Some people say they write only for themselves. Whether that is true or not, whether they put words on screen only to read them back to themselves, I cannot say for sure. But one thing I know. Many writers, particularly those hoping to become published authors, write with the hope that someone, someday, will read […]
Storytelling
Goodreads: Why Readers Abandon Books
Goodreads, the free website for book lovers, recently came out with a study on why readers put down a book instead of finishing it. The results were fascinating and can give writers some good insights into what goes on in the minds of their readers. Among the data were the top five abandoned classics: Catch […]
Memoir and Memory: When Your Story Turns On You
Never underestimate where memoir writing will take you. Read about one writer’s struggle to find her story.
The Art of Memoir: A Review
Writing a memoir is not for the weak-hearted. There is crying involved. And sometimes, a good, stiff martini. Along the way this new book might also help: Mary Karr’s The Art of Memoir.
Just Pick Up the Pen
Pick up the pen. Just pick up the damn thing and write. Write about everything. Write about nothing at all (it worked for Seinfeld). Write about what chills you to the bone. About what breaks your heart. About what makes you laugh out loud. About regrets (are they still keeping that interpreter position at the […]
When ‘Sensitive’ Kids Grow Up: Curse to Blessing
I was that kid. You know, the one who watched and listened and stayed inside her head? I paid attention to things that shouldn’t have been on a 10-year-old’s worry list but were. The sensitive child. I fretted that the Russians would drop the atomic bomb and destroy all life on the planet, including our […]
Celebrating Readers, Writers and Late Bloomers
You may have been writing forever. It’s possible that you can’t even remember when you started. Or, like me (and the main character in that delightful children’s book), you might be a Leo the Late Bloomer. Maybe you were so curious about the world that you had a hard time deciding what you wanted […]
Writers and Risk Taking: My Role Models of the Week
One of the most heartwarming discussions I have ever had on this blog was when I asked, “Is writing with vulnerability a sign of low self-concept?” The comments from my readers were full of wisdom and insights. I especially liked the way Shakira Dawud of DeliberateInk.com linked vulnerability and risk taking to humility. She said: “When […]