Notes From the Toolbox
I Might Be Virginia Woolf— Part 1
Remember the memoir?— I’m Not Nora Ephron, But I Might Be Virginia Woolf and Other Mortifying Tales of Writing. If not, you can get caught up by reading I’m Not Nora Ephron- Part 1 & Part 2, and then, come back. Please. It is my fondest wish— this desire for your...
I’LL HAVE WHAT MIRANDA LAMBERT IS HAVING
I promise: this post turns out happier than it starts… The world is going to hell in a handbasket, and it’s taking all the energy I have to keep myself from diving in head first. I wrote this to a friend last week, hit send, and immediately wanted to take it back. I’d...
Writing Towards Victory!
Little commitments keep me productive. My newest practice is the ringing of chimes for the beginning and end of each writing week. The tinkle of the Sunday chimes are light and breezy; their joyful hope ramps up my eagerness to get to the page and grow as a writer....
I’m Not Nora Ephron— Part 2
Jump Back to my dental office days. Doc used to share jokes and stories about his life. One of his favorites was the time his youngest daughter, who was in elementary school, prepared her first “how to” speech. Her topic— How to Wash an Elephant. She planned it out....
I’ve Been Kidnapped by Chuck Palahniuk
I can't stop talking about Chuck Palahniuk's new book: Consider This: Moments In My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different. Unable to contain my excitement, I created a promotional video for Instagram, which you might’ve seen. I’ve watched my copy at least...
The Battle for Creativity
In dreamland, I meet up with two female writers. We cross what looks like an oversized patio, or the large entranceway to the Sky Train in Bangkok, where photographers gather to shoot photos or films. We cross the patio and enter an open-air café. The topic of...
Historical Fiction Rocks!
From the time I started reading, I read across all genres— except historical fiction. Historical fiction made me look the other way, reach for a mystery, a thriller, a romance— anything to make me forget all the summers my father dragged me to Civil War battlegrounds...
The Patchouli Factor
During my teens, twenties and thirties, I believed perfumes began and ended with patchouli. All other scents made me gag or crinkle my nose. I wanted to be a Chanel No. 5 Girl because I longed to become a woman as gutsy and groundbreaking as Coco Chanel, or the Girl...
The Bake Test for Writers
Rewriting and revision is a comfortable place for me as a writer because, once upon a time— I love saying “once upon a time”— I was an actress. My favorite part of acting was rehearsal. Performing was fun, especially when the cast turned into a harmonious ensemble,...
My Month with Nora
Here’s how it started. My intention was to go to Inquiring Minds— the local bookstore— to order a couple books that will launch later this year and snag a book for a friend. I walked through the door and there she was— Nora Ephron. No flash or flurry. Just Nora with...