Writing is a lot like building your dream house. Maybe you find yourself over budget, and you need to trim back on some details. Out goes the fancy copper sink. Or maybe the contractor left a gaping hole in the roof. Or a tiny crack in the drywall. They better patch it up before the rain comes in and wrecks the whole structure. Part of the writing process is learning what to trim and what to...

If you have ever tried to write anything, you know that voice. The one that tells you that you aren’t good enough. The doubting nag that whispers tales of failure before you’ve even begun. Better go do the dishes, fold the clothes, put in the roast. Chores never sounded so inviting. Anything to avoid finding out what’s really in that brain of yours, waiting to seep onto the blank page. Procrastination is easy. Writing is hard, but there are ways to...