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The Price of Joy is Grief
As human beings we tend to seek positive experiences, but as writers and storytellers we understand that the purpose of story is
August 2, 2024
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The Writing Process
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“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”– William Shakespeare,...
Authors often struggle to figure out when to add chapter breaks and how to properly split up their novel or...
Literary agents serve as the link between writers and the publishing houses that print and market their books. They’re often...
Internal dialogue does more than let you know what a character is thinking. It shows you what that character cannot...
Flashbacks act as a sort of Swiss army knife. You can use them in multiple ways — to foreshadow coming...
Just as your characters each have a distinct voice, every writing style carries its own purpose, logic, and effect. Knowing...
There’s rhythm in prose. The rhythm might be intentionally terse, like a Charles Bukowski novel, or dense and languid like...
“No one is free until we are all free.”– Martin Luther King Jr. It is human nature to search for...
Write what you know. We’ve heard this so often. But what does it mean? Does it mean that if I...
I was a half decent 800-meter runner in high school, not great, but I ran with a lot of heart,...
Every writer has their own way of working, a process that has to be developed and honed over many years....
As human beings we tend to seek positive experiences, but as writers and storytellers we understand that the purpose of...
Blog
Loyalty
Do you feel loyalty pulling at you in your story? Isn’t it interesting how guilt emerges when you speak your truth? Why
July 1, 2024
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Blog
Why Writers Should Embrace Doubt
Doubt exists in each of us much of the time. We are unsure about our futures, our relationships, our new tile in the bathroom, our car insurance, etc. Doubt is the cradle of conflict, both internal and external. In the heart of every character lives a dilemma. As you become curious about that dilemma, it will lead you to what is universal in your story.
June 29, 2024
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Blog
“Why Do I Get Stuck?”
When writers come to a dead stop there can be a tendency to panic. It’s important to remember that your idea of
June 14, 2024
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Blog
What is Success?
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates Years ago, I was on the phone with a prospective student, and he
May 16, 2024
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Blog
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
May 1, 2024
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Blog
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
April 26, 2024
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Blog
Choose Love
In every story, love is the mystery that is always on the table. In the beginning of your story, the question may
February 1, 2024
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Blog
Passion
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein What do you feel passionate about? What is your
January 28, 2024
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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
January 19, 2024
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Hope
Have you ever seen a dog waiting for their master at a window — their wet nose pressed against the glass, eyes
January 1, 2024
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Blog
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
November 2, 2023
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Blog
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
October 6, 2023
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Blog
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
September 29, 2023
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Blog
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.
February 10, 2023
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Blog
Writing When You Have Nothing to Lose
Have you ever experienced great loss? Whether it was a parent, spouse, or friend, the experience pulls you sharply into the present
January 24, 2023
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Blog
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
January 14, 2023
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Blog
You Are Uniquely Qualified
It seems it should go without saying that you are uniquely qualified to write your memoir. And yet, the voices lurk at
December 2, 2022
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Recent posts
As human beings we tend to seek positive experiences, but as writers and storytellers we understand that the purpose of...
Do you feel loyalty pulling at you in your story? Isn’t it interesting how guilt emerges when you speak your...
Doubt exists in each of us much of the time. We are unsure about our futures, our relationships, our new...
When writers come to a dead stop there can be a tendency to panic. It’s important to remember that your...
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates Years ago, I was on the phone with a prospective student,...
“Where did that come from?” I believe there is something we writers are collectively seeking. We are all attempting to...
Writers frequently come to me and say: “I have three ideas. Which one should I write next?”In the 90-day workshops,...
In every story, love is the mystery that is always on the table. In the beginning of your story, the...
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein What do you feel passionate about? What...
“Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the...
Have you ever seen a dog waiting for their master at a window — their wet nose pressed against the...
“Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.”...
For any writer, here’s a question to ask yourself: “Why do I want to write this?” A student told me...
There is a particular comfort that comes from being certain. We can shut out the world, with all of its...
“It is a parable of art that, to be universal, you must be specific. Otherwise, you are just talking about...
Have you ever experienced great loss? Whether it was a parent, spouse, or friend, the experience pulls you sharply into...
There are myths that prevent you from not only completing your story, but keep you from even getting started. Some...
It seems it should go without saying that you are uniquely qualified to write your memoir. And yet, the voices...
