Don’t let them get you down — Wow, what a time last week was, right? I used the word desperate in my subject line. But, as a friend and I discussed on the phone this week, I could also have chosen any number of “d” words. Like disgusting, or demeaning, or damaging, or darkening or damned. …

There are benefits professional and personal — Sometimes I’m embarrassed to journal in public. It feels a bit too precious, a bit too sweet. Journaling pulls up the image of ladies who have nothing better to do (except lunch?) noting delicate words of trivia onto the page. Ack. …

Here’s why — You think I’m kidding about it being time to stop writing. But I’m here to tell you I know you and I know your bad writing habits. And I think it’s time to nip them in the bud once and for all. And the best solution for that is for…

What is it for you? — Are you longing to write but resisting it? Are you reading reports of people writing like a house afire and longing to be one of them? Whether or not to be productive during these crazy pandemic times is a personal choice. And productivity includes writing. Let’s repeat: it’s okay to…

Whether you write or not is up to you — I’ve noticed a trend in the emails I’m getting and the stories I’m reading. A few weeks ago, as we all began our lockdown journeys, everyone talked about productivity. …

Honing your authentic writing style is what will help you succeed — Ah, voice. That mysterious and sometimes elusive quality that everyone looks for in writing: Agents and editors seek it Readers turn pages like crazy when it is present Your favorite Medium writers have it The most effective fictional characters have one Non-fiction books are written in specific voices, keyed to…

There’s inspiration aplenty at home — I have a pretty good idea where you are. It’s the same place I am. At home. In lockdown or quarantine. Maybe you’re feeling confined. Longing to write, but thinking you don’t have anything to write about. I beg to differ. There’s plenty of writing material within the four walls…

Suggestions for writing in the time of a pandemic — I’m in quarantine. Early last Friday morning, I arrived home from France. With four other writers, I’d been staying in Ceret, a small town nestled in the Pyrenees near the Spanish border. We arrived at the beginning of March and intended to stay until the end of it. …

And how you can — You’re a writer. And a writer writes. Regularly. Serious writers write every day. You know this. You embrace the idea. But you’re not doing it, are you? You have the best of intentions, but somehow it just doesn’t happen. A day goes by without putting words on the page. And…