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03/10/23 Taking Time to Write

A Writing Community That Grows With Me

Renee Walsh  novel, revision, writing community

It's been great to participate in this year's Book Revision Lab, to reconnect with my old writing pals from 2020’s Novel Incubator while adding new people to my writing community. Everyone has been ...

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01/26/23 Taking Time to Write

Novel Revision With Multiple Points of View

Renee Walsh  novel revision, point of view, reader feedback

I enjoy novels written with multiple points of view. I love experiencing the same plot twists and storylines viewed from different perspectives. It’s amazing how the same event can look really diffe...

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12/22/22 Taking Time to Write

Emulate Writing That Works

Renee Walsh  comps, openings, revision

Every day in my first-grade classroom, my students and I read stories together. We discuss the author’s message, describe the characters and the setting, and share our reactions. Then, we reread our...

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11/03/22 Taking Time to Write

Writing a Book One Note at a Time

Renee Walsh  finding the time to write, novel writing

For years, whenever I thought about writing a book, I imagined myself sitting at a desk in a small cabin on a lake. With endless hours stretched out before me, I would produce page upon page, giving m...

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09/27/22 Taking Time to Write

So What If?

Renee Walsh  resistance, self-doubt, writing community

When I decided to take my first writing class at Project Write Now, what if questions crept in. What if my writing is awful? What if the other people in the class are way better than me? What if I can...

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08/25/22 Taking Time to Write

Being Busy Can Help

Renee Walsh  a writing practice, scheduling your writing

People say, “If you want a task done quickly, ask a busy person to do it.” Meaning a busy person manages time wisely and gets things done while someone with more free time might squander away hour...

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07/28/22 Taking Time to Write

Writing with a Reader’s Mind

Renee Walsh  adding details, read like a writer, write like a reader

Many writers are familiar with the practice of “reading like a writer”—paying close attention to an author’s choices while reading to better hone our own writing skills. We observe what other ...

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06/20/22 Taking Time to Write

A Lesson from My Little People

Renee Walsh  imposter syndrome, self-doubt, writing community

As an elementary school teacher, I often read and discuss stories with my students. Recently, we read Giraffes Can’t Dance, a tale about a giraffe who believes he can’t dance because the other ani...

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05/23/22 Taking Time to Write

Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand – How to Prioritize Writing Time

Renee Walsh  daily writing routine, writing practice, writing time

To help to prioritize my writing time, I like the metaphor of putting rocks, pebbles, and sand in a jar. The biggest rocks are the most important things that should be placed in the jar first, allowin...

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04/28/22 Taking Time to Write

The Gift of Time – Prioritize Creative Writing

Renee Walsh  writing practice, writing retreat, writing time

The writer’s retreat sounded perfect: The gift of time, unstructured, peaceful days to write, surrounded by nature, away from everyday stresses and demands.   As a full-time first-grade teacher...

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