Blog

Where are you putting your attention?

Where are you putting your attention?

The catkins are sprouting on the cottonwoods and the days are getting longer here in Northern Colorado. It’s been windy and dry which is scary - we had a fire warning yesterday - and at the same time, I feel spring energy crackling around me and it makes me want to...

How to Figure out What to Do Next

How to Figure out What to Do Next

Do you ever sit down to do your creative work or biz stuff or just life stuff and freeze? Where to start? At the first item on your list or somewhere else? What’s most important? No, that’s too scary to start with. Pick something easier like answer that email… Oh...

It’s Not Too Late: On Trying On an Old Desire Again

It’s Not Too Late: On Trying On an Old Desire Again

As you may know, if you've been here awhile (and if not howdy new reader and welcome!) I started writing a novel after a 10-year (or 15? I’m so bad with time) hiatus from writing fiction. The idea for my contemporary fantasy novel came to me while leading my last...

My Favorite Writing Tools

My Favorite Writing Tools

If you’ve been around for awhile (and if you’re new, waving hi! Thank you for subscribing!) you know I’m the author of ​nine non-fiction books​ and I’m working on a novel. Woot! I’ve been a working writer, and now ​non-fiction book coach​, supporting herself and her...

Ain’t You or Your Project. It’s All About Your Process.

Ain’t You or Your Project. It’s All About Your Process.

There is a pesky phenomenon rearing its pesky head fairly often for my coaching clients and my artist pals. It shows up whining and lamenting: “I’m a has-been, a dud, I can’t pull this off. I don’t have what it takes.” Or “My project is doomed, doomed I tell you, and...

Writing always involves self-discovery

Writing always involves self-discovery

A book coaching client quipped to me recently, “I know what I do with you is not therapy but gosh, writing a book brings up a lot.” She might have used a stronger word than gosh. 🥰 I said, “You become the person who can write your book by writing it.” Meaning the only...

It’s Okay That You Aren’t Finished Yet

It’s Okay That You Aren’t Finished Yet

One thing I often hear from my book coaching clients and writing friends - and okay from myself! - is “I thought I was finished.” I said it to a friend yesterday. 😜 “I thought I was finished developing my main character. I thought I’d nailed her already.” When in...

What role does desire play in your writing and creating?

What role does desire play in your writing and creating?

Have you ever thought about what role desire plays in your writing and creating? I’d say a starring role. Center stage. Cue the spotlight. Or for another metaphor, desire is your creativity’s engine and fuel. Desire gets you there and it keeps you going. Without...

What to do if a friend ghosts you

What to do if a friend ghosts you

A few months ago I asked this question on social media, Do you ever find that, for no reason you can ascertain, a colleague you were super friendly with and supportive of, gives you the cold shoulder? It's hard not to take it personally. Also hard for me to ask...

Good for a Girl

Good for a Girl

As a writing coach, I get to work on some fascinating projects and one of those is Good For a Girl by Lauren Fleshman. When Lauren called me in December 2020 in a bit of a panic because she was afraid she wouldn’t meet her book deadline without help, I was excited to...

How Can I Get Feedback on My Writing Skills to Become a Better Writer

How Can I Get Feedback on My Writing Skills to Become a Better Writer

If you want to get better at your creative writing, at some point, you need Feedback on your writing skills (please take a breath and relax any clenched jaws or buttocks) Putting your head down and working away can seem like a smart idea-- you feel productive and safe...

The Wisdom of Knowing You’ll Never Be Done

The Wisdom of Knowing You’ll Never Be Done

We all have certain deep psychological tendencies or patterns that recur. Mindfulness, therapy, self-compassion, journaling, and a host of other techniques can help soften their sticky grip on our choices and reactions but rarely, if ever, will a deeply rooted...

Should You Write Every Day? What to Do When It Doesn’t Work

Should You Write Every Day? What to Do When It Doesn’t Work

Where Did The Idea You Need To Write Every Day to be a Writer Come From? Many writers I work with quote either Stephen King or Anne Lamott when saying they want to have a daily writing practice and while I love much of their writing advice, I disagree strongly with...

Ripening.

Ripening.

I’m turning 60 near the end of this year and as feels appropriate, my desires are shifting. Changing. Ripening. I admit to some trepidation writing to you about aging as the subject is still somewhat taboo in our culture. I had a famous friend say to me recently when...

How Many Words Should I Write a Day: Stop Worrying and Do This Instead

How Many Words Should I Write a Day: Stop Worrying and Do This Instead

“How many words should I write a day?” is a question I hear almost every week from at least one of my writing clients.  I understand why writers ask, ‘how many words should I write a day?’, because we are the type of animal who loves and even needs to measure things. ...

How to Find Time to Write Consistently When You’re So Busy

How to Find Time to Write Consistently When You’re So Busy

Why is it so darn difficult to find time to write?  To write your  nonfiction book, or your novel, or a blog post, even just a Linked In update! What if I told you finding the time to write isn’t about finding more time or even time management? I’m not saying you...

The Vulnerable Secret of Creative Success

The Vulnerable Secret of Creative Success

This is part 4 of 4 to help you create with more ease, focus, and intention. Here is Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. If you want to get better at your creative work, at some point, you need Skillful feedback (oh no 😝) Putting your head down and working away can seem like a...

How to Write a Non-Fiction Book That Doesn’t Put Readers to Sleep

How to Write a Non-Fiction Book That Doesn’t Put Readers to Sleep

Writing a non-fiction book is a crash course in personal growth. It will test, grow, humble, and maybe even enlighten you. I’ve written nine published books and I’ve probably 15 more on my hard drive that never made it to you. I’m an evangelist for writing a...

The Easiest Way to Increase Your Creative Flow

The Easiest Way to Increase Your Creative Flow

Very few creatives are naturally excited about organizing their work space and work product. We are more the types that trust things will work out like this… BUT WHEN OUR LACK OF SYSTEMS DOESN’T WORK OUT, then what do you do? You can start not creating,...

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