The Inner Critic
“Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs […]
Hope
Have you ever seen a dog waiting for their master at a window — their wet nose pressed against the glass, eyes […]
12 Maxims of The 90-Day Novel
Have you thought about your creative goals for this coming year? If you’re planning to write your novel, here are 12 maxims that […]
Exploring Your Protagonist’s Dilemma
(Image from The Hunger Games, 2012) “The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and […]
Dramatizing Character
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to […]
There are No Ugly Trees
“Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.” – Eleanor […]
Plot versus Theme
Any writer can experience that moment where you suddenly realize that your “idea” of the story isn’t going to get you to […]
Stay Out of the Result
For any writer, here’s a question to ask yourself: “Why do I want to write this?” A student told me recently that […]
On Certainty in Writing
There is a particular comfort that comes from being certain. We can shut out the world, with all of its noise and […]
Humor Is Not About Writing Funny
Humor connects us. It makes us care. I don’t mean one-liners. Humor is not about jokes, but it is about human behavior. […]
Why We Go on Retreat
For years, my students had been asking me when I was going to take them on a retreat. Frankly, I’d been […]
Tell Your Truth
“A book must start somewhere. One brave letter must volunteer to go first, laying itself on the line in an act of faith, […]
How to Master Storytelling: Ask the Right Questions
“It is a parable of art that, to be universal, you must be specific. Otherwise, you are just talking about an abstraction. […]
Myths that Prevent You from Writing
There are myths that prevent you from not only completing your story, but keep you from even getting started. Some of these […]
Discovering Your Process
Finding Your Way As you write each day, you discover your own process. You begin to see there is no “right way” […]
Permission to Write Your Truth
What is the Truth of your story? OK, you’ve outlined your story and you’re getting ready to write your first draft. But […]
But That’s What Really Happened
“I’ve given my memoirs far more thought than any of my marriages. You can’t divorce a book.“—Gloria Swanson Sticking to “What Really […]
Asking “Why?”
Always keep your ideal reader close by in your mind asking “Why?” Our subconscious is perfectly designed for this process. It already […]
