In Tough Times, Here’s Your #1 Job: Keep Your Heart Open
If you’re struggling to write during tough times, here’s how to keep your heart open.
In Tough Times, Here’s Your #1 Job: Keep Your Heart Open Read More »
Publishing Your Work
Sadeqa Johnson on Perseverance
For most of us, talent isn’t enough. Achieving your dreams requires perseverance.
2 Strategies for Launching Your Story’s Emotional Plot
To launch a story, you must design a strong hook and build investment in your story’s emotional plot.
2 Strategies for Launching Your Story’s Emotional Plot Read More »
Mastering Your Character’s Walk: 1 Unique Way To Improve Your WIP
Wondering how you can bolster your character development? Apply empathy to your characters by exploring your character’s walk.
Mastering Your Character’s Walk: 1 Unique Way To Improve Your WIP Read More »
Build Your Empathy to Improve Your Characters
Wondering how you can bolster your character development? Apply empathy to your characters.
3 Reasons Writers Have a Fear of Success
Worried your fear of success will sabotage your projects? Here’s your antidote.
Do the words logline or elevator pitch make you cringe? Use Blake Snyder’s three ingredients to create a winning pitch.
Learning to craft a logline or elevator pitch is an important skill all writers must learn. Summarizing your work will help you understand your story and spend less time awkwardly rambling to fellow writers and agents.
If You Want to Become a Great Writer You Have to Be Willing to Do This.
To query well, you must decipher the meta-message embedded in agent responses so you can decide whether to query more or return to your manuscript.
If You Want to Become a Great Writer You Have to Be Willing to Do This. Read More »
Tips and Tricks for Navigating the 6 Emotional Stages of the Submission Process
If you’ve ever sent a manuscript off for feedback or submitted a piece for publication, you might be familiar with the six stages of external radio silence.
Tips and Tricks for Navigating the 6 Emotional Stages of the Submission Process Read More »
The Death of Sonny
“Without smoke, you can’t see the light.”My husband Alex said this to me while explaining why professional tours use fog machines in their light shows. The particles reflect the light so we can see the beam’s path. Without the particles, the beauty is lost.
Heart Speak, The Writing Advice Column #5: Writing in the Face of Fragile Family Relationships
How do I write a memoir without hurting the people I love.
Failing Forward: Why Every Draft Counts
Writing is a process made up of failures. Projects that stall. Unsuccessful drafts. Rejections. Our job is to learn something from each one.
Remembering Molly
Personal essay published in The Rumpus on October 31, 2015 about my memories of The Breakfast Club.
My brother had mental health issues and committed an awful crime. But I love him
Personal essay published in September 14, 2015 edition of The Guardian.
My brother had mental health issues and committed an awful crime. But I love him Read More »
Farm to Table: 10 Tips for Choosing a CSA
2015 – 2016 Healthy Living Directory pp. 6 – 11. Coauthored with Beth N. Davis, this feature article helps health conscious consumers choose the right Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to meet their needs.