Robyn Bradley's Blog

Getting Started is the Hardest Part (For Anything)

Last week, I helped my BFF pack and move some stuff into her new place. She’s moving officially in a couple of weeks, but my day with her was the first day she got serious about packing. She said starting is the hardest part for her and that we at least did that.

I think getting started is the hardest part for just about anything. It’s certainly true for writing (whether it’s fiction, my day job, a new draft, revisions). It’s true for cleaning, shopping, writing thank-you notes, doing taxes,...

Breathing New Life into an Old Work

The day after Christmas, I was driving home from Salisbury Beach (normally, I visit the ocean on Christmas Day, but Mother Nature didn’t cooperate this year).

In the car, One Love by U2 came on the radio (yep, I still listen to the radio). It’s a classic, right? I just looked it up — it was released in 1991, which is the same year I graduated high school.

But the song…this version featured U2 and Mary J. Blige, and holy shit, WOW was it different in a really incredible way. Now, I have nothin...

Why I Write

I do it for the cat named Dorian Gray, his last moments filled with terror, his pupils dilated to the size of nickels as the vet administered the lethal shot.

I do it for the boy I loved in third grade, for the agonizing awkwardness of seventh, for the “Look how fat she is!” comment made in high school as I leaned over the water bubbler after gym class.

I do it because Adrienne Rich was right: two people together really is a miracle.

I do it because eyes, breath, memory. I do it to piss peopl...

How Book Nerds Torture One Another

I’m an unapologetic dog-earer. It never even occurred to me that I might need to apologize for it until a fellow writer/reader and I got to talking about it one day. Apparently, there are two types of people in this world: those who dog-ear and those who don’t. Also: those who fill up on gas when the tank is half empty and those who fill up only when they’re driving on fumes and a friend needs to follow them to the gas station at midnight to make sure the car doesn’t break down. (You know who...

9 Writing Myths That Haunt Beginners

If you’re new to writing, you’ll encounter plenty of advice from well-meaning scribes, especially if you hang out in writer forums or with your local critique group. But not all advice is created equal. Unfortunately, even in this enlightened age, plenty of writing myths persist—myths that can discourage new writers or lead them down the wrong path. So let’s set the record straight and bust some of the biggest myths for good. Myth #1: Good writers are born, not made. While some folks are born...

What I’ve Been Reading and Watching

I love January. I realize that for many people it’s one of their least favorite months, but I find it so hopeful. New year. Days getting noticeably longer. Every now and then a mild day delivers the promise of spring. It’s also a great time to get cozy and read and write and watch good TV. My own version of Hygge. Here’s what I’ve been reading and watching as of late… WATCHING Manchester by the Sea. I saw this film with my mom the day after Christmas. I didn’t love it. I’m in the minority, si...

What I’m Reading

I’ve been feeling stressed over my reading.

I get this way sometimes. I’m a reader, but I wouldn’t use the word “voracious.” I go through periods of voraciousness, but then I have quieter periods as well.

In the writing world, especially, there’s a ton of pressure (and it’s real) to always be reading. I get it. Reading with a critical eye can help improve a writer’s craft—to a certain extent.

But writers need to write. They need to write regularly. They need to get comfortable with revising....

How I Spent Christmas Day

December 25, sunny, 40s. You know what that means: PERFECT BEACH DAY, BITCHES.

When does something become a tradition? I went to the beach on Christmas last year (remember how warm it was?) AND this year. I’m calling it: Christmas Beach Day is my official holiday tradition now.

Today, I saw a horse frolicking in the surf. A woman laughed hysterically on a seaside bench while talking on the phone. A guy walking his dog stopped as I was gazing out over the water and asked if I was looking for...

Taphophile Mania: Mount Auburn Cemetery

Hello, my name is Robyn and I’m a taphophile.

OMG SOUNDS SO BAD AND POSSIBLY CONTAGIOUS.

Relax. Not so bad. And definitely not contagious.

A taphophile is a lover of cemeteries (from the Greek “táphos,” which means “tomb” and from the English “phile,” which means “loving” or “friendly” or “friend”).Also known as a tombstone tourist, cemetery enthusiast, and gravestone hunter.

I’ve always loved cemeteries. They’re peaceful. They’re rich in history. And spending time with the dead makes it much...

Writing Tips: When Should You Stop Revising?

A friend of mine is working on a book of poetry. The other day, he sent me an email with this question: “I’m nearly finished with my book but I’m struggling with when to stop doing rewrites and edits and just call it complete.Any advice on when to stop editing? I feel like I could keep rewriting and I feel like I might be getting in my own way.”

Here was my response:

HA.

I’m a firm believer that a piece of writing is never “done.” (This isn’t an original thought, either.)

I believe it was Osc...