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…
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…
My best friend got married last weekend, and I have to say: her DJ was lit. Not only did he play Salt-N-Pepa twice, but his transitions were perfect. When Montell sang, "Let's flip the track, bring the old school back," Backstreet Boys' "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" started playing. Something equally genius happened when Miley Cyrus sang,…
I remember the first time it happened: I was sitting in my parents' computer room (yes, we call it that) in high school. I remember my mom coming to the door to ask me something, but I didn't hear her. Why? I wasn't there. Not really. Where was I? I was at Camelot High (for…
Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is try out one of these twenty challenges. I promise that it will help your writing. You can even go back and try some other challenges because it won't self-destruct. 1. Read a biography of your favorite author. 2. Book a trip to somewhere new. 3. Edit…
There is one piece of advice that I consistently give all my coaching clients. It's not sexy, and it's not exciting. But it works. What is it? Just keep writing.Does this really come up as an answer all the time? Let's see it in action.Q: Am I a terrible writer?A: Probably, but I am sure…
You want to know the most important thing authors forget to do when they sit in front of the computer to write? Breathe. Okay. You are probably wondering what the heck that has to do with writing. I mean, sure, breathing is important to surviving, which is kind of crucial for writing, but what does…