Getting Real
Dream Killers
What’s holding you back from pursuing your dreams? Fear of failure? Lack of direction? Passion without purpose? Defeat and envy? Disappointment in the process? Or the fact you don’t have the know-how to take the next leap towards your dreams? I’ve suffered from many of these dream killers at one time or another and at…
Resurrecting Your Dream Passion
Our dreams can be like a familiar childhood friend. They’re often something we’ve grown up with and treasured in our hearts since we were little, but for one reason or another we’ve drifted away from. We all go through seasons where our dreams need to be grounded so we can focus on other things in…
Take Chances, Make Mistakes, Get Messy!
Who can forget that beloved Ms. Frizzle who inspired her class to “take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!” All but play-it-safe Arnold loved Ms. Frizzle’s field trips that took them to places they’d never been before, often leading them into scary and unfamiliar territory. But oh the adventures they had! Even Arnold would end…
Interrupted by American Idol Auditions & Lessons Learned From The End of the Journey
This last week has been a whirlwind of excitement for my son and our family as we focused on his dreams instead of mine. American Idol auditions. It started with a simple press release I sent out last Monday with the hope that some local media would respond to the subject line: Local Teen Wins…
When You Just Don't Fit the Market
I’ve never felt like I fit. Growing up in the 70s and 80s on Long Island, New York, I didn’t know anyone whose parents (or grandparents) were divorced except mine. I didn’t know any other kids who had to visit their dad on the weekend instead of doing fun stuff with friends. And I didn’t…
How Do You Define Book Launch Sucess?
It’s been quiet over here because I’ve been busy with my other blog, Writer…Interrupted, and my book launch. To keep up with all my writing and book news, plus learn the craft of writing make sure you subscribe there. I blog at Writer…Interrupted every Friday and share my journey. One of these days I’d love…
5 Rules to Avoid Disappointments
It’s been a while since I got a rejection, (mainly because it’s been a while since I submitted something.) They used to hit me hard, and sometimes they still do, if I don’t follow the 5 rules to avoid disappointments I’ve learned the hard way over the years. This weekend I forgot the rules. I…
Writing Lessons from a Dream
I used to dream a lot! Vivid, storyline dreams that made complete sense…until I woke up. But lately those kind of dreams are rare. So when I had a dream about Donald Maass as my drama coach dancing with me ballroom style as I sang “Popular,” I had to laugh! Here’s why… I’m an impressionable…
Not Finaling in Genesis Doesn't Make You a Loser!
Earlier today, Katie Ganshert wrote that she never finaled in the Genesis contest, yet is contracted for two books with Waterbrook Multnomah for a book she entered twice. Her post made me think about my own contest journey and road to publication, and how there are many hurting nonfinalists out there today questioning their writing…
My Journey to Balancing My Dreams
I’ve been thinking a lot about my personal goals, my children’s dreams, and what I want my family to look like. Unfortunately, all three are often in conflict with one another at different times. I knew from a young age that I wanted to write and I’ve never doubted the calling, though I’ve struggled often…