Merging travel and writing into a lifestyle can be both thrilling and daunting. Exploring new destinations while sharing stories with the world is undeniably appealing, but weighing the pros and cons before diving in is essential.

One of the biggest challenges of writing on the road is finding the right environment to focus. Constant movement and changing surroundings can disrupt concentration, making it difficult to get into a productive rhythm.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is ready to kick ass in 2025!

I, for one, look forward to everything 2025 has in store for us. It’s a year that will be full of challenges and wins.

When we talk about a "monthly reset," it generally refers to a regular process of reviewing, organizing, and planning at the end of each month to prepare for the next one.

Gratitude is a word that we toss around quite often, especially during this time of year, but how often do we pause to really think about what it means? At its core, gratitude is all about appreciating the good things in life, both big and small. It's that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you realize just how lucky you are to have certain people or experiences in your life. But let's be honest: practicing gratitude isn't always as easy as it sounds.

November is National Novel Writing Month, and this year, I'm diving headfirst into the challenge by aiming to complete 10 short stories. Sounds ambitious? It is! But with a little planning and a lot of determination, it's entirely doable. Here are a few candid tips to help you crush your writing goals in just 30 days.

Let nature's palette inspire new ideas or breathe fresh life into stalled projects.

So what does it truly mean to live a creative life? It means giving yourself permission to dream big dreams without fearing judgment or failure. It's allowing yourself to be vulnerable yet brave enough to chase those dreams relentlessly—because creativity thrives on courage as much as it does on inspiration.

As we continue on this endless journey, we realize that being a writer is not just about what we produce but who we become. Each story, character, and carefully chosen word shapes our craft and our very selves. We are perpetual students of life, observers of the human condition, and chroniclers of our times.

The journey of a writer is not just endless but endlessly rewarding.

writing tips, writer advice, overcoming obstacles, writing mindset, writing habits

Here are some candid lessons learned and advice for aspiring writers:

Writing is hard work, period. Those romantic notions of being a writer lounging at a Parisian Cafe sipping espressos? Yeah, that's not reality. Writing takes serious discipline, determination, and perseverance. You need to develop the mindset that you are doing the hard work of a laborer. Butt in chair, hands on keyboard. Grind it out. There will be days when you don’t want anything to do with writing, and it’s okay to take time off, but you must form good writing habits, or progress will be hard. More on this in a minute.

Let's get real here - finding your unique writing voice and style is a messy, ongoing process. There's no magical moment where it all clicks into place. It's an evolution, a constant refinement as you write more and gain experience.

I'll be honest: for the longest time, I couldn't muster up the courage to take that leap into writing. Sure, I had all these ideas swirling in my head, but turning them into an actual book? That felt like an impossible mountain to climb. But then life happened, and boy, it gave me a much-needed kick in the pants.

I’ve experienced two monumental moments in my life that have pushed me towards writing. Both have centered around the death of a loved one. The first was the death of my father when I was in my early twenties.

Let's be real - being a writer is no walk in the park. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, the struggle is inevitable. Writer's block hits like a ton of bricks, leaving you staring at a blank page, questioning your entire existence. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

My lifelong love for storytelling and the written word all started with an obsession with horses and pet cemeteries.