Dear writers,

When I first started writing, I didn’t have a plan for my books. I just wanted to write and share my ideas with others.

It took me years to understand that writing a book meant selling a product—something that required vision and planning.

This Wednesday, I’m holding another Ask Me Anything Session. I’ll talk about how books can boost your credibility, strengthen your brand, and attract media attention.

Then you can ask me ANYTHING about writing or publishing.

Finally, I’ll give you a sneak peek into my new writing community, The Mightier Writer’s Circle.

You can sign up here: ASK ME

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

How Books Transform Lives

by Rochelle Melander

When I was a kid, my reading habit got me into trouble—a lot. My teachers warned me of the dangers of reading books that were too old for me. (There’s stuff in there you shouldn’t know about!) My parents encouraged me to go out and play and cautioned me against too much reading (You’re going to ruin your eyesight if you keep reading so much!)

If only they knew then what we know now. Recent studies have discovered that reading teaches empathy, reduces stress, and prevents Alzheimer’s disease.

Lately, I’ve noticed that characters in some of my favorite books attesting to the power of reading. While this may seem like a vast conspiracy—the writers of books want you to read books so their characters defend books!—it’s one I’m happy to join with. And why not? I’m happy to have one more reason to keep reading.

Here’s what some of my favorite books say about how reading transforms us:

1. Books Define

“Everybody comes to the library naked. That’s why they come here—to dress themselves in books.”

(The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen)

2. Books Inform

“In the end, I go where I always go when I need information on something baffling, poisonous, or terrifying: the library. The answer will be here, surely—among the twenty thousand books, calm and waiting, on the shelves.”

(How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran)

3. Books Inspire

“Looking at our faces you might have said we were all feverish and half mad, and perhaps you would have been right, but Helen’s book made us feel we could rip the stars from the sky and write the world anew. For the first time I saw how I might write a book about the Kiona. I even made a small outline of how it might be shaped. And just these few words in my notebook made many things feel possible.”

(Euphoria by Lily King)

4. Books Save

“I no longer believe I can save people. I’ve tried, and I’ve failed, and while I’m sure there are people out in the world with that particular gift, I’m not one of them. I make too much of a mess of things. But books, on the other hand, I do still believe that books can save you.”

(The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai)

5. Books Ignite

“The Queen said: ‘Yes,. That is exactly what it is. A book is a device to ignite the imagination.’” (The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett)

6. Books Connect

“The books are a weapon against loneliness. Putting them in the right hands lets people see one another. It makes us … better to one another. I think that’s a worthy thing to do.”

(Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree)

7. Books Change Us

“I don’t think it really matters whether you know a lot about books or not. That said, I don’t know that much myself. But I think what matters far more with a book is how it affects you.”

(Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, Translated by Eric Ozawa)

8. Books Comfort

“I stretched out my hand towards the little bookshelf where I kept cookery and devotional books, the most comfortable bedside reading.”

(Excellent Women by Barbara Pym)

9. Books Bring Joy

“Those books which lie closest to our hearts are precisely the books we should give away, so that they may bring others happiness.”

(The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn)

10. Books Benefit Everyone

“I think it’s important that libraries be a place where you can find all kinds of books. Good ones, bad ones, funny ones, serious ones. Every person should be free to read whatever they want, whenever they want, and not have to explain to anyone else why we like it, or why we think it’s valuable. I hope you all get a chance to read my books someday.”

(Ban this Book by Alan Gratz)

How have books helped you? Leave your favorite quotes in the comments below.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

August 31, 2026

Dear writers,

Publishing has change dramatically in the last ten years.

You still need to write a good book.

But how you get that book to market is vastly different. You used to be tied to depending on an agent or a small publisher. Now you can do it yourself. Or hire a hybrid publisher to support you.

You used to depend on a publisher to do at least some of the book marketing. And they do. But the lion’s share of the work depends on you.

It took me years to understand that authors are in the business of selling a product. And they must know more about the business of publishing than ever before.

This Wednesday, I’m holding another Ask Me Anything Session. I’ll talk about how books can boost your credibility, strengthen your brand, and attract media attention.

Then you can ask me ANYTHING about writing or publishing.

Finally, I’ll give you a sneak peek into my new writing community, The Mightier Writer’s Circle.

You can sign up here: ASK ME ANYTHING

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

Have you ever wished you had a writing team? People who cared whether or not you showed up? People who would be right next to you, cheering you on?

That’s what Show Up and Write is all about. You don’t have to go it alone.

This Thursday, I am offering a complimentary Show Up and Write class for everyone. If you’re interested in seeing what we do, sign up here: CLASS

Today’s tip is about how failing might be the key to success.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Write, Fail, Repeat:

The Writer’s Guide to Failing Better

by Rochelle Melander

“Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win and no fail. There’s only make.”

—Corita Kent

My clients have talked a lot about failure lately.

They plan, choose a path, and it doesn’t work out.

They insist they’ve failed.

I encourage them to think of the situation as feedback.

Making art has much to teach us about how to make use of failure.

On NPR’s Morning Edition, A Martínez interviewed members of The Groundlings, a Los Angeles-based improv and sketch comedy troupe. Michael Churven said this about the process,

“You bomb so much, and your best teacher is your last bomb. I’ve never learned so much as when I failed miserably on the stage, ‘cause you learn firstly to just let it go, which I think is a key ingredient. And secondly, it forces you to think, OK, what was missing in that sketch?”

Wow. Instead of fearing failure, Churven embraces it. He learns from it. He uses it to figure out how to create better sketches.

When I teach art and writing to young people, I see so many students who fear failing. They have this idea in their head about what a perfect piece would look or sound like. When they can’t execute it—and most of us don’t get it right on the first try—they give up. Why try if they’re just going to fail?

You might face the same problem. You show up to write, jot down a few words, and stop—because they don’t match the image in your head. And here’s the thing: it’s not your fault. We live in an Instagram world, where we watch artists and writers make art. It looks like they get it right the first time, and brilliantly so.

Maybe. We’re only seeing the final product. We don’t see the hundreds of takes they tossed out.

We’re comparing our messy first draft with their finished product.

That’s not fair.

So how do you conquer the fear of failure? It turns out improv rules can be a great guide for us. Try this:

Treat your writing time as play

When kids play, they don’t analyze how well they’re doing at stacking blocks or zooming around the room like a flying car. They just do it. Next time you write, try stuff. Ask, “What if?” What if I had the characters do this? What if I told the story in first person? What if I used a lot of sound words? And then just do it. You can analyze how it worked afterwards.

Repeat, “Yes and”

In the NPR interview, Jay Renshaw said, “We don’t say yes and enough. I mean, there’s a lot of no but, I think, in the United States, definitely. I think we could all stand to say yes and a little bit more.”

When you were a kid, you’d brainstorm dumb things to do with a friend, and someone would say, “Yes and we could…” and then someone else would add, “Yes and we could.” If there were no adults around, your ideas would get super ridiculous and very fun. That’s the energy you want to bring to your writing. When you get stuck, do a little “yes and” brainstorming. Don’t let your inner playground monitor show up. Just brainstorm.

Get a new mantra

If you’re a perfectionist, you have failure mantras running through your head. They’re the words of your inner critic, trying to protect you from getting hurt. Sometimes the inner critic needs new lines. Give it some. Here are a few to try:

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” -Samuel Beckett

“Progress, not perfection.”

“Just do it.”

“Big ideas start with small steps.”

“I can do hard things.”

Change, change, change!

Characters must change to make a story interesting. According to David Alger’s Rules of Improv, “Characters need to go on journeys, be altered by revelations, experience the ramifications of their choices and be moved by emotional moments.” Let your characters loose. If you’re writing about nonfiction, experiment and explore. If you’re stuck, change your scenery, change your approach, or change your project!

Take care of each other

Improv isn’t done alone. Performers are encouraged to make their partners look good on stage rather than setting up themselves for success.

Yes, you need time alone to write. But you’ll be more successful if you surround yourself with people who support you.

Get support

My Show Up and Write group provides you with the structure you need to get writing done. I am watching my clients finish chapters and books because of the program. Visit SHOW UP AND WRITE to sign up for the open session.

Read the interview about the Groundlings here: https://www.npr.org/2024/01/31/1228067587/the-groundlings-a-sketch-and-improv-troupe-in-la-celebrates-its-50th-anniversary

TL;DR

When work doesn’t work, we think we failed.

What if we saw our failure as feedback?

Take inspiration from improv and art: learn from failure.

Treat writing time as play by using “yes, and.”

Get support from others.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

August 18, 2026

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

Many years ago, I was juggling young children and writing and work and heard U2’s song, “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own.” I was so moved by one of the lines in the chorus: “You don’t have to go it alone.”

The cinematic image of the writer often shows them holed up in an isolated cabin alone.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

That’s what Show Up and Write is all about. You don’t have to go it alone.

Sign up for a complimentary Show Up and Write class on Thursday, August 27^th at 11:00 AM CT. VISIT SHOW UP AND WRITE

Today I’m interviewing a dear friend and fellow author, Jane Rubietta. We met years ago at a weekend retreat with Madeleine L’Engle. (Wow, right?) Many years and many books later, Jane is here to talk about her most recent book, Merge.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Writing a Devotional after Trauma

An Interview with Jane Rubietta

Welcome to the blog, Jane! Tell us about your new book, Merge: The Road After Trauma Meets Faith.

Rochelle, thank you for this invitation! With a sub-subtitle of “40 ride-along reflections for the detours you didn’t choose,” it’s a book for people trying to get through another day as trauma unspools their lives. Most people experience those unchosen events or seasons that change lives (and not necessarily for the better).

One morning, I took a walk, and an SUV plowed into me. The fire department was literally one-half a block away, thankfully, as they had minutes to save my life. A long list of injuries meant enormous changes in daily life, income, roles—and also my mobility, brain, and vision function.

Because life with trauma makes concentration difficult, I couldn’t bear to read an entire book on trauma, and pretty much refused to write anything about it for two years. Merge became the book I didn’t want to write!

What gave you the idea to write this as a devotional instead of a memoir or prescriptive non-fiction? What tips would you give readers who want to write a devotional with a memoir element?

The devotional idea seemed doable to me. I needed to write short because I could only read short. Plus, many of my books are devotional readings; I’m good at writing short. It also made sense given the density of a “chapter book” for people coping with trauma. Reading research in trauma, or experts’ ideas, can be daunting for survivors. Plus, memoir is a bit tilted toward people with either big names or phenomenal stories. I’m good at telling stories, but this felt more meaningful as a companion for people in pain.

For years, journaling has helped me know my own mind and was invaluable to me as I recovered. A traumatic brain injury makes connecting thought to thought, and then to actual spoken words, challenging. Writing forced me to do that. Rereading the journal reminded me of how much I forgot—and helped me see the common needs for other survivors.

These would be the most important tips: take good notes, line up the needs with the audience, then bring your heart and experience into the devotional. But make sure it connects with the audience. However, take good notes for healing, rather than with the idea of writing about them later—it is challenging to begin to monetize the healing. We put on our editor’s hat way too soon.

My clients who are memoir writers tell me that revisiting a difficult event can be just as traumatizing as living through it. How did you help yourself remember and write about these events? And how did you take care of yourself through the writing process?

Absolutely true. Trauma forms a bit of insulation at first, like swelling when you break a bone. It protects some people for a while. Recording it in a journal keeps a record—and rereading my pages I realized how emotionally hard it was on me. And on my partner.

I had to learn how to feel what I’d experienced again, honestly—survival doesn’t always include feeling the feelings. I reminded myself to breathe again through the hard parts and to take myself off-deadline. It was MY timeline, and when healing is a full-time job, deadlines have to be flexible when possible. I also did sensory activities: lots of walks (it helped that I couldn’t drive for over 2 years; I had to walk!), sitting in the breeze and actually feeling it, noticing a fragrance in the air and investigating it. Podcasts became my friend, and the library. Laughter is also healing, so watching funny shows or comedians shifted my brain/soul focus.

You do a lot of speaking to promote your books. What tips can you give our readers about beginning a speaking career?

A publisher will ask for a marketing plan, and whether you self-publish or not, you need a plan. Imagine your best book audiences and find groups connected to them. Then make a spreadsheet with contacts and details about connections made. Small gigs get books in people’s hands and help with word-of-mouth.

Also, I speak because I want to connect with people—plus sell books. Keeping the priority of the message is vital and keeps the speaking from being some money-making endeavor rather than a message you’re excited to share. (Sales are necessary, they just can’t be the sole reason for a speaking gig. I’m not going to minimize the need for income or the fun of it, either!)

I began speaking when a group read an article in a magazine—articles get the word out. There are some print magazines still around (believe it or not), and also a lot of online magazines.

What are you reading now?

I Belong to Me, by Tia Levings

The Serviceberry, by Robin Wall Kimmerer

The Things We Never Say, by Elizabeth Strout

About the author. Jane Rubietta loves words, strong coffee, dark chocolate, walking under the stars (or moon or in the rain or on the beach). She uses her words to write books (she’s written over 20, non-fiction and fiction) and to deliver keynote speeches internationally, preach, and talk in real life. Find her at JaneRubietta.com, and on social media and YouTube.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

I’m delaying the opening of the Mightier Writer’s Circle until mid-September. I’m away too much this month and next to make it work. But stay tuned! I’m building something wonderful for you.

If you want to be one of the first in the doors, with access to weekly writing circles, exclusive content, and discounts on writing groups, consider joining Show Up and Write. All members of Show Up and Write become founding members.

If you want a taste of Show Up and Write, sign up for a complimentary Show Up and Write class on Thursday, August 27^th at 11:00 AM CT. SIGN UP FOR SHOW UP AND WRITE

Today’s tip is part of the Game Changer Series, where I’m covering the core tools that will turnaround your writing life.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Game Changer

Hook Your Brain: How to Focus and Write Now

By Rochelle Melander

May Sarton published Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing, a novel about a poet and writer in the early 60s, long before cell phones and the internet. Here’s what she said about the main character’s struggle to write, no doubt inspired by her own writing life:

Every single day she fought a war to get to her desk before her little bundle of energy had been dissipated, to push aside or cull through an intricate web of slight threads pulling her in a thousand different directions.

As a poet and novelist herself, Sarton knew that writers and artists had to overcome distractions and write before the threads of life pulled them toward both crucial and mundane tasks of the day.

The war to get to our desks—and stay there—involves many small battles. We struggle to turn off social media. We scuffle with our own egos: Does this work matter? Will anyone read this? We battle our sense of duty: I need to be earning more money. I have emails to answer! We confront the millions of ideas that float around our head, our long to-do lists, and our anxiety about getting our work finished. How are we to accomplish anything?

If you have ADHD, you may struggle even more with starting, staying focused, and managing tasks.

Hear this: Distractions happen. It’s not your fault. It’s the way the world is built. According to cognitive psychologist Daniel Levitan, author of An Organized Mind, it’s no wonder we’re feeling overwhelmed and distracted. He said, “our brains are busier than ever before. We’re assaulted with facts, pseudo facts, jibber-jabber, and rumour, all posing as information. Trying to figure out what you need to know and what you can ignore is exhausting.”

Here are my tips for helping you set up your life, get writing and stay focused.

Before You Begin

Plan the week. For most of my clients, we’ve discovered the benefit of having a reset session once a week can save them time and support their week. Once a week, usually on Sunday, decide what you need to get done during the next week. Assign tasks to time blocks.

Set cues. Time blocking doesn’t always work if you have ADHD. It’s difficult to track time. To support yourself, you can:

· Schedule it on an online calendar that will send you push notifications.

· Schedule your task blocks around already established habits. For example, walk as soon as you get out of bed, write immediately after your morning coffee, call your mom while cooking dinner.

· Review your schedule every single morning to reinforce it.

(Pro Tip: This is what makes Show Up and Write so helpful—the time is already blocked off for you. Sign up to try it out at the end of the month: SHOW UP.

Assign a task to each session. Attention is goal-directed, so you’ll do better if you have a specific goal. Instead of “work on project” try “write paragraph on task paralysis” or “sketch details about protagonist’s past.”

Pro Tip: Have a list of small steps you can do during the week. That way, you can choose the one that most interests you at the time.

Starting Writing

You’ve done the “before” routine: You’ve reviewed your day, set an alarm, and scheduled your writing to follow a cue. But when you get to your desk, you don’t feel like writing. This is when you’re most tempted to distract yourself. (Hello social media scroll of choice!)

Instead, try this:

Temptation Bundling! Give yourself a treat. It might be a special beverage, working at the coffee shop, or music you like. The key: this is the ONLY time you can have the treat.

Create a writing bubble. Turn off your phone, disconnect from email and social media, shut off wi-fi. This creates friction between you and distraction. It doesn’t mean you won’t go online—it just makes it harder for you to do so.

Ten-minute start. Set a timer for ten minutes and write anything on your assigned task.

Staying Focused

You write for ten minutes, and you get a notification. Oops, forgot to shut something off. Or your kid needs you. Or the dog pukes. Distraction! What can you do?

Refocus. Just like refocusing in meditation, when you focus again on your writing work you’re building the focus muscle. Start with another ten-minute timed sprint.

Create a refocus plan. There are hundreds of ways to combat distraction and doubt. Here are a few that work for me:

· Mind-mapping or listing possible solutions

· Working on a different part of the project

· Committing to writing a terrible paragraph

· Creating a positive mantra

· Talking back to negative voices

· Feeling the feelings and moving forward

· Change environment

· Jot down new ideas or research tasks in a notebook

· Gently ask yourself to refocus

· Take a quick regenerative break: walk around the block, do dishes, stretch!

The Secret Sauce

You may be thinking, “But I have so many tasks, I can’t just focus on one!”

When you’re busy, it’s tempting to tackle multiple projects at once. This might mean squeezing in watching a class while we try to do a part of our writing task.

But multitasking is bad for our brains and our bodies. Multitasking increases the stress hormone cortisol and raises the fight or flight hormone adrenaline.

According to psychologist Daniel J. Levitan, multitasking also “creates a dopamine addiction feedback loop.” In other words, when we deviate from our key task to check tweets or texts, we get a tiny dopamine hit. In effect, we’re rewarded for doing tiny, meaningless tasks. This creates the desire to constantly search for that novelty.

The secret sauce? Single tasking. Do one thing at a time. If possible, try the pomodoro method: work for 45 minutes and then take an energy-restoring break.

Stop by the blog and share your secret for overcoming distractions and getting stuff done.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/ If you need accountability and support, join the Mightier Writer’s Circle.

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

I can finally share my big news.

In mid-August, I am launching The Mightier Writer’s Circle, a community on Skool. This community is designed to help high achieving people get the help they need to write and publish their nonfiction books.

All of you who want to sample it can jump in for a seven-day free trial. Once inside, you can take the Plot Your Write Life Challenge, which provides you with everything you need to establish a writing habit. (Just in time for fall!)

But that’s not all!

During those seven days, you can test out everything members get, including the Show Up and Write sessions, the webinars, and—most importantly—the community check-ins. Mark your calendar for August 12, because you won’t want to miss this!

Today’s tip is part of the Game Changer Series, where I’m covering the core tools that will turnaround your writing life.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

The Writer’s Secret Weapon:

Envisioning Your Future Self

By Rochelle Melander

Imagine that you have someone who’s eagerly awaiting your next writing project. She will rejoice when you finish it. He can’t wait to get it out into the world.

How would you behave differently if you knew someone was waiting for your work?

I’m guessing you might get serious about your writing time. Procrastinate less. Write more. Ask for help when you get stuck.

In short, you’d do everything in your power to finish on time.

Here’s the thing: we are always working for a future someone.

Ourselves.

The Science Behind Envisioning Your Future Self

Most people think of their future self as someone separate from who they are in the present moment. No relation.

Sorry, future self.

But when people vividly visualize their future self, feel empathy toward them, and imagine what that self might be like, they:

+Make better financial choices

+Increase their motivation

+Experience less stress

Well, that’s a game changer!

You’ve Done this Before

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”

But you’re thinking, I don’t do that.

Sure you do.

• When you make the bed so you have a cozy nest the next night.

• When you wash the dishes so your future self can wake up to a clean kitchen.

• When you plan that trip or buy the ticket, so your future self can relax and have fun.

Apply it to Your Writing Life

The research seems to suggest that for this to work, you must envision your future self with clarity and detail. You must also place value on your future self.

But how?

For years, I’ve encouraged people to imagine what their best possible future self might want.

The exercise comes from the field of social psychology. Professor Laura King discovered that when people who wrote about their future self , they experienced many benefits. These included improved moods, health, and ability to set and achieve goals.

In the study, psychologists instructed participants to write a vision of their future lives, imagining that they had worked as hard as possible and everything had gone as well as possible. Better than a crystal ball, the exercise gives us the ability to sketch out the details of our happily ever after.

So are you up for the challenge? Here are the basic instruction for the exercise:

Imagine yourself a year from now. Everything has gone as well as it possibly could. You have worked hard and succeeded at accomplishing your goals. Write in the present tense about your life.

In the original study, participants did this exercise four times. I like that. I found that the first time I tried this exercise, I was so tethered to the present that I could not vision the future. The second time I did the exercise, my tether was looser. Each try brought bigger dreams. As I worked at it, my description of my best possible life became more detailed.

Make a Plan

Once you have a rich vision of your future self, choose one to three goals from your vision and imagine what small steps you need to take to finish the project for your future self. Break that goal into as many small, doable steps as possible. If any step feels scary, then it’s too big. Break it down into smaller steps until each one feels doable.

Schedule It and Write!

Block out time every week to work on this project. Remember that you are working for your future self. Do anything that helps you stay accountable—such as keeping a time sheet or writing a daily report. Whenever you get stuck, remind yourself that your boss—your future self—believes in you and is counting on you to do your work.

Review and Revise

Once a month or once a quarter, review your progress toward your goal. If you’re keeping up with the project, give yourself a pat on the back! But if you’re struggling, you might need to make some tweaks to your project, plan, or schedule.

I can help! Reach out for a consultation or join Show Up and Write. Contact me for more information.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Dear writers,

When Jane Austen wrote her novels, she didn’t have “a room of her own” (Virginia Woolf). She wrote in the family’s living room, with her brothers and sister bustling around her. At night, she would read her stories to the family.

Members of the February House had many writers to commiserate with. The poet W.H. Auden served as “house mother” for this Brooklyn boarding house in the early 1940s. At one point several writers lived there, including Carson McCullers and Gypsy Rose Lee. Carson wrote The Member of the Wedding on the top floor (while drinking heavily) and the stripper Gypsy Rose Lee penned The G-String Murders.

We can’t travel back in time. And most of us don’t have the time or money for a writing retreat.

But I’ll bet you have an hour a day you can dedicate to writing.

If you’re free tomorrow at 11:00 AM CT/12 PM ET, join us for Show Up and Write.

It’s not the February House, but it provides you with the time and space you need to work on your project.

This Thursday’s event is completely complimentary. If you’re interested in seeing what we do, sign up here: WRITING CIRCLE

I hope to see you there!

Rochelle

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

Have you ever wished you had a writing buddy? Someone who would show up to your writing sessions and just write next to you?

That’s what Show Up and Write is all about. You don’t have to go it alone.

This Thursday, I am offering a complimentary Show Up and Write class for everyone. If you’re interested in seeing what we do, sign up here: WRITING

Today’s tip is part of the Game Changer Series, where I’m covering the core tools that will turnaround your writing life.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Stop Staring at the Blank Page: Why Prewriting Is a Game Changer

by Rochelle Melander

There’s more than one way to look at a blank page.

Gaston Bachelard wrote:

A word is a bud attempting to become a twig. How can one not dream while writing? It is the pen which dreams. The blank page gives the right to dream.

G.K. Chesterton had a completely different view:

The blank page is God’s way of letting us know how hard it is to be God.

Do you panic at the sight of the blank page?

There’s hope.

The promise of prewriting

My life changed when I learned about prewriting. Despite my excellent education, not one teacher (that I can remember) explained to me that writers didn’t just sit down and dash off a masterpiece, like they do in the movies.

Instead, authors think on paper, filling notebooks with their ideas. Then they write. And rewrite.

I’m not alone. Even famous authors practiced prewriting. John Steinbeck kept a journal for each novel. J.R.R. Tolkien drew detailed maps of middle earth. Ursula K. Le Guin made maps of her fictional worlds before she wrote a book. William Faulkner wrote the outline of his book A Fable on his office wall in red crayon. Joseph Heller created a detailed handwritten spreadsheet for his book Catch 22 .

Prewriting prevents writer’s block

Often writer’s block is simply a moment of fear—what do I say? Eliminate that anxiety by planning. Before facing the blank page, record ideas for your article or chapter. Here’s how.

List. A list is the simplest way to get unstuck. All you need to do is dump your ideas for your piece into a long list of information. This is a great tool to use with a timer.

Journal. You may not be able to write your piece yet, but you can journal. “What?” you ask. “They’re the same thing!” Kind of. Think of your journaling like morning pages—one to three messy pages about anything going on in your life. Except this time, you’re going to write about your project. Don’t worry about order or repetition—just write. Think of it as brainstorming on paper. Afterwards, you can mine your journal notes for a place to start.

Mind Map. Write the topic you’re working with in the center of your paper and draw a circle around it. Emerging from the center word, draw lines and add a circle at the end of each line. In each circle, note a topic that supports the core message of your piece. These might include core arguments, anecdotes, dates, or historical information. For each central category, you can add more lines and circles, noting themes, details, stories, data, or information that you plan to use to explore that topic. When you’ve written down everything you know, you have a visual topic map of your project.

I like mind maps because I can brainstorm freely without worry about what comes first. Once I get to the computer, I have a whole page of ideas to work from.

(See my quick mind map video here.)

Talk. Forget the freaking page! Go for a walk and talk into your phone. I usually dictate to the Notes app, but you can leave yourself a voice memo or use one of a gazillion apps to record your ideas.

Draw. Yup, you read that right. Make a picture. When the students I teach cannot come up with words for their stories or ideas, I invite them to draw a comic of an event. When my memoir students get stuck, I encourage them to draw a place that has meaning for them. Grab your sketchbook and draw:

• An object or place that is part of your story

• A comic strip of an event

• A storyboard

• A floorplan

• A map

Ask questions. Interview yourself about the project or ask a friend to interview you. Or, once you’ve finished prewriting, ask questions of your work. Here are a few questions that might help you move from idea making to creating:

• What shows up repeatedly?

• What pops out as the main topic?

• Does this give you a sense of why you are writing?

• Do you know more about who your audience is?

• Can you find a who, what, why, and where for your piece?

• Where would be a good place to start writing?

• Where might you end the piece?

• What else do you need to know?

NOTE: You can find a downloadable cheat sheet for all of these tips at the blog.

Make it Fun

You can make prewriting even more fun by timing yourself, racing against a friend, or coworking.

Why Prewriting Changes the Game

For all of us, but especially for people who have ADHD, starting is half the battle. Writing means shifting from intention to action.

Because ADHD brains don’t have as much dopamine, when it comes to doing something like writing—we may experience task paralysis. We need a dopamine hit to move forward.

We can get that dopamine hit when we brainstorm. Our brain rewards us when we generate ideas and make connections.

Your turn

What’s your favorite prewriting tool?

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

The big thing isn’t quite ready yet. But stay tuned for announcements. I’m so excited to share this project with you, because it’s designed to help YOU write more.

Today’s tip is part of my CREATE project—a book about how to show up and write when the world is on fire. Today’s story centers around one of my favorite writers from history, Helen Keller, and talks about how she was able to achieve so much because she got help.

Speaking of help, if you’re looking for structure for your writing journey, join the Write Now! Show Up and Write program. We meet three times a week and write together.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

The Courage to Ask: How Getting Help Transformed Helen Keller’s Life

by Rochelle Melander

We imagine that writing and making art is easy.

Sometimes it is. An idea hits us and we execute it with ease.

But that’s very rare.

In fact, making art can be hard.

In his book, Several short sentences about writing, Verlyn Klinkenborg writes, “It’s hard work, and it’s been hard work for everyone all along.” (68)

Did you read that: “It’s been hard work for everyone all along.”

But for some people it’s even more difficult.

Imagine if your situation required you to get help to create.

That’s Helen Keller’s story.

She wrote, “I am not an easy, prolific writer. … When I remember the books I have written, it is with pain, not joy; for I cannot forget the stern labor that went into them.”

She developed a process that made it possible for her to write many books, even though she was both blind and deaf:

• She wrote and revised her words on a Braille typewriter.

• She’d then translate the words for Annie, who’d type them on a regular typewriter.

• To revise, her helpers would read her words back to her through fingerspelling. If she wanted to change a phrase, she’d fingerspell it back to them.

According to Dorothy Herrmann in Helen Keller: A Life, “Composing and revising mainly in Braille, she rewrite the book at least four times, and Annie, Polly, and Nella were constantly spelling back to her pages, paragraphs and chapters. To the end she was revising and rewriting and was only able to get a sense of what she had written when the Braille edition was printed.”

But Helen Keller’s willingness to get help didn’t end with her writing.

When Keller knew that advocating for the blind meant giving speeches, she was terrified. She didn’t like speaking.

After her first ever speech in Montclair, New Jersey, she wrote:

“Terror invaded my flesh, my mind froze, my heart stopped beating. I kept repeating, ‘What shall I do? What shall I do to calm this tumult within me?’”

Feeling like a failure, Helen burst into tears.

But Helen didn’t give up.

She’d already had her damaged eyes replaced with glass ones.

She was taking voice lessons and would take more.

She delved into speaking, giving lectures and performing on Vaudeville with Annie.

Then Robert Irwin, director of the American Foundation for the Blind, asked Helen to help the organization raise money. From 1924 to 1927, Helen traveled coast to coast and spoke at 249 meetings in 123 cities, reaching 250,000 people.

During this time, she also wrote two books.

Helen said, “Books are the eyes of the blind. They reveal to us the glories of the light-filled world, they keep us in touch with what people are thinking and doing, they help us to forget our limitations. With our hands plunged into an interesting book, we feel independent and happy.”

In 1937, Helen and her new assistant, Polly Thompson, traveled to Japan and throughout Europe to speak and raise money for the blind. During the war, Keller made several trips to army and navy hospitals to visit deaf and blind soldiers. From 1943 to 1955, “Helen traveled to thirty-five different countries on five continents to make presentations and raise money on behalf of the disabled. This involved countless hours of composing, memorizing, and practicing speeches.” (Herrmann, 145)

But she wasn’t done yet!

When Keller was 74, she took a 40,000-mile tour of Asia to help invite and inspire people to create facilities to help blind and deaf people.

Inspiring.

Making art is hard work. Getting it out in the world might be even harder work.

But with the help of others, we can do it.

What type of support would make the most difference in your life?

TL;DR

Writing is hard work.

It was especially challenging for the blind and deaf Helen Keller.

But speaking was more difficult.

Keller got help to write her books and improve her speaking.

Because of that, Keller reached many people with her words and advocacy.

What kind of support would make the most difference in your life?

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

I am working on something BIG for you.

I’m hoping to have it ready for you soon. Keep your eye out for an invitation next week.

Today’s tip is part of the gamechanger series: how to gather ideas like a pro! And a warning: today’s post is a long one. Feel free to check it out at the blog.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

The Gamechanger: Gather Ideas Like A Pro

The Writer’s Guide to Collecting, Generating, Recording, and Developing New Ideas

Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any.

– Orson Scott Card

Ever get that flash of insight that turns into a book or a million-dollar business idea?

Mary Shelley got the idea for Frankenstein from a waking nightmare during a stormy weekend at a mansion. Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, had a vision for her undergarments when she snapped off the bottom of a pair of pantyhose to give herself a seam-free look.

But those idea bombs are rare.

As Jack London said, “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”

I like my version better:

“Don’t wait for ideas to come to you.

Chase them with a butterfly net.”

–Rochelle Melander

For most of us, the game changer comes when we create a structure to discover and use ideas.

In today’s post, I’ll give you the tools you need to discover, generate, record, play with, and use your ideas. (If you’re looking for a cheat sheet, head over to my blog for a downloadable guide.)

Develop an Idea Recording System

Before collecting ideas, create a system for recording and categorizing them. I recommend that everyone have:

+A tool for recording ideas on the road. When you’re in the car or doing errands, ideas buzz around your head like flies on food. Use a tiny notebook, index card, or a note-taking app on your phone to record the ideas. You can also use an app like Evernote or Notion to take notes and collect your research, that can be a good place to record your new ideas.

+An idea journal or file. Use a big notebook, a computer document, or a combination of both to hold your ideas. Divide your notebook or document into different sections so that you can organize ideas by project or category. A networking consultant who has a blog and is writing a book might have an idea file with categories like “blog ideas,” “book on ideas for how introverts network,” “business marketing ideas” and “random ideas.” A novelist might have a section for their current novel, a section of ideas for future novels, a section for random ideas about character, setting, and situations.

+A journal, section in your notebook, or a separate document where you can play with ideas. I get the most out of ideas when I can play with them—stretch and bend them, combine them with other ideas, and apply them to a bunch of different formats. I use a big sketchbook and a bunch of colored markers and pens to play with ideas.

Collect Ideas

As Card said, we walk past dozens of ideas a day. If we’re smart, we jot them down. (Or, as writers like Elizabeth Gilbert has said, they tend to fly away and tempt the writer down the block who is paying attention!) But in addition to collecting the ideas that show up for us, we need to spend time purposefully gathering ideas. Here are some thoughts about where to look for new ideas.

Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell, authors of The Renegade Writer, suggest that writers steal ideas from:

• Newsletters

• Government Reports

• Press releases

• Trade magazines

• Regional magazines and newspapers

• Consumer magazines

• Books

• Your articles

I often find ideas in:

• Newspaper articles

• Blog posts

• Facebook and Twitter posts

• Posts from groups on yahoo and LinkedIn

• Overheard conversations

• Book titles

• Music lyrics

• Art exhibits

• Google’s auto complete

• Idea networks like Springwise or Trendwatching

Practice Generating Ideas

I find it helpful to set aside time each week to generate ideas. I usually do this around a specific topic (What blog posts could I write? What classes could I teach? What might my protagonist do next?). It can also be helpful to simply play with generating ideas because the more you generate ideas, the better you become at thinking up new ideas.

Nonfiction

Ten ways to solve…

Ten things I’ve learned this year

Ten practices or values I feel strongly about

Ten essays I could write immediately

Ten things I am curious about

Fiction

Ten actions my character could take to try to solve their problem

Ten things my protagonist might say

Ten places my characters could visit

Ten awkward situations I’d love to write about

Ten ways to mash up genres

Ten short or flash fiction stories I could write immediately

Play with Ideas

Many of us have the notion that the brilliant writers receive their ideas fully formed. But that’s not true. Most ideas start out kind of wobbly (like people) and get better when they are combined, developed, or questioned.

+Combine. Look at your ideas and see if you can combine any 2 or 3 of them to make a better idea. Practice combining them for a specific purpose: could you combine them to create a book or article idea?

+Develop. Play with one of your favorite ideas and list ways to develop it. Will the idea work best as a blog post, article or book? Could you use your idea to create a product or service to sell? Once you have a format, what are some steps you need to take to make the idea into a product?

+Question. The Renegade Writer presents good questions to help you take an existing article, book, or press release and put your own spin on it.

• How could you do this better? Can you write something that covers the holes in the story?

• What is the opposite of the story? If you come across a story on how children consume too much media, and it’s ruining their brains, maybe you could explore a story on how media is good for young people. Or you could go deeper, and try to figure out how children who forgo media are smarter than their peers.

• Who else would be interested in this story? Can you take a secular story and put a religious spin on it? Can you take a press release and slant it so that it works for a parenting magazine, a blog for seniors, or a food magazine?

• How can I make this idea regional?

• How can I make this idea national?

• How can I make this idea narrower?

• How can I make this idea broader?

• How can I make this idea fit my target market?

Use Your Ideas

Most of us have gazillions of notebooks filled with ideas that we never act on.

Don’t hoard ideas.

Instead, take this quote from Annie Dillard and put it on your wall, “Spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time.”

Before you write, gather up some of your ideas.

Then toss them in your writing.

Don’t be stingy. You won’t run out.

If you do, you can find more ideas tomorrow.

Pro Tip: If you are blocked and don’t know HOW to develop your ideas into a story, walk away from them. They tend to grow and combine on their own.

Wrap Up

Writing requires idea development. Make idea gathering a part of your weekly or monthly schedule!

If you need help brainstorming ideas or strategizing which ones might work for your audience, consider signing up for a coaching session. Message me.

TL;DR

Don’t wait for ideas to come to you.

Chase them with a butterfly net.”

Develop an idea recording system. (Like your Notes App.)

Collect ideas. Go out into the wild or dive into books and music to find gems.

Generate ideas. This practice will help you become a better writer.

Play with ideas. The best ideas come from combining, questioning, and developing.

Use ideas. Don’t let your ideas rot in a file. Give them a job!

Connect with me for support.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

Happy July!

Last week we began the second half and third quarter of the year. A 2013 study on the Fresh Start Effect showed that people do better with new goals after a new start in the calendar—new year, new quarter, new month, new day. We might purchase new notebooks, computers, or programs to help us achieve our goals. Or find an accountability partner.

If you’re looking for structure for your writing journey, join the Write Now! Show Up and Write program. We meet three times a week and write together. It’s body doubling at its best. SIGN UP HERE.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Writing by Hand

An Interview with Poet Michele Wolf

by Rochelle Melander

Tell our readers about your new book of poems, Peacocks on the Streets.

The book’s title and my poem “Peacocks on the Streets” are based on that time during the early months of the pandemic when we were all quarantined at home and the streets were so empty that, worldwide, wildlife ventured out of their natural habitats to visit residential and commercial spaces. I found these new wildlife behaviors quite evocative, especially when juxtaposed with the danger and wildness of COVID. Peacocks on the Streets explores what is wild and unpredictable in our lives — both what is harsh and what uplifts us — and how we find the resolve to triumph after trauma. The poems’ subjects range from pandemic bereavement, hate crimes, and terrorism, to falling in love at midlife, adopting a child, and caring for a parent stolen by dementia. In a word, Peacocks on the Streets is about resilience.

What is your process for writing poems?

The initial step, typically, is I am struck by an image or an experience that feels layered with meaning and possibilities, something I want to explore further. For the early stages of a poem, my standard ritual is I write with a pencil on a white, 8.5- by 11-inch, blue-lined pad. There is something about handwriting poems when they are still unformed that seems very essential and back-to-basics to me, that helps lead me to the core of what I want to express.

Early on in a poem’s development, I do a lot of free association and note down everything that comes to mind, even though I will end up using only a fraction of this material. I try not to edit myself at this point. The pencil reminds me that what I’m writing is still tentative. I don’t commit a new poem to its computer iteration until it is nearly completed. For prose — personal essays, reviews, and features — I compose on the computer.

Throughout the years, how have you managed to both write poems and work as an editor? Can you talk about how you juggled the two roles and what practices you had in place to maintain your creative output?

I’ve succeeded in handling both roles because I’ve compartmentalized. I held full-time staff jobs as an editor for many years, until 2023. Now I am an independent editor, working with multiple clients but deliberately working only part-time. This flextime, in theory, offers me more time for writing poems, but most of my free time has been eaten up lately by the fun task of getting the word out about Peacocks on the Streets.

My key tip to maintaining creative output is to schedule in writing time on your calendar, just as you might schedule in exercise time, even if it’s only for half an hour a couple of days a week. During many of the years when I worked full-time, my daughter was under age 18, so I also had welcome parenting responsibilities in the mix. My solution was to tune out my surroundings and write during my one-hour Metro commute from my D.C. suburb into downtown, and then during the one-hour ride heading back home. I got a lot of work done! A friend nicknamed me the Red Line Poet.

From your years of work as an editor and poet, what are some self-editing tools you use or encourage writers to use?

One reason I like writing poems in pencil in their early stages is that there’s less of a temptation to omit something by writing over it and thereby losing an earlier iteration of a line or more, which may be valuable to turn to again. Sure, I cross things out in pencil, and a poem’s full history can certainly be preserved on the computer, but I prefer having a wad of pages to work with in my hands rather than on the screen.

Also, once a poem — or a prose piece — is near completion, I am ruthless with every word of it: Is it essential? Is it the perfect, can’t-be-anything-else word? With prose, is there something important and rich in every sentence? With poems, is there something important and rich in every line? No filler allowed.

You’ve been an editor for many years. What tips would you give to writers about working with an editor?

In 99 percent of cases, your editor is your friend, someone whose goal is to help your writing achieve its highest potential, not to imbue it with their personal stamp. Their goal is to make your voice the best it can be. A great many editors also write and are sensitive to both roles and very respectful.

The key thing to remember is that no matter how polished your writing is, you are so close to it that you may have blind spots, and an editor can help you by offering suggestions for improvements. Keep an open mind regarding the back-and-forth of the editing process. The bottom line is, this editor has already accepted your work for publication. Hooray! This editor has taste. That’s a given.

What are you reading now?

I am enjoying poet Traci Brimhall’s Love Prodigal. Two novels I was recently very taken with are Alice McDermott’s Someone and Colm Tóibín’s Long Island. Also, I am rereading poet Barbara Ungar’s After Naming the Animals and poet Richard Levine’s Now in Contest.

For those in the New York City area, I’ll be giving a poetry reading with Barbara and Richard on Saturday, September 19, at the Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Street, in the West Village, from 2:00 to 4:00. I hope you can make it! Check out A Poetry Afternoon With Michele Wolf, Richard Levine, and Barbara Ungar.

About the author. Michele Wolf is the author of Peacocks on the Streets, a finalist for the Paterson Poetry Prize. Her earlier collections are Immersion, Conversations During Sleep, and the chapbook The Keeper of Light. Her poems have appeared in The Southern Review, Poetry, The Hudson Review, and many other literary journals and anthologies. Among her honors are the Anhinga Prize for Poetry, a Maryland State Arts Council literary arts Independent Artist Award, and fellowships from Yaddo, the Edward F. Albee Foundation, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland. She teaches at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda. Her website is

http://michelewolf.com

.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

Welcome to the many new subscribers! Glad to have you here!

I have a couple spots open for my nonfiction critique group.

We meet July 1, 15, and 29 from 2:30 to 4:00 PM CDT. If you sign up for the group, you are welcome to attend Show Up and Write every M, T, W at 11 AM CT. The fee is $225 for all three session.

Reply to this message if you’re interested!

Today’s tip tells you how to start your own critique group.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

How to Start a Critique Group

by Rochelle Melander

I hear many horror stories about critique groups. Writers attend a group hoping for helpful feedback and receive harsh criticism, misinformation, or personal attacks. After one or more challenging experiences like that, many writers avoid critique groups, feel anxious about getting critiqued, or give up on writing.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve been a member of several successful critique groups that have helped me improve my writing skills. For many years, I’ve been running a positive, helpful critique group that members look forward to attending.

This post gives you a guide for creating a critique group that will inspire you to create better books.

How to choose participants

Thriving critique groups start with the right group of people.

+Choose participants who are writing in the same or similar genres so that group members can offer informed feedback. It’s tough to comment on a genre we know nothing about.

+Look for members who have a similar level of experience as writers.

+Appoint a mentor or group leader who has more expertise and can keep the group on track.

How to set guidelines

Once you have your group in place, it is helpful to have some guidelines to follow. They might include:

+What will meeting look like? One of my picture book critique groups critiques via email. My Write Now! Coach critique groups meet on Zoom, but we always review each other’s work ahead of time. When, where, and how often will you meet?
+Consider how often members will submit and how many pages or words each submission can have. Some groups invite members to take turns submitting. Other groups have members submit a limited number of pages for each meeting. How often will members submit? How many pages each time?

+If you meet and critique multiple manuscripts, either in person or online, how much time will each person get at the meeting?

How to find a critique group

I’ve been in several critique groups over the years. I’ve found them through chance, writing friends, writing coaches, and membership organizations. Here are the best ways to find a critique group:

+Writing membership organization. My current critique group is through the Society of Children’s Writers and Book Illustrators (SCBWI). If you belong to a writing membership organization, check their website to see if they offer critique groups.

+Colleagues. Do you hang out with other writers? If you have friends, colleagues, or writing partners who are at about the same level of experience, you might start your own group.

+Writing classes. Many writing classes include an element of critique. Whether offered through a local college extension program, a writing studio, or online, these groups are often moderated by an experienced teacher.

+Write Now! Coach. I currently offer a critique group and will be expanding that in the fall. Keep your eyes open for future opportunities.

How to critique others

It’s tough to know how to critique. Some of us tend to read for meaning while others are concerned about word choice or grammar. We certainly bring our own ideas as well as biases to our critiquing. Here are some suggestions on how to critique that I developed for my group:

1. Review any information that the author gave you.

2. Read the piece through once. Note first impressions, questions, and concerns on a separate document or piece of paper—not on the writer’s manuscript. Jot down your first responses to the writer’s questions.

3. Take a break.

4. Read the piece a second time. Make notes in the manuscript.

Consider:

• What works?

• What would you like to hear more about?

• What would you like to hear less about?

• What was expressed well?

• What was confusing?

• What are your thoughts on the author’s central questions?

5. Finally, review your notes from the first read and throughout the manuscript. Write a note to the writer, answering their questions and addressing the questions above that pertain to this piece of writing. As you offer feedback, remember:

· Be aware of your own preferences and biases.

· Always begin and end with a positive comment.

· When you give feedback, try to be specific. Instead of, “This is a fun story,” offer concrete information: “When you talk about your cooking disasters, I laughed. The way you heighten tension with each disaster being bigger than the previous one works really well.”

· Provide a reason for suggested changes.

· Provide your feedback in a constructive, positive manner. Before you send or present your critique, ask: “Is this helpful? Is this kind?”

[For a downloadable version of the above, please visit the blog.]

How to receive criticism

· It’s natural to get defensive, overwhelmed, or frustrated. Take a deep breath and remember that the feedback is about this draft and not about you, your talent, or your potential as a writer. Resist the urge to defend yourself or your manuscript.

· Ask clarifying questions. Instead of ranting about what doesn’t work for you, try asking a question like, “Can you say more about this suggestion?”

· After receiving critiques, take a break before you make changes.

· When you get back to your manuscript, consider the feedback and how you might apply it to your draft. Create a new document and try out whatever parts of the critique make sense to you. Dismiss what does not work.

I can help

Write Now! Coach Critique groups start again in the fall. If you’re interested, REPLY to this email with a note about your genre and level of experience.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

June 26, 2026

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

Years ago, two academics met to talk about teaching, religion, and politics. In time, their talk turned to their own writing. They read each other’s work and delivered robust critiques.

I’m talking about The Inklings, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

Tolkien later wrote about C. S. Lewis’s comments on The Lord of the Rings,

‘When he would say, “You can do better than that. Better, Tolkien, please!” I would try. I’d sit down and write the section over and over.”

After Lewis’s death, Tolkien wrote, “The unpayable debt that I owe to him was not ‘influence’ as it is ordinarily understood, but sheer encouragement. He was for long my only audience. Only from him [did I] ever get the idea that my ‘stuff’ could be more than a private hobby.”

Wow. That shows the power community support for writers.

Do you have someone like that in your life? Someone that will help you get your work out of your head and into the world?

Do you have someone to read your work and tell you what’s working and what needs work?

This July, I’m hosting a Summer School critique group. This might be for you if:

+You’re a nonfiction writer

+You have a deadline and need accountability to finish

+You worry your work isn’t good enough

We’ll be meeting on Wednesdays July 1, 15, and 29 from 2:30 to 4:00 PM CDT. If you sign up for the group, you are welcome to attend Show Up and Write every M, T, W at 11 AM CT. The fee is $225 for all three sessions. If you’re interested, reply to this message as soon as possible.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

Welcome to the many new subscribers who joined us through The Draft to Done Bundle. If you haven’t yet grabbed your bundle, you can do so here: BUNDLE.

And now I have a special offer for all of you.

Are you ready for feedback on your non-fiction book?

This July, I’m hosting a Summer School critique group. This might be for you if:

+You’re a nonfiction writer

+You’re wondering if your writing reads well

+You need accountability and a deadline

We’ll be meeting on Wednesdays July 1, 15, and 29 from 2:30 to 4:00 PM CDT. My hope is to have a group of 4-5 people. If you sign up for the group, you are welcome to attend Show Up and Write every M, T, W at 11 AM CT.

The fee is $75/session, with a total of $225 for all three. You can pay me by check, or I can send you a PayPal Invoice. If you’re interested, reply to this message as soon as possible, and I’ll get you set up.

Today’s tip talks about why you can’t use AI to edit your work and what to do instead.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Why AI Cannot be Your Critique Partner

(And How to Critique Your Own Work)

by Rochelle Melander

Writers have been telling me they use AI only to edit their work.

They’re not just using spell check or Grammarly. They’re uploading their work into Claude or ChatGPT and asking it to provide a critique or clean up the grammar.

I get it. You’re busy. It helps to have support. And AI is easy and free.

But don’t let AI critique or edit your work.

There are several reasons for my warning:

AI trains on your work

You’re giving AI and anyone who uses AI your content: your ideas, your phrases, your beautiful work. The founders of AI have already stolen so much of our work—our books, social media articles, blog posts, and poems. Don’t feed the monster.

AI tells you what you want to hear

AI has a positivity bias, so it’s not able to honestly critique your work. But that’s not the only problem with using AI as a critique partner. AI lacks emotional intelligence, does not understand subtext, and cannot always follow complicated or nuanced arguments. When it comes to feedback, AI will lean toward editing your work by making it grammatically correct. But none of that matters if your essay doesn’t make sense. And don’t forget: AI may introduce mistakes.

AI revises your work to sound like AI

When AI edits your manuscript, it will read like you used AI to write it. AI doesn’t have a robust voice. But it does have a style: it’s flat and vapid. AI-created or edited writing reads like it should make sense, but it doesn’t. You won’t have as many technical errors. You’ll have smoother sentences and nice, big words. But your tone will be flat. Readers will wonder what happened to you.

Here’s the point: AI can do many things. It’s helpful for fetching research. I’ve also used it to help me create a business plan.

But AI cannot give you a good critique.

And the biggest reason to avoid using AI to critique your work?

You give AI the best part of the writing process

You are your most important critique partner.

You know what you want to create and how you want it to land with your readers.

When you outsource the critiquing or revising to a machine, you give AI the part of the process that matters.

We tend to look at writing as the mad scribbling of our first draft, trying to get all the ideas on paper. It may feel good to hand it off to a computer.

But the real writing work happens when you critically evaluate and revise your words.

· You ask and answer analytical questions.

· You imagine how a reader might understand your prose.

· You find phrases to replace the cliches that come with first drafts.

How to Critique Your Work

To support you in critiquing and revising your work, I’ve made a template for you. Download it at my blog.

For fun: Want to see how AI critiques? A Reddit user gave Copilot a 300-word manuscript that repeats the phrase, “Here comes the fart machine.” AI responded with its usual positive pep talk!

https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/comments/1tsec90/discussion_proving_a_point_about_feedback_from_ai/

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

Chances are a library helped shape you.

The quiet aisles. The creaky carts. The dog-eared paperbacks that made you believe
in stories—and maybe even in yourself as a storyteller.

Libraries play such important roles in our communities. Encouraging future (and current) storytellers, helping kids with homework or summer activities. Access to the
internet.

Like you, I’ve spent countless hours in libraries, and they’ve given me more than I
can ever repay. Now, when our libraries are struggling to continue their
missions with reduced funding and more, I am happy to be part of an effort to
give back.

I’ve partnered with 10 book coaches to offer resources for writers to finish their
books. Even better, For every writer who signs up, $1 will be donated to Friends of the Library, an organization that helps libraries continue to serve their community with access, education, and inspiration.

📚 The Draft to Done Bundle is a curated collection of resources created by 10 experts for fiction writers who are ready to finish the darn book. Inside, you’ll get:

Inside, you’ll find:

✅ The ultimate book planning checklist

✅ The right questions to ask so your story
actually works

✅ Clarity before you start revising

✅ Free monthly creativity chats and story
prompts

✅ Guidance on building that all important
email list

It’s free to you, and for every BUNDLE signup before July 15, a dollar goes to libraries that nurture the next generation of readers and writers.

So you’re not just saying yes to your book—you’re giving someone else the
chance to discover theirs.

👉 Get The Draft to Done Bundle here » BUNDLE

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Game Changer #3

Need a Breakthrough? Clean Your House!

by Rochelle Melander

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

That saying, attributed to both Knute Rockne and Joseph P. Kennedy, was used in a hit song by Billy Ocean.

It perfectly captures the American work ethic.

While it may seem like a good idea to work without stopping, it is not. It is a recipe for burnout.

Not everyone approaches their work that way.

The French mathematician Henri Poincaré once solved a difficult math problem when he stepped on a bus. But that didn’t surprise him. Poincaré believed his unconscious would solve problems when he walked away from them. He developed a routine that some “compared to a bee flitting from flower to flower. “ He wrote in Mathematical Definition in Education that, “It is by logic we prove, it is by intuition that we invent.” (Source: NPR)

Years ago, while writing a book on self-care, my husband and I wrote ourselves into a corner. Our prose felt turgid and the tone didn’t work. Our editor told us to take the weekend off, maybe go to a movie. We did. And the next time we looked at the project, we had an epiphany: the book needed to be interactive instead of simply informative. We’d need to revamp the whole book structure, but it would be worth it.

Here’s the game changer: repetitive, mindless activities lead to aha moments. (The Breakout Principle by Herbert Benson and William Proctor).

Build boring breaks into your day. Do your chores. Knit a hat. Sweep the floor. Take a walk. Build a bookcase.

But don’t stop there. New experiences stimulate our brain and help us connect ideas, information, and experiences. Take time off to see art, hear live music performed, read books, and connect with friends and strangers.

Take inspiration from Albert Einstein: “I never made one of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.”

For more on this, listen to the Hidden Brain episode, Unleashing Your Creativity.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

June 9, 2026

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

TONIGHT I am hosting an Ask Me Anything class. This is your time to ask your burning questions about writing and publishing.

To start us off, I’ll talk about publishing paths. The class is complimentary, but space is limited and you must sign up to attend: WORKSHOP. https://writenowcoach.com/workshops/

If the tool won’t let you sign up today, reply to this email, and I’ll send you the link.

Today’s tip talks about a top game changer for writers: connecting to your purpose. (It’s also an excerpt from my forthcoming book on writing in a crisis.) Purpose provides direction, motivation, and a sense of meaning for everyone. It reminds us to stay focused and work through difficult tasks by providing a compelling “why.”

If you can’t read the whole article, skip to the TL;DR section at the end!

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

How Connecting to Your Purpose Can Transform YOU and Your Writing

by Rochelle Melander

When the world is in crisis—it’s important to get connected to your why.

Twice a week, Heather Cox Richardson, closes her Politics Chat by encouraging people to find their purpose and act. Often, she recommends that people make art.

Today, writers are taking to their blogs, YouTube, and many other places to witness to what’s happening politically and protest injustice.

But we’re not the first people to look at the world and think, “We need to do something!”

James Baldwin did some of his best writing when he saw how much it mattered. While living in Europe, he learned of the murder of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy from Chicago who was visiting Money, Mississippi in August 1955. Baldwin knew he needed to return and bear witness to what was happening to his people. He would eventually write the play Blues for Mr. Charlie about the event.

Baldwin returned home to cover the Civil Rights movement. He defined his purpose as “to bear witness to the truth.” As a result, Baldwin wrote some of his best pieces, including The Fire Next Time. In this book, Baldwin writes a powerful letter to his nephew on the 100^th anniversary of emancipation.

Baldwin had a big why for this collection of essays: Educate white Americans on the experience of being Black in America. He wanted white Americans to see what his life was like. But he also wanted them to understand how Black people saw white Americans. In an interview with the New York Times, novelist and essayist James Baldwin said this about why he wrote:

You write in order to change the world, knowing perfectly well that you probably can’t, but also knowing that literature is indispensable to the world... The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even but a millimeter the way people look at reality, then you can change it.”
(SOURCE: https://www.nytimes.com/1979/09/23/archives/james-baldwin-writing-and-talking-baldwin-baldwin-authors-query.html)

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. said that Baldwin had ‘’educated an entire generation of Americans about the civil-rights struggle and the sensibility of Afro-Americans as we faced and conquered the final barriers in our long quest for civil rights.’‘

Does fear hold you back?

Purpose has a way of upending your life. James Baldwin left a good life in France to return to the United States and join the fight for Civil Rights. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a young minister when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. King offered his church to organizers, and they elected him the chairperson.

Whenever we set out to do something big, like fight fascism with our art, we may feel fear. Our amygdala freaks out: why would you write a book? Paint a mural? Compose a symphony? What will people think? What if it’s no good?

Rather than push forward, we procrastinate. We feel overwhelmed, so we don’t create anything. Maybe we look for a new project to work on. Or imagine a new computer program or notebook might help us write more easily.

A hearty dose of purpose to the rescue! Studies demonstrate that people who have a strong sense of purpose experience lower levels of anxiety and depression. When we have a strong sense of purpose, like James Baldwin had, we can more easily navigate life’s challenges. We become better able to endure stress. We are more resilient. Audre Lorde put it like this: “When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

How do you find your purpose?

Fredrick Buechner wrote, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

If you would like to reflect on your sense of purpose, your big “WHY” in the face of current adversity, think about two things. First, think about the places you experience deep gladness. What creative, physical, or spiritual activities bring you joy? Second, consider the things in the world you care about. What places in the world need you and your gift right now?

TL; DR

· James Baldwin did some of his best writing AFTER he connected to his purpose, including The Fire Next Time.

· People with a strong sense of purpose experience lower levels of anxiety and depression. They more easily navigate challenges and endure stress.

· Use the Fredrick Buechner quote to guide you in finding your purpose, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

When I started writing, I knew so little. But I thought I knew EVERYTHING.

I soon learned that Mark Twain was right—I was most challenged by the things I THOUGHT I KNEW FOR SURE:

Work hard, you’ll get published.

Traditional publishers will market your book.

When an editor says know, they mean never.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

After working in publishing for more than twenty years as an author, editor, and coach—I’ve learned some things.

Take the above ideas.

Work hard, get published. Publishing is not a meritocracy. You often get published because of who you are or who you know instead of how well you write.

Traditional publishers will market your book. Publishing houses have never had the capacity to also be your personal marketing agency. It may look that way, because big authors get a huge amount of help. But expect to shell out your own money and time to market your book.

When an editor says no, they mean never. Editors usually say no to projects, not people. Unless you’re a bear to work with (turn in projects late, don’t complete your work, argue with suggested edits), you can submit again.

What do you wish you knew? Email me your questions. I’ll try to cover them in my complementary workshop, Ask Me Anything! I’m holding it next week on June 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET (Think NYC).

The class is free, but you have to sign up: https://writenowcoach.com/workshops/

See you in class!
Rochelle

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

If it’s not one thing, it’s poop in your basement.

NOT KIDDING.

On Sunday, after throwing in a couple loads of clothes, I smelled it. I tip-toed into the heart of our basement, and sure enough: Our sewer had backed up (again).

Okay, it’s been a few years. But it’s back. And instead of cleaning it up, I am writing to you. I want to make sure you know about my ASK ME ANYTHING class on Tuesday, June 9, because I am probably going to spend all of my free time this week dealing with crap.

The class is complimentary, but space is limited and you must sign up to attend: WORKSHOP.

This workshop gives you time to ask burning questions about writing and publishing.

To start us off, I’ll talk about publishing paths. The publishing world has changed tremendously in the last ten years. Publishing used to be simple. Either authors worked with a traditional publisher or went through a vanity house. Today there are dozens of options to choose from, whether you are planning to pursue traditional publishing or indie publishing, this is your chance to learn the ropes and get your questions answered.

Again, the class is complimentary, but space is limited and you must sign up to attend: WORKSHOP.

Today’s tip talks about how to get to know your ideal reader.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Stop Guessing: Why You Need to Know Your Audience

By Rochelle Melander

In the past fifteen years, I have consulted with many authors on their book proposals and book ideas. I have also written and successfully sold several book proposals of my own. In every single case—mine included—the writers needed to improve their marketing section—the one about their audience—before they could sell their book. Here are three of the most common mistakes I see writers make as they present their book’s audience.

1. Their audience is too big or too general. This is the biggest mistake I see first time authors make. They think that having a bigger, more general market will make their book proposal more sellable. So they say that their book is for “everyone” or “women” or “people of all ages.” Think about your book in terms of women’s clothing stores. The ones that have succeeded have a clearly defined market inside the general market of women’s clothes:

*Lane Bryant. Fashionable plus size clothes size 14-32.

*Chicos: Clothier for the sophisticated woman with a focus on comfort.

*Toad&Co: Sustainable clothing for eco-conscious travelers and outdoor enthusiasts

Action step: Define your market in one sentence.

2. Their audience is too small. Most of us believe that our book will revolutionize the world. That might be true—or it might be stretching things a bit. Not all ideas have a universal appeal. Maybe you did your graduate work on the eating habits of tree squirrels in North America. While the topic might make a good article for a scientific journal, I doubt that many people would buy a book about it. As a writer, you will need to evaluate your idea for its universal appeal. In addition, you will need to know who in the universe will be interested in your book topic!

Action step: What is the universal appeal of your book idea? How can you quantify your market? For example, if you are proposing a book on ADHD for adults, you might cite this statistic from the Attention Deficit Disorder Association: 5 percent of adults have ADHD.

3. The writer does not know and understand the book’s audience. Some writers have no idea who will buy their book. They do not know where the people in their market shop, what kinds of resources they are looking for or how to get their book into the hands of those who need it. I’ve heard some writers say that they don’t need to know the market because that’s the job of the publisher’s marketing department. Not any more. Today, agents and editors need writers to research their market and present a good case for the publication of their book.

Action Step: Define your market in detail. Join groups of people in your ideal market (either in person or online) to listen and learn about your market.

Connect with colleagues in your market. Then note:

*Who wants your book?

*What do these people do, where do they do it, and how will they find your book in these places?

*How many of these people are out there? Are there statistics that define the size of this market?

*Why do they need this book?

*Write a profile of your ideal reader including age, gender, occupation, income, hobbies, and so forth.

You might be saying, “But I’m self-publishing! This doesn’t matter for me.”

Not true.

It matters for you more than anyone. You won’t have a traditional publisher and their editorial, publicity, and marketing team to support you as you create your book. You’ll need this information to create a book that your ideal audience yearns for. And then, you need to get it into their hands.

If you want to learn more about the whole process, come to next Tuesday’s Ask Me Anything session. You can sign up here: WORKSHOP

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

I’m curious about what you’re curious about.

Next Tuesday, June 2, I am hosting an Ask Me Anything class. This is your time to ask your burning questions about writing and publishing.

To start us off, I’ll talk about publishing paths. The publishing world has changed tremendously in the last ten years. Publishing used to be simple. Either authors worked with a traditional publisher or went through a vanity house. Today there are dozens of options to choose from, whether you are planning to pursue traditional publishing or indie publishing, this is your chance to learn the ropes and get your questions answered.

The class is complimentary, but space is limited and you must sign up to attend: WORKSHOP.

Today’s tip talks about a top game changer for writers.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

The Top Game Changers for Writers

by Rochelle Melander

I’ve been thinking about game changers: ideas, practices, or products that literally change the game.

Consider the printing press. Before Johanes Gutenberg invented the press in the 1440s, all manuscripts were copied by hand. Imagine the waitlist at the monastery for the Bible. The monks must have tired of saying, “Don’t worry—we’ll have another one copied in a few years!”

Of course, for writers, one of the big game changers has been the computer—allowing us to easily save and revise our work.

What Are the Top Game Changers for Writers?

For anyone who wants to write and publish, what are the top game changers? Most would say, getting an agent or landing on the bestseller list.

If you search online for the answer to this, you’re going to read many articles about AI and how it’s supporting authors in writing and editing books. That’s because AI companies have great marketing departments. I’ll write more on why I don’t think AI will be game changer in a future issue.

For me and many of my clients, I’ve seen the huge difference it makes for a writer to find and stick to a writing routine. (Even if your routine is wildly chaotic.) That time allows you to get your ideas down on paper.

As Clarissa Pinkola Estes says,

“The most important thing is to hold on, hold out, for your creative life, for your solitude, for your time to be and do, for your very life.”

Maya Angelou did this by renting a hotel room.

Toni Morrison got up early to write at her kitchen table, before her boys got up. But when she had a baby in her tiny house, she’d escape to a bar to write.

Octavia Butler regularly rose at 2 AM to write before she left for her full time job.

How do you create a writing routine?

Any way that works for you.

Really.

Game Changer One: Establishing a Writing Routine

Here are three tricks I’ve learned to overcome decision fatigue (Should I write today?) and just get it done.

Stack it. Habit stacking allows you to skip deciding by stacking a new habit on top of an existing one. Put your writing time right after something you do every day, like eating breakfast or lunch or having an afternoon cup of tea.

Bundle it. If you can’t habit stack, then bundle your writing time with something you find delicious and tempting, like a latte or a trip to the library. This is called temptation bundling and depends on you only allowing yourself to have the tempting treat when you write.

Body-double it. Stop trying to do this alone. Find a friend or colleague—or join Show Up and Write—and write with others. Honestly, it’s so much easier to get writing done when it’s a like a class you’re taking and all you have to do is show up.

Show Up and Write meets every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 11:00 AM CT. It doesn’t matter WHAT you write, just that you have a project to work on. (Some of our members paint!) JOIN US!

What has been a gamechanger for you?

You have your own game changers, things you’ve done or stopped doing that absolutely changed the course of your life.

Over the next few months, I’ll be writing about what I think are the top game changers for writers—and how to make them work.

If you have a game changer to share, reply to this email.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Note From Rochelle

Dear writers,

It’s my birthday month!

For my birthday, I am experimenting with walk and talk sessions. Two of my coaches have offered them, and it’s helped me a lot. Plus, I know that I coach better when I am moving. They’re a bit cheaper than my regular coaching session, so if you’ve been wondering about coaching, this might be the time to take the plunge! You can sign up here: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/

Today’s tip talks about how obstacles might become opportunities.

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Turn Obstacles into Opportunities

by Rochelle Melander

As a coach, I work with people who need to overcome obstacles to write. Usually we work together to find a way around or through the obstacle. Makes sense, right? We can’t achieve our goal with that huge obstacle in the way.

But I had a new view on obstacles this week.

We visited The Art Institute of Chicago and saw, Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color, the 1947 limited-edition artist’s book.

When the painter Matisse was in his early 70s, he had abdominal surgery that left him wheelchair bound. He could no longer stand at the easel to paint.

But this obstacle became an opportunity for him when he stopped fighting it or trying to get around it and instead worked with it.

Matisse re-discovered painting with scissors. He took paper painted with gouache and cut it into lively shapes. He’d used the technique before, mainly to “block out” or design larger compositions.

But now, the cut-outs were no longer just the means to the art, the cut-outs became the art itself.

He wrote

“The paper cut-outs allow me to draw with color. For me, it is a simplification. Instead of drawing an outline and then filling in with color—with one modifying the other—I draw directly in color . . . It is not a starting point, it is a completion.”

As Matisse experimented with this new technique, he had his assistants pin cutouts on the wall. That led him to create larger wall-sized pieces.

After seeing the exhibit, I wondered: what would happen for my clients if they worked with the obstacles to achieve their goals?

Maybe you’re a writer living in a season with little time to write. What if you played with creating shorter pieces?

Maybe you’re a burned-out academic who wants to write a book for fun but you need tenure. How could you “play” while working on your tenure-tract project?

Take a look at your life and consider:

How could this obstacle lead you in a new direction?

How could the obstacle support you?

How could you work with the obstacle?

Feel free to comment below or at the blog.

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project--she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/