Tomorrow is an exciting day for me; I am going to a writing retreat in the Hamptons. Am I going to lounge on a private beach? Yes. Am I going to look for Beyonce everywhere? Absolutely. Am I going to work on revising my latest novel? Nope. I am going to pause here until the…
Write about an unusual scent. Tell a story about a silent world. Go to an art museum, and write a story about the first painting you see. Create a character about the fifth person you see on the street. Read the dialogue from your latest piece out loud. Write a romance with an ending that…
I heard a (true) story of a guy who wanted to be a writer. More than anything. It was his dream to see his work in print, but he was scared to show it to barely anyone. Those few people that he did entrust with his book didn't receive it over email. Oh no, someone…
1. Get a cone from an ice cream truck. 2. Listen to songs from your childhood. 3. Blow bubbles. 4. Stare at clouds while you lie in a grassy field. 5. Read a picture book. 6. Draw a monster on the sidewalk with chalk. 7. Go to the pool, and get a soda from a vending…
There is only one book on this planet that captures that lazy, magical feeling of summer in your childhood. If you want to experience hardcore nostalgia, pick up Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine. Seriously, there isn't anything on earth that feels this much like summer to me. Not even the ice cream truck or LFO's "Summer Girls"…
It was a typical Friday night. I had just gotten back from visiting an Amazon bookstore and a local hot dog place (both of which were extremely overrated and overhyped) with my husband and best friend. Instead of watching another Bravo show, we decided to watch Set It Up. Well, it turns out an upsell…
I was so, so lucky to get interviewed on Valerie Howard's Brand Ambition podcast. We chatted about how you can incorporate writing into your everyday life and what type of book is the best for your brand. We may also have started talking about our favorite trashy reality shows. If you want to check out…
It was sticky, swampy hot in a way that only D.C. can be during the summer months. (I am sorry, but unless if you are from New Orleans, you've got nothing on our humidity.) It was the kind of weather where people retreat into the air conditioning to eat salads and read books that only…
Right now. For once, I am not joking. But what if you are only halfway done? Or you haven't even started yet? Still book an editor right now. Why? 1. You will get your book done. I would never have gotten my last book done if I didn't hire an editor. There is nothing like a…
I am frequently asked about how I got my writing voice for this blog. They tend to ask me how my voice is so different from all the other editors out there or how do I make it so funny and conversational. In particular, people ask how I squeeze so many pop culture references in…