<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[clair-brett]]></title><description><![CDATA[clair-brett]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/blog-1</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:45:58 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.clairbrett.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Reluctant Heroes in Romance: Why We Love Them (And Why They Work Every Time)]]></title><description><![CDATA[There is nothing more irresistible than a morally gray man who swears he’s not the hero—until he is. The kind who avoids responsibility, fights the pull, and then, at the worst possible moment, is the one who makes the sacrifice anyway.

If you read or write romance, you already know: the reluctant hero romance trope hits different. And there’s a reason readers keep coming back for it.]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/reluctant-heroes-in-romance-why-we-love-them-and-why-they-work-every-time</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ced20d40e74dbec4fef3d6</guid><category><![CDATA[writing research]]></category><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance writing tropes]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:58:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_afca1a4c343542899dbecc5f58c125a5~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Quarterly Planning for Authors: Knowing When to Pivot Your Writing Goals]]></title><description><![CDATA[If your writing goals are starting to slip, a quarterly planning check-in can help you reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. For authors juggling deadlines, publishing schedules, and real life, knowing when to pivot isn’t failure—it’s strategy. Here’s how to assess your progress, adjust your writing plan, and stay on track without burning out.]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/quarterly-planning-for-authors-knowing-when-to-pivot-your-writing-goals</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c55babdbf1d5b601348664</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[Goal Setting]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:24:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_f566b4ea725146018e7964f101775949~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[March Reset Week 3: How to Use a 90 Day Writing Plan to Reach Your Quarterly Writing Goals]]></title><description><![CDATA[Instead of setting ourselves up for disappointment, we can break that big yearly vision into something more flexible and achievable: quarterly writing goals.]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/march-reset-week-3-how-to-use-a-90-day-writing-plan-to-reach-your-quarterly-writing-goals</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bac82079320fe6919531bb</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[Goal Setting]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:25:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_55572d7ce25d479694130d5f81d7e435~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Stay Motivated as a Writer After the New Year Energy Fades]]></title><description><![CDATA[This week we are going to dive into things that can help to trip us up six to eight weeks out from our grand plans. We will look at how to stay motivated as a writer through those tough days we all have. This week will focus less on specific goals and more about sustaining creative energy, which drives us to a the end.]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/how-to-stay-motivated-as-a-writer-after-the-new-year-energy-fades</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b05c4122bc04bb87f95424</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[Goal Setting]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:10:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_442adaa26b32437e965dbc7c54088a2c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The March Goal Slump: How Authors Can Revaluate Their Writing Goals Before Giving Up]]></title><description><![CDATA[According to U.S. News &#38; World Report around 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. So, if you have made it to March, you are doing better than 80% of people already! Behavioral psychology research tells us that motivation drops significantly 6-8 weeks after initial goal setting, and in a study done by University of Scranton Research only about 9% of people report actually successfully achieving their resolutions at all.]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/the-march-goal-slump-how-authors-can-revaluate-their-writing-goals-before-giving-up</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a6d8c17c30ee37982f9348</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Goal Setting]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:45:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_1fac7c284fa448de931fed2d87d1f6f1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[This too Shall Pass...]]></title><description><![CDATA[I begin to think that my written work has no value in such a climate. I mean, who has time to think about HEAs now?

But, as I spent time giving myself space to just keep myself alive and safe, I realized that I was in fact using other writers’ works to help me disconnect from the heaviness of the world. It made me able to step back and remember that good does prevail and love does conquer all.]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/this-too-shall-pass</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699da539e9360bd69c335658</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:51:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_b54803ae64a84075962711eb41f889b9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taking Control of Your Inner Voice]]></title><description><![CDATA[We often think about our “inner voice” when we are thinking about our self-esteem. When we look in the mirror. But wherever we go there we are. What story do you tell yourself about your writing in general or your quality of writing?]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/taking-control-of-your-inner-voice</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69948ab8180bb9f884ca88ee</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:54:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_36a618523ccc426fb3ac9d8c21f094fc~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Can’t Write Right Now? 5 Powerful Things to Do While You’re Stuck]]></title><description><![CDATA[When you can’t write, it can feel like time is slipping through your fingers—like every day without words is a day you’re falling further behind.



But what if this space isn’t empty at all? What if it’s doing quiet work, you can’t see yet?

This post is for the days when writing feels impossible, but you still want to honor the part of you that is a writer.]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/can-t-write-right-now-5-powerful-things-to-do-while-you-re-stuck</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697e0dcc2b413b3ab9db2f2b</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:30:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_e25aada7d5364dfe8882cc0a01361b65~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Can’t write? I’ve been there: Understanding why My Words Have Gone Quiet. You Are Not Alone]]></title><description><![CDATA[You sit down to write—and nothing happens. No spark. No pull. Just a quiet, heavy nothing where the words used to live.



If you’ve been wondering what’s wrong with you, let me say this first: nothing is broken. Not being able to write doesn’t mean you’ve lost your talent or your identity as a writer. It means something inside you is asking to be understood.]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/why-my-words-have-gone-quiet</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697cce9fb3cf8ba2384b5544</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:00:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_704f49176b914d5a907459dc256cd6fd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Inspires Me]]></title><description><![CDATA[Today we are discussing who or what inspires us. I am inspired by the one thing all romance writers should be inspired by hope and love....]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/what-inspires-me</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f05ab9d3f1c0001759b59c</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2022 20:25:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_55d69f04858f43c5848d2ef20f5e643e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_600,h_400,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[One Author's Bucket List]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s bucket list time. This week we are all creating a bucket list of things we want to see, do, or accomplish, I’m going with in the...]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/one-author-s-bucket-list</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61e71ac09c4f7100168510b5</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2022 20:03:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_78afc25aa85245699f6f2ec460df9bde~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_275,h_183,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[It Started with a Bad Ending]]></title><description><![CDATA[It all started with a bad ending. I have always loved writing. I have stories saved that I wrote on summer vacation when I was in third...]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/it-started-with-a-bad-ending</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61ddc9975ddc0e00164b34ee</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2022 18:20:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_0e024b3a7644436d9d811c90fee8a3c6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_295,h_416,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Big Plans for 2022]]></title><description><![CDATA[And just like that it is 2022! Happy New Year! I know most of us are a bit cautious considering the past two, but there is no way to...]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/big-plans-for-2022</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61d48a10457a28001738369a</guid><category><![CDATA[writing news]]></category><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 04 Jan 2022 18:07:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_b8af3b8a94754290a59c9c372d86e5c4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_526,h_526,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Best Picture of 2021]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our objective today was to post a picture of the best thing that happened in 2021 and write a story about it. I have chosen this picture....]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/best-picture-of-2021</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61b8f7f9e3de040016fac765</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 14 Dec 2021 20:08:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_ea7dc059070e415e88e5ee18650ccbd2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_580,h_231,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Memories of Characters Past]]></title><description><![CDATA[Today Romance writers weekly is all a buzz talking about our characters and where they go once writers are finished with their stories. I...]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/memories-of-characters-past</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61a663e16f30040017c6e047</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2021 17:51:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_bd571ac82c2f48ff93932120bf1ba044~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_333,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Characters do Surprise Authors]]></title><description><![CDATA[Today’s topic is so exciting. All authors have their own processes some need to have a detailed outline down to each scene that they...]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/characters-do-surprise-authors</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6193f686ef3c980016933940</guid><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2021 18:30:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_bf4934c23e684d0aa7e72957224f7cab~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_996,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Ideas come from big "What ifs?"]]></title><description><![CDATA[Welcome! Today we are talking about where we get our stories ideas. I would be willing to bet that the answers will be a diverse as the...]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/my-ideas-come-from-big-what-ifs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6181a3fa1abb2b0016673c0c</guid><category><![CDATA[writing research]]></category><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 02 Nov 2021 20:59:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_dcaacb9e4b6643fc8462717608f157be~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Go Team! Where My Love of Sports Comes From]]></title><description><![CDATA[As a historical romance author people are sometimes surprised to learn that I am a sports fan. I would not call myself a fanatic, and I...]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/go-team-where-my-love-of-sports-comes-from</link><guid isPermaLink="false">616ee779b136f700175a0784</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 19 Oct 2021 15:49:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_d280732e01504776884d7fc1cb550406~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fall...It's Complicated]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ah, fall. That season that so many in the world look forward to and wait all year to experience. I have lived my whole life in New...]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/fall-it-s-complicated</link><guid isPermaLink="false">615c55997361bf00160581a0</guid><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:48:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_9ca4e6ac6401414d8b0e7705d1fb9f14~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Camping is My Happy Place...or Not]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ah camping, those days of getting out in nature, smelling the fresh air and recharging. Well, maybe that is a bit unicorns and rainbows,...]]></description><link>https://www.clairbrett.com/post/camping-is-my-happy-place-or-not</link><guid isPermaLink="false">612e7365d9dd340016ab11dc</guid><category><![CDATA[Writer's Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category><category><![CDATA[Romance Writers Weeklly]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2021 18:28:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324c80_1f527aa76d5f4328858938e52e31973b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Clair Brett</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>