Published in Set Your Muse on Fire!·PinnedMember-onlyWhat is a Book Coach and What Can One Do for You?And why a book coach may be better than an editor to help you write and publish your best book — I want to delve into the questions I’m often asked about book coaching, such as: What is a book coach, anyway? What does a book coach do? How is that different from an editor? And more. …Writing9 min readWriting9 min read
Published in Set Your Muse on Fire!·1 day agoMember-onlyFebruary Writing Challenge!It’s like NaNoWriMo, but in February — In reviewing my January goals, I realized I did a lot of work for my coaching: gave a workshop on Character development, did a full manuscript review + reviewed several regular client submissions, presented on a panel at my MFA alma mater… But one thing I fell down on was…Writing Challenge2 min readWriting Challenge2 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·2 days agoMember-only7 Ways to Rev Up Your Motivation if the Winter Blues Are Setting InTry these if you’re not meeting your New Year’s goals — Google “What percentage of people give up their new year resolutions by February?” and you get a consistent statistic: 80%. …Writing Tips5 min readWriting Tips5 min read
Published in Set Your Muse on Fire!·Jan 11Member-only10 Considerations Before You Apply to a Creative Writing MFA ProgramDo you even really need an MFA? — Last week I presented on a panel at my MFA alma mater, Lesley University. I did my MFA quite a few years ago now, and worked for the program for many years as Assistant Director. Getting an MFA is still a dream for a lot of people, but there are…Creative Writing9 min readCreative Writing9 min read
Published in Set Your Muse on Fire!·Jan 4Member-only10 Tricks to Maintain a Consistent Writing PracticeDon’t let procrastination rule your writing life — Many of us have made writing goals in the New Year. …Writing Tips6 min readWriting Tips6 min read
Published in Set Your Muse on Fire!·Dec 28, 2022Member-onlyThe Four Burner System of New Year PlanningYou only have so much time and energy — prioritize wisely — It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to setting goals for the next year. Even if you’re not a “New Year’s Resolutions” person, you may be thinking about what you accomplished this year, and what you want to accomplish in 2023. You may not be feeling it at all…New Year Planning5 min readNew Year Planning5 min read
Published in Set Your Muse on Fire!·Dec 14, 2022Member-onlyThe Best Books I’ve Read in 2022Books on writing and creativity plus mystery, historical, literary… — I’ve read 55 books so far this year. I’m sure I’ll sneak a few more in before December 31, but these are the ones that made my top picks. They are in no particular order other than generally the order in which I read them. Fiction The Lymond Chronicles — Dorothy…Books5 min readBooks5 min read
Published in Set Your Muse on Fire!·Dec 7, 2022Member-onlyMy Annual List of Gifts for Writers, 2022 EditionFun ideas for you or that special writer in your life — This is my favorite post to compile every year — mainly because I see so many fun things I’d like. (None of these are affiliate links — I get nothing from these recommendations.) Inexpensive This Women Writers Notebook Set for the woman who always needs more notebooks (ahem, me.) $20…Gifts For Writers3 min readGifts For Writers3 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Nov 23, 2022Member-only7 Tips to Help You Write FasterRead this if you tend to procrastinate your writing — Whether you’re doing a writing challenge like NaNoWriMo, or just want to increase your daily word count, these simple tricks will help you write faster. Sometimes speed is what you need to power through a draft and just get out of your own way. The two ways we procrastinate most…Writing Life4 min readWriting Life4 min read
Published in The Writing Cooperative·Nov 16, 2022Member-onlyTolerance for Uncertainty is the Prerequisite to SucceedingUncertainty is your secret creative superpower — I’ve been re-reading Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking, by David Bayles and Ted Orland. It’s a short book, but every page is full of gems of advice for anyone in any artistic field. …Creative Success4 min readCreative Success4 min read