When people want to increase their rates of progress, they tend to focus on applying more force:  Work longer. Pedal faster. Kick harder. Press harder on the accelerator. But it also helps to reduce friction:  Remove obstacles. Add wheels to a suitcase. Streamline shape.  What would happen if instead of just trying to work harder...Read More

I firmly believe that vulnerability supports creativity.  In my writers’ workshops, the most common praise I hear for a piece of really good writing is, “I love the vulnerability.” Authors share things that are meaningful in ways that expose their inner selves. That can be scary. What if people think the writing is crap, or...Read More

I encourage aspiring writers to collect story seeds from their own experiences and then later let them sprout and grow. A chance encounter is the story seed that turned into this article about kindness and gratitude.  If you are a writer, perhaps the example of a story seed will inspire you. If not, perhaps you...Read More

I have the great pleasure of helping people regain the joy of creating. Sometimes all it takes are small shifts in perspective or small changes in activity. Sometimes it takes being reminded that perfection isn’t granted to any of us so that we can see that our creations are good enough. Big Dreams, Big Doubts...Read More

Where do ideas for writing come from?  Try picturing your audience and thinking clearly about how you want to change them. My friend, Sherri Fisher, once suggested that I could mine my own book, Sit Write Share, for more ideas.  She challenged me to open up the book to any page, select a step from...Read More

In Write Experiment 5 in Sit Write Share, I suggest that people collect story seeds  A story seed is a brief note of an experience that can later turn into a written story. In this piece originally posted in 2020, I have sprouted several story seeds to illustrate something important to me:  the need to...Read More

Why does it make sense for you to write about your own life?  It’s one way to create a legacy that future generations will value.  If writing for young children, it’s a way to make sure they know you, no matter what happens. Life can be uncertain.  Let me show you what I mean with...Read More

Let’s say that you’ve finished a first draft. You put it aside for a day or two, and now you are ready to edit.  Start with strategic editing, reading for the entire effect of the piece.  One way to do this is to read the entire piece from beginning to end without making any changes...Read More

What comes to mind when you hear the word “imitation” in the context of writing?  Do you think of plagiarism? Lack of creativity?  What if instead you thought of creating by imitating as a way to avoid reinventing the wheel?  Using good structures that others have polished just makes  your own creativity go even further. ...Read More

I had the great honor and pleasure to be invited to The Purpose Girl podcast for a podcast on writing. Carin Rockind asked me questions about how to get writing done and out the door.  Carin shared that writing a book is one of her dreams.  We talked about ways she could find time and...Read More