Bethany Henry: Writing & Wellness

Worldbuilding is when we as writers create the world that our story is set in. From the downtown corner of Market Square in summer to the far off reaches of the galaxy (and beyond!) there is no end to the settings we can create.  So where do we even start? How do we know where to set our world or how to make it seem real?  Everyone has a different process that will work better for them, but here are a few tips for getting started on a good track.  Worldbuilding for Writers Brainstorming Brainstorming is often where worldbuilding starts. We gather ideas and start piecing them together to make something larger. But how to we know where to even start brainstorming? What ideas are good ones? 1- Identify our starting point Do we know we want a story set in a small town? Big city? Fantasy forest?  If we have images, concepts, or ideas that we’re already excited about then that can be a great place to start.  2- Identify story requirements Depending on where we are in ...

Sometimes you just read the right book at the right time and it feels like magic. That’s how The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell was for me. I originally picked up The Art of War for Writers   at my local library (you guys rock!) and I immediately blew through the short chapters in the book. The Art of War for Writers may not be the perfect book for everyone, but I definitely appreciated it. Despite being a spendthrift with limited bookshelf space (the pain is real!) I went online and bought myself a copy because I knew I’d be reading it again soon. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book. I hope you find them helpful and inspiring! Favorite Quotes “A hero keeps writing, no matter what, knowing effort is its own reward; a fool eventually quits and complains that the world is unfair. Be a hero.” “A foundation in discipline is always the first step toward victory.” “So learn from the greats. Read and study those you admire. But never compare yourself to the...

Have you ever sat at your keyboard and struggled to think of a single thing to write? (I know I have for sure!!) That’s an experience many people call  writer’s block. Some say writer’s block is a myth, others say it’s real and causing problems for writers everywhere. Regardless of what we call it, the fact remains that writing can be hard sometimes. Writer’s Block So what do we do when writing is hard? Do we wait for another day? Do we sit there stubbornly even if we don’t write anything that’s even remotely good? Personally, I think it’s a bit of a balance between the two. Discipline in our writing is how we make progress.  Having writing habits and sticking to them (even when we don’t feel like it!) is what makes the difference between writers and those who just want to write. Yet we also need to be aware of ourselves and our writing process.  Sometimes  taking a day off to rest  can prevent burnout and allow space for story ideas to bloom. When writing ...

Regardless of how we identify ourselves, we should all be writing diverse stories. And not just because it’s a buzzword or because we want to be politically correct. Diversity is important to recognize because  we are not all the same . We come in different shapes, colors, sizes, ages, beliefs, genders, sexualities, abilities, backgrounds, mental health, physical health… the list goes on. And on. Our diverse world is a beautiful place filled with beautiful souls. So what does this mean for us writers? Well, it means our stories should reflect that diversity. Diversity is important because: We want to be authentic and true The world is diverse. If our writing doesn’t reflect that then we aren’t writing about the real world. We want to connect with our readers Our readers contain many different types of people. By including diversity in our writing we can better reach our audience. We want to teach our readers Education and broadening minds is a part of art. We can help teach our rea...

Wellness for writers, self-care, grace, sustainable living… no matter what we call it, the truth is that it’s important for us to find ways to be healthy both body and soul. Wellness can be especially tricky for writers at times since we’re often isolated, dealing with criticism both from ourselves and others, and overall engaging in emotionally draining work. So let’s make sure to be taking care of ourselves! Note: If you are in crisis, there is help available to you! You are not alone. Please connect with emergency services around you or contact these numbers where trained staff can help. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or  Live Online Chat SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline: 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) This worksheet is not to replace personal or professional advice. If you’re having a hard time, I’d encourage you to contact a counselor or other professional for support. Today I’m walking us through a wellness worksheet that’s similar to something ...