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I saw this quote on writer Junot Diaz's Substack and had to share it. It's something I'm often talking to my writing clients and students about--embrace variety in writing. As humans it's easy to fall into a routine. It takes some discomfort to squeeze us out of this and into doing something else, like going to a different cafe, taking a new route to and from work or trying a new activity. When you write the same thing applies. We can easily get stuck writing only lengthy s

It's hard sometimes for writers to remember that writing is a journey. Each word you write is a step toward discovering your unique writer's voice. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure about how to express yourself on paper, you’re not alone. I’ve been there and still struggle with it from time to time. How to develop your writing style Developing your writing style is like gardening. It takes patience, gentleness, grit, and a willingness to try new things. Your style is the w

Ever stop writing because you couldn't find the place where you left off? I have done this loads of times. Not being organized with your writing can seriously set you back in terms of how many words you want to write per day or whatever milestone you're setting for yourself. Writing a book demands organization as well as stick-to-it-iveness. That’s where writing software comes in. I'd like to share with you some of the top editing software for manuscripts that can help you on

"There needs to be a bouquet of flowers in this gallery to balance the dark," a yoga teacher said to me years ago, and I've never forgotten it.

A white kettle with a red strawberry on it that sits on the stove.

Tips for writing when it's hard to.

Starting or continuing your writing journey can feel like stepping into a big city without a map. You have ideas, passion, and a desire to grow as a writer, but perhaps the path forward seems unclear. That’s where a mentor can become your signpost. Choosing the right writing mentor is an empowering step toward finding your unique voice and completing your projects with confidence. Let’s explore how to find that perfect guide who will walk alongside you, offering encouragement

When you’re on a writing journey, sometimes the path feels winding and uncertain. I know that feeling well. That’s why I want to share some guidelines to help you find your unique voice and complete your projects with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years, here are some approaches I’ve found helpful to start or continue a writing practice: Set small, achievable goals Start with one small writing goal a day such as to write for 15 or 30

The Art of Building Your Writing Web Thinking about the spider this week has sparked some reflections. Every day, she rebuilds her web, and I see a parallel in my writing students. They often wish to write their pieces more quickly, yet the process requires a gradual approach. Many share their dreams of a series or their aspirations to find publishers or self-publish. This often happens before they have even drafted a basic story. A spider begins her work by setting anchor li

A writer friend sent me an essay from the New York Time’s Modern Love column. The topic was devastating, yet I didn’t feel the emotions that I should have from such a tragic personal story—and neither did she. She asked me whether I thought it was because the author was telling her story rather than having the reader experience it for themselves. After I read the piece I agreed that it was exactly for that reason that the essay fell flat. There was so much the author could’

I’m in Week 5 of teaching my The Unbearable Lightness of Novel Writing course and we’re talking about giving and receiving constructive feedback. This is easier said than done—you want to help a writer move forward with their project without stifling them with criticism. As the person receiving feedback, you want clear guidance on how to strengthen your work, not just a list of what’s wrong. I like this quote by Anne Lamott who says “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppresso

Ever get a flash of genius, and you know that if you don't jot down what's in your head, it will vanish in a puff of smoke? That's exactly what happened to me last week. The problem was though that I had a needle sticking between the thumb and forefinger of each hand, and could see, out of the corner of my eye, an impending needle jutting from my right temple. Gingerly raising one foot, I spotted another prickly number jutting from my big toe. I had what I thought was a perfe

What kind of landscape am I? This was a question I asked myself during a writing workshop. I thought I knew the answer, but it turns out I’d no clue. Heather Walton, author of Not Eden: Spiritual Life Writing for this World, was teaching a workshop I attended at the University of Toronto. She had us go through comparing and contrasting different landscapes to discover what one resonated most. I loved this exercise, as it’s not only about what you like but also about how the l

How would you feel if you were homeless? That's the question a near-homeless person asked me one time when I was interviewing her and others for an article about a supportive housing project for the homeless and nearly homeless that some people in the community didn't want to see built. "They (Not In My Backyard - NIMBY community members) need to open their hearts and really put themselves in their shoes, and stop and think about how they would react if they were in that situ