Amy Slays Doubt Monsters

Can Writers Ever Truly Be Happy? Radically redefining goals may hold the key

Applying the reverse bucket list concept to writing and creativity....Lots to think about! #cnf amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/can-writer...

The Case of the Shrinking Novel The mystery of saying more with less

If you're looking for inspiration...not simply to write...but to write tight...
amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/the-case-o...

News Flash for #AWP 2026 in #Baltimore!
I'm offering a FREE off-site meeting room less then 10 mins' walk from Convention Ctr. Seats up to 48. Kitchen. Food & bev. allowed. Meets ADA. Ping me.

It’s True: Writing is Revising When you think you’re finished, the magic begins

News flash: Your first draft isn't your last. It may not even be your first. amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/its-true-w...

The Many Lives of the Rejection Mindset A journey from self-doubt to self-affirmation

Rejection: Ever heard of it? Nah. Not you. But in case you're curious... amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/the-many-l... #cnf #authors #writers

We're going to work it!

Is AI Ramping Up Our Doubts About Everything? Finding the limits to what we should question

My latest #CNF from #Medium on a topic I'm fairly obsessed with.
medium.com/thought-thin...

Marketing: The Dirtiest Word in the English Language? Find the joy, abandon the drudgery

Marketing: "Dreaded drudgery that never ends and constantly disappoints us by failing to deliver the outcomes that would justify all the crap we put ourselves through."

Can I get an amen?

It doesn't have to be like this. amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/marketing-...

#CNF writers new to #essay writing: Come to my fast-paced mini-workshop on discovering your voice through essay. Free. Fun. Online. Sept. 19. 10:30 a.m. Eastern. #MediumDay medium.com/blog/medium-...

A Doubting Mindset Holds Women Back Women hesitate while men plunge

Hey, #women, and friends of women > Happy to share this little truth from The Virago. #cnf #nonfiction #essay
medium.com/the-virago/a...

Giving Gen Alpha a Fair Shot at Happiness The kids will be all right — maybe

As a Boomer, I have a lot of empathy for the world that Gen Alpha is growing up in. Some thoughts on how that plays out. #cnf #nonfiction #essays medium.com/the-narrativ...

If Everyone's a Critic, Who's Right? A dash of criticism about cultural criticism (part 1 of 2)

Are you cringing from criticism of your work? Don't. Hold your head high. Criticism often says more about the critic than the artist. #writers #authors #fiction #CNF amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/if-everyon...

Is Doubting a Truly Pervasive Fact of Life? An emerging survey on self-doubt holds fascinating clues

Take the Doubt Decoder Quiz and find out how much self-doubt is affecting your life. A new quantitative piece to my qualitative research. #creatives #writers #artists #authors amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/is-doubtin...

Great advice!

The Overwhelmingness of Craft When too much info short-circuits creativity

For every #writer overwhelmed by "craft" instructions and advice, you can take a breath. amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/the-overwh...

If You Chase After Success, You’ll Run Forever Revisiting what counts as a win

Define success on your own terms. Don't let anyone impose it on you. amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/if-you-cha...
#writers #authors #indiauthors #cnf #creativity #artists #booksky

Brought to you by the School of Hard Knocks. Enjoy. And take heart.

A Writer’s Revised Thoughts on Revision The greatest tool of all is time

Revising a book draft is hard going every time. Some lessons learned here that may help. #writers #authors #indieauthors #fiction #nonfiction #CNF #editors
amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/a-writers-...

Do you devour #books about #writing, #inspiration, or #creativity? Seeking honest #reviews of my award-winning but under-read book for self-doubting artists. Hint: It's not what you expect. #nonfiction #CNF #booksky #newreleases

Avoiding Self-Censorship in a Censoring Age Feeling like my lips are taped shut

amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/copy-avoid...
#booksky #writerscommunity #authors #indieauthors #fiction #nonfiction #editors

When the Little Engine that Could…Is You Plumbing the mystery of motivation

What motivates you, creatives? What gets the juices flowing? Did I include it here...or is it something else? amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/when-the-l...
#writers #artists #creatives #indiewriters

➡️Persistence and grit will see you through prolonged bouts of self-doubt.
➡️Believe in your own work: you’re always your truest champion.
➡️Rejection is not a judgment—more like a phase.
➡️Every time you hear “no,” that’s not replacing a “yes” coming your way.

The Honest Truth About Writer’s Block The mind and its machinery

What more is there to say about writer's block? Well, something. #writers #fiction #nonfiction #memoir #indieauthors #authors
amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/the-honest...

WDA of DC + MD - Events Taking Heart DC Writers on Courage A Literary Reading at Mason Exhibitions in Arlington, Virginia Sunday, June 15, 2 to 4 p.m. (Reception to follow nearby.) featuring Stephanie Bastek Amy Bernst...

WRITERS RESIST!
DC-area #writers, #creatives, #artists, and resisters in general, I'm so excited to be part of this event Sunday June 15, speaking about courage in an age of cowardice. Open to all. Sponsored by Writers for Democratic Action. sites.google.com/writersforde...

Surfing: A Masterclass in Fearless Creativity Riding waves speaks to the universality of making art

Have fun with this one, #writers of #fiction #nonfiction #memoir #indiauthors #editors #artists amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/surfing-a-...

Let Your Writer’s Voice Fly Free Remove all guardrails and see what happens

amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/let-your-w...
Write impolitely! Let that genie out of its bottle! #writers #authors #indieauthors #editors #fiction #nonfiction #memoir

New Wine in Old Bottles Voice is choice when it comes to retelling old stories

We may have run out of new stories to tell--but we'll never run out of new voices to tell them. #writers #authors #editors #creatives #fiction #nonfiction amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/new-wine-i...

2-DAY SEMINAR | The Quest for Clarity: The Blueprint Method to Structure Your Nonfiction Book - Craft Talks Writing a nonfiction book with authority requires command over your material and your ideas. Learn how to focus on what matters most, so you're prepared to craft a compelling book proposal.

Hey, #nonfiction and #memoir #authors: Looking to figure out how to structure your book and achieve clarity on how to write it? This two-Saturdays I'm teaching course will give you a big leg up. writingcraft.com/event/semina...

Reveling in Competence A vital touchstone for every self-doubter

When you suffer with doubt, you lose sight of your enduring competence. But you don't have to. #writingcommunity #writers #authors #fiction #nonfiction #indieauthors #booksky #creativity
amylbernsteinauthor.substack.com/p/reveling-i...

Anyone in #Baltimore for the Writers Digest conference this summer: Check out my MANIFEST YOUR CREATIVE LIFE workshop on 7/25. Eye-opening for #writers and all #creatives. @writersdigest.bsky.social #writingcommunity #fiction #nonfiction #indie #booksky
writersdigestconference.com/register/