Abruptly changing is not enough . . . James Clear, Habit Change, and a 7-Day Challenge

Changing habits has to be one of the hardest challenges that a person can face. Forming a new habit takes sustained effort, and breaking bad habits could prove even more frustrating. This is why abruptly changing is not enough.

What tricks do you have up your sleeve? [Blog Prompts for the 7-Day Reading Challenge Countdown]

May 7th, 2018 marks the official start of the 7-Day Reading challenge (#ReadWithCurtis) hosted here on Paper Palaces. There are only two rules: 1.) Read for 20 minutes per day for seven days, and 2.) Post on Instagram, Twitter, or WordPress about your reading, using the hashtag #ReadWithCurtis (I'm Curtis!). While the official challenge does not start until next Monday, there is time to spread enthusiasm early. I've already started posting about the challenge on my Instagram (CurtisWritesBooks), using the hashtag above. Here are a few questions that I invite you to answer. You can answer via blog post, or simply comment on this page! The more the merrier.

A 7-Day Reading Challenge May Be Just What You Need

Next week, starting on Monday, May 7th, I'm hosting a 7-Day Reading Challenge here, through Paper Palaces. This is a great way to refresh your reading habit, share what you are reading, and create new content for your blog or site, if you have one. The rules are simple. . .

Where is the most dangerous place for your characters to go? – Eight questions for building fictional worlds.

Building Fictional Worlds Part I: Setting and Characterization When building a fictional setting, the connection between your characters and the world they live could make or break the believability of your creations. Deepening the connection between the landscape and your characters is therefore very important.

Are you depleted of ideas, or do you just need to re-energize? Three questions to ask yourself when experiencing a creative block.

It was Saturday morning, and I stared at a half-written scene in the all-to-familiar agony of writer's block. My usual urge to craft a scene had left me, and my cat, Horton, made a bed of my forearms. The time had finally come to do something else.

A Lightning Storm in My Brain – Navy SEALS, Dark Magic, Middle School, and a Secret Worth Sharing

On my way to work, the sun is rising, I look across a snowy field, and a flock of birds scatters into the air like flakes of debris from a campfire. I hear a navy SEAL sternly recount the horrors of war. He talks about discipline in everyday life, and I absorb his words through my headphones.

An adventure in goal-setting lead to this realization…

I was behind on my promises, both personal and public. For the last twenty days, I have revamped my goals, improved how I follow through, and created habits to sustain a lifestyle that I enjoy, by taking a few simple steps. Too Many Goals, Not Enough Routine The truth is, I have too many … Continue reading An adventure in goal-setting lead to this realization… →

A Beginner’s Guide to Geeking Out About Medieval Armor

Swords, Shields, Armor My interest in swords, shields, and armor started when my father took me to the Art Institute of Chicago. Their exhibition on medieval metalwork featured artifacts that would make any knight-obsessed kid happy. As a child, I gleaned much of what I knew about medieval weaponry and armor from movies, television, … Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Geeking Out About Medieval Armor →

4 Stages of Writing: A plant-based approach to creating fiction

Crafting FictionI have a relationship with writing, and it's mostly good. Sometimes, I am consistent about creating chapters, and sometimes... I am not. Like all relationships, writing takes time, dedication, reflection, and care to stay healthy. I admire writers who have found systems that work for their writing processes. Personally, I try new strategies all … Continue reading 4 Stages of Writing: A plant-based approach to creating fiction →