A robin landed on the deck railing today with the makings of a nest in her mouth. Have you noticed when you slow down long enough to hear them, the little thoughts that come unbidden can be entire new worlds to explore? The difficulty is, of course, slowing down. I’m trying to write today, so I’m procrastinating. But once you’re
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You know the easy button? I’m always looking for the easy button to editing. And more often than not, I find it by zooming in a little closer. Recently, I found one I think deserves a special place on this blog, because it’s a time-saver for new authors. And it’s a trick that hooks readers better than anything else, the story beneath the story. Whether you’re
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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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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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“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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