When we are new to writing, and are in the process of preparing to find a publisher, or publish our own book, each of us has some unique challenges. Let’s assume we have done much in the way of the basics. We have taken courses, we understand how important …
With the advent of more people using social media daily, I am beginning to suspect this tool is not serving us in the way the designers intended. I became convinced we might use the internet to expand our horizons and the new people with whom we would connect, would prove …
THE BONES OF A STORY Course Description In this course we will examine the creation of a story from beginning to end, and will include an in-depth look at the basic starting point of the premise. We will then cover the following: the seven major bones of any story, …
Perfectionism, Procrastination and other annoying “P” words for writers of all kinds. Two phrases I most dislike are “Push through the fear and do it anyway.” and “Just do it.” Now I will grant you that many of us belong to the procrastinators club — whose motto is: “When faced with …
Women enjoy playing. We like humour, we like fun, we like being outrageous, but if we are not in the safest of situations, we worry about ‘appearances’. At a local women’s group, we recently had a young speaker who encouraged us to laugh, and the responses from the members were …
Inspiration for a writer comes from the every day, the unusual, the mundane, and the brilliant. This is why I belong to a writers’ group. They include some very inspiring people. At our meetings, discussions and retreats I have plumbed new depths of my own creativity. Best of all, I have begun …
Some time ago, I was in New Jersey volunteering at a seminar designed to teach trainers how to be leaders. I have had the pleasure of seeing first hand, some incredible examples of how people change. I am sure all of us have heard about the 80/20 rule. It is …
During a recent seminar, the topic of leadership was raised, and the discussion that followed was quite lively. Here are some of the thoughts and ideas that emerged from that discussion. What a leader is not. A leader is not your mom, taking care of all your needs and rushing to …
I write because I breathe. Writing is such a part of this incarnation of me, that I would sooner stop breathing than put down my pen or turn off my computer’s word processor. How I love that my muse never forsakes me. No matter where or when I am, ideas flood …
I think I am channelling Isaac Asimov. I have long been a great fan of science fiction, having grown up with Arthur Clarke, Douglas Adams, Poul Anderson, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, …. good grief, this list could go on forever. Each and every author gave me …