Blog
Stepping Into Your True Power
What does it mean to trust yourself? It sounds like a good idea, but it is often a counter-intuitive process. It is
May 31, 2024
No Comments
Writing Resources and Tools
Most popular posts
Have you ever found yourself comparing the length of your manuscript to other books, and wondering if you’ve written too...
Rhythm is one of those craft issues that writers talk around without really discussing. They might lump it in with...
Is there value in joining a critique circle? Writing is one of the most solitary of all professions. You sit...
Avoiding plagiarism seems like a simple task: Just don’t steal someone else’s work. But when you’re immersed in research with...
Months, maybe even years, have been invested in crafting your novel or memoir, and now you have decided to adapt...
The cumulative sentence is a versatile sentence structure that helps writers develop rhythm, reveal character, and enrich description within a...
Every writer has their own way of working, a process that has to be developed and honed over many years....
What does it mean to trust yourself? It sounds like a good idea, but it is often a counter-intuitive process....
Here’s some advice for first time writers on setting a daily word count. Consistency is the key. Set a writing...
Below are ten writing suggestions for anyone who is setting out to craft a novel, memoir, or screenplay. Some are...
Sometimes the deeper we get into our story, the more we seek distraction. The internet will suck the life out...
“The outline is 95% of the book. Then I sit down to write, and that’s the easy part.” – Jefferey...
Blog
The Internet: A Writer’s Worst Distraction
Sometimes the deeper we get into our story, the more we seek distraction. The internet will suck the life out of any
May 18, 2024
1 Comment
Blog
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
April 12, 2024
No Comments
Blog
The Necessity of an Outline
“The outline is 95% of the book. Then I sit down to write, and that’s the easy part.” – Jefferey Deaver Many
October 2, 2023
No Comments
Blog
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
August 10, 2023
No Comments
Blog
Why Writers Get Stuck
Einstein says, “You cannot solve a problem at the same level of consciousness that created the problem.” Writers often get stuck because
August 12, 2022
No Comments
Blog
One Thing Readers Hate
One thing readers hate are coincidences. Sure, coincidences occur in our lives every day, but in a story, they are generally a
July 29, 2022
No Comments
Blog
Take Risks – Advice for First-Time Writers
“In order to share one’s true brilliance one initially has to risk looking like a fool.” – Criss Jami Writing your first
July 15, 2022
No Comments
Blog
Setting a Plan with Purpose
Do you often find it hard to stick to your writing plan? How often do “important tasks” distract you and pull you
January 7, 2022
11 Comments
Blog
Finishing Your Story: 5 Tips to Get You to the End
For all you writers struggling somewhere in the middle of your manuscript, here are five tips to get you to the end.
November 12, 2021
No Comments
Blog
Setting a Daily Word Count
Here’s some advice for first time writers on setting a daily word count. Consistency is the key. Set a writing goal. Can
September 17, 2021
No Comments
Blog
Writing Despite Fear of Criticism
In 2017, Gustavo Dudamel became the youngest conductor of a major orchestra of his time. I remember an L.A. Times journalist urged
April 16, 2021
5 Comments
Blog
Your Writing Process is Valid
Every writer has their own way of working, a process that has to be developed and honed over many years. Margaret Atwood
October 28, 2019
No Comments
Blog
Ten Suggestions for Writing
Below are ten writing suggestions for anyone who is setting out to craft a novel, memoir, or screenplay. Some are obvious, while
August 6, 2019
No Comments
Blog
How to Become a First-Time Author
The journey to becoming a first-time author is different for everyone. For me, it involved letting go of the idea that I’d
December 7, 2017
No Comments
Blog
How to Write Your First Novel
Writing your first book might actually be fun. I’m serious. I know you’re terrified. It’s a scary thing to do. But, at
November 22, 2017
No Comments
Blog
Ten Signs of a Good Writing Instructor
Choosing a writing instructor is a big decision. They are not all created equal. Here are some guidelines and suggestions that
November 14, 2017
1 Comment
Blog
Making Time to Write
If you’re writing your first novel, you’re probably wondering how other writers ever make the time to write. We’re all busy.
August 30, 2017
No Comments
Recent posts
What does it mean to trust yourself? It sounds like a good idea, but it is often a counter-intuitive process....
Sometimes the deeper we get into our story, the more we seek distraction. The internet will suck the life out...
Many authors share a similar fear: “What will people think?” It looks slightly different for each writer. What will my...
“The outline is 95% of the book. Then I sit down to write, and that’s the easy part.” – Jefferey...
For years, my students had been asking me when I was going to take them on a retreat. Frankly,...
Einstein says, “You cannot solve a problem at the same level of consciousness that created the problem.” Writers often get...
One thing readers hate are coincidences. Sure, coincidences occur in our lives every day, but in a story, they are...
“In order to share one’s true brilliance one initially has to risk looking like a fool.” – Criss Jami Writing...
Do you often find it hard to stick to your writing plan? How often do “important tasks” distract you and...
For all you writers struggling somewhere in the middle of your manuscript, here are five tips to get you to...
Here’s some advice for first time writers on setting a daily word count. Consistency is the key. Set a writing...
In 2017, Gustavo Dudamel became the youngest conductor of a major orchestra of his time. I remember an L.A. Times...
Every writer has their own way of working, a process that has to be developed and honed over many years....
Below are ten writing suggestions for anyone who is setting out to craft a novel, memoir, or screenplay. Some are...
The journey to becoming a first-time author is different for everyone. For me, it involved letting go of the idea...
Writing your first book might actually be fun. I’m serious. I know you’re terrified. It’s a scary thing to do....
Choosing a writing instructor is a big decision. They are not all created equal. Here are some guidelines and...
If you’re writing your first novel, you’re probably wondering how other writers ever make the time to write. We’re...
