Author Archives: Steph Nickel
A Different Kind of Resolution by Steph Beth Nickel
This time of year stirs us to make New Year’s resolutions. No matter what we call them, we feel compelled to create a list of goals for the 12 months ahead. And I’m no different. In fact, I love lists. They encourage me to evaluate what I’ve accomplished in the preceding year and what I… Read more »
All Because of a Story by Pamela Mytroen
What is your favourite Christmas tradition? Decorating the tree, exchanging cards, or even the simple greeting of “Merry Christmas”? Did you ever stop to think how these ideas took hold and came to be so cherished? Storytellers have had much influence in not only restoring long lost Christmas traditions but also in totally re-inventing them. Following… Read more »
Remember with an Elegy by Violet Nesdoly
A wonderful way to remember someone after they have died is to write a poem about them. Such a poem of remembrance is called an elegy. The Poetry Dictionary defines elegy: “A poem for someone who has died; also called a lament and threnody. Elegies are love poems for the dead, tributes and offerings to… Read more »
Remembering Those Gone Before by Janice L Dick
Having been raised in a Mennonite home with pacifistic traditions, I’ve had a difficult time coming to terms with Remembrance Day and all it stands for. I am more thankful than I can say for those who risked or gave their lives so I can live in peace. I can recite “In Flanders Fields,” and… Read more »
It’s Just Fear Talking by Tracy Krauss
My colleagues have posted some excellent articles this month dealing with common ‘writerly’ fears and how to overcome them. Nothing worth doing comes easily or so it seems. So it makes sense that this also applies to the writing life. To quote writer Jeff Goins, “Do it afraid.” Good advice. Some of the best learning… Read more »
5 Fears that Immobilize Writers by Steph Beth Nickel
It takes courage to parachute out of a plane, to ski down a mountain—and to write. “Why?” you ask. Writers must overcome the following fears—and so many more: Does the world really need one more book, blog post or article? No matter how many times we’ve asked and answered this question, there are quiet moments… Read more »
Worth the Risk by Pamela Mytroen
Do you ever worry that after you have invested days, weeks, and months researching and writing a manuscript that it will not be publishable and that you will have wasted your time? That is my biggest fear about writing. Time. It is so valuable and there are no guarantees that you will see a return for… Read more »
Free to Write Fearless by Violet Nesdoly
Chances are good if you are a writer or have ever considered writing as a career or avocation, you’ve had some of the following fears: People will see what a bad speller I am, and terrible at grammar to boot. What I write will show me up as simple, unsophisticated, boring, etc. I’ll work long… Read more »
6 Unconventional Writing Tips by Steph Beth Nickel
GET SOME SLEEP This is a case of do what I say, not what I do. (I’m writing this post at 11:36 PM the day it’s supposed to go live.) Most of us think more clearly and are far more productive if we’ve had adequate sleep. For some, that means getting eight hours every night…. Read more »
Writing Schedules
“How do you get it all done? How do you work on multiple writing projects at once?” The question came from an acquaintance I had met several times at a nearby writing conference. She apparently thought I had it all together as a disciplined writer.