Do you worry that you’ll never finish writing your book? How does that make you feel? Frustrated? Alone? Blocked? Insecure? Confused? Overwhelmed? If you’re like so many writers I know, these feelings keep you from writing. The pain of feeling like your...
The Twin Towers dropped in a massive brooding cloud of dust over New York City. As the scorched remains rained down on the roof of our building, I picked up a burnt piece. It looked like it was once a contract of some kind. A surprisingly mundane detail of...
My first writing mentor found me when I was twelve. Miss Oliver, my eighth grade English teacher. She forced me to write an extra essay in English a week because my parents told her I was bored in class. At first, I thought she was punishing me. Now I know, it was...
“How do you learn to write?” It’s a question I ask myself often, particularly when teaching writing classes. Hanif Kureishi, author of Buddha in Suburbia and a creative writing instructor, says you can’t. Does he think the same when it comes to...
To outline or not to outline? Is there something horribly wrong with you for not using them? Are you stuffing your beautiful creativity into a sausage casing with that outline? New York Book Editors say throw them out. Outlines quash you. While Derek Murphy, founder...
I fell in love with San Juan del Sur the moment I arrived and saw the beach. So calm and peaceful! And the Mango Rosa resort? Gorgeous! Even better than what I imagined! Huge bungalows with bright red wildflowers decorating white bed linens. Rock paths lead from pool...