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 […]
practice
Cross-Pollinating Creative Practice
“How would you practice this?” I asked my private flute student. She’s in ninth grade, very talented, and currently working through the Anderson Opus 24 Etude book. (Flutists will know the one.) “What would you do first?” She told me that she’d play through the first few lines very slowly. Then, once she’d gotten a […]
Work Smarter, Not Harder
They say if you want something done, ask the busiest person you know, because that person knows how to work smarter, not harder. In American society, we often brag about the amount of time we spend working: “I put in sixty hours a week;” “I can get by on five hours of sleep.” But people who […]
How To Pull Off A Writing Boot Camp
Earlier this fall, I decided to focus on prepping my novel based on the Blizzard of 1888, with the goal of beginning the actual writing during winter vacation. I planned to take a break from the novel in December to write my annual Christmas short story about the Wallaby baking party (the sequel to Sugar […]
I Am My Own Educator
I’m going to confess something to you. Sometimes I feel like I’m not a “real” writer, because I don’t have an MFA. I am fortunate to have two degrees from wonderful education programs, one in music, and the other in humanistic and multicultural education. I have also taken classes from many excellent writing institutions. But […]
How To Edit Like Musicians
Today I have a guest post on bestselling author Laura Vanderkam’s blog about how to practice smarter. The material is gleaned from my experience as a musician and music teacher, and the lessons I’ve learned about productivity that can be applied to writing as well as other hobbies. The post below is a companion of sorts. […]