Write Now Coach! Blog by Rochelle Melander

For the past several years, I’ve been concerned by all the new research that says that sitting is bad for one’s health. It seems that once we writers overcome the challenge of getting our butts into chairs, we need to work on getting out of that chair and moving! Today’s... Read More

08 Nov 2012

National Novel Writing Month

The NaNoWriMo Survival Kit by Peter Andrews

So we’re eight days into this crazy NaNoWriMo challenge, and I have to ask: how are you doing? Are you rocking the word count or lagging behind? Are you still getting to your story with energy and excitement or are you ready to toss the story and start anew? No... Read More

07 Nov 2012

Wednesday Writing Prompt

Wednesday Writing Prompt: Extreme Writing by Stephanie Kilen

Whether you are a professional writer or a NaNoWriMo newbie, at some point writing begins to feel like a day job. You know what I mean, you’re showing up and turning in the words, but the work does not challenge or excite you anymore. You need to try extreme writing.... Read More

06 Nov 2012

Write Now! Weekly Writing Tip

What Veteran Writers Know by Rochelle Melander

What Veteran Writers Know by Rochelle Melander Hold onto your keyboards, people. I’m about to reveal the secrets of veteran writers. Once you know these, you’ll have no more excuses. You will have to write that report or book or article. So, read on at your own risk. Oh, and... Read More

31 Oct 2012

Dream Keepers, Wednesday Writing Prompt

Wednesday Writing Prompt: Six-Word Scary Stories by Rochelle Melander

In September, I wrote about my work with Dream Keepers and the six-word memoir. This month, we’ve been back at the library writing six-word scary stories. Here’s how it works. We began by creating a chart with three columns: setting, character, situation. The students brainstorm ideas for the chart, which... Read More

30 Oct 2012

National Novel Writing Month, Write-a-Thon

Make NaNoWriMo Work for You by Rochelle Melander

Dear Writers, This Wednesday, October 31 at 12:00 CT, the Write Now! Mastermind class will be all about productivity. If you’re planning on doing National Novel Writing Month or if you just want to increase your productivity, come hear my favorite tools for getting more writing done. If you’re not... Read More

24 Oct 2012

Plotting, Wednesday Writing Prompt

Wednesday Writing Prompt: Planning the Plot by Rochelle Melander

Are you a plotter or pantser? Plotters plan out the scenes in their novels, pantsers fly by the seat of their pants. The saying comes from aviation. One can fly a plane two ways: using one’s instruments or using one’s instincts. Every year during NaNoWriMo, participants claim one or the... Read More

23 Oct 2012

Productivity

Fifteen Minutes a Day Revisited by Rochelle Melander

Last fall, I wrote an article called, “Fifteen Minutes a Day” based on a wonderful idea I found on author Laurie Halse Anderson’s blog. She challenged writers to write fifteen minutes a day (WFMAD). That’s it. There were no additional rules, no word count goals, no projects to complete—just write... Read More