I’ve been dedicating time to fleshing out my education. Much of my life is white-centered. To play a part in a future that is equitable and inclusive, I need to educate myself about others’ experiences. Here’s a roundup of things that impacted my thinking, my beliefs, and my actions. I try to be careful about […]
Books for Creatives
Four Valentine’s Goodies for Your Muse
Life-Changing TEDx talk Sakinah Hofler’s creative writing tutorial makes an unlikely exceptional TED talk. This TEDx talk is profound and the best thing I have seen/heard about writing in my entire writing life. Watch it here. Haiku book and workshop I just finished reading Natalie Goldberg’s latest book, Three Simple Lines: A Writer’s Pilgrimage into the Heart […]
My Favorites from 2020
Cynthia’s favorite movies, books, podcasts, artists, and journalists from 2020. Read the book titles aloud as a list poem. Tell me your faves! Leave a comment with some faves or link to your list.
Non-Violent Entertainment
Sometimes I pretend I am an alien, arriving on this planet. Frankly, I feel like an alien a lot of the time because I just don’t understand humans. Something that twists my head around is violence as entertainment. Here’s what I see: We are horrified when there is a mass shooting or other cruel behavior. […]
Be a better editor of your own work with this book on book writing
As writers, we are often blind to the errors or flabby writing in our projects. The ability to edit our own work is something we develop over time. The number one mistake writers make is sending their work to editors or agents before it’s as polished as it could be. I get it! We want […]
Earn the gifts at the finish line: Stumbling Toward Genius Ep 10
In this episode of Stumbling Toward Genius, you’ll hear the story of a book I wrote that changed a life-long narrative I’d been telling myself. In this episode I will share: A lifetime obsession of mine How I felt ashamed of this passion The project that reversed this shame The gifts that I got from […]
We Are the Luckiest by Laura McKowen: Book Review
There’s been a spate of sobriety memoirs lately. One could easily zone out and think, oh, another story about someone getting sober. I say BRING THEM ON! Reading about the impact of addiction and about how the hell one breaks free of it should be the norm. These stories serve to change the narrative about […]
Join Us at the Tattered Cover on January 27, 2020
Is ‘write book’ on your list of commitments this year? If so, consider joining me for an interactive talk at the Tattered Cover LoDo on Monday, January 27th. I’ll be sharing from my book, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book. You’ll leave with actionable ideas and inspiration to write the book you’ve been […]
Wild Irish Roots by Tonja Reichley: World-Changing Books by Women
My friend Tonja is a teacher of the Celtic tradition of herbalism and connection to nature and ancestors. She’s put some of her magic into Wild Irish Roots: A Seasonal Guidebook of Herbs, Ritual and Connection. This guides us through the seasons with intention, ritual and tradition. It’s a wonderful resource that’s easy to tap […]
The New Paris: World-Changing Books by Women
The New Paris by Lindsay Tramauta When people think of Paris, they may have a romantic, sepia-toned version in their minds, picturing cafes and museums old, venerable architecture. I’ve been going to Paris annually since 2000, and I can attest that it’s not a place dedicated wholeheartedly to the past. Paris is a vibrant, contemporary […]