SWRT 247 | Writer’s Mindset

March 31, 2022

person typing on MacBook Pro on brown wooden table during daytime photo

This week, Alida and Kathryn dig into the writer’s mindset. When we’re facing challenges of motivation, inspiration, or just plain old scheduling, what can we do to get out of the rut and get back to what matters, what matters to us, that is? Sometimes the hardest thing to accept and act on is that it really is up to us (and no one else) if and when we write. Whether the world is humming along or falling apart at the macro or micro level, it still comes down to what we want and are willing to do for what we want.

Do you want to write?

VIDEO

AUDIO

SHOW NOTES

What we talked about:

Why are we talking about mindset? (0:40)

Treat your writing “like a job”. (2:51)

What is holding you back? (5:00)

What do you fear? (6:55)

The problem of “when I…” (10:44)

Exercise and exorcise the fear. (11:55)

Establishing a routine. (13:35)

Make yourself one primary goal! (17:52)

Be nice to your future self. (22:11)

How can we move past the fear? (24:35)

Don’t let your fears put you in a funk. (33:30)

LINKS

Get Alida’s Writing Tips here.

Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.

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About Your Hosts

Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Two of her short stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She is the author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series. Alida lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her Golden Retriever, Seva the Wonder Dog. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.

Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.

Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com