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 […]
How does it feel to achieve a big writing goal? When you discipline your writing habits and finish what you write, you feel elated. Energized! Eager to pursue your next project and move your writing career forward. Pleased with yourself and your capacity to focus, persist and COMPLETE a writing project that may have […]
Even smart people believe stuff that’s not actually true. Take, for example, our culture’s love affair with striving. If you’ve ever worked hard to do life “right,” then you know what I mean. You may have worked hard, long hours, and then faulted yourself when your body rebelled against the stress. You may have baked the cookies, […]
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 haven’t been able to put into words how I’ve been feeling the past few weeks. Then I came across this quote, from the Buddhist teacher, Jack Kornfield: “Now is the time to steady your mind and open your heart. Listen to your deepest values, and find your own unique way to stand for them. […]
Every day, I talk with writers who secretly struggle. Perhaps writing for-hire is killing their passion to focus on and write what really matters… Perhaps they’re good at their craft but, no matter how hard they try, they can’t seem to create habits and systems to spark fresh ideas and intentionally grow their careers… Perhaps […]
If you’re like many of the writers in my community, somewhere deep in your heart dwells a writing dream that’s dear to you. Like many writers, you think you’d love… …becoming well-known for your book, essays or stories …making more money with your own ideas …earning book contracts, critical acclaim, and invitations to speak, write, […]
In the deep earth of many women’s lives dwells something nearly magical: a truthful, powerful river of longing, creative power and passion. You might not see this creative energy when you glance at the woman across from you in the produce section. You might not sense that underlying passion when she’s passing you with the […]
At a Portland farmer’s market years ago, I once picked up a brightly-painted greeting card with this text on the front: “Not every day can be a feast of lanterns.” I bought several copies of the card, and shared them with a few friends through the years. Except for one. That one, I keep for […]
“The answer to all writing, to any career for that matter, is love.” -Ray Bradbury I’ve had the good fortune to coach some pretty accomplished men and women to finish their books and create a sustainable, happy writing habit. Know what I’ve noticed? Many of these men and women have turned personal illnesses, setbacks or […]
I still remember the first time I saw my husband on a skateboard. Years ago, he was still my boyfriend, and one day I drove towards the road he lived on for a visit. As I rolled up to a two-way stop sign in his neighborhood, I saw Jon speed by in front of me […]
WRITING & OVERWHELM So many writers I meet struggle with feeling totally overwhelmed. Partners, friends and family need attention. So do clients and bosses! It takes TIME to do life in a way that supports all of you: relationships, finances, professional attainment, health and wellness, spirituality, creativity and fun. And way too often, when we […]
How’s your writing going these days? When you sit down to write, do you sometimes find that you have nothing to say? No new ideas? No curiosities to explore? No exciting insights or creative energy? Then what happens? Do you start to doubt yourself as a writer? Lose faith in your project? Do you force […]
Imagine with me, for a moment. Imagine, if you will, that I’ve just handed you a small bottle with a rare and magic potion inside. Just one drop or two of this precious elixir is guaranteed to spark more writing focus, passion, energy and inner fire than you’ve experienced in years. What will you do […]
I’m not sure you’d ever guess this about me now, but this is true: Long before I moved to California, for nearly a decade in my late teens and early twenties, I struggled with a crippling clinical depression. My friends and classmates never knew my truth, for I worked hard to hide this pain. Inside, […]
