You know what breaks my heart? When I follow up with someone who told me they want to write a book, but they still haven't made any progress. And it's over a year later. These are usually people who want to work with me but tell me they will "next quarter" or "they aren't ready…
I am not ashamed to admit it: I love Hallmark Christmas movies. What's not to love about a wholesome story that will make you smile? Sure, sometimes I watch them ironically, but I often watch them with genuine enjoyment. It feels so nice to not be cynical for once. However, there is a major thing…
Last weekend I saw one of the best movies I've seen all year: Knives Out. Seriously, go see it. But finish this email. There are no spoilers. I promise. What blew me away about the movie is not a single thing is wasted. Every line has significance for the overall plot. Every action has a purpose.…
As a child, Andrew Lloyd Webber was my jam. As in, when my computer teacher asked us to make a PowerPoint presentation, I did mine on him. Instead of presenting on OutKast or Dave Matthews Band like a normal person. I remember as a kid pulling on my dad's flaking earphones (that engulfed my head)…
Once upon a time, my little Corgi thought she couldn't jump on the bed. This was because we moved to a house with hardwood floors from our carpeted apartment. As a result, her legs would slip as she tried to get up, and she couldn't do it anymore. So we got a rug. At first,…
I went to Nantucket this past weekend, and it was pretty magical. No, I didn't see a giant white whale or see Emily Gilmore at the Whaling Museum. (Even though that would have been amazing.) I was doing something that I should be doing all the time: I was paying attention. I noticed that the…
You can't fail. No, really. You can't. Even if you don't sell a single book. Even if you get tons of bad reviews. Even if not a single soul reads it. Are those ideal results? Of course not. But it doesn't mean you failed. You see, the act of writing is a reward in itself.…
This weekend I saw the best movie of the year: Blinded by the Light. No, I am not just saying that because I am a huge Bruce super fan (but it doesn't hurt). I haven't seen a movie that was this beautiful, funny, exuberant, or moving in a long time. As you know, I love…
I am not going to lie to you; on Friday, I absolutely did not want to write. I had the kind of dread usually reserved for waiting at the MVA or watching children's television shows when babysitting. It would have been so easy to just blow it off and watch Four Weddings and a Funeral on…
Do you want to know how I know someone will never finish her book? She tells me, "I am going to write it next quarter."Or"I will write when I have more time."Or"I am not ready quite yet."Or"I will write when the stars perfectly aligned."Whenever people tell me these things, I follow up with them throughout the…