The A.J. Charles Blog
Blog 019-Unhinged! (Or Why I Feel Like Giving Up In A Digitally Pervasive, Social-Media Fueled, Immediate-Gratification-Fest—But Won't)
What to do when you don’t feel like doing TikTok dance trends with your manuscript and the querying door feels closed from the start.
017-The Way Back
Twists and turns can have you feeling lost, but there’s always one direction to go to find your way.
016—Direction
After my recent attendance at a book festival with other local authors, I share my motivation and thought on the intersection with creation and life.
015—The Decision
The Ghost of Time Forgotten is coming February 10th! With this latest blog, I detail the decision I made to self-publish my first novel.
014-Being Present
I’ve been busy—too busy, and it’s been hard to work on writing. But there’s a fire burning, and I set my sights on it to make myself more physically present, as well as more mentally aware of what I’ve accomplished.
013-Feedback (Or The Lack Thereof)
Writing to you from deep within the ‘querying jungle,’ I discuss the vulnerability in accepting and awaiting feedback. Mostly awaiting it.
012-What I’ve Learned-Part Two
In part two of my list of what I’ve learned in the year since joining the writing community, I detail lessons six through ten. Plus, a bit of inspiration and the title reveal for my novel!
011-What I’ve Learned-Part One
The website is about to reach one year old, so I reviewed five of the top ten writing-related lessons I’ve learned in the last year.
010-Making the Time
It’s been a lazy 2022 thus far for my writing. Let’s talk about our binge watches, marathon gaming sessions, and other creative speedbumps…then let’s normalize them.
009-The Waiting
The waiting may be the hardest part, but does it have to be? Is it supposed to be? Or can we draw parallels to other parts of our lives in order to find the patience and motivation to keep moving forward?
008-The Company We Keep
With the holidays gearing up towards their inevitable conclusion, I discuss how to find, maintain, and benefit from the people that supplement your personal and creative well-being.
007-Changing Seasons
Between the falling leaves, the spooky nights, and the ominous calls of NaNoWriMo, it’s the perfect time of year to get back into your creative calling.
006-Building Castles
I know you didn’t ask to spend hundreds of hours looking at a word processor because you felt like writing something terribly unpolished, but that’s the beauty. We are allowed to make mistakes.
005-Home Sweet Home
After dealing with a writing dry spell, a long awaited vacation and the return home may have been the cure to the summer blues. I discuss surrounding yourself with motivation in your own personal creative space.
004-The Dog Days (When It Isn’t Fun)
Feeling like you’re off the beaten path? The dog days of the season hitting you harder than anticipated? I discuss my own struggle to create and the need to recognize the additional ways we attempt to achieve our goals.
003-Self-Investment for Creators
In blog post number three, I offer my personal layout to combat the ‘imposter syndrome’ discussed in blog two, with shouts to the people, products, and things that allowed me to invest and enhance my ability to create.
002-The One Who Didn’t Belong
We all feel like imposters. Yes, all of us. I give my answer to help combat the feeling.
001- Let Me Introduce You To…
In my first blog post on the new ajcharleswriter.com, I detail the mental shift from a childhood dream to a commitment in adulthood.