From the Newsletter: On Brainstorming

“Idea generation is about quantity, not quality. Multiplication, not subtraction. Editing comes later. The goal of brainstorming is to walk out with buckets of ideas, not one precious idea perched on a pillow.” ― Sam Harrison, Creative Zing! Spark Your Creativity & Powerfully Present Your ideas Dear Writers, Friends: I am in that exciting place known…

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From the Newsletter: Critique FAQ’s

“To free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves there lies the great, the singular power of self-respect. Without it, one eventually discovers the final turn of the screw: one runs away to find oneself and finds no one at home.” -Joan Didion Dear Writers, This week on Twitter, I…

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From the newsletter: all three GOALS posts in one.

Dec 6, 2021 “Failing is a crucial part of success. Every time you fail and get back up, you practice perseverance, which is the key to life. Your strength comes in your ability to recover.” ~Michelle Obama, Former FLOTUS Dear Writers, It’s December, the month of reflection and goal setting. Last year, I didn’t set…

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From the newsletter: Good Art Friends

“Go to the edge of the cliff and jump off. Build your wings on the way down.” – Ray Bradbury Dear Writers, This week was a busy week for me. I had deadlines and reading to do. And I am making great progress on my revision.  This week was also the week of the Bad Art…

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From the newsletter: Revision is like moving day.

All daring starts from within. -Eudora Welty Dear Writers, Over the last two weeks, my son has been packing his things and moving to a new apartment. As he packed, I thought about how much his process was like my revision process! (Yes, I think my super power is turning ANYTHING into a writing lesson.)…

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From the newsletter: Three Days at Highlights

  Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind – even if your voice shakes. -Maggie Kuhn Dear Writers, After all these months of working from home, searching for creativity from my living room, waiting for hugs, I did it! I spent a few great days at The Highlights Foundation, and now–WHOAH. I…

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From the newsletter: Killing the darlings!

“In writing, you must kill all your darlings.” -William Faulkner Dear Writers, Kill the Darlings. It’s one of the first and most important things we learn to do as writers. We all know it is essential. And sometimes, not as simple as it sounds. Killing your darlings means: Getting rid of individual lines that attract…

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My top ten

I LOVE end of year top ten lists…the best and worst dressed..the most embarrassing political moments….the best/worst movies, books, etc… They are everywhere! Which means we need one, too. So here it is! To inspire you for a great writing year in 2013…..MY top ten list: THE BEST ADVICE I’VE RECEIVED (and often given), 2012…

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