Posts with the Category of: Ideas to stimulate work
2018
Summer afternoon…
Summer afternoon – summer afternoon, to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. – Henry James The summer solstice is upon us, and with it the longest day of the year. What will you do with the extra daylight? Why not take your pen and paper outside and […]
2015
Where Are They Now?
In my recent blog post, I shared many of my favorite things about the great state of Alabama, where I was born and raised. Many famous writers hail from Alabama, including Fannie Flagg, Truman Capote and his childhood friend Harper Lee. Lee’s forthcoming novel, Go Set A Watchman, long thought to be lost, is set […]
2014
Be Inspired!
Ready to get started on your next writing project, but just need a little nudge? If you’ve been looking for inspiration in all the wrong places, check out this link to 31 Ways To Find Inspiration (thanks to the brilliant folks at Write To Done for this great compilation). My personal favorite is #3 (Overhead […]
2014
Take the 30/30 Challenge
We know that committing to write every day is an important discipline, but where to find the motivation? Richard Hugo House, a Seattle-based nonprofit has a solution which encourages writing and helps support this haven for writers at the same time. Its 30/30 Writing Challenge asks participants to commit to write 30 minutes a day […]
2014
It Was A Dark and Stormy Night…
Edward Bulwer-Lytton is well-known as the namesake of an annual writing contest which celebrates overblown prose. However, he was a prolific and popular writer of his time, even coining several well-known phrases, including “The pen is mightier than the sword,” “the great unwashed,” and “the pursuit of the almighty dollar.” He was author of several […]
2014
FREE Workshops in February!
I always love the opportunity to gather with other writers! Please plan to join me for these FREE February programs and learn to find your voice. First up is CHANGE FACT TO FICTION, a great workshop that helps you use your own life story to explore character, conflict, voice and metaphor. Next up will be […]
2013
Find Your Focus
Do you like to listen to music while you work, but have trouble concentrating when you do? The problem could be the music you are listening to. While it may seem like mere background noise, most modern music is designed to engage you – so you are actively listening to it even when you think […]
2013
A Fresh Start
I always think of fall as a time of new beginnings. The first day of school always marked the chance for a new start, new impressions, even the opportunity to reinvent yourself. The rituals of shopping for new clothes, getting all of the supplies on the list and selecting just the right book bag were […]
2012
Trust Your Instincts
And he sailed off through night and day and in and out of weeks and almost over a year to where the wild things are. – Maurice Sendak The passing of Maurice Sendak this week gave me fresh inspiration to always be true to myself as an artist. As writers, we must always be willing […]
2012