A Few Of My Favorite Reads in 2024

in no particular order…. Even though this year seemed to last a hot minute (did you feel that too?), I actually managed to squeeze in some good reading. My new book group is partly responsible–that smart group of women has held me accountable (and fueled my addiction to a hot London Fog). My nightstand and […]

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MFA Lesson Two: Stretch Yourself

When I started my MFA, I had a goal: I was going to learn how to write good middle-grade fiction, by golly. I love goals. (This is why my family avoids me on January 1st.) I set about achieving this goal with my usual dose of enthusiasm. I scoured the faculty list, I read their […]

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Six tips for Post-MFA life

Congratulations, July graduates! You just finished up two years of intense work and personal growth. Six months ago I walked across a stage to receive my MFA. Six months and one pandemic ago. You had a virtual graduation that embodied the spirit of community and dedication that the MFA experience brings. So much has changed in […]

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MFA Lesson One: The Writer’s Mindset

I sat down a few days ago, fully intending to start a collection of posts to share some lessons learned from my MFA program, but then my shower started leaking. Water streaming from the ceiling, down the cupboard, and pooling on the floor leaking. Talk about a procrastination opportunity! I mopped, I cleaned, I wiped […]

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Was the MFA Worth It? (spoiler alert: Yes!)

My phone pinged this morning with a text. The first words out of my mouth were, “What’s that? The airline telling me my flight’s cancelled?” Turns out…. That’s the power of putting words out there. So here I am, in the airport with a long layover, feeling grateful that I’ll be home by the end […]

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A little goes a long way

I’ve wanted to write novels for as long as I can remember, but I’ve always had a hard time getting to The End. It’s daunting, isn’t it? You have this great idea, a character you love, or something that compels your forward and yet…..there are so many words to write down. Over the years, I’ve […]

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Finding inspiration

I’m in a bathroom in a small town in Mexico. It’s the same as at home…but different. You can’t drink the water, toilet paper is not a given, and you check the water before you put soap on your hands because functioning faucets are not a given either….but the people are helpful, the scenery is […]

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Why we need whimsy

It’s the first weekend that feels nearly fall-like here, in North Carolina, and I have that urge to make lists, clean the closets, and reflect on summer. As I was combing through some photos from the summer, I thought about whimsy, and how important it is for my creative soul. Summer started with birds. My […]

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Organizing your approach to social media

If I say “social medial” and you think “I have nothing to say,” your paradigm is about to be totally up-ended. I had the pleasure of hearing President and Founder of The Social institute Laura Tierney’s thoughts this week (she’s on twitter @soLaur) and I’m going to share what I gleaned from her energetic, polished, […]

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Where you do find the time?

I’ve been thinking about time, lately, and the opening scene of I Don’t Know How She Does It (Allison Pearson) comes to mind. The main character, a working mother, is madly “distressing” a store-bought pie at 10 PM after work in an effort to make it look more homemade before she takes it to her […]

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