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Fantasy/Romance Fiction & Creative Living

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January 1, 2018

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May 4, 2016

Why Your Creative Process Isn’t Your Enemy

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I’m Lindsay, a writer, writing coach, and creative living blogger. I'm sharing advice on writing, tackling creative blocks, and building a life around what you love.

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I’m digging this #blackoutfirstpage trend. I’v

I’m digging this #blackoutfirstpage trend. I’ve loved seeing what everyone has come up with so I had to give it a try myself! It turned out to be such a great creative exercise—highly recommend if you’re feeling stuck or just want something fun to do.⁣
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This is from Project Reality (a second chance romance):⁣
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𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡⁣
𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠⁣
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭⁣
𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧⁣
𝐒𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐝⁣
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫⁣
𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐩⁣
“𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠.”⁣
𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝⁣
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥⁣
𝐃𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭⁣
𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠⁣
𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞⁣
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For all my fellow creatives who have braved the ups and downs of being an artist pursuing their dreams—I see you, I believe in you. Keep going. We’ve got this. 🙏🏻⁣
⁣
𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏! 👇🏻 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 𝒐𝒏?

If you’re someone who struggles with perfectioni

If you’re someone who struggles with perfectionism, imposter syndrome, or fully embracing your truth, you’ll want to check this one out.⁣
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𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙸𝚃'𝚂 𝙰𝙱𝙾𝚄𝚃⁣
"Becoming Flawesome: The Key to Living an Imperfectly Authentic Life” is the debut book from Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani, the co-founder of @mindvalley. It explores the journey to living with true authenticity and the meaning of it beyond its status as a buzzword. Kristina digs deep into what authenticity actually looks like as a lifelong practice in the real world to achieve more freedom, confidence, and happiness.⁣
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❝It is my hope that this book supports you as you sever the connection between your self-perception and the outside world in one fell swoop.❞ — @kristinamand⁣ in #becomingflawesome
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𝚆𝙷𝚈 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚂𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙻𝙳 𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳 𝙸𝚃⁣
There is no shortage of books out there that talk about “embracing your flaws” and “living authentically” but this one actually delivers a solid collection of lessons and practices. Kristina’s voice is refreshingly grounded and honest, and her approach to personal development is the same.⁣
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She openly talks about her struggle with what she calls “Hermione Syndrome”—tying her self-worth to being an over-achiever and always doing the “right thing”—and how she’s gradually cultivated a healthier relationship with herself.⁣
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𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙸 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙳⁣
⇢ The exercises/reflection points — In every section, she provides genuinely helpful exercises and journal prompts to help you internalize what you’ve read and go deeper.⁣
⇢ The practicality — Every bit of advice she provides is very practical and actionable without the burden of toxic positivity.⁣
⇢ The comprehensiveness — She covers a wide range of topics that makes this both a great starting point (if you’re new to these concepts) and a great refresher (if you’re deep into your self-growth journey).⁣
⇢ The bonuses — It comes with an “expanded emotional vocabulary” of over 300 words to help you develop more emotional intelligence and bonus materials such as free guided meditations and a companion course.⁣
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𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙥𝙚 → 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠.

Want to give your writing a boost this summer? How

Want to give your writing a boost this summer? How does some personalized advice and guidance to help you move forward sound?⁣
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If this has you jazzed, you’re in luck: I’m giving away a 20-minute coaching session to not one but TWO winners (one session each). We can work through a specific challenge you’re facing with writing or I can answer questions based on your needs. Topics can include:⁣
⁣
⇢ Developing your creative process⁣
⇢ Dealing with self-doubt/imposter syndrome⁣
⇢ Overcoming blocks + creative anxiety⁣
⇢ Setting goals + increasing productivity
⇢ Dealing with stress + burnout⁣
⇢ Strengthening your craft⁣
⇢ Working through a story problem⁣
⇢ Building/maintaining an author platform⁣
⁣
This quick power session can get you back on track, help you work through a problem, and/or breathe some fresh life/inspiration/motivation into your creativity.⁣
⁣
𝙷𝙾𝚆 𝚃𝙾 𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁⁣
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1. Follow me on IG, then like + save this post⁣
2. Comment with one of your big writing goals + tag 3 friends⁣
3. Optional: share this post to your story for a bonus entry (be sure to tag me so I see it!)⁣
⁣
𝙶𝙸𝚅𝙴𝙰𝚆𝙰𝚈 𝚁𝚄𝙻𝙴𝚂⁣
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The giveaway runs from July 11, 2023 through July 14, 2023 at 11:59p EST. Two (2) winners will be chosen at random and notified on July 15, 2023 via Instagram DM. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize, otherwise another winner will be chosen in their place. Each winner receives one (1) 20-minute coaching session with me via phone or Google Meet (voice only) that can be scheduled within two weeks of claiming their prize.

🎧 𝙲𝚄𝚁𝚁𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙻𝚈 𝙻𝙸𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚃𝙾: @officiallymcconaughey’s memoir “Greenlights” (he’s a natural-born storyteller who simultaneously touches my heart, makes me laugh, and throws me into deep pools of existential musings which equals an A+ read for me—highly recommend the audiobook too so you can hear him tell it)
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📖 𝙲𝚄𝚁𝚁𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙻𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶: “Hook, Line, and Sinker” by @tessabaileyisanauthor (loved the first book “It Happened One Summer” and I’m enjoying the sequel just as much—her rom-coms are fun, sexy, AND emotionally fulfilling)⁣
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💻 𝚆𝚁𝙸𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚄𝙿𝙳𝙰𝚃𝙴: I finished the first pass of Project Reality’s second draft (hallelujah!) and now, I’m letting it simmer for a bit before I go back in for the second pass which will be sent off to betas⁣
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🖖🏻 𝙻𝙸𝙵𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝚄𝙵𝙵: Got a much-needed reset with a mini Disney vacay that consisted of writing/revisions during the day, park adventures at night for a short break from my everyday routine (novelty helps so much with burnout and filling your creative well)⁣
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p.s. yes, on the last slide is a bathroom stall with Star Wars playing on the wall and there was even a mirror on the door so you could watch it from both directions (every other public restroom is now a huge disappointment)

Do you feel like there’s an artist within you de

Do you feel like there’s an artist within you desperate to be set free but something is holding you back? Are you overwhelmed, stuck in the comparison game, afraid you’re a fraud and everyone else knows all the secrets to this whole book writing thing but you?⁣
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First of all, you’re not alone. Writing a book is challenging for EVERYONE—*period*—and imposter syndrome is a bitch (and a lying one, at that).⁣
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Secondly, none of these blocks mean you aren’t cut out for it. They just mean you care.⁣
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𝟹 𝚃𝚁𝚄𝚃𝙷𝚂:⁣
⇢ We are all artists at heart.⁣
⇢ We all have a unique voice and perspective worthy of being seen/heard.⁣
⇢ We are all bigger than our fears.⁣
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To heal my own creative anxiety and blocks that held me back for years, I became certified in multiple areas of life coaching. For the past few years, I’ve been helping others liberate themselves from their own blocks and recently, I’ve started specifically helping writers empower the artist within.⁣
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𝙲𝙾𝙰𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙲𝙾𝚄𝙻𝙳 𝙱𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙸𝙵...⁣
⇢ You’re sick of feeling overwhelmed by the writing process + second-guessing yourself⁣
⇢ You’d like some accountability + help staying motivated⁣
⇢ You want to strengthen your craft + take your projects to the next level⁣
⇢ You’re ready to show up online as a writer but feel stuck on what to do⁣
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If you’d like some support and guidance on your journey, I’ve got you. A few spots for my private writing coaching are now open. DM me to chat about it and see if it’s a good fit for you or check out the link in my bio for more info. ✨🦋⁣
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"𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅." — JOHN CLEESE

Last week, I did a solo day at Magic Kingdom to do

Last week, I did a solo day at Magic Kingdom to do a video chat with my writing group and work on my notes for my upcoming revisions for 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 (officially starting the second draft on March 1st!).⁣
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I’d been wanting to do a solo date at the parks for a long time and kept putting it off, but a growing sense of ennui finally pushed me to do it. I’m so glad I did.⁣
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Not only was it a fun change of pace to inject some freshness and inspiration into my writing, but it also reminded me how important it is to balance work with relaxation.⁣
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𝙏𝙤 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣𝙥𝙪𝙩.⁣
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When we put too much emphasis on production and force ourselves to 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦, we leave little to no space for ideas, inspiration, and opportunities to flow in.⁣
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Relaxation isn’t laziness—it’s not a lack of something, a deficit of discipline/ambition/effort. It’s nourishment. It’s getting out of the way and creating space for the seeds you’ve planted to breathe and grow. To soak up what you’ve prepared yourself to receive. ⁣
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Not everything has to come from you by force in the creative process. It’s an exchange of energy. In order to do your part, you have to allow the universe to do its part. Flowers don’t bloom spontaneously; they need the sun, water, nutrients.⁣
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Filling up your cup, letting your mind rest, living life—these are all crucial parts of the creative process.⁣
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After I did some writing, I went on some rides. Did some reading. Took in the beauty of the world around me, watched people enjoying themselves and experiencing a sense of wonder. In between those moments, ideas randomly flowed to me on their own time. I didn’t have to push or force them.⁣
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The next time you’re feeling blocked, burned out, or resistant to relaxation, remember: 50% output, 50% input. Don’t block the natural flow of creative energy—out, and in.

Happy February! Since Valentine’s Day is coming

Happy February! Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I thought it apropos to post some romance writing tips for the month of ~love~.

To kick things off, here are the 7 main ingredients for creating a well-structured romance novel. ♥️

𝙷𝙾𝚆 𝚃𝙾 𝙿𝙻𝙾𝚃 𝙰 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝙽𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙻
⇢ CHARACTERS. Who are your main characters, how do they complement each other, and how do they challenge each other?

⇢ TROPES. What tropes will you include?

⇢ SUB-GENRE. What sub-genre(s) will it be? What are the genre conventions?

⇢ SETTING. Where does the story take place and how does it affect it?

⇢ INTERNAL CONFLICTS. What are each characters’ internal challenges?

⇢ EXTERNAL CONFLICTS. What are the external challenges?

⇢ THE HOOK. What’s the most interesting element of your story that will intrigue readers?

Follow for more tips ✨

Replaying the past and future tripping (obsessing

Replaying the past and future tripping (obsessing over “what if’s”) are things I’ve clocked a lot of mental hours on. It’s safe to say I’m a pro at it.⁣
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Staying grounded in the “Now” has always been one of my greatest challenges. My fears/anxiety would much rather have me subscribing to the myth that I can control the outcome of everything if I just try hard enough. (Spoiler alert: we can’t. 🙃)⁣
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“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle is one of the resources that’s helped me better understand this important mental shift and gain more clarity on how to practice it. Gradually, it’s becoming more natural to me.⁣
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𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝙼𝚈 𝙵𝙰𝚅𝙾𝚁𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝚃𝙰𝙺𝙴𝙰𝚆𝙰𝚈𝚂 𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺:⁣
⇢ Our lives only ever happen in the Now. The future is not an actual destination, just another Now that will have its own gifts and challenges like any other.⁣
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⇢ Waiting for a future point in time in order to feel like you can really start “living” will put you in a perpetual state of waiting because once you get “there,” you’ll want something else. What do you have right now that a past version of yourself desperately wanted and was waiting for?⁣
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⇢ We’re only ever guaranteed the present moment. The past no longer exists and the future is only an idea that lives in your imagination.⁣
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⇢ You actually have more control when you’re fully present in the Now, clear-headed and action-oriented, than when you’re obsessing over a past you can’t change and trying to predict an unwritten future because you can’t control things that don’t actually exist.⁣
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⇢ Knowing what you want and having goals are great for giving you a guiding light to follow, but focusing solely on that destination robs you of hours/days/weeks/months/years of life that cannot ever be returned to you. It also trains your mind to always “live” in an imagined future so you’ll never be fully satisfied with the Now. Life will always consist of good and bad — there is no future paradise to “make it to.”⁣
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𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆?

Everyone knows you need to hook readers with the f

Everyone knows you need to hook readers with the first chapter (no pressure, right?) so it’s often one of the most challenging to write. Try these tips to help strengthen your opening chapter so readers get swept away from the very first page.

𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙸𝙿𝚂 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝙵𝙸𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽
⇢ Start where the action is.
⇢ Establish tone & genre.
⇢ Make the protagonist’s goal clear.
⇢ Introduce the protagonist.
⇢ Introduce the antagonist (or allude to them).
⇢ Use a strong, vivid setting.
⇢ Hook with the first line.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌?

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