The late afternoon light’s been more golden and gorgeous than ever, now that it’s early fall in Northern California. The other day I brought in groceries from the car, and instead of rushing through the patch of sunlight on the deck I stopped and stood perfectly still, positioning my body right in the heart of […]
brilliant creativity
Are you traveling over the holidays? Wondering if you should try to write or not over your break? “Ask the Writing Coach: Should I Take My Computer on Vacation?” Catherine, a freelance writer, asks, “I leave town for two weeks tomorrow and I’m debating: should I pack the laptop? How do I decide if I […]
I recently welcomed a vibrant, ambitious writer to my practice. During her complimentary “Get Acquainted” Call with me, she mentioned she’d been following me for a few years online – reading my blog, etc. “What took you so long to get in touch, then?” I asked her. She replied, “I really didn’t think I needed […]
Every day, I help writers step through the painful struggles that hold them back from creating fulfilling writing habits and careers. And every day – as a vocalist, musician and writer, I am traveling on this path, too. This weekend I found an old journal and I discovered a very clear intention I’d set, at […]
I’m a late-adopter when it comes to media. (Case in point: my husband and I waited until 2014 to “discover” The West Wing — a full eight years after the series ended.) So imagine my surprise when I found myself binge-watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix this past week. Have you watched it? […]
I’ve been happy this month, watching my clients grow and thrive as writers and busy, passionate people in the world! There have been big wins. For instance, Pamela Toler, a woman who’s authored more than a few books to-date, just published an important book, one that’s infused with her wit and voice and squarely centered […]
It’s not easy to be courageously creative. Breaking through resistance is absolutely worth it though. Here’s a recent story from my own creative life. I hope it fires you up to be more brave and committed to your writing. A few months ago, I began surrendering to my passion for music. As my daughter began her new school […]
This Thanksgiving, I gave my 11-year-old daughter a gift I’ve been dreaming of giving her for years. I didn’t give a pony, a fancy trip or a camera. I gave her a song. After studying a songwriter I admire, I composed a bit of new music at the piano one day. I liked it, and […]
In any given week, I spend a minimum of 3 to 5 hours focused and engaged in creative work. (That’s 3% of my waking hours. Not much time, right? Never underestimate the power of a focused half-hour or hour of writing, though. I get a lot done. Even better, this modest investment yields so much good […]
Last Sunday, I spent the day with eight talented singers in a daylong Vocal Improv masterclass. (If you like Bobby McFerrin, then you can imagine the kinds of sounds and songs we improvised together.) Setting a full day aside for myself wasn’t easy. Even your coach occasionally struggles to prioritize time for writing, art or […]
When I became a mother, something inside me blossomed. You see, before I became pregnant with my daughter, I wasn’t sure that “mothering” was the right thing for a woman like me. I had a list of reasons why, reasons that sounded something like this — “I’m creative, and I absolutely savor my alone time.” […]
About this series: Lots of blogs will tell you how to take charge and get serious about your passions. I’m here to share with you a different path, and it’s one that won’t resonate with everyone. In the next three weeks, I’m going to show you how to finally get serious about your passion project. […]
As I wrote to you last week: Lots of blogs will tell you how to take charge and get serious about your passions. I’m here to share with you a different path, and it’s one that won’t resonate with everyone. In the next three weeks, I’m going to show you how to finally get serious […]
I like to think of my creativity as a living thing. When I intentionally care for and nurture it, my ability to solve problems, think outside the box and create beauty improves. When I tend to this living force inside me, my creative ability thrives! Watch today’s video for two very simple practices you can […]
