by Cathy Yardley | Writing Life
Cluttered desk syndrome I have ADHD. Even with meds, keeping my environment tidy is a challenge at best. Ironically, I feel intense relief when I have a “clean” desk. I’m just not built to automatically maintain one. Here’s what happens: I’ll...
by Cathy Yardley | Writing Life
How do you beat Imposter Syndrome? Ever feel like you’re not good enough as a writer, and worse, that perhaps you’ll never be good enough? Almost every writer I know has had Imposter Syndrome: the depressing, anxiety-inducing feeling that I’m going to refer to...
by Cathy Yardley | Writing Life
The problem with plot twists. Honestly, personally, I have no problem with plot twists. I used be glued to the TV when they ran Twilight Zone marathons on the odd holiday weekend. I watched The Sixth Sense and was blindsided by the ending. Now, in a world where...
by Cathy Yardley | Writing Life
You know your author brand. Now what? Remember last week, when we talked about author branding being an introduction? When you introduce yourself to someone, you don’t regurgitate your whole life story in minute detail with footnotes and color commentary. You...
by Cathy Yardley | Craft, Writing Life
Should you turn the ship around? I’m a plotter. While it’s a definition of my writing style, it bleeds over into my life. I like to plan for things when I can. I set goals. I cascade key performance indicators (sort of.) I like having a game plan. I went into...
by Cathy Yardley | Craft, Writing Life
There are three things you should know to be a successful writer. That may seem facile, clickbait for writing courses and coaches. But it really does boil down to three things: What’s your goal? What’s your writer archetype? What’s your process? They are...