The magic of being in a roomful of writers doing writing sprints. Love the Atlanta Writer’s Conference.

At a writer’s convention in Atlanta right now. The creativity around me is intoxicating, kickstarts my procrastinating writerly heart.

#writingcommunity
#amwriting

The beauty of being a writer is that things can knock you down hard but then you can stand back up, dust yourself off, and write about them. Suddenly your main character has a new depth, a scar where once someone or something wounded her creator.

#WritingCommunity #amwriting

I shared with my agent that I sometimes doubt myself as a writer, doubt the quality of my work. This is what she responded:

Me (on the phone with my agent, discussing a potential plot twist in my WIP):

My agent (SHRIEKS IN DELIGHT):

Days like this are my favorite.

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Going to my first writing conference of the year next weekend and my new business card does not disappoint.

#writingcommunity #writersoftwitter

Thought I should get some fresh air while working on a plot issue and nature did not disappoint.

You have someone’s favorite novel inside of you. It is your responsibility to see it safely into the world, to never give up, not in the query trenches, not on submission, never. You must keep going. For them.

No big deal, just the fourth-ever book to make me cry.

#booktwt #amreading Charlotte Duckworth / Rixon | Author

Spent the afternoon perusing Atlanta’s indie bookstores and came across this beauty.

In case no one has told you recently, your words are perfect, your manuscript is beautiful, and a roomful of readers waits for you somewhere, one bright sunny morning, to sign their copies of your bestselling novel.

Will do.

In ninety-nine percent of the situations you’ll find yourself in, you’ve written more words, chapters, novels than anyone else in the room. Even if you aren’t published yet, aren’t agented, aren’t sure how you’ll ever finish your current manuscript, you are prolific.

There was a time when I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer, a time when I didn’t know how to complete the first draft of a novel, how to query, how to get an agent, how to go on submission. Time is patient with new writers. Be as patient with yourself.

To everyone who has had their self-confidence shaken by the query trenches, by languishing on sub, by watching their dreams flicker and fade in front of them, I want to say this: Success may not have found you yet, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t looking for you. Never give up.

Brought my children to my favorite place in England, my happiest of happy places.

An excellent introduction to England. This morning’s pilots on BA 222 were exceptionally kind, British Airways.

Just had something pretty incredible happen. Went to get an aesthetic procedure done. Went to pay the usual $695 afterwards and my care provider said, “You’re good. Happy Holidays.”

Excited to bring my children to the land of Shakespeare, the British Library, Jane Austin, moody December weather this upcoming weekend. They’ve never been to England, never walked along the Thames or through Green Park. It is time to change that.

Perk of having my agent live close by: giving her homemade chocolate chip cookies in person as a Christmas present. You’re the best, Julie Gwinn.

#WritingCommunity #TisTheSeason