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I spent this past weekend at a creative non-fiction writer’s conference with my mom. We had such a great time spending our days attending lectures, panels, readings, and story slams, usually with a cup of tea or coffee in our hands. Creative non-fiction isn’t even my primary genre, but I thought it would be beneficial to branch out a little and explore some new things.

This post is by Positive Writer contributor The Magic Violinist.

And I was right; I received great advice from various memoirists and freelance writers about craft, the publishing industry, and marketing. But early on something became apparent: the knowledge I gained was contradictory.

Note: This is a guest post by Kathi Ostrom Gowsell, a certified journal writing instructor and legacy facilitator, she believes there is a writer in all of us. She started Writing Life Matters to share her knowledge of journal writing as a tool to capture family legacy. If you’d like to read more, you can find her at Writing Life Matters

Everyone seems to be touting the benefits of keeping a journal these days. I’m glad. I’ve always believed the world would be a better place if more people picked up a favorite pen and wrote their hearts out on a regular basis.

Announcement: Today’s post is by KatieMae, it’s the 2nd place winner of the “You Deserve to be Inspired” writing contest! She’s won an Amazon gift card and a full scholarship to the “Writer’s Crushing Doubt” online course. Congratulations, KatieMae!

Note: This is a guest post by Dargan Thompson, a freelance writer, editor and writing consultant who loves helping writers shape their words, find their voice and focus their message. Find her online at her website or on Twitter @darganthompson.

Note: This is a guest post by Christine Niles. She likes to make up stories before the crack of dawn, and she works with authors to publish and launch books by the light of day. Christine helps determined writers take their next step at www.writersnextstep.com. Follow her on Twitter @croyseniles.

You’ve felt it, haven’t you?

It starts as a tremble in your fingers. Maybe you feel a funny little flutter below your stomach. But then as you hover over the Publish button, you just can’t click.

Fear of finishing.

This post is by Positive Writer contributor Marcy McKay.

Writers write. That’s what we do. We write, write, write. We’re supposed to make time for our craft because the more we practice, the better we become.

There’s something else writers should do in order to be our very best, but I haven’t been making time for it and I’m suffering the consequences. I’ve felt mentally shaky and out of balance. Yes, I know that’s a regular day at the office for many creatives, but my anxiety had cranked up several notches.

To be a great writer, you need to…

This is the 2nd Place winner for the “How Writing Has Positively Influenced YOUR Life” writing contest. It’s by Lana Pecherczyk. Help me congratulate Lana in the comments. I will post the winner of the contest in just a few days. Stay tuned.

Dry spells. They happen to the best of relationships. So what do you do when they happen to the relationship you have with your writing career?

“Feedback” is a word that strikes dread in creative people the world over.  It is our proverbial “Boo!” and it really can scare the crap out of us.

Most of us crave feedback. We want to know our work matters to someone other than ourselves. Don’t we?

And yet, too many of us share our work at the wrong time and with the wrong people. Doing this we tend to bring forth the words we dread the most, such as “You’re work sucks, I hate it – get a day job!”

Creative Commons by JD Hancock