Bucket List For Writers: 75+ Things Every Writer Should Do Way Before They Kick The Bucket
This blog post was written by a human.Hi readers and writerly friends!
I’m a writer! I love lists! I love buckets! Okay, that third one might not be quite so true—I mean who loves buckets? Apparently, Shayla Raquel, the editorial blogger I borrowed inspiration—and this list—from. Shayla says Catherine Smith of Sooner Not Later first came up with this idea and she even completed 52 bucket list items in 2015. Low whistle. 😏 Impressive.
A lot of the goals on Shayla’s list are actual goals I have on my own bucket list so I thought it would be fun to put my own spin on it by scratching out what I’ve completed and adding my own items as well. I’m going to have to get creative to cross off green eggs and ham as a vegan!
Make sure to read until the end to get your free PDF version so you can start crossing off items right away!
Without further ado, here’s the list!
Travel
Go on a writing retreat
Visit Stratford-upon-Avon to see where Shakespeare lived
Take a weekend getaway to Walden Pond and live simply for a while—no cell phones!
Set off on a literary pilgrimage to a site where your favorite author lived or spent his/her time writing
Visit a printing plant to see how books are made
Go to a book signing and show support for a local author
Visit a famous bookstore in another state
Go to a writers convention
Visit a bookstore or library in another country (like Dublin, Ireland’s “The Long Room”)
Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Spend a day in the Library of Congress
Experiences
Do something weird just to write about it
Use the 5 senses while reading or writing
Start a book club or writing workshop
Write an in-depth book review
Complete the “100 Books Everyone Should Read” list from Bussiness Insider
Start a personal library
Go to the late show at the circus
Create art out of books that are falling apart
Read at least one book from every genre
Cosplay as a book character and see if friends can guess it
Read a ridiculously difficult book, like Ulysses (Not my line, but OMG! I’ve never read anything truer in my life.)
Take a character quiz for your favorite story
Start a savings fund for self-publishing
Try editing a book
Personal Development
Find a mentor
Write an affirmation statement that expresses all your strengths as a writer
Buy a book for a child
Read The Elements of Style
Donate any unused or forgotten books to a local library
Donate copies of your book to a worthy cause
Join at least three writing associations
Mentor a teen who is interested in writing
Create a productive writing space
Trade manuscripts with a close writer friend and critique each other
Subscribe to a "word of the day" email
Tutor students in English
Write a private self-help blog for yourself
Bookish Buys
Collect a series
Buy old books at garage sales—and barter!
Get an autographed book
Purchase a real inkwell and quill
Go to a book signing and get a selfie with the author
Visit a library
Buy a beautiful leather (or vegan leather) journal
Pick up a vintage polaroid camera
Have a movie marathon based on the books you love
Buy a first edition copy of a bestseller
Purchase a handmade book
Buy a typewriter
Literary Eats
Host an Alice in Wonderland tea party
Eat a cake that’s designed like a book
Make green eggs and ham or other ficticious dishes
Visit a coffee shop you’ve never been to
Have a midnight dinner like in the Night Circus
Have second breakfast
Throw a Great Gatsby-themed party
Write On!
Get an article published
Write under a pen name
Write a poem
Submit to Writer's Digest
Write fan fiction
Send fan mail to your favorite authors
Write a comic strip or graphic novel
Write 100,000 words for one project
Guest blog for someone famous
Write in a genre that you hate
Write a letter to your future self
Self-publish a book
Send your ready-for-publication book to at least three traditional publishing houses
It looks like I’ve still got some things to check off my own list! Have you done any of the items above? Comment below and let me know what you think of the list! Don’t forget, the concept goes to Catherine Smith and Shayla Raquel for originally doing this bucket list for writers! Check out Shayla’s list here and Catherine’s Facebook page for Sooner NOT Later here.
If you love this writerly bucket list as much as we do, click here to download the printable PDF version so you can start crossing off items right away!
And that’s it for my writerly bucket list! Have you crossed any of these off of your own bucket list? What did you think? Did I forget anything! Let me know in the comments below!
Bibliography
Further Reading
Raquel, Shayla. "Bucket List For Writers" Accessed December 15, 2020Visit the Sooner NOT Later Facebook PageBucket List For Writers Printable PDF by Payton Hayes
Related Topics
How to Read More Books in 2022How I Read A Book: My Book Reading RoutineHow To Organize Your Digital Life: 5 Tips For Staying Organized as a Writer or Freelancer5 MORE Ways to Stay Organized as a Writer or FreelancerGet Things Done With The Pomodoro Technique5 Reasons Most Writers QuitWhen Writing Becomes DifficultSelf-Care Tips for Readers and Writers5 Healthy Habits For Every Writer8 Ways To Level Up Your Workspace And Elevate Your ProductivityThe 4 Most Useful FREE Apps for Writers in 2022 (Sync Across Multiple Devices, Not Only iOS)20 Tips and Tricks for Email Newsletters That Don't SuckView my FAQ page for inspiration for your own!
Recent Blog Posts
This blog post was researched, written, and published by a human author without the assistance of generative artificial intelligence (gen-AI). Gen-AI models are trained on text written by humans, therefore, the presence of specific punctuation, verbiage, tone, or predictable, marketing-style phrases alone are not sufficient indicators of gen-AI usage. I implore readers to use context clues, critical thinking, pattern recognition, research, and employ their best judgement when determining the validity of human authorship of print and digital media today. If you want to learn more about my stance on gen-AI and it’s role in media and the publishing industry, I plan to release a blog post on this topic very soon, so stay tuned for that. This disclaimer will be updated once that post goes live. In the meantime, I will continue to be transparent about which tools and resources I use in my work.
Get Things Done With The Pomodoro Technique
25 Minutes On, 5 Minutes Off, 4 Times—It’s That Easy. When I first learned about the Pomodoro Technique, I probably thought the same thing as you—the Pomodoro what now? But as I learned more about it, it became an incredibly useful tool in writing projects.
This blog post was written by a human.Hi readers and writerly friends!
25 Minutes On, 5 Minutes Off, 4 Times—It’s That Easy.
When I first learned about the Pomodoro Technique, I probably thought the same thing as you—the Pomodoro what now? But as I learned more about it, it became an incredibly useful tool in writing projects.
What is the Pomodoro technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is time management method first developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980’s. The technique employs a timer to break large workloads into intervals at 25 minutes in length separated by five-minute breaks. Each interval is called a pomodoro, or the Italian word for tomato. Francesco Cirillo used the word pomodoro because it was the name of the kitchen times he used as university student.
How does it work?
When you sit down to work, you set a time for 25 minutes and work as diligently as possible for that amount of time. When the timer goes off, you take a quick five minute break and then repeat the process four times. When you’ve completed your fourth pomodoro, you take a thirty minute break.
Why does it work so well?
This process has grown in popularity, especially in entrepreneurial circles, and that’s because it works. You wouldn’t expect something so simple and easy to implement to be so effective, but it really is. The reason is because by breaking your workload into smaller parts, you make bigger tasks seem less daunting. If you only have to really focus for 25 minutes, you begin to challenge yourself to see what you can complete in that time frame.
Using the Pomodoro technique for writing everyday
I don’t usually use this time management method in my editing projects because breaking my reading concentration slows me down, but I love using it when writing. Especially when combined with NaNoWriMo, the pomodoro technique is insanely useful for getting writing done. Often, sitting down to write a blog post such as this or work on my manuscript is still a daunting task for me, but by breaking it up into a measly 25 minutes of work, I know I can accomplish a lot more because by breaking it down, I am also removing the dread that comes with knowing I have to write so much.
I usually complete my blog posts in a much shorter amount of time because I work so diligently within my allotted 25 minutes, and when the times goes off before I’m finished, I take a break and I’m ready to jump back in and pick up where I left off, usually finishing up not too long after the break.
And that’s it for my how-to-guide for the Pomodoro Technique! Have you ever heard of this method of timekeeping? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
Bibliography
Related Topics
How To Organize Your Digital Life: 5 Tips For Staying Organized as a Writer or Freelancer5 MORE Ways to Stay Organized as a Writer or FreelancerGet Things Done With The Pomodoro Technique5 Reasons Most Writers QuitWhen Writing Becomes DifficultSelf-Care Tips for Readers and Writers5 Healthy Habits For Every Writer8 Ways To Level Up Your Workspace And Elevate Your ProductivityThe 4 Most Useful FREE Apps for Writers in 2022 (Sync Across Multiple Devices, Not Only iOS)20 Tips and Tricks for Email Newsletters That Don't SuckView my FAQ page for inspiration for your own!
Recent Blog Posts
This blog post was researched, written, and published by a human author without the assistance of generative artificial intelligence (gen-AI). Gen-AI models are trained on text written by humans, therefore, the presence of specific punctuation, verbiage, tone, or predictable, marketing-style phrases alone are not sufficient indicators of gen-AI usage. I implore readers to use context clues, critical thinking, pattern recognition, research, and employ their best judgement when determining the validity of human authorship of print and digital media today. If you want to learn more about my stance on gen-AI and it’s role in media and the publishing industry, I plan to release a blog post on this topic very soon, so stay tuned for that. This disclaimer will be updated once that post goes live. In the meantime, I will continue to be transparent about which tools and resources I use in my work.
Blank Pages Versus Bad Pages: Overcoming Writer’s Block When The Editor Brain Is At War With The Writer Brain
Writer's block often arises when writers struggle to separate their creative "writer brain" from their critical "editor brain." This internal conflict can hinder the drafting process, as the urge to edit prematurely stifles creativity. It's essential to recognize that rough drafts are inherently imperfect, serving as the foundation for refinement. Embracing the notion that "you can always edit a bad page, but you can't edit a blank page" encourages writers to prioritize getting words on the page without immediate judgment. By allowing the writer and editor roles to function separately and sequentially, one can overcome writer's block and foster a more productive writing process.
This blog post was written by a human.Hello readers and writerly friends!
If you’re a returning reader, welcome back and if you’re new to the blog, thanks for stopping by! In this post, we’ll be discussing how writing and editing at the same time can become a writing roadblock. Obviously, the “writer brain” and the “editor brain” aren’t official psychological terms but that’s how I personally like to think of it when I catch myself actively editing and rewriting lines I’ve just drafted. You can also think of it this way: when you’re writing, you’re wearing you writer hat; when you’re editing, you’re wearing your editor hat. You can’t wear both at the same time, though. Well, I suppose you technically can wear two hats at once, but neither will be effective and you’re going to look and feel quite silly doing so. Instead, simply don the writer hat and hang up the editor hat until its time to move on to the editing stage.
“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” —Jodi Picoult
One thing writers will tell you is that writer’s block is alive and well in most of us, but the reality is that those who claim to experience writer’s block haven’t build up to proverbial muscle memory of writing without editing and it is easier to repeatedly fall victim to bad habits than to take time out to build new ones. Everything comes down to this: writer’s block is defeated by writing. Simple as that. So, why am I telling you all of this? Because once you realize that bad pages are better than blank pages, it will get exponentially easier for you to write despite writer’s block, and eventually it won’t be an issue for you anymore.
What is writer’s block?
Writer’s block, as per Merriam Webster, is the problem of not being able to think of something to write about or not being able to finish writing a story, poem, etc. However, in recent years, the noun has become synonymous with the problem of not being motivated to write, or not being in the right head-space to do your best writing. Subsequently, this has been the definition of writer’s block I’ve come to know well, as it was the version that plagued me.
Blonde woman in a grey sweater, looking at blank pages in an unlined notebook. Photo by John Schnobrich.
Let’s talk about rough drafts
See, here’s the issue with writers that cling to that second definition—everyone’s rough draft is supposed to be ROUGH. There’s a reason that’s why we call them rough drafts. Even New York Times’ bestselling authors and prolific writers create rough drafts. It is foolish to think that your best writing would come from your very first, second or even third drafts. This is why writing is a process and not temporary—it takes time, and usually several iterations to get to the best, most polished version of the work.
Write it first; edit later
The reason so many writers struggle with cracking out that crusty rough draft and that’s because they have a hard time separating their writer and editor brains. These two modes of thinking are exactly as they sound—the writer brain is the creative one credited with using the creative process and is the one usually struck by the muse and the editor brain is the corrective one that is often employed during the editing and polishing process. The thing is—these two thought processes can’t coexist. This is why it is important to separate the two when you sit down to write, because it is nearly impossible to be creative when you’re using your editor brain, and it is likewise nearly impossible to effectively edit with your writer brain, since the two are diametrically opposed.
Blank pages or bad pages? Which one is worse?
Blank pages are meant for the writer brain and bad pages are meant for the editor brain, specifically in that order. You must write first, then edit later if you want to effectively move through the writing process and better your craft. If you’re only ever stuck on blank pages because the editor brain won’t get out of the way, you won’t grow as a writer and the stories inside you will suffer because of it. However, if you can learn to write despite the writers block, by separating the two modes of thinking, you will find it increasingly easier to pick up the pencil (or keyboard) each time, and your rough drafts will get better over time.
And that’s it for my hot take on Blank vs. Bad pages and how the wearing both the writer hat and editor hat simultaneously can cause writer’s block! What do you think? Have you ever had writer’s block? Do you agree with this argument? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Bibliography
Picoult, Jodi. “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” Goodreads Quotes, accessed September 12, 2019.Schnobrich, John (johnishappysometimes). “Woman wearing sweater opening blank book.” Unsplash photo, January 11, 2018 (Thumbnail photo).
Related Topics
5 Healthy Habits For Every Writer5 Reasons Why Most Writers QuitWhen Writing Becomes DifficultHow To Overcome Writer’s BlockKnow The Rules So Well That You Can Break The Rules EffectivelyWriting Every Day: What Writing As A Journalist Taught Me About Deadlines & Discipline7 Amateur Writer Worries That Keep You From Taking The Plunge (And Ultimately Don't Matter)8 Reasons Why Having Writing Community MattersThe Importance of Befriending Your Competition20 Things Writers Can Learn From DreamersYoga For Writers: A 30-Minute Routine To Do Between Writing SessionsFor Content Creators and CEOs with ADHD: Strategies to Succeed Despite Overwhelm and Distractions8 Ways To Level Up Your Workspace And Elevate Your ProductivityHow To Organize Your Digital Life: 5 Tips For Staying Organized as a Writer or Freelancer
Recent Blog Posts
This blog post was researched, written, and published by a human author without the assistance of generative artificial intelligence (gen-AI). Gen-AI models are trained on text written by humans, therefore, the presence of specific punctuation, verbiage, tone, or predictable, marketing-style phrases alone are not sufficient indicators of gen-AI usage. I implore readers to use context clues, critical thinking, pattern recognition, research, and employ their best judgement when determining the validity of human authorship of print and digital media today. If you want to learn more about my stance on gen-AI and it’s role in media and the publishing industry, I plan to release a blog post on this topic very soon, so stay tuned for that. This disclaimer will be updated once that post goes live. In the meantime, I will continue to be transparent about which tools and resources I use in my work.
Questions That Readers or Critics Should Ask Themselves
This blog post was written by a human.Hi readers and writerly friends!
As readers, we often turn to books as a form of relaxation, inspiration, and escape, but it shouldn’t always be completely mindless. When we read, we should ask ourselves some key questions so we can critically assess the story as we read it and evaluate our thoughts once we’ve finished with the story. Instead of just consuming media at face-value, we should actively try to look at what content we consume with a more critical-thinking sort of approach. This will allow us to garner a better understanding of the story’s themes, tones, subject matter, and ultimately, it’s purpose. Likewise, when we are critiquing somone’s work, we want to give them organized, useful, and actionable feedback so as to improve their writing. Some questions to think about as a reader are as follows:
Did this story engage me? Why or why not?
Is the story composed of compelling characters, an engaging plot, and interesting themes or is it just another fantasy or romance novel? Is this story a page-turner? Have you read it more than once and if so, what keeps you coming back? What makes you put the story down?
Did this hold my attention throughout?
Where was I most engaged and why? Does the writer consistently build and release tension throughout the story? Do you find any parts of the story that are dragging along and other that are moving too quickly? Do you find yourself having to reread sections because of boredom or because the author didn’t take the proper time to describe the situation using all of the senses?
Are any things confusing to me?
Could I follow the piece, or were there gaps, or need for more information? What else did I need to know? Is the writing style or plot confusing? Are there historical elements that require prior knowledge? Does the writer talk down to you as a reader or expect you to know things that they didn’t include supplementary information for?
What about language?
How would you describe it? How does it function in terms of what you feel the writer is trying to do? Is the writing convoluted or beautifully woven together? Does the writer use wordy, awkward, or clunky language that is distracting to the story? Does the writer expertly craft sentences that make you as a reader sigh and think, man I wish I’d come up with that?
What are you getting from the piece?
This could be any number of things, but it’s really helpful for you to feedback to the writer what is coming across for you, including the overall meaning or themes present in the story, emotional impact or enjoyment or anything else that you take from the story. Writers are really hungry to know what is coming across to their readers and what it looks like on the reader’s end.
And that’s it for my list of the five questions you should ask yourself as a reader or critic. What do you think of this list? Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments below!
Bibliography
Thumbnail photo by John-Mark Smith.
Related Topics
Active Reading Vs. Passive Reading: Using Psychology-Based Critical Reading Skills To Increase Information Absorption & RetentionRead Like A Writer: What Analytical Reading Can Teach UsQuestions You Should Ask Yourself As A Reader or CriticHow to Read More BooksHow I Read A Book: My Book Reading RoutineHow I Got Started Reading When I Hated ItGet Immersed in Your Reading: Writing With All Five SensesReading Slump Emergency Kit: 15 Surefire Ways To Break Out of a Reading Slump!Self-Care Tips for Readers and Writers
Recent Blog Posts
This blog post was researched, written, and published by a human author without the assistance of generative artificial intelligence (gen-AI). Gen-AI models are trained on text written by humans, therefore, the presence of specific punctuation, verbiage, tone, or predictable, marketing-style phrases alone are not sufficient indicators of gen-AI usage. I implore readers to use context clues, critical thinking, pattern recognition, research, and employ their best judgement when determining the validity of human authorship of print and digital media today. If you want to learn more about my stance on gen-AI and it’s role in media and the publishing industry, I plan to release a blog post on this topic very soon, so stay tuned for that. This disclaimer will be updated once that post goes live. In the meantime, I will continue to be transparent about which tools and resources I use in my work.
Freelancing Basics
Embarking on a freelance editing career requires strategic preparation and continuous development. Aspiring editors should seek internships during or after their studies to gain practical experience with industry-standard tools and techniques. Pursuing specialized courses in various editing facets, grammar, and the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is essential, as is obtaining relevant certifications to validate one's expertise. Joining editorial associations can facilitate networking and provide valuable resources. A commitment to extensive reading—including industry literature, style guides, and genre-specific novels—enhances critical thinking and editorial skills. To secure clients, collaborating with fellow editors, connecting with literary agents, and offering services both online and within local communities are effective strategies. Specializing in specific editing types allows for skill refinement and niche expertise. Efficient time management, such as batching similar tasks, is crucial for productivity. Maintaining a steady workflow involves continually seeking new projects to mitigate potential lulls. Additionally, setting realistic working hours and establishing boundaries ensures a sustainable work-life balance.
This blog post was written by a human.Hello readers and writerly friends!
If you’re a returning reader, welcome back and if you’re new to the blog, thanks for stopping by! In this blog post we’re discussing what it takes to get started as a freelance editor in the publishing industry. Freelance editing can be just as rewarding and fulfilling as editing for a traditional publisher, but likewise, it can be just as difficult getting started. I’ve put together a few lists to help you get started with your freelance editing business. If you’re not into freelance editing, that’s okay! Many of these tips can be applied to freelancers in other industries!
Getting started as a freelance publishing professional
These tips are specifically for freelance editors (hello—speaking from experience here!) but feel free to tweak each bullet point as needed, to fit your industry and niche.
Apply to internships while still in school and even after, to build your real-world experience in the industry, as well as your experience working with industry-standard programs and editing techniques.
Take masterclasses specializing in the different degrees of manuscript editing, grammar, and the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS.)
Aim for editing certifications to show your education and qualifications.
Join editorial associations to build connections with other editors in these networks and build your repertoire of resources in the editing industry.
Read all the books you can—on industry, writing, style and everything in between. Seriously. (And novels in your specific genre too, of course!) I have an ever-growing list of my favorite craft books. These are so helpful, not only for becoming more familiar with the editorial industry, but they will help you read and think more critically as an editor as well. I’ve linked some resources in the Further Reading section at the end of this post!
Notebook next to black eyeglasses and a cup of pens. Photo by Suzy Hazelwood
Finding work as a freelance professional
Collaborate with other editors online and in-person to gain new perspectives, techniques and successful practices of others.
Connect with literary agents and other editors for their “reject” clients to build experience and make connections with artists who are just getting started. (reject clients may include clients the other editors and agents simply didn’t vibe with our didn’t have time to take on the projects of and does not necessarily;y refer to clients that are incompetent or lacking.)
Offer services both online and in your community to increase your experience.
Apply to any business or person with an online presence. Writing online copy is just as important as manuscript editing, especially in the digital age.
Specialize. Don’t try to do everything when you’re just starting out. Try a couple of different types of editing to see what you like and stick with that for a while. You’ll hone your skills and be more experienced in that niche.
Brown suede couch draped in leopard print throw blankets. Photo by Erik Mclean
Working from home as a freelancer
Time batch similar tasks. Freelance Editor, Mollie Turbeville, from Molliereads on YouTube, and bestselling author, award-winning speaker and entrepreneur, Amy Landino are both uber-successful boss ladies, living their best lives and managing their time with time-batching. The key to this is to schedule similar events and tasks on the same days, to eliminate wasted time. One way they use this practice is on days when they film for their channels, they will film several videos in one day while their “film-ready” or they’ll schedule several meetups in one day at the same coffee shop to cut down on time spent getting ready and travelling.
Keep looking for work. While your schedule may dance between being busy and slow work days, it’s important to keep multiple projects lined up. In this industry, its best to prepare for situations out of our control, such as when a writer backs out of a project.
Plan realistic hours for your work. It’s important to keep busy, but it is likewise important to create a meaningful and sustainable schedule for yourself. As an editor, burnout comes more often and destructive than for other occupations. Similarly, it is important to remember that when it is time to work, you must be responsible for yourself and your time. Editors cannot wait for motivation or creativity to strike because most projects are time-sensitive. Set realistic hours and stick to your schedule.
Create a workspace conducive to successful business practice. Environment is everything for freelance editors. For the same reason it is important that students don’t sleep where the study or study where they sleep, freelancers need a workspace that can be differentiated from their home environment. In the student example, it’s easy to see where the mental lines become blurred if one studies in their bed. This has been proven to decrease study effectiveness and degrade students ability to stay on task and alert in an area they associate with sleep. Similar to this example, freelances must be able to separate work life and home life to avoid burnout and to avoid blurring the lines between work and play. This may mean implementing a physical distinction, such as a divider or even setting up a home office separate from sources of entertainment. This distinction should make it so that when you’re in your workspace, you aren’t distracted or tempted to procrastinate and when you’re in your home, you don’t feel the pressure of work when it’s time to wind down.
Bibliography
Sikkema, Kelly (@kellysikkema). “White printer paper on brown wooden table.” Unsplash, September 1, 2020 (Thumbnail photo).Hazelwood, Suzy (@suzyhazelwood). “Close-up photography of notebook near pens.” Pexels photo, June 6, 2018.Mclean, Erik (@introspectivedsgn). “Deer painting over brown fabric sofa with reading torchiere on corner.” Unsplash photo, March 28, 2019.
Further Reading
Payton’s Picks (20+ books on writing, editing, marketing, and publishing books, publishing industry insiders, and freelancing tips)How To Organize Your Digital Life: 5 Tips For Staying Organized As A Writer Or Freelancer5 MORE Ways To Stay Organized As A Writer Or Freelancer
Related Topics
The Importance of Befriending Your Competition20 Tips and Tricks for Email Newsletters That Don't SuckOversaturation In A World of Overconsumption (There's No Such Thing)Editing Misconceptions: Editors Aren’t Monsters4 Of The Most Useful FREE Apps For WritersFor Content Creators and CEOs with ADHD: Strategies to Succeed Despite Overwhelm and Distractions8 Ways To Level Up Your Workspace And Elevate Your Productivity
Recent Blog Posts
This blog post was researched, written, and published by a human author without the assistance of generative artificial intelligence (gen-AI). Gen-AI models are trained on text written by humans, therefore, the presence of specific punctuation, verbiage, tone, or predictable, marketing-style phrases alone are not sufficient indicators of gen-AI usage. I implore readers to use context clues, critical thinking, pattern recognition, research, and employ their best judgement when determining the validity of human authorship of print and digital media today. If you want to learn more about my stance on gen-AI and it’s role in media and the publishing industry, I plan to release a blog post on this topic very soon, so stay tuned for that. This disclaimer will be updated once that post goes live. In the meantime, I will continue to be transparent about which tools and resources I use in my work.