~Writing Well Wednesday Tip~ How many stairs did you climb today? If your answer is “zero,” that’s bad news, and not just for your physical health. Turns out that climbing stairs—and performing other exercises that work those large muscle groups in your legs—is critical for brain health. In other words,Continue Reading
Did you know that July 2nd is World UFO Day? World UFO Day is a day dedicated to UFOs (unidentified flying objects), and is usually celebrated with parties and sky-watching events. I’ve never seen a UFO myself, but I like listening to the stories about military pilots and others whoContinue Reading
I first started writing, I had troubles dealing with rejection. One critical word was enough to have me tossing my stories and sending me into long bouts of depression. It took time to develop a thick skin and to turn critiques into something that motivated me, encouraged me to becomeContinue Reading
~Writing Well Wednesday Tip~ There are a number of health benefits to keeping a journal. Studies have found that a regular journaling practice can help reduce stress and anxiety, clarify your thoughts and feelings, improve mood and emotional well-being, and help increase healing from both physical and mental traumas. ManyContinue Reading
Are you feeling lately like your writing sucks? As writers, we often come up against the same weaknesses in our storytelling again and again. With each book completed, we improve on some things, but others continue to hover around the mediocre level, which can be frustrating. The danger is thatContinue Reading
The biggest emotional challenge of being a writer that I have faced thus far is the post-partum publication blues. During the weeks directly after releasing my work into the world, I’m a basket case and feel extremely vulnerable, suffering the extreme highs and lows of birthing a novel. This isContinue Reading
Every fall, I take a week to ten days to get away to my own little writing retreat. I have a quiet location I go to that I’m really familiar with. The people know me there, and I can come and go as I please. The area offers just theContinue Reading
by Iris Yang Wings of a Flying Tiger is a work of fiction. But to me, a Chinese-American, it is also personal. I was born and raised in China. My mother and grandma had lived in Nanking and escaped from the city just days before the notorious Nanking Massacre whenContinue Reading
Are you getting in the way of your own writing success? I recently learned that June fifth is “festival of popular delusions” day. To celebrate, the idea is to root out those delusions that may be holding you back, which can be a really useful thing for writers to do.Continue Reading
I am about to release my fifth picture book (100 Things) as an author and illustrator and I can honestly say that with each book I have had a different set of personal, professional and emotional challenges to tackle. But the very first book, Outside, Inside (2015), set the baselineContinue Reading
~Writing Well Wednesday Tip~ Getting out in nature is great for writers. It’s not only good for your health, but it helps replenish your creative mind, too. So if you’re heading out this summer, enjoy—just watch out for this. According to a recent report from the Center for Disease ControlContinue Reading
What does it take to be a successful writer? Ask around and you’ll get a lot of answers. A writer needs a desire to write, a regular writing practice, and an ability to accept feedback and grow. She needs persistence, courage, grit, and ambition. He needs to be open toContinue Reading