Writing a book is messy, even for seasoned authors. Wrangling your material into cohesive shape is real work. There will be times when you sag with despair and cry out “This is a mess!” Rest assured. This is normal. This is not a function of your ineptitude, the lameness of your book or your inability […]
The Writing Life
Meet Your Writer in Paris for a Life-Changing Writing Workshop
I want to make sure you know about something your writer is probably craving. I’m leading a writing retreat in Paris in late September. I wanted to call it ‘Be a Better Writer’, but I think that gives the impression we’re going to be focused on the craft of writing. How to write sentences that […]
Calling your writer to meet us in Paris!
For those who love Paris, and for those who know their writer comes alive in the City of Light. If you’re like me, thoughts of Paris pop up randomly in your days. The sway and roar of a metro ride. Stepping out of a boulangerie with a paper bag full of crispy, buttery croissants. The […]
Celebrating My Thirty-Year Writing Anniversary
Thirty years ago, a mile from where I type now in Denver, I began my writing life in earnest. I wanted so badly to write, but I had no idea how or what! In a class called Writing the Wild Woman, I learned how to free-write, scribbling alongside other women. Afterward, we howled. Because, wild […]
A banner year for writers
It turns out 2023 was a banner year for my book coaching clients. I am thrilled to share their work and successes with you. May their example inspire you to get your own words into the world. Three surprising things about writing any book I’ve been helping writers get their words on the page since […]
Big, exciting, scary news!
I’ve been publishing my newsletter Impulses since February 2001. That’s almost 24 years of consistent articles about the creative process. I’m proud of that longevity, and I am also astonished I kept going for so long. It’s time to switch gears. I’ve been writing as an ‘expert’ and now it’s time to write as a writer. […]
My big, bold writing dream fueled by my values
It takes a lot of hubris – or ignorance – to want to write a bestselling novel. Before you cement the idea that I am a blowhard fool, let me explain. I know that best-selling books are few and far between for non-celebrities like me. I don’t want bestseller status because I want to be […]
Organizing a novel
Writers are lucky – we don’t require a lot of tools for the job. We can use a simple notebook or an app like Word, Google docs, or Evernote. Yet there are more complex systems out there for writing. I have avoided things like Scrivener. Most people I know who use it are fairly savvy […]
How AI can now help with writing
I hadn’t been much interested in AI. I know it’s here, I know it’s going to change everything. Focused on my projects, I haven’t wanted to go down the rabbit hole of learning and assessing AI as a tool for work and writing. But when LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman mentioned ‘research assistant’ on a podcast, […]
Writing two books at once!
Typically, I wouldn’t be working on more than one major project at a time. I am happiest when I have a behemoth to work on. Before I get into the nitty-gritty of how it’s working for me to juggle two beasts, let me confess this: I rarely FEEL like working on these projects. Both of […]