Author Archive

The Shortcut to Remarkable Work (or How to Start Writing Daily)

The shortcut to remarkable work is writing every day. I’m convinced this is the truth, but I’m already looking for an easier way. I mean, I believe the work changes you as you write and that’s how you slowly learn to truly live. But I’m 41 and finally beginning to commit to the daily practice of writing, and I think I’ve found a secret
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Living the Art: The Make-Over Edition

This writing thing, it takes so long to learn. Actually, it takes so long to heal and develop better habits. Maybe that’s the nature of making art: it has to make you over first. Sometimes I think I’ve figured something out only to realize I haven’t captured the most important part. Sometimes I think I should be more practical and
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When You’re Tired

“How we spend our days,” Annie Dillard said, “is, of course, how we spend our lives.” How did you spend your day today? Did it fill you? Kierkegaard said our greatest source of unhappiness is our decision to be too busy–though we often refuse to see that as a choice. Are you like me and want to choose to live in the present
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Your Silent Battle

“We have met the enemy and he is us.” –Pogo, Walt Kelly Reading through my journal I see that back on December 4, I wrote about my process of writing my first new chapter since before I went freelance, over 4 years previous. I wrote it from pieces that started with the basic action and locations, then researched the locations
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Attention Is a Limited Resource

I rarely remember it, but I’d be a better writer if I did: What we think about matters. Because attention is a limited resource. Sometimes I remember to be reserved about what I pay attention to and I discover more time to write. But I hardly ever remember to consider what I pay attention for. Or put another way, Why I’m paying attention to
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