Since then, our members have done amazing things. We’ve witnessed the completion of novels that have been stalled far too long. We’ve seen the release of debut books by first-time novelists. We’ve celebrated the successes of our experienced authors.
Most of all, we’ve connected through these uncertain times and made friendships that will last a lifetime.
I’m going to post our story below.
Make sure you take a look at all the Writers’ Mastermind has to offer.
Hello, I’m Christa, and I’m tired of being a struggling writer.
It is a miraculous time in the writing world. Today, the dream of becoming an author is possible for everyone.
But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
I am a self-published author. I work as a digital marketer, but I hope to become a full-time fiction writer one day.
But I feel overwhelmed and lost. I am not selling many books. I’m not moving forward. I feel I haven’t reached my full potential as a writer.
I know I can learn how to do anything with the resources available online—writing, marketing, publishing, querying, etc.—but that’s the problem. There is too much information.
You can choose from countless courses—if you have hundreds of dollars, and if you can commit weeks or months of your life to finish them. There are webinars and downloads and blogs and podcasts and the list goes on and on. Which path to choose?
I’m suffering from information paralysis. This has prevented me from making decisions and taking action when it comes to developing my fiction writing career.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of being a struggling writer. I’m not going to allow anything, especially myself, get in the way of writing anymore.
THE VISION: Writers’ Mastermind Group
Writers are busy. Most have day jobs and families. Many tend to drift, writing and marketing sporadically, never gaining momentum. In a world inundated with information, they need the essentials, delivered in a timely, organized manner that ensures they are learning something new every month and taking the steps that bring them closer to becoming a successful author.
The Writers’ Mastermind is a platform where fiction writers can find actionable information and resources to take them from story concept to published work.
The Writers’ Mastermind is also a support hub where members can attend critique swap meetings, Zoom pow-wows, and fun events.
Our masterminds provide encouragement and camaraderie to writers all across the world who’ve historically been isolated in their vocation. We don’t have to do it alone anymore.
Novices learn from the seasoned authors. Old schoolers learn from the trailblazers. The Mastermind provides a place where writers can network, collaborate, and make connections to extend their opportunities and reach.
Every other month, we feature an expert in a masterclass focused on writing techniques, marketing, querying, or fostering creativity. This includes a short video series with accompanying workbooks, guides, and materials on the subject for that month.
Each specialist will do a live Q&A with the members on a Zoom.
Members are able to access the classes at their convenience and learn at their own pace. Select mastermind calls are taped and available for replay. The entire bank of classes is available to paying members at all times.
The Writers’ Mastermind also holds a writing contest each year to grow our community while providing aspiring fiction writers a venue to showcase their work.
This membership site is at an extremely reasonable rate—with a 30-day FREE trial and then $19 a month, affording writers a huge value for their monthly subscription.
JOIN US!
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Every other Monday, we will introduce you to a writer from the Writers’ Mastermind. Today, we have Joseph Sale, a novelist and editor (aka The Mindflayer).
Meet Joseph Sale
Joseph is a prolific novelist and editor. His first novel, The Darkest Touch, was published by Dark Hall Press in 2014. He is published with The Writing Collective and has authored more than ten novels, including his Black Gate trilogy, and his love-letter to fantasy: Save Game. He grew up in the Lovecraftian seaside town of Bournemouth.
He edits non-fiction and fiction, helping fledgling authors to realise their potential. He has edited some of the best new voices in speculative fiction including Ross Jeffery, Emily Harrison, Christa Wojciechowski, and more. His short fiction has appeared in Tales from the Shadow Booth, edited by Dan Coxon, as well as in Idle Ink, Silver Blade, Fiction Vortex, Nonbinary Review, Edgar Allan Poet and Storgy Magazine. His stories have also appeared in anthologies such as You Are Not Alone (Storgy), Lost Voices (The Writing Collective), Technological Horror (Dark Hall Press), Burnt Fur (Blood Bound Books) and Exit Earth (Storgy). In 2017 he was nominated for The Guardian’s ‘Not The Booker’ prize.
He is obsessed with Attack on Titan and Community.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where are you now? What has your life been like?
I’m Joseph Sale, sometimes called The Mindflayer, and I’m from Bournemouth, a little seaside town clinging to the southern coast of England. It’s a strange place, at once beautiful and Innsmouth-esque. Now, I’m a little further north, in the historic town of Winchester, where one of the many alleged round tables of King Arthur resides (I have to say, it’s bad-ass; it’s hung up on the wall of a castle, and makes for a pretty imposing talisman). My life has been a series of incarcerations and liberations; imprisonment in an awful school in which children were being brutalised on a daily basis – then freedom from it. Incarceration in meaningless work, then liberation from it. And finally, the incarceration of my own limiting beliefs and – though hard won – a mental liberation. The strangest and most wondrous thing about my life is that after twenty seven years, it has only just begun.
2. What kind of stories do you write?
I am fascinated by encounters with the divine, the indescribable, the ineffable, the demonic, the eldritch, and how these experiences change who we are forever. As a result, the genres I write in vary greatly, but there is always a theme of the supernatural, or supra-normal. Sometimes this takes the form of cosmic horror, and there is a lot of horror in my work, but fantasy is equally if not more important.
3. What sets you apart from other writers in your space?
This is a tough question to answer without slipping into ego. However, I think what separates my work is style and form, and then the flood of emotion that bursts through that. Most writers, I find, are writing the story as it manifests in their head; they’re “setting it down”, which is awesome. However, because I’m a freak and a weirdo (cue Radiohead song), I’m more approaching the writing from, I guess, a poet’s standpoint: how is X or Y word going to affect the reader? How can this sentence mimetically embody the meaning of what I’m trying to say? For me, language is not a means to an end, it is the end.
4. What drives your writing? What do you mean to accomplish with your stories?
Words are a form of magic, an incantation, and they should be used as such to cast an emotionally healing spell upon the reader. My hope is that, in reading my stories, people will see not only an emblem of their own condition, but a way to become liberated from it, even if momentarily. The Greek word for this is catharsis, and I think it’s certainly my ultimate aim. I don’t always achieve it, but it’s always what I’m striving for.
5. Who are you favorite writers and books? What are your other creative influences?
There are so many favourites it is hard to know where to begin! In terms of big names, I love the phantasmagorical wonder and horror (and also eroticism) of Clive Barker’s mythopeic epics. Barker is surely a prophet, glimpsing a universe beyond our mortal bounds.
I adore the heartfelt, spellbinding narratives of Grady Hendrix. His My Best Friend’s Exorcism is, in my mind, one of the greatest novels ever written.
I’m a big fan of the classics too, and Edmund Spenser is an overlooked genius of the Elizabethan era, whose fantastical epic The Faerie Queene was a huge inspiration for my upcoming project Virtue’s End.
In terms of indie writers, well, now there are so many names I am surely going to miss a few, but I think the indie scene is really where there is an abundance of talent and some of the most exciting literature emerging. My favourite authors here are Christa Wojciechowski (your good self), surely one of the best writers alive today, indie or not: psychological insight, supple and beautiful prose, characters one adores, and fathoms of depth. Ross Jeffery is a phenomenal writer, though I am biased as I’m his editor! I also love Dan Soule, a truly classic horror author; Iseult Murphy, whom I’ve already mentioned; S. C. Mendes, who writes phenomenal occult thrillers; Nikki Noir, who writes erotic, occult horror (it’s as incredible as it sounds); the mysterious Gordon James, a Writing Collective author, and criminally underrated; I also love the YA fantasy epic Hecctrossipy by Bia Bella Baker. She’s a master world-builder.
There are so many more, but to list them all would take up a book’s worth of space!
6. Do you write in silence? Background noise? Or music? What kind?
I used to write to music, but I generally find that now I use music to kind of “hype up” for writing a specific scene, and the writing itself takes place in silence. Music is a very important part of who I am, I think. I listen to an eclectic range, from Tupac to Avenged Sevenfold to the gorgeous baroque of J. S. Bach and Vivaldi. I wrote the entirety of the final Black Gate book listening to “Et In Terra Pax”, which is arguably one of my all time favourite pieces of music. That was an instance the music was on. Because there were no words to distract me, I could just let the melodies wash over my ears, and hypnotise me into the trance I needed to be in to see and feel the ending of the story.
7. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not writing?
Nerd stuff!! I love to play video games, Magic: The Gathering, and to paint miniatures. But if I had to say one thing: I am a Game Master and have created my own unique RPG system known as Dead World: Desecrated Empires (which for the first time ever is being released onto the world July 2021). We play over Zoom (it was a godsend during lockdown!) and have sessions every week. We’ve occupied this fantasy world for so long, it feels real to us in the same way that a regular holiday destination does to others.
8. Who is your current celebrity crush?
Oh no. Don’t do this to me. Last time I played this game with my wife she almost killed me… Okay, well, they say honesty is the best policy, right? Alexandra Daddario would have to be my crush. I think she’s an amazing actress with charisma overload; she was mesmeric in We Summon The Darkness as a psychopath with serious, serious daddy issues, and in True Detective she managed to make a character who could have been so forgettable absolutely iconic. Why are you looking at me like that? It’s her acting, dammit! That’s the reason for the crush. No other reason!
9. Why do you think it’s important to write fiction?
Where to begin? Narrative is a form of therapy, which is why even people without a creative bone in their body can get a lot of relief by simply journalling, speaking to someone about their problems, or perhaps even going so far as to write a biography. But fiction trumps non-fiction and biography in one key way: it allows us to use the power of imagination to visualise an alternative outcome. In other words, we can, quite literally, re-write the narratives of our lives. It is not easily done, I hasten to add, but when it is achieved, this can be more potently healing than merely chronicling or “reflecting”. Reflecting is key, because it leads to self-awareness, the first step of any true healing or awakening. But in and of itself it’s “dead” because it lacks movement or transformation. Fiction allows us to transubstantiate the stale and rotten bread of our lives into the living flesh of Christ. It is only by taking this final step, of removing the veil and worship of “reality”, that we can transcend our fears and reach true healing. When we do this, we become something greater.
10. Who would be the best writer, alive or dead, to tell the story of your life?
Oh that’s an interesting one! It would have to be someone very good at writing the supernatural, let me tell you! Someone like Barker would probably be a great fit, because he would understand the British cultural elements, the frustrations with the hierarchy and classism of our society, the friendships and loves formed from striving in the gutter, and the encounters with the divine. But equally I think someone like Ross Jeffery would do an amazing job. He regularly visits Bournemouth, so he understands a little bit of the lingo and feel of the place in which I was raised, and he also has a great feel for the supernatural and the spiritual.
11. What are you working on right now?
So many things! I always tend to be two or three books ahead of myself. My next release will be announced in full soon, but suffice to say it’s a short novel called The Tunnel, about a camgirl going up against a gigantic two-tonne killer crocodile on a murder-rampage in London. I’ve got Desecrated Empires, my RPG book, which is now in proofing stage and coming out July time. I also have my occult fantasy epic, Virtue’s End, which may come at the end of 2021, or early 2022. I am still editing this. It’s vast in scope, and undoubtedly the most ambitious and beautiful thing I’ve ever done. Finally, I’m working on a new book which might become a series, quite daunting but exciting. I am not entirely sure what it is going to become yet, but it has supernatural and occult elements…
DARK HILARITY
Tara Dufrain and Nicola Morgan are eleven year old girls growing up in the ‘90s, obsessed by Valentine Killshot, a metal screamo band. In particular, they’re enamoured by the lead singer, the mysterious yet charismatic Jed Maine who bears the epithet “The Cretin”. In Jed’s lyrics, he describes a world beyond the Dark Stars that he hopes one day to reach. The girls think it’s all just make-believe they share together, until a freak, traumatic incident makes this world very real. As adults, Tara and Nicola try to come to terms with the devastating catastrophe that changed their lives growing up, but to do so they will have to step once more into Jed Maine’s world, and confront the man who took everything from them. Dark Hilarity is My Best Friend’s Exorcism meets The Never-Ending Story, a fantasy that explores addiction, depression, and the healing power of friendship.
If adding “Published Author” after your name is one of your goals, you’re probably itching to polish a NaNoWriMo manuscript or a WIP that is marinating on your hard drive and send it out into the world.
But don’t just run a final spellcheck and pronounce your work ready for publication.
If you are serious about publishing, your first readers should be beta readers.
And just what is a beta reader?
Think of beta readers as superhero partners/readers for your WIP. Correctly employed, your superheroes can save you time and money.
How? I’m glad you asked!
Ideally, you want to assemble a team of beta readers. By getting focused, constructive criticism from multiple viewpoints, you’ll be able to identify (and you’ll have the opportunity to address) potential problems with your manuscript before you spend money on professional editing. Then, when you do hire an editor, you’ll get more bang for your buck. (Learn more at Three Things You Shouldn’t Hire an Editor to Do.)
Each one of your superheroes will have a different strength, and no one beta reader will offer the same level of advice in every area. (That’s why you’ll get the most comprehensive feedback from a team.) Some will be generalists, some will be detail-oriented, but they’ll each see your story in a new way, because
Beta readers approach your manuscript from a fresh point of view.
Here are the types of beta readers who make perfect team members:
The Workhorse: a reader who is very familiar with your genre—perhaps a reviewer of books in your genre who can let you know if the story is entertaining, has a good flow and interesting characters, and where you dropped the ball if something isn’t working.
The Expert: a writer with an intimate knowledge of both the type of story you’ve written and the craft of storytelling. This reader/writer can be invaluable when it comes to constructive criticism about the way you’ve told your story and can offer useful suggestions for other things to try.
The Professor: this is the stickler for grammar. Of course, you’ve already run spell-check and grammar-check programs, but this type of proofreading step will save you time and money when you’re ready to hire a professional editor. (For more money-saving self-editing tips, check out How to Save Money on Professional Editing by Preparing Your Manuscript.)
The Bookworm: a reader who is representative of your average reader, perhaps a reviewer, maybe just an avid reader, but someone who can let you know about the experience of reading your book. Do your opening pages create a desire to keep reading? Does the action slow down in the middle of the story? Are the characters fully fleshed out?
Now, how does this team do its magic? The short answer is: That’s up to you.
You decide what guidance, if any, your beta readers get.
Do you want to ask your readers to look for specific things, or do you want to let them read the work and give their natural reactions? If you are concerned about a specific issue, by all means ask your superheroes to zero in on that part of your manuscript.
If you prefer to just cut them loose and see what they come up with, you can do that, too. (Hint: most beta readers appreciate some guidance, so feel free to create a list of things that are important to you.)
Through trial and error, you’ll learn who provides the type of valuable critique you’re looking for . . . and who doesn’t.
What is the most valuable skill beta readers possess?
It’s the ability to be honest with you.
This point cannot be overstated. Critiquing a manuscript isn’t a popularity contest, so surrounding yourself with people who will tell you how wonderful your story is and what a great writer you are won’t help you. (Your spouse, parent, or BFF probably won’t be as objective as you need a beta reader to be, either.)
I’m not suggesting you take every suggestion to heart and revise your manuscript by committee, but do give careful consideration to each suggestion, and then reject those that really don’t work for you. If three of your four beta readers make the same observation about your tendency to overuse adverbs, for example, you’ll be wise to go through your manuscript one more time to see how many adverbs you can remove.
Your beta readers’ input allows you to go back and do minor (or even major) revising before you spend your hard-earned money on professional editing . . . which means your editor’s time can be spent on helping you polish the remaining rough edges instead of trying to explain why your character’s motivation doesn’t make sense or your middle chapters lack action.
And now I’d like to offer a few words of advice to beta readers and the authors they critique:
First, to beta readers:
If you’re asked to be a beta reader, approach the manuscript like a teacher: point out what works for you and what doesn’t, and explain why you feel that way. The writer trusts you to understand that this is a draft, and she’s looking for constructive criticism. She might not incorporate all your suggestions, but merely the fact that you’ve pointed something out and had a great explanation will make you an invaluable member of a team . . . and there might be chocolate chip cookies involved, although I can’t promise anything.
Next, to the authors:
Your beta readers are not professional editors or writing coaches, so don’t expect them to do the heavy lifting. Do be clear about your expectations and your timeframe, and remember that they are unpaid volunteers and are making time to read and critique your manuscript. If their advice proves helpful, they can be invaluable to your writing career, but even if you reject some suggestions, thank them profusely for their time, both in person and in writing in your acknowledgments. And, if possible, offer to pay them back by being a beta reader for their manuscripts in exchange.
In my experience as an editor, one of the most common mistakes writers make is believing their work is ready to publish when more revising and editing are necessary. This often leads to higher editing bills because your editor will have to make edits that beta readers might have pointed out to you at no (or low) cost! So start now to line up a group of beta readers who are willing to give you their honest assessment about every aspect of your story.
Have you used beta readers?
I’d love to know how their comments helped you with your next round of revisions. Have you ever used beta readers at multiple stages of revising your manuscript? If you’ve been a beta reader for another writer, did you find the experience helped you with your own writing?
Happy Writing,
Candace
Look forward to Candace Johnson’s masterclass in the Writers’ Mastermind
SYSTEMIZED SELF-EDITING
Get access to this class and all the benefits of membership with your free trial.
Candace Johnson is a professional freelance editor, proofreader, writer, and writing coach who has worked with traditional publishers, self-published authors, and independent book packagers on nonfiction subjects ranging from memoirs to alternative medical treatments to self-help, and on fiction ranging from romance to paranormal. As an editorial specialist, Candace is passionate about offering her clients the opportunity to take their work to the next level. She believes in maintaining an author’s unique voice while helping him or her create and polish every sentence to make it the best it can be. Learn more here.
Are you having trouble finding fiction writing critique groups that actually help you?
One of the most effective ways to become a better fiction writer is to get feedback from fellow authors.
Introducing THE CHAIR (beta)
What is THE CHAIR?
The Chair is a weekly live Zoom call with 5 writers. Each writer will submit a short story or excerpt for feedback.
Each week, one writer will take The Chair. They will read their story or excerpt out loud and then receive feedback from each writer in the critique group during the meeting.
Objectives:
to get comfortable with expressing yourself in front of an audience
to check flow by reading out loud
to receive insight and feedback from four of your peers on structure, plot, character development, style, and more
to gain insight on what to do and what not to do by reading the others’ work
Submission Requirements:
2,500 words
open genre
Details:
Groups will be kept to 5 people.
Each round of THE CHAIR will take 5 weeks.
The time and day will be determined once participants are finalized.
Each week, we are going to introduce you to a writer from the Writers’ Mastermind. Today, we have Bia Bella Baker, author of YA Sci-fi Fantasy Hecctrossipy, which is FREE on Amazon for the next 3 days!
Meet Bia Bella Baker
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where are you now? What has your life been like?
I was born in Rahway New Jersey, and ended up clear across the country in St. Cloud Florida. As for what my life has been like, I’ve been around for 41 years, so I wouldn’t be sure where to begin. Rest assured, I’m not about to ramble. So here goes the condensed version—attending a boarding school for misfit kids, adventures in experiencing a hodge-podge of volunteer jobs, a ridiculous love-life, and several self reincarnations—but all the while, I always aspired to write.
2. What kind of stories do you write?
For now, I’m a young adult sci-fi & fantasy writer, but I have a pretty loaded multi-genre backlist.
3. What sets you apart from other writers in your space?
With two million or so books being released every year, I honestly didn’t count on my HECCTROSSIPY series being all that original, but others told me how unique it really is. I realized this too, when I searched the digital bookstores for other books in the YA sci-fi & fantasy genre like mine. The others I found, where the story takes place on a different planet, still have the expected science fiction or fantasy tropes, like political conflict, battles, and magic. The first novel in my series has neither of these things. The people of Velva Leena have a hive mentality. There are problems on their world, but they don’t involve war and politics. Strange and unexplainable things do happen on this planet, but there’s an organic explanation for everything.
My series is more like a teen drama that happens on a different planet. It could still be counted as sci-fi because it’s all about extraterrestrials and their very non-Earth-like culture, beliefs, their way of life, and their physical abilities that us humans don’t have, but it’s no Star Wars or Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It could be counted as fantasy, because there’s mythology involved, and folklore, but you’re not going to find any sprites and unicorns, and stuff like that. There’s also a bit of paranormal. Before the first book was published, I wasn’t even sure what genre to put it in.
The second book is going to be even more of a cross-genre mutant hybrid. There’s still the soap opera type stuff going on, but with more of a pre apocalyptic theme to it. Then add in a flare of murder mystery. The second book will also focus more on my characters’ personal and spiritual growth, especially with my main character, Artheena. Her psychic ability is getting sharper, which adds more of the paranormal element. There is also a new thing going on, what would seem to us Earthlings, like religious fanaticism. Yeah, you get the point. So far, at the time of this interview, my series is still very original.
4. What drives your writing? What do you mean to accomplish with your stories?
I just love it. Simple as that. I love the escapism. I love being other characters and experiencing what they experience. It’s so much fun to come up with dramas and new worlds, and just let my imagination go berserk. Writing about made-up planets is one of my favorites.
What I mean to accomplish with my writing is, to entertain people with compelling stories that are life-like enough to make them feel like they’re part of the experience, and that they feel they know the characters personally. The goal is to make my stories immersive enough to hit an emotional nerve, or stimulate the senses and imagination, and most of all, I love to take readers on a plot twist roller coaster. I would love for readers to get the same escapism enjoyment out of reading my books as I get with writing them.
And of course, of course, my dream is to make a good living off of this.
5. Who are you favorite writers and books? What are your other creative influences?
Sorry, but I’m going to be vague and generic with this one. I read so many different authors of books of all kinds of genres, I can’t point out a favorite. My creative influence is sugar. If I’m not watching my sugar intake, it has a weird imagination trip, hallucinogenic effect on my brain.
6. Do you write in silence? Background noise? Or music? What kind?
I have to cancel out the world around me, when I write, and make my work area as under stimulating to the senses as possible. My room has to be dark, and with the door closed, and I have to have an oscillating fan on for white noise. My sense of concentration is that flimsy.
7. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not writing?
I love pole-vaulting and cross-country skiing and scuba diving. I design clothes and accessories for pets. And I love to experiment with making new and unique flavors of marmalade and fruit compote, which I give to the poor children. Seriously, for real, I’m so freaking boring with hobbies. When I’m not writing, I love to read, explore Apple Music, browse on-line stores, and watch crime investigation shows.
8. Who is your current celebrity crush?
Hahahaha! How did this question end up in an interview about writing? I haven’t had a silly, dreamy, real celebrity crush in so long. Since I lost most of my vision, I only had fleeting feelings of just “kind of having a thing” for this or that guy, and they were all singers. But I didn’t consider them actual crushes. They were a voice that sounded hot, for a song or two. Or they had a passionate way of delivering a song, that gave me the chills in hidden places. Once I heard their song that got to me, enough times, the feeling would fade away.
Real celebrity crushes, for me, were visual. If I knew what he looked like, the crush was just more there, because I could fantasize about him, and ogle at pictures of him. Unlike my fleeting crushes on a singer’s voice, the visual crushes lasted for months. I used to even feel giddy and jittery when one of my celebrity crushes came on TV.
9. Why do you think it’s important to write fiction?
It’s important to write fiction, because it’s my favorite thing to do in the world, and it gives me a greater sense of purpose. If life started really getting sucky. Like, if my parents died, and I got bogged down by elephantitis in the left leg, or something. As long as I have my computer, and an overactive imagination, I’ll get along just fine.
10. Who would be the best writer, alive or dead, to tell the story of your life?
That would have to be me, because I’m such a loner who stays kind of hidden away a lot. If anyone wanted to write about my life, it would turn out a book that was based on a true story, because they would have to make up a bunch of stuff to fill in the blanks.
11. What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m working on the second book in my HECCTROSSIPY series. It’s going to be called The Will of the Dark Creator, which I’m hoping to get released before the end of the year.
HECCTROSSIPY: BOOK ONE THE LEGEND OF THE LAND (VELVA LEENA 1)
The alignment of the three moons is a sign of positive changes to come… But the moons never promised that such changes will happen to everybody… On the pre-industrial planet of Velva Leena, two sisters eagerly anticipate the Hecctrossipy Festival, Continent 15’s yearly tradition that celebrates the victory over a legendary evil monster, who had the power to manipulate the elements, and create chaos.
Artheena is smart, talented, beautiful, and blessed with multiple gifted abilities. Mell May, on the other hand, is simple and average. Both are in love with Leeandro Paul, a celebrity heart-throb who has an intriguing way of turning the leaders of the land into his followers.
Artheena has a premonition of marrying him, during the alignment of the three moons. While on her quest for true love, she gets caught up in unexpected adventures, embarrassing situations, and experiences beyond her wildest dreams, including an outrageous contest that challenges Continent 15’s strict, conservative social standards.
Through it all, Artheena and Mell May’s close bond is also challenged. When the festival comes, the sisters have the time of their lives… Until Leeandro Paul makes an announcement that shocks his fans. An unimaginable secret is revealed, that might tear the two sisters apart for good.
Last month, we enjoyed an insightful webinar with coach, podcaster, and author Christie Adams on Time Management for Writers. And in this post, I bring you a glimpse of the most valuable tips we learned from her.
At the Writers’ Mastermind Group, a new masterclass from experts and award-winning authors rolls out every month, bringing value and motivation to writers. So get ready to make the best of your time and energy as a writer.
A Writer’s Wellbeing
Although some of us have a primary job that helps us pay the bills, we consider writing our genuine work. We do all it takes to squeeze our writing into our busy schedule, even if it means writing late at night after finishing our house chores, helping our children with their studies, etc., or at dawn before the world wakes up.
However, we forget to nourish the most important part of this tapestry with all this hustle: ourselves, and we get lost among our responsibilities.
Firstly, we are so active with the many things we have to do that we take our physical and mental health for granted, expecting to be always resilient. But, if we don’t take care of ourselves and our precious minds, we can get burned out quickly and waste our creativity.
Secondly, our time is unproductive if we don’t organize our schedule by prioritizing our most urgent tasks. We must give our work a defined time because life is worth enjoying, and writing is a huge part of that.
Time Management Tips
Here are the 13 tips Christie Adams that we discussed in that mastermind session. I hope they will bring you the motivation to look after yourself as the creative jewel that you are and help you to manage your time more effectively.
Look after yourself. You guessed it. This is paramount since we are the main piece of this creative puzzle. Adopt healthy habits that will help you feel energized and strong enough to carry with your to-do list.
Don’t forget your fair amounts of veggies, proteins, fruits, and carbohydrates.
Exercise every day for a minimum of 20 minutes, or take short walks.
Listening to music while you take your daily showers will revitalize you.
Pay attention to your mental health as well, especially if you are passing through a difficult time. Instead of lamenting and questioning your luck, ask what this experience teaches you, what you need to see, and how you can solve this problem. When we shift our questions, we will see different perspectives of the same situation and choose the best solution.
Find the time when you can commit to writing. Perhaps you are a morning person, and you have no trouble waking up early when your mind is the most creative. Or you love writing at night with your coffee or a glass of wine while your muse visits you. Keep in mind that blogging, writing emails, and posting on social media are also writing work, so make space for these tasks in your schedule.
Prepare a schedule and stick to it. Organize each activity (like work, blogging, creative writing, household duties, family time, exercise) by giving each task a defined time. Start your day early and finish what’s most important first. Prioritizing tasks and being disciplined are paramount to productivity.
Set daily achievable goals. Choose three to four goals max so you can commit to them. Once you achieve your daily aims, you will feel empowered and motivated.
Close the door when you write. Set a “no disturb” time and let your friends and family know that. Don’t think of anything else other than writing when you enter this space of time. When others see how serious you are about your writing, they will respect it as well.
Create your personal writing space. Whether it is your study or a corner in your parlor or bedroom, prepare a particular environment that will inspire you every time you come to write.
Save the information you find which can help you with your writing. Write down any idea or tip you read or hear as a writing prompt. This will allow you to remember what to look for next time and the subjects you need to learn and consider.
Schedule time every week for studying and learning new writing skills or topics. Modern writers must know about marketing, networking, and personal branding. You can also learn by listening to podcasts and reading the latest literary articles that shed light on these subjects. It is never too late to learn new stuff.
Set boundaries for your sake! By organizing your time and setting a limited time for each activity, you avoid burning out. Otherwise, you will resent losing your creativity.
Don’t overwork. If you are a workaholic, set the alarm in your phone or a timer to take several breaks during your day. Give yourself time to stretch, exercise, go for a walk, or do some yoga. Even dancing can help you boost your metabolism, drop some stress, and strengthen your muscles, bones, and brain. It is also okay to give yourself a day off if you feel overwhelmed with work.
Celebrate every goal achieved. You deserve a reward after meeting a deadline. Mini presents to yourself are genuinely motivating, like a book you always wanted to buy, a new colorful notebook, a day out, favorite ice cream, etc. Enjoy because you deserve it!
Delegate some tasks and share responsibilities. The state of your mental and emotional health will allow you to write your best. Divide the house chores and other tasks between you and your partner or grown kids. If you have younger children, ask a relative to babysit them for a few hours each week. Outsource tasks that someone else can do.
Keep a positive environment around you. Don’t listen to negative news or gossip, stop watching violent or depressing stuff, and don’t get involved in other peoples’ drama. These are sources of an unhealthy mind and soul. Instead, listen to music or motivational podcasts. Spend time with people that inspire and encourage you. Read inspirational quotes. Do things that make you happy. Invest time in nourishing and enhancing your wellbeing.
These tips will help you improve your time management and your emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. When you feel well, you will write well!
Connect with Cristia HJ
I write what I write to bring hope to the brokenhearted and ignite the passion for life in the sleeping soul. I want my readers to connect with my characters and free their imagination while the world is still spinning. Because no matter what we do or from where we come, we are all made of dreams and stardust.
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