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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, April 25, 2010 10:44 am

Finding the motivation to write is a constant struggle, even for writers who earn a living from writing! That’s why I wrote Fire Up the Muse – to help writers achieve their goals, no matter what obstacles they face.

If you’re a writer who struggles with self-doubt, frustration, writer’s block, fear of failure, perfectionism, disgust for your work, hopelessness, complacency, and just plain boredom — you’re normal, because all writers do!   This eBook will help you write through it all. 

Here’s what one reader says: Continue reading 'Writers, Achieve Your Goals! Motivation to Keep Writing'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, April 10, 2010 8:00 am

As a full-time freelance writer and blogger in Vancouver, British Columbia, I’m living proof that dreams do come true if you don’t mind bleeding, sweating, and crying a little…or a lot! I always wanted to earn a living as a writer, and am grateful for my work and life.

I’ve contributed to magazines such as Reader’s Digest, Writer’s Digest, Health, Woman’s Day, Spirituality & Health, alive, MSN Health and sometimes More.

I also enjoy writing health articles, newsletters, profiles, etc for clients such as BC Women’s Hospital and Health Match BC. I teach a Make Money Blogging course through Simon Fraser University, at the Vancouver campus. And, as an experienced teacher, I’m available to teach writing workshops, sit on blogging panels, etc.

My degrees are in Psychology and Education, from the University of Alberta in Edmonton; I live on Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada (a 20 minute ferry ride from Vancouver).

Quips and Tips is my main focus these days — I created and manage five blogs that weave quotations with practical life tips. Though I happily accept assignments from editors and other clients, my dream is to build my blog empire and write a series of Quips and Tips e-books. I want to inspire people to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals — and I love the feedback and questions I get from readers!

See Jane Soar is my sixth blog; there, I offer life lessons inspired by quotations from successful woman. It’s based on a book project I’m working on.

That’s me, in a nutshell! Do you have any questions or thoughts? Just make a comment Continue reading 'About Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, January 2, 2010 7:38 am

My newest Quips and Tips articles range from making your blog posts more popular to discovering how your personality affects your saving and spending habits (money psychology!).

And, I’m sad to report that my literary agent and I aren’t on the same page when it comes to my latest book proposal…which means I’m looking for new representation! I’ve sent out a few query letters to agents before Christmas, and will continue my search in the new year…wish me luck…

Okay, here’s a roundup of my latest articles on Quips and Tips, See Jane Soar, and Psychology at Suite101… Continue reading 'New on Quips and Tips – Better Writing, Money Psychology, and More'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, September 19, 2009 8:21 am

Here are this week’s new articles from The Adventurous Writer – divorce was the hot topic, because of a wonderful book I’ve been reading (and no, it’s not because my marriage is unhappy!). I also wrote about writing careers, Thanksgiving, saving money for Christmas shopping, and Halloween costumes.

First, advice from Ray Bradbury for writers:

“To sum it all up, if you want to write, if you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God ever turned out and sent rambling.

You must write every single day of your life.

You must read dreadful dumb books and glorious books, and let them wrestle in beautiful fights inside your head, vulgar one moment, brilliant the next.

You must lurk in Continue reading 'New Articles – Divorce, Divorce, Divorce! and Thanksgiving Dinner'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, August 29, 2009 9:00 am

Every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy, sometimes from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers (and sometimes not – like today!). This week, the strategy is about what to do while waiting for publishers and editors to decide on sample chapters, book manuscripts, or article pitches.

Last week, I submitted my sample chapters to my agent, to be forwarded to a Canadian publishing house. They’ve been considering my See Jane Soar book idea for over a year. That’s a long time to wait in human terms… but in book publishing terms, it’s but a drop in the bucket. The publishing process moves at glacial speed at the best of times! 

But I can’t sit around twiddling my thumbs and biting my nails while I wait for the publishers to decide on the fate of my book. I’ll get old and gray! Older and grayer.

Are you in the same boat? If not now, you might be soon…

Here’s a list of things for writers to do while waiting for publishers or editors to Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #5 – What To Do While Waiting for Publishers to Decide'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, August 23, 2009 12:58 pm

Every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers. This week, the strategy is about asking for specific feedback for sample chapters.

I submitted my three sample chapters to my agent last week, who delivered them to a potential publisher (my fingers and toes are crossed! See Writing Strategy #3 – Write for One Hour for details). Part of my editing process included showing my sample chapters to my writer’s group. Their feedback resulted in more work…and sample chapters that flowed.

Writer’s groups can be an effective way to improve your writing.

But don’t just plop your Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #4 – Ask for Specific Feedback for Sample Chapters'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, August 16, 2009 9:11 am

Instead of a writing strategy this week, I’ve rounded up several effective web writing tips from a panel of bloggers. These tips are (mostly) from the Web Writing Panel at the Writer’s Craft Fair hosted by the BC Association of Magazine Publishers. I was honored to participate in this panel – I love being a panelist! – and learned a few new web writing tips that I wanna share. 

First, a tip for attending writer’s conferences:  Go to the writing panels, not just the workshops. I love the Surrey International Writer’s Conference for many reasons; one is the proliferation of panels they offer. Panels are especially informative and entertaining because you learn from a variety of specialists – not just one writer, novelist, or blogger. Continue reading '5 Web Writing Tips From a Panel of Bloggers'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, August 8, 2009 5:45 am

Every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers (or another first-rate source!). This week, the strategy is how to “write for one hour.”

My sample chapters to a publisher are due in a couple of weeks, my series of seven health articles is due in one week, an editor needs me to rewrite an introduction to an article I recently submitted (my original isn’t gripping enough), and my blog schedule may be just a little too demanding.

Aaacck! 

How do you write when you feel overwhelmed, unmotivated, or just plain not good enough? Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #3 – Write for One Hour'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, August 1, 2009 6:53 am

This week, the strategy is how to “grab your reader by the throat” (every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers or another first-rate source!).

Grabbing your readers (or editors, or publishers) by the throat is a fancy way of saying “write effective leads.” Hooking people will keep them reading – and ensure you get published!

Writing fascinating leads is difficult when you’re blogging, because of Search Engine Optimization. On one hand — whether you’re a blogger or print writer – you need to write effective leads or introductions that catch a reader’s eye. On the other, you have to use your keywords and key phrases properly so Google and other search engines will index your blog posts. You want surfers to find them.  

Writers can’t be as creative or playful when writing blog posts that are meant to attract new readers or internet surfers. But, here’s a writing strategy for introductions that works for both web and print writing… Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #2 – Grab Your Readers by the Throat'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, July 25, 2009 9:02 am

Every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers (or another first-rate source!). This week, the strategy is “let your writing go.”

“The best writing advice I ever received was to not get attached to your words,” says editor and freelance writer Alyice Edrich of the Dabbling Mum. “When we allow ourselves to get emotionally attached to what we’ve written – which is really easy to do as a creative artist – we don’t allow ourselves to improve and grow as writers.”

As a freelance magazine writer, I’ve learned to disconnect from my writing. It’s easier when it’s a nonfiction health article (one of my favorite types to write!)…but definitely more difficult when Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #1 – Let Your Writing Go'»