When the World Got in the Way of My Writing

It’s been a week. My 17 year old son went back to school this week. Junior year. It’s a biggie. Did I mention he went back to school as a driver? (I’m fine. Totally fine. Hold on, let me just check my tracking app one more time to see if he’s left the school yet…)Continue reading “When the World Got in the Way of My Writing”

A Writer’s Perseverance

My son turned 17 earlier this month and this week, he finally got his driver’s license. It has been a story of perseverance and patience. COVID meant a cancellation in driver’s ed classes that pivoted to virtual with a backlog of folks on the wait list to get into a class. When he was finallyContinue reading “A Writer’s Perseverance”

What is Really Keeping You From Writing?

We all have a myriad of reasons why we aren’t getting the writing done. Some require a large dose of grace to put the work down until a better time arrives (illness, death, moving, etc…). But other roadblocks are barriers we put up ourselves. Ah writing, where the writer is both the protagonist and antagonist.Continue reading “What is Really Keeping You From Writing?”

Is Comparison Stealing Your Writing Joy?

Do you compare your writing successes or failures to other writers? I do. (I’m working on it.) To some extent, I think, this comparison is natural. We’re working alone on our manuscripts and suddenly get our Publisher’s Marketplace daily update or a friend posts about their latest book or that person in your writing groupContinue reading “Is Comparison Stealing Your Writing Joy?”

5 Ways My PR Skills Helped Me Write a Novel

I grew up wanting to be a writer. It was the dream of my heart the moment I realized that the name on the front of the stories I read under the big, bold title was the name of a PERSON. A real life person whose job it was to write that story down. EachContinue reading “5 Ways My PR Skills Helped Me Write a Novel”

Start Your Novel Boot Camp for PR Pros: Your Questions Answered

I am excited to offer a Start Your Novel Boot Camp for PR Professionals who have always wanted to write a novel this August. Registration is open now until July 30th. Who is this Boot Camp for? If you are (or ever were) a public relations or communications professional who has always wanted to tryContinue reading “Start Your Novel Boot Camp for PR Pros: Your Questions Answered”

Pushing Past Your Comfort Zone to Realize Your Creative Dreams

Earlier this week we went to Washington, DC with the kids. I am not exactly a confident traveler. My anxiety tends to peak thinking with all the uncertainty around what we’ll be doing or how to get from here to there or when and where we’ll be eating. But this trip, I was totally comfortable.Continue reading “Pushing Past Your Comfort Zone to Realize Your Creative Dreams”

Story Setting Matters

I was born in Massachusetts and lived there until I was five when my dad’s job transferred him to North Carolina. We lived in a small town about an hour west of Boston in a house that was originally built in the 1800s as the town’s fire station. During World War II, the home’s cupolaContinue reading “Story Setting Matters”

Writers: Don’t Let Doubt Kill Your Dreams

Doubt is an insidious little jerk. Seriously. Doubt tells us we aren’t good enough, makes us question our motives and abilities, convinces us we don’t have what it takes and probably should leave the writing to the Steven Kings or Ann Patchetts of the world. Doubt steals our motivation, stifles our creativity, and convinces usContinue reading “Writers: Don’t Let Doubt Kill Your Dreams”

What is Success for a Writer?

Is it the New York Times bestseller list? A Reese’s Book Club pic? Becoming a BookTok sensation? Earning enough to pay off your student loan? Earning enough to quit your day job? Walking the red carpet at your book’s big movie premier with all the hottest stars playing your lead roles? Those goals all soundContinue reading “What is Success for a Writer?”