Where we embrace determinism
On writing
In some aspects of popular psychology, we doggedly embrace free will. Those who are not happy are choosing that state of mind. And happiness is the new American Dream. We ... Read more
On writing
One day spent chaperoning debate nerds. Two insights about writing fiction.
A Room Of Your Own, Goals, On writing
I say nerds admiringly. After all, I was one of them back in highschool when I regularly skipped other classes to work on my debate cases. Am one of them, ... Read more
Reflections on Nanowrimo at the midpoint, plus the not-so-sexy-after-all struggle
A Room Of Your Own, On writing
Yesterday morning I made it to 25,800 words on my Nanowrimo novel. My writing morning went as usual, with one significant difference. My alarm blared Bryan Adams “I’m Gonna Run ... Read more
A reminder to Make Time.
A Room Of Your Own, On writing
Hello writer friends!By this time of year I’ve normally posted an anxiety fueled post about the start of the school year, the subtext of which is always HOW IN THE ... Read more
Washing the dishes
A Room Of Your Own, Be here now., On writing
Just like the themes we are threading in our stories, these topics about the creative life resurface again and again. I’ve written many times before about focus, about staying in ... Read more
Go ahead, unfriend me, Facebook.
On writing
My best friend is the queen of unfriending. She has rules that define who to unfriend. Those who make passive-aggressive comments are the first to go. The signs are clear ... Read more
Nostalgia is a funny thing.
Nostalgia, On writing
Summer is ripe for nostalgia. As children, upon the arrival of summer, we become suddenly free to choose. Choose our own books (in my case by the armload taken from ... Read more
Regarding Feedback: Why you don’t have to have thick skin.
Critique, On writing
Yesterday a writer friend asked my advice on an awkward situation he’d gotten into where he’d given another writer feedback that was not well received. Shocked by the negative emotional ... Read more
A defense of prompts, an opportunity, and a goldfish
On writing, Prompts
The other day I may have bought a few books at the Half-Priced Books 50% off sale. While the checker was scanning each book (took a while), one book (John ... Read more
Get out of your comfort zone
A Room Of Your Own, On writing, Yoga
This is easier said than done, yet this is the message I’m hearing loud and clear. A message without pretense or subtlety. Let me explain what I mean, and also ... Read more