Picture The Kite Runner without the Taliban

Not long ago, I had a conversation with a lovely woman about her book, the one that sold all of three copies in as many years. Now, this woman is no slouch in the writing department. In fact, she makes a good living as a copyeditor. BUT, there’s one thing she...
The pluses and minuses of being hazy AF

The pluses and minuses of being hazy AF

I’ve got lots of unpopular opinions, many of them formed the hard way. As a writer, then a writing workshop leader, then a book coach, then a book doctor, then a publisher……oh the journey….I can tell you EXACTLY where the trains tend to come...
With truth comes peace

With truth comes peace

I received this beautiful note a while back in response to one of my newsletters. I’d like to share it and my response with you.  It’s relevant to you writers out there, AND to people-pleasers. Thank you for your raw honesty. Your courage inspires me,...

Why risk it if you don’t have to?

A while back, one of my friends questioned my penchant for voluntarily placing myself in situations where I could get hurt, for “manufacturing fear”. The world provides enough danger already, why go out looking for more? She was referring to mountain...
Sexy formatting tricks to stir envy

Sexy formatting tricks to stir envy

There’s something wonderful about writing a non-fiction book—how-to, self-help, or motivational, just to name a few of the business-building genres. You get to use all sorts of formatting tricks a memoirist or novelist would kill for. What do I mean by formatting...