Making the words happen, even when you're fighting them, maintaining some kind of forward progress - motivation for the externally motivated when you've got to Get It Done, may not want to, but you're the only one who can do it. (This may be my personal hell right now.)

I know @laviecestmoi.bsky.social has done a panel on this!

Let the countdown begin... Set your alarms, folks, because we’re about to reopen submissions for Augur Issue 8 and Tales & Feathers Issue 3! ✨ SUBMIT your fantasy/sci-fi/dreamy realism short stories and poetry for our 2025 Issues!

Writing a book, creating a whole story, is an incredible thing—but the act of promoting it, of asking ppl to read it, can be demoralizing. Then you have these negative emotions tied to this incredible thing you did—I don't think I'm alone in trying to reckon the two, but it's still p isolating, and

I hope it helps! It's meant to be a light way of going "hey! This behavior is potentially damaging. Be kind to yourself." It's also sparked good conversations about writing, self-deprecation, and self-care. It's really made a difference for us.

One Discord I'm server on has what we call The Jar:tm:. You say something mean about yourself *or* your writing, you can be jarred. Paying the jar means either writing 100 words on a WIP *or* saying something positive about yourself/your writing. It's a small thing, but surprisingly effective.

I talk about this with many new writers. No one will be as critical of your work, so better to prep yourself! If you say it's bad, no one goes in with high expectations! Except no one wants to read a story even the author doesn't like, and you're actually sabotaging your own brain and confidence.

Woke up this morning to an acceptance to another professional organization! This all feels very weird, a combination of kicking imposter syndrome in the teeth and also the anxiety weasels swarming me. But I'm doing the things! Today's to-dos: finishing off a short story + a round of edits on a 2nd.

Indie spec fic author here too!

Your chance, at last, to preorder the book that reignited my love of writing during a rough period when I wondered if I should just quit. THE WITCH ROADS available for preorder. Publication date is June 10, 2025 us.macmillan.com/books/978125...