Last month we touched on (Generative) AI, Beta Readers, (Book) Covers, Drafting, Editors, and Footnotes.

This month we’ll take a look at Grammar, Handwriting, In Medias Res, Journaling, Kindness, and Learning.

Grammar: Although programs such as ProWriting Aid and Grammarly can help improve our writing, as can hiring a professional editor and/or proofreader, brushing up on grammar rules is beneficial for all writers. Using a book such as Mignon Fogerty’s The Grammar Daily: 365 Quick Tips for Successful Writing from Grammar Girl can make the process fun and easy.

Handwriting: Studies have shown that there is a different connection between the brain and the paper when we handwrite as opposed to using a computer. Some writers create their first draft by handwriting it. As they transfer it to the computer, they do their initial edit.

In Medias Res: This may be a familiar term to you. Long before I’d ever heard it, I said I enjoyed novels that began in the midst of the characters’ lives. (I also wanted to feel as if their lives would continue long after I’d closed the book for the last time.) Beginning “in the middle of things” is what in medias res refers to.

Journaling: There are as many ways to journal as there are writers. For me, journaling is “rambling till I stumble across truth.” The process of firing off “morning pages,” as Julia Cameron calls them, is a great way to let the words flow and prepare yourself for more disciplined, structured writing. And then there are bullet journals for those who want to allow their artistic side the freedom to join the party. There’s likely a form of journaling that will suit your style. Explore. Have fun.

Kindness: What does kindness have to do with writing? While we all know it’s important to be kind to others, we must be kind to ourselves as well. There are many successful writers who suffer from imposter syndrome—no matter how many books they’ve written and no matter how well received those books have been. Be kind to yourself every step of the way, but keep writing.

Learning: The more we learn, the more it will be reflected in our writing. Just a word of warning: don’t take so much time learning “just one more fact” that it keeps you from putting pen to paper. It’s best to consider the two as parallel tracks. We can keep learning as we’re writing, and we can keep writing as we’re learning.

And next month . . .

We’ll talk about Money, Novel Genres, Outlining, Proofreading, (Asking and Answering) Questions, Reading, and Self-Editing.