Ask the Author: Megan Barnhard
Answered Questions (6)
Megan Barnhard
The chance to share something I've learned or figured out about writing with a writer who wants to grow their craft. When readers tell me my books helped them get through a tough part of writing their novels, it makes me smile from ear to ear. :)
Megan Barnhard
My WIP is currently in the very early planning stages, but it will be another in the Writing Recipe series: Recipe for Drafting.
Megan Barnhard
Coaching writers inspires me to write. When I come up with a new strategy that helps someone, I like to get it down on paper so I can use it with other writers as well.
I'm also really inspired by my niece. I've written eight books for her (The Dancing Cats Compete being the most recent). She and I are currently working on writing a story together. It's a really fun experience and makes me want to keep honing my craft so that I can inspire her to write as well.
I'm also really inspired by my niece. I've written eight books for her (The Dancing Cats Compete being the most recent). She and I are currently working on writing a story together. It's a really fun experience and makes me want to keep honing my craft so that I can inspire her to write as well.
Megan Barnhard
For me, writer's block means I don't know enough or I'm not motivated enough. My first step is to ask myself WHY. Why am I writing what I'm writing? Whom will it serve? I like to create mission statements for my books so that I can keep my motivation front and center as I write.
If my motivation is clear and I still feel blocked, it means I need more information. I use "stepping stone" outlining or one of my favorite brainstorming techniques -- especially interviewing myself with voice-to-text software. Pretty much, I use all of the strategies in Recipe for Outlining to beat writer's block. ;) These techniques made it into the book because they work!
If my motivation is clear and I still feel blocked, it means I need more information. I use "stepping stone" outlining or one of my favorite brainstorming techniques -- especially interviewing myself with voice-to-text software. Pretty much, I use all of the strategies in Recipe for Outlining to beat writer's block. ;) These techniques made it into the book because they work!
Megan Barnhard
Join a writing community. Whether it's offline or online, find a supportive group of people who will hold you accountable, give you helpful feedback, and cheer you on when you get stuck or discouraged.
Megan Barnhard
Working with writing coaching clients for 12 years has given me tons of great ideas for refining the writing process and helping shape stories. My latest book, Outline Like a Boss, is full of ideas that I've been using with authors in the Author Boss Academy. I've taken some of the most popular exercises and strategies I created for the Academy and used with authors and put them into a book so that I can help even more authors tell their stories.
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