New Year’s Writing Resolution

New Year’s Writing Resolution

It’s the first weeks into the new year, and a perfect time to make one resolution about your writing practice. Remember, only one. Begin by thinking about your writing. How often do you come to the page? For how long? How many pieces have you 

Trusting the Writing Process

Trusting the Writing Process

Trusting the writing process is an ongoing practice. Once you’ve learned to trust enough to complete a draft of whatever you set out to write, you then have to practice trusting the revision process, which includes several stages. Most important here, is to remember that 

First Level of Trust Needed to Write

First Level of Trust Needed to Write

Have you ever gotten an idea for a story or an essay and dismissed it immediately? Too complicated, too ordinary, uninspired, already been done are some of the condemnations my clients toss at their ideas. “But how do you know without even starting?” I ask. 

If You’re Stuck, Here’s a Suggestion

If You’re Stuck, Here’s a Suggestion

  A client and I were discussing John McPhee’s essay “The Search for Marvin Gardens.” With its richness of form, multiple themes and sources of tension, I thought the essay would make good material for a rich conversation. And it did.  My client recently underwent 

Bad Writing Days

Bad Writing Days

I’ve just come through a few days of bad writing. Or perhaps it would be better if I said a few bad days of writing. While both are true, approaching the territory of judgment is never a good idea for us writers. We all have 

Writing and Small

Writing and Small

This week, I offer you a guest post I wrote for the blog “livewritethrive,” which has generated much appreciation. Think Small to Avoid Writer’s Block

Writing in the New Year

Writing in the New Year

It’s a new year, and time to take a look at your writing practice.

Praise Yourself When You Write

Praise Yourself When You Write

If you’ve ever been plagued by writing inhibitions, it’s important that you praise yourself once you’ve established a regular writing practice–no matter how small.

Choosing to Write

Choosing to Write Although I’ve been working with writers for many years, exploring with them and within myself, all the misconceptions and anxieties that keep us from writing, I still do not understand fully—as if we ever understand anything fully—why it is so easy for