I "grew up" as a writer in the era of NO BACKSTORY ALLOWED.  I was given examples of stories and books that had zero backstory an...

I've long admired the novelist Alexander Chee, not just for his writing, but for his approach to writing.  It's sensible, it works,...

You've been working hard on your manuscript and it feels in reasonable shape.  Plus, you're reading articles and books about writ...

Everyone faces the Inner Critic, no matter how experienced they are.  Professional writers, even those who have published widely and won ...

Many writers I talk with are masters at procrastination, yet they manage to complete and publish books regularly.  What's   that   ab...

I'm always fascinated with how debut authors make it into print.  And I know and respect Chris Mackenzie Jones from my years of teach...

This week, I've been studying a page from the book-structure chart used by mega-successful author, J.K. Rowling, for her Harry Potter...

Two of my students/clients have just published memoirs this month.  Both have compelling--and difficult--stories to tell. The process of ...

Several clients have emailed me lately, asking how to deal with the flood of emotions that comes with writing memoir.  "Memories bri...

For my birthday this month, I got an anniversary copy of  A Wrinkle in Time.  It has been a LONG time since I read that book, but I loved...