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Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

Finding Something Friday…That’s Using the Old Brain

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G.K. Chesterton wrote, “There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the cloud.” I love that quote; I think I might have to write that one on a sticky note and carry it about with me. And to think I wouldn’t have found it if I hadn’t been dipping into BrainyQuote.

I found BrainyQuote on the Writer’s Digest list of 101 Best Writer’s Websites. I know I don’t have time to check out all those websites, but I’m a sucker for quotes. Which website will you dip into today? Take a quick look here and then come right back. I found a contest that I know you’ll have time to participate in and even get a freebie to go along with it.

Elizabeth Guy is the editor of The Verb, an online magazine that she produces every month. This month, to celebrate five years of The Verb, she’s sponsoring a contest. And you don’t need a castle full of imagination to win. In fact, one sentence is all that’s required. That’s like a little corner in the castle’s closet.

But you don’t have much time to join her party. Check out today’s winner here, then off you go to try your hand. Or brain, as the case may be.

What Not to Do Wednesday: Shall I Compare Thee to Another Writer?

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I had to run outside and take a picture of a goose, but not to worry. Nothing will keep me from my WNTDW tip.

It’s short and sweet and works for so much more than writing. It’s simply this grasshopper: don’t constantly compare where you are on the Road to Publication with other writers on the same journey. Therein lies the Road to Madness.

Oh, I know how it is. You hear about a writer in your online group who’s just scored a wonderful freelance assignment and you can’t get a reply to a simple query. Or what about your writer friend in your critique group? She’s just sold another book and you can’t even get out of the slush pile.

We can’t seem to keep from comparing ourselves with others, whether we’re walking into a dinner party (Oh yeah, I’ve got the blonde beat by a mile, but that redhead’s dress is spectacular) or chatting at a writer’s conference (That poor guy doesn’t have a clue about plot, but that woman in the corner is a genius).

After all the comparing back and forth, are you a better writer? (And can you really afford a dress like that redhead’s, anyway?) No and no. Do your own thing, grasshopper, and before long, it won’t matter what any other writer is doing. Because you’ll find your niche and be happy exactly where you are.

And now I have a goose to get back to…but that’s a story for another day.