howtowrite Archives - Ashley Chow

30 Sep 2020

Forget About the Numbers

When I was busy obsessing over the statistics, I failed to recognise that every number represented an actual, real-life person who was choosing to spend time reading my stories.

24 Jun 2020

What Meeting My Favourite Author Taught Me About Comparison.

I got caught in the trap that writers who rely on their work for a living fall into. I wanted to be known for my beautiful prose and stories, just like the author whose words I’d stumbled on.

10 Jun 2020

The Best Things Are Ahead

Every opportunity and ‘win’ you’ve had so far is a jumping off platform for your next big win. The more you keep daring to roll the dice, the further ahead you’ll progress along the board.

03 Jun 2020

On Overcoming Resistance & Doing Hard Things

Sooner or later, we have to put our foot down and just do the damn thing. We have to make a decision to leave behind the things that hold us back and push forward.

08 Apr 2020

A Letter On Creativity & Comparison

Here’s what I know about the comparison game: there are no winners. While you’re comparing yourself to that writer, they’re probably comparing themselves to someone else. The result is two individuals who feel deflated and less-than.

30 Jan 2019

How to Write About Pain

I’m sure there are places of pain in your heart—places where the sun hasn’t shined, places that are deep and are dark. Places begging to be seen or heard or understood. Here’s how you write about those places and that pain.

09 Jan 2019

What People Don’t Want To Know About Self-Belief

Self-Belief isn’t a nicotine patch that you slap on once and expect to be cured from the addiction to your deprecating thoughts. It’s a day by day thing.