Healing The Writer

One day a friend on twitter Sent me a message. She said: “I’m writing for a magazine And exploring my next memoir. Each article I publish Is a chapter from this next book Would you take a look At what I’ve written And tell me what you think?”  * I was glad to help And [...]

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The Writer’s Block

I would be stuck Sitting at my desk With a piece of paper Unable to write Not knowing what to say Or how to say it. I felt like a painter Sitting at an easel Not knowing what to paint Not knowing how to make That first brush stroke.  * I knew I had a [...]

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Exploring The Artist’s Way

The other night I was talking with a friend in Portland who was considering a career change.  He had been in Information Technology for 20 years, but felt the need to pursue his creative path – he just didn’t know where that might lead, or how to uncover his passion.  I mentioned my experience with [...]

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Why Was This Story Best Told As A Memoir?

On the first day of my creative writing class, the teacher opened the discussion by asking “What is a story?”  She suggested that we begin by defining the word.  Several people responded.  I took a minute to think about the meaning, and then raised my hand and said “A story is something that happens to [...]

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Testing My Writing Ability

What if I don’t have a talent for creative writing? On the other hand – what if I do? ______ It was September of 1988, and I had signed up for a creative writing class at The University of Houston.  The teacher was a well known published author and writing teacher from New York City [...]

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A Disappointed Writer and a Backup Plan

“A Disappointed Writer and a Backup Plan.” A writer experiences rejection from literary agents and comes up with a Plan B for getting his book published. Published in Life As A Human. Photo Credit: “Sweet Sorrow” Caro Wallis @ Flickr.com. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.

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Breaking Through: The Other Side of Writer’s Block

“Breaking Through: The Other Side of Writer’s Block.” As an author returns for the first time to the manuscript he started two years ago, he is astounded by how well he wrote the story, and can finally appreciate his writing gift in a whole new way. Published in Life As A Human. Photo Credit: “I [...]

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The Writer’s Conference and the Fear

“The Writer’s Conference and the Fear.” Deciding it was time to go to a writer’s conference to explore publishing a book, a writer is confronted with intense fear — and a casual meeting that is a call to action. Published in Life As A Human. Photo credit: DSCF0048 Cappellmeister @flickr.com Creative Commons.  Some rights reserved.

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The Creative River Flows Once More

“The Creative River Flows Once More.” As he begins to write a third book after walking away from publishing his previous two books, an author wonders if he is going to walk away again. But he feels a deep strength that it is time to blast through his writer’s block and publish this book. Published [...]

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I Capture The Writing Vision

“I Capture The Writing Vision.” An author realizes that there are several books that need to be written to fully explain the healing novel he wrote about his father. Published in Life As A Human. Photo credit: “God is a farmer” h.koppdelaney @ Flickr.com. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.

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