Emile Coué (1857-1926) worked as a pharmacist in France between 1882 and 1910. He noticed that his patients had much better outcomes when he convinced them that the medicines would work. We now call this the placebo effect. Coué began to study how the power of positive thinking helped cure illness. Coué believed that the mind couldn’t hold two opposing thoughts at the same time. He taught his patients to repeat positive affirmations several times [...]
In a time of uncertainty, as writers, we must keep writing. The characters we create, the worlds we build, the ideas we put to the page matter. Even if only a few see your words, you never know the impact those words may have. Keep writing!
As part of her launch of WE DREAM OF SPACE, the Mojo have been featuring Erin Entrada Kelly with her The Mojo Minute and now we are lucky to have her "sit" down with us and answer a few questions. Middle Grade Mojo: We all have different paths to publishing. For me, I didn't know I wanted to write books until I was downsized about a decade ago. When did discover that you wanted to [...]
The writing life and life in general are full of challenges and struggles. Some we seek because we want those experiences and some that surprise us. The rewards of overcoming those challenges are priceless. Keep trying! You can do it!
When life is good, we can find inspiration in just about everything. When life is hard, when we feel the weight of the world, it becomes hard to write. Sylvia Plath puts it perfectly. May we all stay connected to our creativity, our imagination during these tough times. Be well and be writing.
The writer's nightmare, a blank page. Where do you start your story? How do you start it? Description? Dialogue? A dream? No, not a dream, but how, and with who, and where? It doesn't matter because you'll probably change it later anyway. Just start writing and get the words flowing.
It's Monday! Sure, it's not everyone's favorite day of the week, but I love them. Why? Because they signify a brand new start, an opportunity to get things done and make a great week. Truth is, every single day that we wake up and draw breath gives us an opportunity to keep going. Keep writing, keep believing, keep doing the thing that makes our hearts sing. So don't let a Monday bring you down. Get [...]
Whether you’re nerdy or not, this fabulous free Nonfiction writing crash course organized by NF Chicks is worth your time. Every day in February, there’s a blog posted by an experienced nonfiction children’s writer. You might be thinking, “but I don’t write nonfiction,” and I say, “So what!” Every writer can benefit from Sophia Gholz’s post “Visual Storytelling” on February 7th or “What the Marketing Department Wished Nonfiction Writers Knew” on February 15th by Kerry [...]
Could you imagine a dancer learning to dance without ever having seen other people dancing? Or a musician learning to play instrument without ever hearing music? Writers need to read in order to become better writers. Don't feel guilty spending time with books. It's all part of your training as a writer.And if you need some recommendations, check out our Mo Reading posts.
Just released, Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet is the first graphic novel with a Muslim main character. The story captures Omar's zanny imagination and the funny family dynamics that everyone can relate to. We talked with author Zanib Mian about her unique concept and what inspired her to create it. Middle Grade Mojo: Beyond the description of children ages 8 to 12, who do you hope reads Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet? And, what would [...]
