A to-do list sounds simple — but most writers make theirs in ways that set them up to fail. Here are 7 tips for building a to-do list that creates momentum, handles distractions, and actually gets things done: from the three-section structure to immovable items, color categories, gimme tasks, rewards, and the overflow list.

The first step to doing anything well — including writing — is being absolutely terrible at it. A professional editor makes the case for writing badly, consistently, without worrying about quality, and explains why comparing your work to published books is like comparing rhubarb to rhubarb pie.

Writers make three common comparisons that quietly destroy their confidence — comparing their drafts to published books, to peers in their writing group, and to writers at a similar age or stage. Here's why those comparisons are unfair, and two useful comparisons you can make instead.

You have the idea. Now what? This step-by-step process helps writers get their story out of their head and onto the page — using journalism's 5 Ws, inverted pyramid structure, five-act story structure, and a gap-filling exercise to build a solid plot before you draft.

Writing with ADHD is hard — focus, executive function, and procrastination work against you at every turn. Here are five strategies a professional editor with ADHD uses to start writing and keep writing, with or without medication.