being kind makes you strong

I feel like treating myself like I’m “a precious object” is actually making me stronger.

hero's journey, mental health, writingLeslie McAdamNovember 10, 2021kindness, self-careComment

“because I love writing romance”

Why am I doing this?

Because I love doing this.

romance, writingLeslie McAdamNovember 6, 2021writingComment

Going the other way

From a plotting perspective, I’ve heard this described as turning “but fortunately …” into “oh, shit.”

writingLeslie McAdamNovember 3, 2021writingComment

awkward

“Allow yourself to be awkward.” — Natalie Goldberg

encouragement, risk, writingLeslie McAdamOctober 23, 2021Comment

90210 was inherently more interesting than Melrose Place… and other excuses to watch teen dramas.

teenagers are simply more interesting than adults. Period

story, romance, writingLeslie McAdamOctober 20, 2021skamComment

treading water until you find gold (mixing metaphors FTW!)

I’m amused by the idea that someday someone will go look at the source documents for these blog posts and see all the false starts before I actually stumble upon something I deem worthy to post.

writing, creativityLeslie McAdamOctober 16, 2021writingComment

movie review and master class on dialogue: Yves Saint Laurent

This script was a master class on showing, not telling.

writing, creativityLeslie McAdamSeptember 18, 2021movie reviewComment

84 days

without listing my accomplishments, my natural inclination is to discount what I’ve done and think I haven’t done anything.

I’m wrong.

encouragement, hero's journey, writingLeslie McAdamSeptember 4, 2021writingComment

starting up again

The second important part of a habit is doing it again after you missed a session.

encouragement, undone, writingLeslie McAdamAugust 14, 2021habits, writingComment

anticlimactic

I’m doing okay. I’m not alone. What I’m experiencing or feeling is normal. Everyone goes through this. Keep going.

writingLeslie McAdamAugust 7, 2021writingComment

sensitive

Maybe he needed to be imperfect so he could grow and learn.

Like me.

writingLeslie McAdamAugust 4, 2021writingComment

the book you want to write and the book you actually write

I think all writers—creators—feel this to some degree: the disconnect between vision and reality.

writingLeslie McAdamJuly 31, 2021writingComment

not perfect

I don’t think it’s our purpose to kill things. I think it’s our purpose to create.

creativity, writingLeslie McAdamJuly 10, 2021writingComment

the key is to show up

I think the key is to remember that none of it lasts. The tough writing days don’t last. The easy, in-the-flow writing days don’t last.

encouragement, enthusiasm, writingLeslie McAdamJune 30, 2021writingComment

variety

So, while my usual advice of reaching a goal is to chunk it down into bite sized pieces, there is something to be said for challenges and variable daily goals.

writing, organization, encouragement, enthusiasmLeslie McAdamJune 19, 2021writing, goalsComment