The hardest thing about maintaining a consistent writing practice is staying motivated.

I don't know a writer who hasn't at one point or another thought—what's the point? Why am I doing this?

Last week I took a one-day workshop with screenwriting coach Corey Mandell, and he asked us this question:

Why is this your dream? What is motivating you to pursue writing?

This is a great question to ask a writer at any stage of their career. 

I'm still mulling over my answer.

It's a big question.

All I know is that before I became a writer I had few interests and was good at nothing.

I took my first writing workshop when I was 20 and thought—I'm doing this for the rest of my life.

I haven't looked back despite the few highs and many lows. Somehow I've managed to keep trudging along. It hasn't been easy. It's mostly been hard. 

But I never thought about why I was doing it, I just did it.

I still don't have a answer to this question. I'll save that for another blog post.

In the meantime, here are some tips if you are having a low moment where either you don't feel like writing or don't see the point in it. 

Things to do if you don't feel like writing or working on your project or if you feel like giving up:

1. Do a morning free-write where you write anything and somehow ideas start to come. 
2. Read something you love.
3. Do some experimental writing exercises.
4. Give yourself permission to not write for awhile.
5. Eavesdrop  on conversations.
6. Collaborate with another writer.
7. Find a buddy who will help keep you accountable and who you can check in with.
8. Make a writing date with another writer either in person or on Skype where you just write together but on your own projects.
9. Take a break from social media (I have not done this one but should).
10. Give yourself permission to stay away from literary events and other writers. This may sound mean but can be helpful if you're in a not-good space.
11. Take in some other form of art. Go to a movie, play, art show, performance (thanks to Danielle Egan for this one.).

For more tips and resources, sign up for the Mockler's Writing Workshop Newsletter or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or ​join my Facebook Group Mockler's Workshop Hub.

Congratulations to my former-student Tom Prime on his debut poetry book, A Cemetery for Holes, a collaboration with Gary Barwin (Gordon Hill Press, 2019) which launches in September, 2019!

​Description from the publisher

A Cemetery for Holes by Tom Prime & Gary Barwin (Gordon Hill Press, 2019)In A Cemetery for Holes, poetic language bends and breaks, resists and reforms under the stress of family trauma. Consensual reality shifts with nonconsensual harm. It is this history of violence which is ultimately, confronted, fought against, and overcome. While engaged in this struggle, the poems also strive to rebuild, to console and to rediscover the world, its beauty, tenderness, humour, and joy.

 
December 30, 2018
by Kathryn Mockler

On Resolutions

I'm going to the gym every day!

No I'm not. 

I'm going to write every day!

No, I'm definitely not!

Although the new year can feel like a new start for some, I'm not particularly interested in New Year's resolutions.

There's something daunting about promising myself I'm going to become a completely different person living a perfect, idealized version of myself in my career or my personal life. 

For me, it's a set up for failure.

For my writing life to work, I learned early on that my writing process has to cater to my personality (including my shortcomings) rather than me expecting my personality to change to achieve some idealized writing process.

For instance, I'm not someone who can do the same thing every day. I get really bored and distracted. 

So that's why I need to work on multiple projects at once. The downside is that it takes me longer to complete many different projects, but the upside is that if one project doesn't work out, it's not the only thing I've invested in.

But more importantly this is a way I can write that keeps in line with my personality and supports who I am as person.

Likewise, I can't write every single day. It's just not who I am. It used to make me feel like a failure to not write write every day until I realized that the writing process isn't always about writing.

When I'm not writing, I'm doing things that contribute to writing like reading, observing, thinking.

So for me to make a "resolution" about writing every day is pointless. 

A few years ago, I found out about "Morning Pages" which is a free-writing concept developed by Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist's Way. Cameron describes the Morning Pages on her website:

"Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages—they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind—and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not overthink Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page ... and then do three more pages tomorrow."

This is a writing process I can get behind because it doesn't involve pressure or expectation. And I find doing the Morning Pages clears my mind for other tasks I need to do and makes me more productive overall. Often I get ideas for my works in progress when I'm doing Morning Pages.

I still can't do the Morning Pages every day, but instead I do them as often as a I can. I try to have a goal of three days a week, and I make sure to do them on a day when I know I'm going to work on a longer project.

This is how it works for me. It's a change but is still in keeping with who I am. 

On Goal Setting

While I don't like the term resolution, I don't mind setting achievable goals and doing realistic planning for the future. I'm also a big fan of to-do lists. 

Living the life of a writer is about having a goal and taking a series of actions to achieve that goal no matter the situation that you are in. 

For most writers, there are no ideal circumstances.

If you work a full time job, you need to find achievable writing goals that will fit into your life. Most of us are not able to quit our jobs so that we can write. 

For example, I teach during the school year, and I can't expect myself to complete big projects during that time. So instead of having an unrealistic goal of finishing a novel or a feature film script, I assign myself smaller goals when I know I won't be able to write as much.

Sometimes I'll decide to work only on poetry or short fiction during the school year.

Or I'll take a screenwriting or comedy writing course to keep me on track.

Or I'll find a contest that I want to apply to and write for that deadline.

Often I'll revise or edit larger projects.

Sometimes all I do is send work out.

I even count showing up at readings and launches as part of the writing process. 

These are the things I know I can achieve during this time when I'm distracted and focusing on the writing of others. 

For 2019

Instead of imagining the kind of writer you want to be or the kind of process you want to have, ask yourself who you are as person and what writing processes can support you rather than you conforming to someone else's ideal.

What do you like? What don't you like?  When do you work best? When don't you work best? Do you write every day? Do you work better with or without structure or deadlines? 

Write a paragraph about what you know about yourself and your habits and then come up with an individual process that caters to your personality. 

Project Goals

List the three main projects that you want to work on or one if you're the type of writer who needs to work on one thing at time.

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

Actions

Next list three or more actions for each goal that you need to take in order to achieve this goal. These actions can be related to any part of the process: research, outlining, drafting, submissions, networking, publishing, etc. 

For example, one of my goals is work on a collection of short stories. 

Here are some actions I can take to achieve this goal.

1. Do my Morning Pages
2. Listen to the New Yorker Fiction Podcast
3. Read a short story every day
4. Revise an old story from the collection
5. Brainstorm on the theme of the collection
6. Make a list of all the subjects I want to write about for this collection
7. Make a list of places where I want to submit stories from this collection
8. Write my project description for this collection
9. Apply for a grant for this collection
10. Go to a reading

If I have this list handy, then I use it when I'm feeling stuck or blocked or don't feel like writing. I can add to it. I can change it.

I use a free platform called Trello for making lists and brainstorming ideas. I can use it on my phone, so instead of scrolling mindlessly on social media when I'm waiting in line at a store or for the bus, I go on Trello and work on my projects. 

I wish you all the best with your writing in 2019, and I hope you have a wonderful and productive year!

​Kathryn

And I'm offering two self-paced online fiction courses: 

5 Days of Short Fiction and Introduction to Short Fiction work for writers of all experience levels.

Consider checking out my new mentorship program with or without feedback. 

For more tips and resources, sign up for the Mockler's Writing Workshop Newsletter or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or ​join my Facebook Group Mockler's Workshop Hub.

Thrilled that a story I edited for Joyland has been selected for Best Canadian Stories, 2018 (Biblioasis), Edited by Russell Smith! The story is "A Dozen Stomachs" by Tom Thor Buchanan.

Description

Now in its 48th year, Best Canadian Stories has long championed the short story form and highlighted the work of many writers who have gone on to shape the Canadian literary canon. Caroline Adderson, Margaret Atwood, Clark Blaise, Tamas Dobozy, Mavis Gallant, Douglas Glover, Norman Levine, Rohinton Mistry, Alice Munro, Leon Rooke, Diane Schoemperlen, Kathleen Winter, and many others have appeared in its pages over the decades, making Best Canadian Stories the go-to source for what’s new in Canadian fiction writing for close to five decades.

Selected by guest editor Russell Smith, the 2018 edition draws together both newer and established writers to shape an engaging and luminous mosaic of writing in this country today—a continuation of not only a series, but a legacy in Canadian letters.

Best Canadian Stories 2018 features work by: Shashi Bhat, Tom Thor Buchanan, Lynn Coady, Deirdre Simon Dore, Alicia Elliott, Bill Gaston, Liz Harmer, Brad Hartle, David Huebert, Reg Johanson, Amy Jones, Michael LaPointe, Stephen Marche, Lisa Moore, Kathy Page, and Alex Pugsley

Mockler's Writing Prompts: Windows

Make a list of 10 windows you remember looking in or out of.

Pick one and write down all the sensory associations you have with this window. Where is it located? What events do you remember taking place either inside or outside the window?

Using this brainstorming material, write a story, poem, or play.

For more tips and resources, sign up for the Mockler's Writing Workshop Newsletter or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Check out my online courses: Introduction to Short Fiction (a 4-week self-paced online course) and Kathryn Mockler's Fiction Workshop (a live 6-week workshop-based course via video conferencing)

This is a picture of me when I was around 17 or 18, the age when I first wanted to be a writer.

There aren't many pictures of me as a teenager, so I don't have a lot to choose from.

Yes, that's a scarf and Pink Floyd poster on the wall. 

Yes, I'm smoking.

Yes, I look like a stoner.

I know! Embarrassing!

But I wanted to come up with a list of advice for this young fool about writing all these years later in hopes it might help other writers at any stage of their career.

This is a list of things I wish I had known when I was first starting out as a writer and things that I still need to remind myself of from time to time.

It's a work in progress. I will be adding to it, updating it, and occasionally changing it.

INSERT YOURSELF
Don't expect to be picked out of the crowd. Nobody cares about you and your writing. Insert yourself into the writing community. Or better yet build the community you want to be a part of.

SUPPORT OTHER WRITERS
Read and support the writers that you admire. Show up to their launches. Write reviews or blog posts about their books. Share their books on social media. If you can't afford their books, borrow them from the library. Introduce yourself to them at a reading (if you are able—I know it's hard to do).

VOLUNTEER BUT NOT TOO MUCH
Volunteer for something but don't over-volunteer yourself. Your volunteering should not take over your life or impact your writing. I have made this mistake. Volunteering should enhance and help you connect with your peers. Contact a journal you like and see if they need any editorial help. But show up at their events and get to know them first. Random emails out of the blue seldom pay off.

START YOUR OWN THING
Start something of your own. A blog. A writing group. A chapbook. A reading series. Find ways to connect with writers in real life in your community. 

CREATE DEADLINES AND STRUCTURE
If you are having trouble with deadlines take a course. I do this all the time. It is very difficult when you are out of an academic setting or if you don't have a publishing contract to set deadlines for yourself and meet them. There are terrific continuing education courses offered through colleges and universities. Many are online if you don't live in a large community. Many published writers offer private live and online workshops. Sometimes there are free workshops at local libraries or community centres. 

DON'T LET REJECTION DETERMINE YOUR VALUE
Try not to let rejection determine your value as a writer and human being. If you are rejected from something you really were invested in know that it will take about a week for the pain to go away. Know that you will be knocked down but you will be able to get up. Acceptances don’t necessarily mean that the best writing has been picked. Best is subjective. Never forget this. Writing is picked for many reasons. Often there are literary trends or the publisher has published too many family saga stories or they don’t like stories about bee keepers. It’s often random. Try not to take it personally. If you find yourself constantly being rejected then do something to get objective feedback (hire an editor, take a course, visit a writer-in-residence, or get a trusted writing friend to critique your work) and try to build your skills and improve your writing. 

EARN A LIVING DOING SOMETHING ELSE
You must find a way to make a living that you can live with. Your writing will not support you financially. Your writing will not support you financially. 

BE GENUINE
Make honest connections with people in your community. Be wary of users. Be wary of people who want to befriend you too easily or quickly. On the other hand, don’t treat people as a means to an end. Networking is not about using people. If you do it right, you are just making friends with likeminded people. Once you see people as tools, they will see through that. Invest in people not in what people can do for you. 

CONTROL YOUR EGO
No one cares about your career. While self-promotion has become acceptable on social media, no one wants to go to a party or launch and be on the receiving end of your CV list. If someone asks you what you are doing, then tell them but be aware you are speaking to another writer who has their own angst about their own career. You are not the centre of anyone’s life but your own.  

TRY TO KEEP JEALOUSY AT BAY
Try not to determine your worth by using someone else’s career as a yardstick for your own success. Jealousy is a waste of time. Everyone will have their own path. There is no age that you should be published by. Focus on yourself and mind your own business. Chances are you won’t win awards for your writing. If you are published, you will hardly be read. Be able to live with not being the most special writer in the room because you won’t be. You have to be in this for something other than external validation. If something good happens, be grateful for it, and be pleasantly surprised but don’t expect it. Support the success of others—genuinely—not because you expect something from them. 

IT'S OKAY TO BURN SOME BRIDGES
There will times when bridges need to be burned (i.e. if we are dealing with racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, etc.—then burn them all). Over the course of my writing career I've been so afraid to burn bridges I've behaved in ways I regret. I let people walk all over me. I didn't stand up for myself.  Don't be so afraid of burning bridges that you allow others to harm, use, or take advantage of you. Your writing career is not worth more than your dignity.

BUILD GOOD RELATIONSHIPS
When working with people, know there will be disagreements. Know there will be people that you don’t like. You might not agree with an editor’s note for instance. Avoid sweating the small stuff when working with editors. Avoid preciousness. Pick your battles. Control your ego. This is especially true in the film community. If you are difficult and self-important, then people won't want to work with you. 

DON'T BE PASSIVE
Don’t be passive. Being overly passive or polite or approachable can be as harmful as having an out-of-control ego. The key is to live somewhere in the middle. I have shot myself in the foot many times out of the fear of ruffling feathers or feeling like I don’t deserve to exist as a writer. When you need to, speak up. Try to remember that you are of value even if it doesn’t feel that way. Your work is of value. Your opinion is of value. Your concerns are of value. 

LEARN TO SAY NO
I used to be a yes person and now I'm a no person. I encourage more people especially women to be no people because usually what you get asked to do is work for free for someone else. I used to say yes all the time for fear I would lose some great opportunity. But usually there is no great opportunity, and you end up feeling depleted and resentful. No one is going to pay you more or respect you at your job or in your career because you constantly work for free or say yes to things you don't want to do. A small medical crisis forced me to say no a couple of years ago, and at first it was terrible. I was filled with guilt and was distressed all the time. But after the first few times saying no, I realized just how liberating it is to say no and to only spend time on things I really want to and are able to do—no matter who it is—my employer, a friend, someone I admire. When you say no the world doesn't fall apart because, hey, you're not that important. And the person asking will just ask someone else. I wish I could shake my younger self and say stop it. Stop saying yes all the time.

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE PEOPLE
Don’t underestimate people. I have been on the receiving end of being underestimated. It does not feel good. I have underestimated people too and I deeply regret it. Underestimating people is about wanting to feel superior. Don’t do this. People can learn and grow and develop and change. We are never just one thing at one time. Give people the room to be better and to surprise you. 

TAKE CREATIVE RISKS
Don't do the same thing over and over because it worked and you liked the praise. Try something new and be willing to fail. You'll learn more from your failures than from your successes.

DON'T SIT AT A DESK ALL THE TIME
Make sure that you get exercise and leave the house at least once a day. Strengthen your core. You will have a bad back if you don't.

This list is a work in progress. I will be adding to it, updating it, and occasionally changing it.

For more tips and resources, sign up for the Mockler's Writing Workshop Newsletter or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Check out my online courses: Introduction to Short Fiction (a 4-week self-paced online course) and Kathryn Mockler's Fiction Workshop (a live 6-week workshop-based course via video conferencing).

Originally posted by Kathryn Mockler, October 1, 2018

"In the end you should probably know your characters as well as you know yourself. You should be able to close your eyes and dwell inside that character’s body." —​Gabriel García Márquez

Creating characters out of thin air can be daunting for any writer which is why many writers tend to base their characters on people they have interacted with or observed or heavily researched or even on themselves.

When I'm creating characters, I always put a little of me in them, and then I bring in bits and pieces from people who are around me or who I observe. That way I feel like I know my characters intimately, but I have the freedom to develop them according to the needs of my story.

This is why I prefer writing fiction over nonfiction even though many of my stories begin with something that is real—a setting, a situation, a person.

When you're trying to figure out how to develop characters, start by observing who is around you.

What do the people around you look like? How do they dress? How do they hold themselves? What does their body language say about the way they feel?

Listen to how you and your family members speak to each other.

Observe your friends and how they talk and act.

Eavesdrop on conversations in coffee shops, in grocery stories. Listen to what people say and how they say it.

I speak differently with my best friend than I do with someone I meet at the bus stop.

All of these details go into creating character. And once you have an idea who you want to write about then you need shape your characters by giving them goals in your story and having them act according to their motivations.

Exercise: Make a list of 5 to 10 people who interest you such as your children, your siblings, your dentist, the bus driver, etc. Whose lives are you curious by? And why?

To get more tips and writing prompts, sign up for my FREE email course: 5 Days of Short Fiction 

Then sign up for my FICTION WORKSHOP!

It's delivered online through video, so you can take it from anywhere!

Starts January 2019
​
Space is limited so sign up now!