MUSE • Leslie Keenan

Time Management and Writing

Posted by in Time, Writing

Are your time issues blocking you from having success as a writer? A writing student came to me with a dilemma. She had a book contract, and the summer off to write it, and she was terrified that she wouldn’t be able to do it. She has struggled all her life with time. She procrastinates, gets focused on small details and neglects the bigger picture, and she hides out in research without writing. To top it off, she was intimidated by the sheer size of the project. Sure, she’d written…read more

May.28
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Writing Your Book: Working With an Editor

Posted by in Writing

When you don’t have issues with the process of writing, but want help with the writing itself, that’s when to hire an editor, not a coach. You don’t need to check in weekly or every other week, you want someone else to read through your manuscript and focus on improving the structure, or carefully line editing. What is it like to work with an editor? A good editor is very experienced working with writers and should treat you with respect and professionalism. Most editors will be able to give you…read more

Nov.30
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Your Ideas for Writing a Book Deserve Your Respect

Posted by in Publishing, Writing

Do ideas for your writing project come to you at odd or unexpected times? Like in the shower, or while driving? On a hike, or just before you fall asleep? Do you intend to write them down when you can, but then find you forgot to, and now don’t remember what the great idea was? Successful writers treat these ideas with respect. They recognize them for what they are: creative gold. When they just come to you, your writing can become effortless—if you create a place to put them. This…read more

Nov.23
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Word Count – Could It Be Hurting Your Writing Life?

Posted by in Publishing, Writing

At the beginning of national novel writing month, it’s worth asking, does setting word count goals help? I’ve always had students who do this, sometimes weekly, sometimes daily counts. And then I’ve had students who are intimidated by this. Here’s what I think. Sometimes having an artificial word count (even a ridiculous one like in NANOWRIMO) can help spur you on, move you past the negative judgmental voices in your head, and get you writing in flow. Even if you ultimately cut half the words you write, at least now…read more

Nov.04
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