Becoming an Irrepressible Writer--Our Final Holiday Gift to You

Winter begins today for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. While this is also the season of holidays, it can be an emotionally challenging time. Holiday stress and limited daylight can take their toll on our well-being. So it's fitting that today I share a web site to help writers (and those who nurture them) get through the "dark days."

Today I'd like to introduce you to The Irrepressible Writer, a new blog by my friend and fellow writer, Carol Coven Grannick. In addition to being a writer, Carol is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. As she says on the blog, she "works with writers and non-writers who want to create and maintain more resilient, meaningful lives." Through her blog, Carol shares tips on how to stay optimistic when the trials of writing and publishing get us down. Carol's blog has become my personal secret weapon against my annoying inner critique. When I hear that nagging voice say things like, "What makes you think you're a writer?" or "You should chuck this whole thing and go out and get a real job" or "You'll never get this published", I turn to Carol's blog for insight and inspiration. She's helped me out of a dark mood more than once, bless her! For example, in today's post, Carol provides tips on learning how not to take rejection personally.

One of the things I love best about Carol's blog is that she speaks from personal experience. She knows how it feels to struggle with a writing project, to try to stay focused despite distractions, to get a rejection. Also, like me, she wasn't born an optimist, yet she's managed to learn how to be one. She gives me hope that I can do the same. If you're a writer, or you're a teacher trying to nurture writers, I encourage you to visit Carol's blog. Her welcome post is probably the best place to start on your path to becoming an Irrepressible Writer.

This is the last in our series of posts with links to some of our favorite sites, a little holiday thank-you gift to you, our readers. These and other links to helpful writing/teaching/literature resources are included in the sidebar. I hope you'll check them out.

The TeachingAuthors are taking a break from blogging until January 1, 2010, when April will return to follow-up on our new-school-year resolutions contest. (Hint, that means you'll have another opportunity to win an autographed book!)

We wish all of you a healthy and happy holiday season. May your new year be filled with many wonderful blessings.

Happy writing!
Carmela