Riddle Me This You know this classic riddle? “What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?”  You know the answer? A person. Babies go about on all fours (infancy) … Continue reading →

Change YOUR Perspective I recently rewatched the 1989 movie Dead Poets Society starring Robin Williams as a progressive English teacher in a 1950s boarding school who encourages his students to seize the day. In one scene, he has the students stand on … Continue reading →

Writing IS Messy! When I went to a doctor’s appointment recently, I walked into a medical building in the middle of a paint job. Baseboards had been removed, drop cloths scattered and paint tins full. A painter was sprawled on … Continue reading →

In the Moment Happy New Year’s Eve!  It’s tradition to look back on the year past and to look forward at the year to come. Absolutely there’s value in that. You can see how much you’ve accomplished—even if it’s just … Continue reading →

Make It Your Own Merry Christmas! I once read that prolific author Stephen King says he writes every day—except Christmas. Then he added that wasn’t true. He also writes on Christmas. He just didn’t want to sound too obsessed.  Do … Continue reading →

How Can You Choose? Quick! Name your favourite authors! Yeah, I can’t do that quickly, either (the list is much, much, much too long). But that’s my point. There are so many terrific writers, some of whom are big names … Continue reading →

Together On the Write Track Did you know writing is hard? Shocking, I know. What’s (not) surprising is how many writers think it shouldn’t be. Even seasoned writer—in fact, I’d argue especially seasoned writers who’ve done it before and therefore think (wish) … Continue reading →

Ignore Those Numbers I read a dispiriting figure recently: more than 10,000 books are published in the U.S. every week. As published authors, how are we ever supposed to find our readers in that morass? And, as not-yet-published authors, how do we even … Continue reading →

Create Your Own Monster-Hunter There’s a voice in my head. Yours, too? It tells me all about how I’m an imposter, and how I’m not good enough and how I’m never going to make it as a writer. Yours, too? … Continue reading →

Communication of the Imagination I learned Dutch as a child, since my family is Dutch, and I learned French in school, since I live in bilingual Canada. I took classes in Russian and German in university, and even Swahili when … Continue reading →