Writing the Reluctant Protagonist
“My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.”- Ernest […]
One True Moment
“Where did that come from?” I believe there is something we writers are collectively seeking. We are all attempting to convey an […]
Stay Curious
“The curious are always in some danger. If you are curious, you might never come home.” – Jeanette Winterson When my son […]
What Do I Write Next?
Writers frequently come to me and say: “I have three ideas. Which one should I write next?”In the 90-day workshops, one of […]
Story is an Argument
(Image from “Big” 1988) Story is an argument. The theme (or dramatic question) is the thesis statement, and the story is the […]
What is My Screenplay About?
When we think of our favorite movies, there is invariably an element that is so novel, so surprising, that it ignites our […]
First-Time Novelists: Dealing with Fear
Many authors share a similar fear: “What will people think?” It looks slightly different for each writer. What will my parents think when […]
Hold the Story Loosely
Our idea of the story is never the whole story. The act of writing a novel, memoir, or screenplay is a way […]
What Does it Mean?
Everyone has a story. It takes courage to tell it, be it memoir or fiction, because there comes a point where we […]
Passion
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein What do you feel passionate about? What is your […]
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 […]