From Bryan: This is a guest post by Nick Thacker. Nick is a blogger, writer, and self-declared “life hacker” who enjoys writing novels, and has recently finished his first novel, The Golden Crystal, available now. He runs LiveHacked, and has a totally free course called How to Write A Novel.
I recently finished editing my first novel, The Golden Crystal. I’m excited — thrilled even — that it’s finally going to be ready for readers.
But let me back up a bit…
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Most of us have heard the term ‘comfort eating’. I know the phrase all too well. A bad day can still occasionally lead to me devouring a couple bars of chocolate or a few donuts.
Comfort eating makes me feel better about myself for a short period of time. It’s taking the easy route. But it’s not healthy, and it’s not valuing myself or my body.
And strangely enough, it’s the same with writing.
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I get a lot of inquiries about blogging. Most people ask me to visit their blog and tell them how they can improve it.
Unfortunately, the answer is rarely cut and dry.
But I have noticed some common mistakes that turn off would be readers and also happen to be the secrets top bloggers know…
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Am I a writer?
Yes, although incidentally in my view…
Girl with a Pearl Earring, by Johannes Vermeer – Wikimedia Commons
Does this happen to you?
You’re typing a short story, or an article, or some other writing project, when suddenly… ping!
You get a text message. You accidentally hit the wrong key and all of a sudden you’ve forgotten what you were typing…
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When did you know?
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
Those are the type of things I’d love to know about you and when you finally knew: You Are A Writer.
So much so that I have created Positive Writer’s First Writing Contest!
You Are A Writer – Writing Contest
I don’t have time.
Have you ever used this excuse to avoid pursuing a writing project?
We live in a distracting world, and can easily get off track despite our good intentions.
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You’re not satisfied. You’re not. You know it and I know it. You want more, you want better – you want to strive and reach, and you want to make it.
Whatever making it is for you, perhaps it is writing a book and having it in displayed in a bookstore window or painting a beautiful picture to be displayed in an art gallery.
There’s only one way to do it. There’s only one way to make it happen.
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All the greats use it. It is indispensable.
It is so critical to success and achieving greatness that if you’re not using it then you’ll never reach as high as you could if you did use it.
What is it?
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Have you ever heard someone use the phrase, organized chaos?
That is how I used to refer to the clutter on my desk. But, really, if I am honest, it was disorganized chaos and it drove me crazy.
I didn’t realize clutter was the cause of so much stress, anxiety and frustration, which naturally resulted in sapping my creativity and all too often caused writer’s block.
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