I watch so many people revel in the angst of writing instead of just WRITING, and I see them wanting it to be something mystical. Above all, it is planning and hard work. And either you write or you don’t. I still use the techniques for planning writing than I read about from you. In fact that’s how I turned out the “The 33 Worst Mistakes…” PLANNING. I use the same techniques for non-fiction writing, in fact — especially since ALL I normally write is non-fiction.

Granted, I write fast, too. But without planning, I could never do that.

Of course, I turned your ideas sideways. I’m just like that. I don’t connect with notecards so I used a spreadsheet and put it on Google Docs so I could access it from anyplace. I think we heard about the Snowflake Method from you — and using spreadsheets. But I altered that, too. I use the Snowflake Method for my planning and notes phase, but not for my writing phase.

Oh, and it is obvious you are having fun! Writing should be fun!

This course is eating me alive, and when I’m done with it, I intend to never work this freakin’ hard again.

I will add, though, that this is some of the craziest fun I’ve ever had.

I second everything you posted, and wish you luck with the upcoming year of new discoveries.

I was relieved to hear you spend 70 hours a week writing. I have always pondered how you can be so prolific. You always makes it appear as though writing is a cinch for you and you write quickly and blithely while juggling plates with one hand and dialing the phone with one foot. It’s encouraging to see inside your life and your perspective.

In the spirit of thinking sideways, I won’t be following the Paleo diet. The thing I have learned most from you is to listen my own instincts and create my own path. The more I do that, the more writing I sell — some of it, through you!

Thanks for sharing!

I do a lot of volunteer work for a fire department and my level of frustration with them is almost poisoning my entire life.

When I read — “If your value is not recognized or appreciated, move on.” — a BIG bright light blinked on over my head.

Thank-you.

PS Maybe now I’ll catch up in Sideways.

As someone who started reading your blog (and your work) in my early teens, and continues to now in my early twenties, your words and thoughts and advice and wisdom and – sometimes? – snark, have had a profound impact on the way I live my life, the things I value, and the person I want to be.

And personally, if it comes down to a match between you and Time… well, I shouldn’t like to be the thing fighting you!

Yes, I’ve missed your newsletters but there’s more than a year’s worth of newsletter ‘meat’ right here, so thank you for taking time out of your 70 hour-plus week to write this – you never fail to make me think about my writing and to keep reaching for my dream of writing those books I have inside me. Even now, in a time which is more difficult than I thought I could handle, you inspire me to keep putting words on the page.

I dearly wish I could be involved in the Think Sideways course but right now time is something I don’t have (I stole some to write this comment through means I’m not proud of) and though I wish I could be there on the journey so many are taking and excited by, I take heart in knowing that someday I’ll be able to do the same. That you’re still making an effort to inspire those of us who can’t be in the course means a lot.

Thank you – from the bottom of my heart.