Adding Fun to Our Writing I read an article about how a woman, after a frustrating commute in Boston, began a campaign to have the public transit system install googly eyes on its trains.  Googly eyes. On trains.  And it … Continue reading →

Problem Exploration I came across this concept of “problem exploration”. It’s the exact opposite of problem-solving, the default mindset we’re most often taught. It’s about taking the time to examine a problem from all different angles—not with the focus of … Continue reading →

Writing Isn’t JUST Writing Do you ever run out of things to imagine? Yeah, me neither. My mind is always active, thinking up new worlds or new stories or new characters. I have journal after journal after journal of jot … Continue reading →

Find the Magic YOUR Way Back in elementary school, my Grade 5 class put on a play, The King’s Creampuff, in which the Witch of All Witches steals the King’s royal recipe book, causing uproar in the royal kitchen when the … Continue reading →

Write the Unexpected I had a minor “huh” moment recently. I’d washed a flower vase and had left it to dry on the kitchen counter. I’d then taken two eggs, to prepare an omelette. I set them on the drying … Continue reading →

A Marathon of Ideas Writing advice often uses the marathon/sprint analogy, as in it takes a lot of time, practice, patience and endurance to complete a novel. I’m absolutely on board with that! But there’s another element of the analogy … Continue reading →

Elevator Pitch My daughter’s friend is in business school. She explained a marketing assignment she’ll soon have: an elevator pitch.  It’s a short, concise, engaging, convincing line that can be used to sell your product in a short period of time. Like, … Continue reading →

Our Worth As Writers I might have told you this before… (I tell it a lot!) I met Princess Diana. In person. The most famous woman on the planet at the time, and she talked to me!  I was eight years … Continue reading →

Our Impact as Writers I was watching a mindless police procedural TV show, of the variety where the bad guys are caught in 42 minutes. The climax was a warehouse fire and in one shot, a firefighter filled the frame. … Continue reading →

Writing Is About US After years in the writing world, here’s what I keep circling back to. Writing talent/skill/effort is NOT the same as discoverability.  The best books may not sell. The best writers may not get published.  The best … Continue reading →