But it also gave me a compelling need to write a sort of counterpoint to it. So this one’s for you, my sister scribes, especially my younger sister scribes. It doesn’t always have to be about doing more. Maybe it’s better to try basking more. All those resolutions I read in the piece were from writers, vowing to write more, to work more, to be online more, to market more, to advertise more, to work harder, to be better, to do more and more and more. I was exhausted by the tim

I’ve noticed a need for a very basic post for authors and other entrepreneurs on Facebook Profiles, Pages, and Groups, how to tell the difference, what each of them are good and not good for, and how to navigate. I made graphics! The difference between a page and a profile Profiles can create Facebook Groups and join Groups created by others. Profiles can “Friend” other Profiles. Profiles can “Like” Pages. Profiles can have up to 5000 Friends. *Last I knew. Like everything on

I’ve noticed a need for a very basic post for authors and other entrepreneurs on Facebook Profiles, Pages, and Groups, how to tell the difference, what each of them are good and not good for, and how to navigate. I made graphics! The difference between a page and a profile Profiles can create Facebook Groups and join Groups created by others. Profiles can “Friend” other Profiles. Profiles can “Like” Pages. Profiles can have up to 5000 Friends. *Last I knew. Like everything on

I’ve noticed a need for a very basic post for authors and other entrepreneurs on Facebook Profiles, Pages, and Groups, how to tell the difference, what each of them are good and not good for, and how to navigate. I made graphics! The difference between a page and a profile Profiles can create Facebook Groups and join Groups created by others. Profiles can “Friend” other Profiles. Profiles can “Like” Pages. Profiles can have up to 5000 Friends. *Last I knew. Like everything on

I love living here... where the most subtle of changes are felt in every breeze, every breath, and every cell of our bodies if we’re in tune. The constant shifting of the seasons is reflected in every leaf on every tree, and oh how our Autumns thrill me! August 1st was the exact mid-point  between the longest day and shortest night of the year (June We’re a week past that point at this writing. It’s August 6th, and everything is su

I love living here... where the most subtle of changes are felt in every breeze, every breath, and every cell of our bodies if we’re in tune. The constant shifting of the seasons is reflected in every leaf on every tree, and oh how our Autumns thrill me! August 1st was the exact mid-point  between the longest day and shortest night of the year (June We’re a week past that point at this writing. It’s August 6th, and everything is su

This month, August 24th, marks 25 years since the day I got the phone call telling me that a real publisher wanted to give me real money to publish one of my novels. So I thought I’d write a post sharing the most important things I’ve learned during this long haul. Friends matter Nourish your relationships. Find your tribe of creative colleagues. Let them become your friends. Try to offer as much to your tribe as you get back from it. Share the things you learn. Listen to the

This month, August 24th, marks 25 years since the day I got the phone call telling me that a real publisher wanted to give me real money to publish one of my novels. So I thought I’d write a post sharing the most important things I’ve learned during this long haul. Friends matter Nourish your relationships. Find your tribe of creative colleagues. Let them become your friends. Try to offer as much to your tribe as you get back from it. Share the things you learn. Listen to the

So we get a little success and we feel terrible about all the people who don’t have any success at all. We make a little money and feel badly for those who have none. But let’s get serious about this now. What does one thing have to do with the other? What We Live Has No Relation to What Anyone Else is Living If we were failing instead of succeeding, would other people be more successful? If we were broke instead of able to pay our bills, would poor people have more money tha

So we get a little success and we feel terrible about all the people who don’t have any success at all. We make a little money and feel badly for those who have none. But let’s get serious about this now. What does one thing have to do with the other? What We Live Has No Relation to What Anyone Else is Living If we were failing instead of succeeding, would other people be more successful? If we were broke instead of able to pay our bills, would poor people have more money tha

But first, let’s talk about what’s really happening in our world. Humans Fear Change Where we are and where we’ve been are comfortable places. Maybe not perfect. Maybe vastly imperfect. But we know them. They’re familiar and safe. Change, on the other hand, is new. We can’t know what something new will feel like. So we cling to the familiar. And when I say “we” I mean humankind. But Change is Inevitable So here’s a microcosm of the big picture, illustrated in a little story.

But first, let’s talk about what’s really happening in our world. Humans Fear Change Where we are and where we’ve been are comfortable places. Maybe not perfect. Maybe vastly imperfect. But we know them. They’re familiar and safe. Change, on the other hand, is new. We can’t know what something new will feel like. So we cling to the familiar. And when I say “we” I mean humankind. But Change is Inevitable So here’s a microcosm of the big picture, illustrated in a little story.

But first, let’s talk about what’s really happening in our world. Humans Fear Change Where we are and where we’ve been are comfortable places. Maybe not perfect. Maybe vastly imperfect. But we know them. They’re familiar and safe. Change, on the other hand, is new. We can’t know what something new will feel like. So we cling to the familiar. And when I say “we” I mean humankind. But Change is Inevitable So here’s a microcosm of the big picture, illustrated in a little story.

Seven Tips Make the first book in your connected series free for at least a month at a time. Make sure there are links to at least 2 sequels in the back matter. Make sure there is a hefty sized excerpt of Book 2 or a link to one in the back matter. Masterfully and subtly set up the core conflict of Book 2 in the storyline of Book 1. Feature this series on all your social media and websites. Advertise the free book in every conceivable place. Spend money on this. Make Sure Boo

Seven Tips Make the first book in your connected series free for at least a month at a time. Make sure there are links to at least 2 sequels in the back matter. Make sure there is a hefty sized excerpt of Book 2 or a link to one in the back matter. Masterfully and subtly set up the core conflict of Book 2 in the storyline of Book 1. Feature this series on all your social media and websites. Advertise the free book in every conceivable place. Spend money on this. Make Sure Boo

Seven Tips Make the first book in your connected series free for at least a month at a time. Make sure there are links to at least 2 sequels in the back matter. Make sure there is a hefty sized excerpt of Book 2 or a link to one in the back matter. Masterfully and subtly set up the core conflict of Book 2 in the storyline of Book 1. Feature this series on all your social media and websites. Advertise the free book in every conceivable place. Spend money on this. Make Sure Boo

The best way to cure writer’s block is to prevent it from ever happening. Inspiration is the well from which writers and artists drink. And the muse is the personification of our inspiration. Keeping her well full and clear is something that will benefit all artists, and here are some thoughts on how we can do that. Feed Your Muse with Down Time I know this is the opposite of the normal writerly advice, to “write every day.” But it’s vital to not spend all our time chained t

The best way to cure writer’s block is to prevent it from ever happening. Inspiration is the well from which writers and artists drink. And the muse is the personification of our inspiration. Keeping her well full and clear is something that will benefit all artists, and here are some thoughts on how we can do that. Feed Your Muse with Down Time I know this is the opposite of the normal writerly advice, to “write every day.” But it’s vital to not spend all our time chained t

The best way to cure writer’s block is to prevent it from ever happening. Inspiration is the well from which writers and artists drink. And the muse is the personification of our inspiration. Keeping her well full and clear is something that will benefit all artists, and here are some thoughts on how we can do that. Feed Your Muse with Down Time I know this is the opposite of the normal writerly advice, to “write every day.” But it’s vital to not spend all our time chained t

For a long time now, I’ve been employing the philosophy that was my mother-in-law’s favorite; make the best of what you have. I’ve been amazed at the power of using this in my personal life. [bctt tweet=”When you make the best of what you have, something even better comes. It’s like magic!” username=”@maggieshayne”] I was planning the Wednesday post for my CoffeeHouse Blog about how to apply this to everyday life, and it occurred to me that the same powerful, transformative m