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 →

What History Teaches Us About Writing My daughter was taking a Cold War history course at university. She thought she had a handle on the subject, but was amazed not just at the complexity of world politics (which was expected) … Continue reading →

But Striving for Satisfaction Back in high school, after my first break-up, I despaired I’d never find another boyfriend—a dramatic reaction, perhaps, but not atypical for a heartbroken teen. Stop looking for one! My friends told me. Uh, not helpful. But of course, they … Continue reading →

Assumptions about Assumptions My husband was chatting with a work colleague he hadn’t seen in a while. “How was your trip?” he asked, assuming she’d been on vacation, her normal routine at that time of year.  “I wasn’t away,” she … Continue reading →

Writing Fitness I recently joined a gym. Normally, I’d sneak down into my home gym, alone, where there was no judgement. And I don’t mean no judgment from others—I mean no judgment from me about myself.  Yet, buoyed by a desire for change, I … Continue reading →