The Call Back in February, I read Read650’s latest submission call and felt as though it had been written just for me. They were looking for stories of resilience and hope, focusing on the arts and the power of creative expression to heal. Even better, the call was for a collaboration with the Carnegie Hall […]
process
Finding God in the Creative Process
I spent the first two months of 2020 working through Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way workbook. It’s my second time through– the first was in my mid-twenties– and I found the program much more impactful this time. While I don’t consider myself a blocked artist or an artist “in recovery,” I still learned a great […]
Habits, Routine, Process, Wellness
Happy October, everyone! October is my favorite month of the year– at least, it is when I slow down enough to notice the crisp fall weather (a bit warm here, this year), enjoy the tastes and scents of fall food, and snuggle into my warmer clothes. It’s also a month when I look closely at […]
Finishing Draft 1: Then Vs. Now
Last Wednesday, I reached the end of Blizzard, draft 1. (For more details about the book’s plot and characters, return to this post.) I was powerfully reminded of the way I felt when I reached the end of draft 1 of Waist on the auspicious date of 12/12/12. I was exhilarated then; I thought I […]
How To Brainstorm A Book Idea
People often ask writers how they get their ideas. I’ve read and listened to many author interviews, and most say that a character or place comes to them first, and they create the story from there. That’s never been the case for me. I’ve always needed to choose the structure first; that’s what inspires me, […]
Hey There, Your Perfectionism Is Showing
I’m making a departure from my usual posts this month, starting with “I Got Knocked Down. Can I Get Up Again?” and continuing with today’s entry. Usually, I start a post with an idea I want to communicate to others: the answer to a question about writing, reading, productivity or perspective. Then I find some […]