by AnnSheybani | Jul 16, 2023 | Writing
I view stories, particularly the personal kind, with three sets of eyes. First, the eyes of a human who is deeply moved by the capacity of the human soul to rise above astoundingly traumatic shit. Then, the eyes of a writer (and editor) whose job is to make the thing... by AnnSheybani | Jul 9, 2023 | Life, Writing
I once had a conversation with an actor who wanted to write a book about public speaking. I’ll call her Gloria, even though that’s not her name. Gloria had figured out, thanks to years of professional training and experience, how to be comfortable on stage... by AnnSheybani | Jun 26, 2023 | Life, Writing
I hate asking for help. I really do. And many of my clients have felt that way too. Until they recognized that writing a book on their own was harder than they thought or that they just didn’t have the time, given their myriad responsibilities. As a culture,... by AnnSheybani | Jun 18, 2023 | Life, Writing
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... by AnnSheybani | Jun 5, 2023 | Writing
Have you ever watched a professional runner run? Looks so easy, doesn’t it? They’ve all got that half smile playing across their face, that healthy sheen, those long, fluid strides that make the act seem so fun. From the couch, you can practically feel the endorphins... by AnnSheybani | May 22, 2023 | Reading, Writing
When I was in grad school, I took an essay writing course. We were assigned an anthology called The Best American Essays, which still sits, all marked up with black ink, on my bookshelf. (If I could find a link, I’d put it here, but I can’t.) In it, I...
