking

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

To myself, I mean. Or rather, more specifically, stop the mental negative self-talk that doesn’t help and only makes me miserable. Stop saying I have no ideas. Stop saying I have no time. Stop saying my work is too quirky to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, getting started, ideas, negative thoughts, performance, positive thinking, productivity, self-talk, the writing life, writers, writing | 11 Comments

The Simplest Cure

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

Yesterday my life was awful. I felt discouraged, stuck, overwhelmed and unlovable. Yet, nothing had changed from the day before, when everything was fine. Today, I’m upbeat, tackling chores and creative projects with verve, hope and confidence. Nothing in my … Continue reading →