Don’t wait for a writing community to show up. Create one. Invite, seek and you will find.
Turn off your phone.
Read. Read. Read. Did I say read?
Live in gratitude
If you are not where you want to be that’s okay. It means you know what you want.
Even if you don’t have time, write for two minutes. You can even write—I don’t know what to write
Be kind to librarians.
Read. Read. Read. Did I say read?
Tell someone you love them.
Write what intrigues you, what you obsess over.
Don’t worry, work instead.
Don’t work, play.
Stop thinking. Feel.
Buy books, borrow books. And give books away.
Don’t fall in love with your words, fall in love with ideas…with feelings with people.
You will always need to change your words, but your feelings are yours.
Learn from everything.
Trust yourself.
See the world and feel the world.
Have faith in yourself.
No excuses.
Laugh.
Drink water.
Exercise to keep mind, body and spirit strong.
For the first draft, feel your writing; heart not brain.
Second draft, use your mind, and your heart.
Write what you like to read.
Take trips.
Journal.
Write down your dreams.
Meditate. Breathe more deeply.
Eat more veggies.
Take a walk.
Take a shower.
Don’t be afraid.
Write through to the end.
Revise, revise, revise.
Read, read, read. Did I say read?
Love to love critiques.
Be honest with yourself so you can be honest on the page.
Cut corn syrup out of your diet; it slows down your brain.
Take an acting or improv comedy class.
You are a beacon of light. Shine brightly.
Art takes time.
Spend time in nature every day.
Befriend someone who needs to be friended.
You are here for a reason.
Revision makes all the difference. Revise.
You are loved.
Your beauty shines out of you, always.
Observe your envy. It will tell you what you want. Then tell it bye bye!
Learn to say no to the world but yes to the universe.
First drafts are supposed to be ugly, mushy and mad.
Revise. Revise. Revise.
Never stop learning.
Commit.
Believe you are worth it.
You already know everything. Learning is opening up and allowing yourself to remember.
Expect success.
Write thank you letters.
Create your own inner best friend.
Remember you are amazing!
See with your heart.
Love your antagonists.
Ask questions.
Write your own inspiring quotes…
Hillary Homzie is the author of the Ellie May chapter book series (Charlesbridge, 2018), Apple Pie Promises (Sky Pony/Swirl, 2018), Pumpkin Spice Secrets (Sky Pony/Swirl, 2017), Queen of Likes (Simon & Schuster MIX 2016), The Hot List (Simon & Schuster MIX 2011) and Things Are Gonna Be Ugly (Simon & Schuster, 2009) as well as the Alien Clones From Outer Space (Simon & Schuster Aladdin 2002) chapter book series. She’s also a contributor to the Kate the Chemist middle grade series (Philomel Books/Penguin Random House). And her nonfiction picture book, If You Were a Princess: True Stories of Brave Leaders From Around the World is a look at historical and current princesses from many diverse lands who have made their mark (Simon & Schuster, August 2022). During the year, Hillary teaches at Sonoma State University. In the summer, she teaches in the graduate program in children’s literature, writing and illustration at Hollins University. She can be found at hillaryhomzie.com and on Instagram, and her Facebook page
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