Archive for October, 2008

Hello When I am afraid to write an article then I know I’m where I need to be. My heart is scared, I’m about to reveal a truth. Today, it was my personal note to you, my readers. When I avoid editing the next scene in my novel, then I know that whatever it is [...]

Fall is a great time to think about and put in place new rituals for your creative writing.
Why are rituals an important part of our creative practices?
Twyla Tharp, in The Creative Habit: Use it and Learn it for Life, speaks of the power of the “ritual of preparation.”

These polar extremes actually embody one another. In Chaos Theory, chaos is depicted as a series of intricately perfect patterns.
Both extremes reside within every human being; one the shadow of the other. Together, they allow us to fully create.

I find that other art forms invigorate and inspire my writing. The other day my 4-year-old nephew asked, “What’s that?” He was pointing to the two vertical vision boards sitting in my wisdom corner in my office.

I told him what they were, explained that …

Have you lost your way with your writing and don’t know how to forge ahead? If so, this is a good time to step back, hold on to your courage and re-imagine your current writing project or work in progress (WIP).
Imagine your writing project as a delicious dish. Take a moment to immerse yourself in [...]

 is also experienced by most artists and can be overcome. Some people call Resistance: writer’s block or procrastination. Steven Pressfield names Resistance the heart of everything and anything that stops us from creating. His little book, 165 pages and change, called The War of Art: Break Through the Block and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, will [...]

My spirit is uplifted by grand buildings. I hear the whisperings of times past. Stories seep out of the old stone, echoes of footsteps remind me of people I have never met and never will.
The Montmartre church, the Basilique of Sacre Coeur, makes me think of secret rendezvous and gatherings of folk. I loved gathering [...]

Thank you Josie Brown for bringing this contest to my attention!
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Enter SMW’s Great Girlfriend Getaway Essay Contest!
You tell your friends your dreams and goals. With them, you relay your greatest fears, and cry your bitterest tears. Now, honor these women with your words, by entering the SMW Great Girlfriend Getaway Essay Contest
Grand Prize: A 2-night [...]

When people tell me they want to be a writer, one of the first things I ask is “What do you read?”
Why is reading so important? Readers wash their minds and hearts with words, stories, and emotions. Then when you sit down to write, all these words and stories and emotions mix with their life [...]

 happens in the NOW, not in the past, not in the future, not in your head, not in conversation, and not in your dreams. From all those places — the past, the future, your head, your imagination, your conversations, your dreams –- come your inspiration and stories for your writing.
Words trailing one after the other, [...]

According to a recent New York Times article, we’re able to approach problems with a renewed perspective after some sleep.
Yeah! I’m so glad that science is catching up to what artists have always known about the Incubation stage (a la Jordan Ayer): that walking away from the problem and putting the mind in a restful [...]

I am excited to give you a sneak peek of my upcoming e-course, The Writer’s Adventure Guide.
Check out your FREE report here: http://www.writersadventureguide.com.
The course will be launching soon!
Become the HERO of your Book Writing Adventure

Overcome blocks — Defeat fear and resistance — Slay confusion
In this report, based on The Hero’s Journey, you will:
– discover a [...]