being a professional writer
5 Fabulous Journals That Help Me Organize, Navigate, and Ponder Life
My first journal was a bright pink diary that had a tiny gold lock on one side. I stashed the key in my underwear drawer. FYI: To my 8-year-old self, that drawer was an impenetrable vault where I kept my most sacred items, including a very grownup lipgloss I was too self-conscious to wear, my…
Read MoreWhat Picasso Knew About Becoming Brilliant
Are you a Picasso fan? I am, but not for the reason you think. I like his paintings. They’re amazing. But I LOVE his work ethic. Did you know that Picasso created around 13,500 paintings and 100,000 prints and engravings? Yep. That dude did his thing EVERY SINGLE DAY. Was he talented? Absolutely! But were…
Read More10 Ways Writing Is Like Riding A Bicycle… Sort Of.
I must start by admitting that I do not ride a bicycle. I OWN a bicycle. Because they were on sale at Costco on a Saturday morning when I was apparently feeling athletic. But I don’t actually RIDE the bicycle. Truthfully, the seat is tiny and it hurts my lady parts. Also, I look ridiculous…
Read MoreAuthenticity Is More Valuable Than AI-Generated Perfection
Authenticity is a hot-button topic right now. In fact, Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2023 is authentic. To be cheeky, I asked the AI Assistant in my Buffer app to create a post about “authenticity” and here’s what I got: Authenticity is key. In a world full of filters and facades, staying true to yourself is…
Read More5 Things You Should Have In Your Writing Space (Because I Said So)
I’ve been writing for decades, in cubicles and offices, and in various parts of my home. For many years, I worked in a makeshift office in the unfinished side of my basement — just steps away from the oil tank and the kitty litter box. And my first real office doubled as a spare bedroom, so I had to…
Read More3 Breathing Exercises To Help You Focus, Think Creatively, And Enjoy Life
Being able to steady your thoughts is a hugely valuable life skill. Breathing exercises are an integral part of that skill. Professionally, I’m paid to think deep thoughts, strategize, organize, and write creatively. It’s how I pay my mortgage and put my kids through university. So I’m pretty disciplined when it comes to keeping my…
Read More7 Simple Habits That Will Help You Write Faster and Easier
“I hate writing, I love having written.” Dorothy Parker Writing is a funny process, when you stop to think about it. It’s an odd dance that requires various parts of your brain to fall into rhythm and work together. It’s a rub-your-head-while-you-pat-your-belly sort of situation but with a dozen hands on the go at one time. What…
Read More3 Bad Writing Habits You Developed In University And How To Fix Them
Bad writing habits can be rooted in good intentions. In university, you are repeatedly rewarded for writing choices that may not serve you well later. The positive reinforcement of good grades makes those writing choices stick with you. But when your audience is no longer limited to professors and teaching assistants, it’s imperative to break…
Read MoreThis Simple Morning Habit Can Make Your Day Happier and More Creative
“How you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.” — Lemony Snicket Morning habits are important because they set the tone for the rest of the day. That’s why I start every morning with the same activity: I write 5 positive moments from the day BEFORE. In…
Read MoreHow To Enjoy Content Creation Instead Of Stressing About It
Had a lovely chat with Marc Guberti, as a guest on his popular Breakthrough Success podcast. Our main topic of conversation was how to enjoy content creation instead of stressing about it. I kicked things off by assuring listeners that there’s a do-able path forward to a place where you earn enough to feel successful,…
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