Journal

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Trust the Process

Ugh! Would Make a Good Scene, Though

 finding inspiration, scene J. Greg Phelan

book inc Founder J. Greg Phelan's crowded and harrowing train journey into Manhattan during the holiday peak becomes a lesson in turning life's uncomfortable moments into literary opportunities.

January 15, 2026

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Trust the Process

Nine Brains Are Better Than One

 fighting self-criticism, learn about book inc, octopus, origin stories J. Greg Phelan

Nine writers formed a collaborative collective, adopted an octopus mascot for its nine brains, and proved writing doesn't have to be solitary. Join book inc to multiply your creative power.

June 26, 2025

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Trust the Process

The Balance Between Rigor and Play

 outlining, revision J. Greg Phelan

After gathering insights from other authors, book inc founder J. Greg Phelan realizes he's not the only one who struggles between the joy of perfecting prose and the necessity of structured planning. ...

May 23, 2024

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Trust the Process

Writing About Writing

 book inc Journal, writing about writing J. Greg Phelan

book inc director J. Greg Phelan shares his latest preoccupation: how to encourage writers to write essays about writing for the book inc Journal. In doing so, he gives us tips and prompts.

February 22, 2024

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Trust the Process

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

 novel, querying, revision J. Greg Phelan

Indecision about his next step plagues book inc director and novel writer J. Greg Phelan. Should he keep revising or start querying?

November 30, 2023

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Trust the Process

Tips for Editing Your Novel (or Memoir)

 novel writing, self-editing J. Greg Phelan

book inc director J. Greg Phelan shares some helpful editing techniques that he's learned over the years from mentors and books and applied to his novel.

May 25, 2023

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Trust the Process

Serving Up Easy-to-Read Prose

 book revision, memoir, novel J. Greg Phelan

J. Greg Phelan discusses how to make our prose digestible for our novel and memoir readers.

April 06, 2023

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Trust the Process

Misjudging Our Own Writing

 novel, resistance J. Greg Phelan

J. Greg Phelan shares some advice he heeds in order to push through feelings about his work in progress.

March 03, 2023

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Trust the Process

Can Anyone Write a Novel?

 MFA, novel writing J. Greg Phelan

J. Greg Phelan asks the question "Can anyone write a novel?" He believes the answer is "yes!"

December 08, 2022

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Trust the Process

Writing Openings To Keep Your Readers Reading

 novel writing, opening lines, revising J. Greg Phelan

In his latest "Trust the Process" column, J. Greg Phelan discusses how to immediately engage your reader with strong opening lines.

November 10, 2022