I used to dread autumn.
I used to dread autumn.

It’s been summer weather in Nashville, which I have to say I don’t mind, but even in the south the Earth circle the sun at the same rate, i.e. the days get shorter and the nights stretch well into the morning. On Halloween, as is typical in Nashville, we had a sudden freeze. Suddenly, it was in the 20s overnight and only reaching to the high 40s during the day. I noticed that it jump-started certain behaviors that I tend to associate with winter even though it will be back into the 70s this weekend.

Read More
Meredith LyonsComment
How to deal with negative reviews.
How to deal with negative reviews.

I recently had a fellow writer ask me to do an entry about negative reviews and how I handle them. At the time I was like, ehhh, I don’t want to talk about that this week, but I’ll put it on the list. I can’t remember exactly why I didn’t want to talk about it, but probably I had just received a negative review. This week I feel ready! So let’s dive in!

Read More
Mental Training, Resilience, WritingMeredith Lyonswriting Comments
Body Doubling for Writing Motivation
Body Doubling for Writing Motivation

In case the term is new to you, body doubling refers to being on a call (usually a video call) with someone else in a different location where both of you are doing a task. I’ve tried body doubling with other writers, and it works! I’ll break down what I’ve found most effective.

Read More
Writing, Tips, Motivation, Mental TrainingMeredith Lyonswriting, tips, Motivation, mental trainingComment
You should probably edit that a bit more before you submit.
You should probably edit that a bit more before you submit.

I am writing the advice I would have liked to give my past self. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly nuanced because this is a barometer I do believe you have to develop through experience. My younger self would have really enjoyed a roadmap though. She would have liked bullet points and a direction. So I will try to give you a rough one.

Read More
Mental Training, Motivation, Tips, WritingMeredith Lyonswriting, tips, Motivation, mental trainingComment
The best part has been you.
The best part has been you.

Am I excited? Yes. (Am I exhausted? Also yes.) I’m proud of myself, I’m super happy that Ghost Tamer is out in the world, and I’m thrilled to be able to call myself a published author. But honestly the best part of this week has been having you all cheering me on. Thank you

Read More
Friends and Family, WritingMeredith Lyonsfriends, family, writing Comment
Jump-starting your creativity.
Jump-starting your creativity.

If you practice any art long enough, you’ll eventually have to fight through a period of time where you feel creatively tapped out. You’ll wonder, “Is that it? Maybe I blew my wad and it’ll never come back. Never be fun again.” Don’t worry, it’s not, you didn’t, and it will.

Read More
Motivation, Tips, WritingMeredith LyonsCreativity, Motivation, tips, writingComment
POV: woman running by construction sites in the summer
POV: woman running by construction sites in the summer

The lovely running trail that I frequent has several trailheads. The one that I prefer used to exit next to empty warehouses. When we first moved here, this was the darkest, scariest part of my run in the early mornings. About a year or two ago, the warehouses were knocked down and those areas cleaned out. I enjoyed this because there were large floodlights at the site during my morning runs. Then finally, construction began.

Read More
Meredith LyonsComment
Confession: I sometimes peek at the end of a book.
Confession: I sometimes peek at the end of a book.

I used to be one of the (probably majority) of bibliophiles who believed that peeking at the end of the book was sacrilege. Go through it like the author intended! Feel all of those feels! Don’t spoil it for yourself! All things I used to vehemently believe. I’ve slightly changed my stance. Hear me out.

Read More
Kindness, ReadingMeredith Lyonsreading, empathy, KindnessComment
Good Health is a Privilege
Good Health is a Privilege

This is a topic I’ve been meaning to blog about for a while, as I get really impassioned when I talk about how healthy food is not available to every community equally, but I like things to be current when possible. So here we are. The pendulum has swung again, and I am again having to look at my finances when I prioritize my health.

Read More
Fitness, Health, WomenMeredith Lyonshealth, physical therapyComment
Cats: The Good, The Bad, and the Unexpected (cats are never ugly)
Cats: The Good, The Bad, and the Unexpected (cats are never ugly)

Although most cats will get you up before you’re ready on the weekends, these two developed a habit of coming in during the middle of the night, banging the blinds against the window—I’m not kidding—and yowling when they wanted human attention. Aang has even resorted to leaping from the top of the eight-foot-tall bookcase onto my stomach when he really wants something.

Read More
Pets, RelationshipsMeredith LyonsPets, Relationships Comments