Blog by Toby Welch

How I Started Out

July 27th, 2019
I am often asked how I became a writer. It floors me that I celebrated sixteen years as a full-time freelance writer this year. It has been an exciting journey, one that has taken me to literal and figurative places that I never imagined. I would not trade one moment for anything. No, that’s not true. I would wish I hadn’t procrastinated so long on a number of writing projects but overall I’v ...

Writers Advice to Their Newbie Writing Self

July 21st, 2019
Shenaaz Nanji holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College. She has written seven books for children that have won several awards. Her novel, Child of Dandelions, was nominated for the Governor General Award in Children’s Literature. Here is a copy of the letter she would write to her starting-out writer self: “My Dear Girl: 1.   You don’t have to begin at the beginning. Begin writing any s ...

Writer’s Glossary

July 13th, 2019
 Every industry has its own lingo and the writing field is no exception. Here’s what those words mean. Advance – Money a writer gets paid from a publisher before his or her book comes out. The money is repaid to the publisher from the book’s royalties once it goes on sale. All rights – When magazines own all rights to your work, they can use it as often as they wish and in whatever manner t ...

Snippets of Time

July 6th, 2019
                                                          Today's entry is short because I only have a moment but every moment counts. We’ve already touched on how a few minutes of writing here and there can add up to a lot of accomplished writing. And those snippets of time can be found in unconventional places. When you are doing errands, at each stop spend five minutes writing in your vehi ...