Focus is the way through. What comes first: the distraction or the fear? You’re not distracted, you’re afraid. Oops! If you’re feeling called out right now, I apologize. #sorrynotsorry 😅 The number one thing I hear from writers -- and I mean at least once a day, every day -- is that they can’t get […]

"The biggest thing is to believe in your work." -- Traci Skuce Busy Women on Writing Books This is the 16th instalment in a new interview series on writing, profiling women writers who’ve written and published books while also working, parenting, volunteering, caring for family, attending school, and ALL OF THE THINGS. This week, I'm pleased […]

I believe in the power of coaching. Obviously – as a creativity coach myself. 🙂 And that means that I also engage coaches in my own life, for different reasons. I have one for business, one for fitness, and one for writing. A Recent Coaching Story This week I was at a group coaching session on […]

Of all the reasons writers give for not [yet] finishing their books, time is at the top of the list. We think we would finish the book we’ve started – the one gathering pixel dust deep in the recesses of our laptops – if only we had more time. How much more time? Heaps! Gobs! […]

At some point, you have to go back in. Have you finished a draft of your book? PHEW! That’s a lot. Maybe you dashed it off within a couple of months, or maybe it took a little longer…or maybe even a lot longer. But the important thing is YOU FINISHED! So let’s talk about what comes […]

AHA! Lightbulb moment. The air is practically sizzling around you because you, Dear Writer, have a new idea for a book. TA-DAAA!! How completely and wonderfully awesome is that? CONGRATULATIONS! Except, once the adrenaline wears off and you’ve maybe dashed off a few initial pages, you might be left wondering how the heck to actually […]

Writers often find me when they haven’t been writing for a while. Most times they feel guilt and embarrassment about this, and maybe even a little shame. Sometimes my email inbox has the tenor of a confessional, with writers sheepishly admitting “it’s been a while.” Usually it starts with just missing one writing session. Just […]

Someone has to win: why not you? I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Writers like to talk a big game about how we’re all in it for the craft. The ecstasy of creation. The absolute joy of finding the perfect word for the perfect phrase. The therapeutic benefit of tapping into subconscious […]

Do your research and SUBMIT! I’ve been talking about literary magazines for a few months now on this blog, and I’ve already sold you on why you should be submitting to them and how to format your manuscript and cover letter. A lot of you are probably thinking, okay, great—now where the heck do I submit my piece […]

Wondering how to use Submittable and Duotrope to help you publish in literary magazines? Or confused about Submittable vs. Duotrope and what the role of each might be? And if you know your way around a fountain pen converter more easily than most software, don’t worry – I will break things down for you. Submittable […]

It's a big beautiful lit mag world! Let's Talk Literary Magazines If you caught my introductory post on literary magazines (lit mags) last month, then you might already be thinking about sending out your first submission to a journal. So where do you begin? Well, to start, you want to make sure your piece is ready for […]

I travel a lot. In part because my day job requires it of me, but in part simply because it’s something I love to do—meeting new people, trying new foods, getting to see parts of the world I have only read about or seen on TV.  But every time I get on a plane and […]