Itās Thanksgiving week and whether you are reading this while waiting on a flight or stuck in traffic somewhere (with someone else driving!) or taking a quick break between visits to the fridge for leftovers, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for allowing me to pop into your inbox each weekContinue reading “Carving out time to say thanksšš„§”
Tag Archives: Writing Community
Your Story is Important
Since the election, Iāve been wondering a lot about what the next four years will look like in the writing space and publishing industry. And while I initially felt anxiety while talking to some writer friendsāmany of whom write diverse books who are already worried about book bans and how that type of rhetoric mayContinue reading “Your Story is Important”
Feeling Stuck in Your Writing? Try this…
Last week, I got a text from a friend: āWould you like to come over tomorrow, have coffee/wine, and put together the LEGO flowers?ā My response: YES PLEASE! For a little context, my friendās mom passed away in October. Iād delivered the LEGO flower kit as an alternative to the real deal knowing that whenContinue reading “Feeling Stuck in Your Writing? Try this…”
As I Grow in Craft Knowledge, I Worry I’m Ruining Stories for Others
Writers: have you noticed that as you grow your craft, you often start to recognize how the sausage of the story is made when reading or watching stories for pleasure? For me, that means I inadvertently ruin the plots of movies for my family. Several years ago, my curious 12-year-old asked about the story structureContinue reading “As I Grow in Craft Knowledge, I Worry I’m Ruining Stories for Others”
That time I coached my kid…
I am no athlete, so any coaching support for our childrenās athletic endeavors was left to my husband who is an equal opportunity sports fanatic. So the opportunity to coach my kids has so far passed me by. Until this year. The year of the college application essay. The oldest insisted he was fine. HeContinue reading “That time I coached my kid…”
You may be wondering…
ā¦.how can I work with Monica?Ā Let me answer your question with a question: are you just starting a new story or in the midst of revision? Either way, Iāve got you covered! Start Your Novel with Confidence Consider this your quick start to drafting with a safety net. We will work together to answerContinue reading “You may be wondering…”
When You Have to Take a Step Back
Some weeks are just hard. This week I am pulled in several different directions for volunteer projects Iām involved with. All beautiful, wonderful things, but things that require a lot of busy work and last minute fire extinguishing. Itās the anniversary week of my dadās death followed seven days later by his birthday. Never aContinue reading “When You Have to Take a Step Back”
Favorite Investment: A Writer’s Retreat
Last week I went on a writerās retreat with three writing friends. I packed up my suitcase, my laptop, my manuscript notes, my highlighters, my sticky notes, and my good attitude and headed for Pine Knoll Shores, NC. I turned on an out of office message, cleared the decks of coaching work, and prepared toContinue reading “Favorite Investment: A Writer’s Retreat”
Writing Mindset: Slow Down to Go Faster
Slow down to go faster.Ā We all know the fable of the tortoise and the hare: The moral of the story: Slow and steady wins the race. Unfortunately we live in a society that values busyness and productivity. We boast when we have busy schedules. We celebrate multitasking. We go and go and go andContinue reading “Writing Mindset: Slow Down to Go Faster”
Are You Making This Revision Mistake?
Are you a pantser or a plotter? Or maybe a plantser? Writers are asked this question all the time about whether they discovery write, follow intricate outlines, or use some combination of the two to write their rough drafts. And everyone has an opinion. š But hereās the mistake you might be makingā¦are you pantsingContinue reading “Are You Making This Revision Mistake?”