I've been thinking a lot about goal-setting this month and how powerful a practice it is for writers. 

Let’s face it: it’s hard to stick to a writing routine even in the best of times—and these are certainly not the best of times!

This is a concept we talk about in workshop quite a bit—beginning a story in media res. It’s a great way to plunge the reader into your story and get them excited to see how it all turns out.

Lately, I’ve been finding this practice helpful when I’m trying to figure out how to revise a story. Mapping out my narrative on index cards gives me some objective distance from what I’ve written and helps me analyze what I’m trying to do with each of my scenes.

Need a shot of short fiction, poetry, or creative inspiration in your life?

Are you going stir-crazy yet? If so, here are a few resources to keep you creative and connected as you shelter in place.

It’s definitely a strange time to be a creative person. Most of the creative folk I know are struggling to find the same meaning in their work as they did before—and I’m in the same boat.

If you're looking for a good short read this month, I have a few recommendations for you!

Now that the holidays are winding down, I hope you're finding time to slow down, catch your breath, and reconnect with your creative self.