Write Now Coach! Blog by Rochelle Melander

by Rochelle Melander You need novelty. Novelty activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and boosting learning, memory and motivation. Most of us turn to social media to get our dopamine fix. But that’s not the best thing—as we now know, social media’s addictive. But new stuff—that’s gold for your... Read More

24 Mar 2026

Writer's Block

You Can Fix Writer’s Block

by Rochelle Melander There’s no such thing as writer’s block. That was invented by people in California who couldn’t write.” -Terry Pratchett I don’t have time for writer’s block. Nearly every book I’ve written has been completed in less than six weeks thanks to publishing contracts with tight deadlines. Writing... Read More

17 Mar 2026

Writing Mentors

For St. Patrick, Writing Wasn’t About Luck

by Rochelle Melander It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and many of us are celebrating by wearing green. (Although St. Patrick’s color was actually blue. The feast day became associated with green in the 18th century, when it was linked to Irish independence.) When Patrick was a teenager in Britain, he was... Read More

10 Mar 2026

Productivity

Breaking Free from the Action Fallacy

by Rochelle Melander On our return trip from New Orleans, we spent five hours in Chicago. Not in the city. Not in the airport. On a plane. After the initial flight plan was canceled, we had to return to the gate for fuel. A passenger demanded to get off the... Read More

03 Mar 2026

Editing

Know When to Hire an Editor

by Rochelle Melander Though we’d love to think we can take a book from conception to publication all on our own, it actually takes a village to raise a book. An editor can be a helpful partner at many stages of the writing and publication process. Hire an editor when... Read More

24 Feb 2026

Reading

How to Become a Reading Writer

by Rochelle Melander ”If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.” —Stephen King Writers read. Here’s why: +To understand the market. What are readers reading right now? Get connected to the books readers love and crave so that you can provide... Read More

17 Feb 2026

Creativity

How to Spark Creative Play

The 100-Day Project by Rochelle Melander With everything going on in the world, I’m struggling to focus and stay productive. For the last two years, I’ve written about the 100-day project. Last year I tried it—and wowza! For 100 days, I wrote poetry every morning. Sometimes the poetry became pieces... Read More

10 Feb 2026

Creative Courage

Why Write a Book?

By Rochelle Melander In my first grown-up job, I regularly worked 70 hours a week. But no matter how many hours I put in, it was never enough. My employers always wanted me to work more. I didn’t have time to cook, wash clothes, or clean the house let alone... Read More