Creating routines for writers is a bit of an obsession of mine because I believe good time management is the key to both a successful writing career and a fulfilling life. As a writer, you probably already know that having a writing routine can help you write that book, launch that blog, or stay consistent with your newsletter. But what you may not realize is that having routines for other aspects of your life can elevate your writing too.
To make the most of your creative energy, having routines in place is key. Whether you’re trying to squeeze in writing around other commitments or want to create a rhythm that lets you flourish, routines can help you stay focused, energized, and on track.
My five years as a full-time freelance writer and the 10 years I spent juggling writing with being an English teacher have shown me that there are five essential routines every writer needs. Let’s dive in!
Setting quarterly goals is one of the best ways to keep yourself on track throughout the year or to give you that big finish you want for the end of the year. Whether you’re focusing on personal growth or your writing dreams, breaking your goals down into quarters makes them much more achievable! Let’s dive into my simple, seven-step process for setting your goals—and how to make the most of this new quarter.
The key to staying consistent is staying ahead. That’s my go-to tip for anyone struggling with consistent content creation.
If you’re like most of us trying to juggle a million things while keeping your online presence fresh and engaging, you know how challenging it can be to consistently create content. Whether it’s for your social media, blog, or newsletter, the process can feel never-ending. But here’s a little secret that can save you time, reduce stress, and keep the creativity flowing: batch producing content.
One in four people with vaginas will experience chronic vulvovaginal pain in their lifetime, yet this is a topic rarely discussed in media or even among friends. We live in a society that even makes saying the word “vagina” taboo! Bonnie Gross, however, is on a mission to change all this.
Bonnie is the writer and producer of Lady Parts, an independent feature film showing on Saturday, August 24 at Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, Alabama.
Lady Parts follows Paige, an aspiring screenwriter living in Los Angeles who’s just days away from securing a writer’s assistant position. But she’s also grappling with severe vaginal pain. She’s suffered broken relationships due to painful sex, and gone to multiple doctors who weren’t able to give her a correct diagnosis. Feed up, Paige sees the top specialist in the city, but the price of the initial appointment forces Paige to call her parents for financial help. Soon, Paige’s sexual health becomes a family affair after she must turn down her dream job and move back in with her parents to have vaginal surgery. But during her recovery, we see Paige not only heal from surgery but learn to advocate for herself in all aspects of her life along the way.
Lady Parts is a story based on Bonnie’s own experience with chronic vulvovaginal. This film is the perfect example of a woman sharing her story in an empowering way and, in turn, helping herself and others to heal.
Nancy Boyd, who directed the film, also struggles with vaginismus. Bonnie says for her and Nancy turning these struggles into a work of art has been “cathartic and beautiful.” This work of art came to be with the help of a majority female-identifying crew including cinematographer Olaa Olabi, editor, Edith Belmont, producer, Meghan Griesbeck, composer, Hollie Buhagiar, and lead actress Valentina Tammaro.
We had a chat with Bonnie and Nancy about the film, which premiered at the Florida Film Festival and snagged the Audience Choice for Best Narrative Feature and the Special Jury Award for Screenwriting.
Today the world said “au revoir” to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. (That is until the Paralympics begin on August 28.)
Being the word nerd that I am, I not only celebrated the medals Team USA snagged in sports like basketball, track and field, gymnastics, and swimming, but I was also giddy that journaling was getting time to shine too!
Several Olympians shared before and during the games that journaling is part of their strategy for success.
