“Good is not how skillfully you do something you were taught, but rather discovering something in you that is totally new, unexpected, surprising, and satisfyingly right.” — Rachel Rosenthal Trying to be good only gets in the way. If we want to be surprised in our writing, we are better off just playing. Play is integral… [Read More]
How to get out of writing jail.
Many years ago, I was trying really, really hard to write my second book. My first book had taken me 10 years to write, and then, unexpectedly, it was accepted by a publisher and selected for a prestigious literary prize. This experience changed the course of my professional life and career. I worked really hard… [Read More]
Enjoyment vs. pleasure.
If you feel safe in the area that you are working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you are capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching… [Read More]
Writers are magicians.
I’m watching season three of The Magicians. I’m glad I stayed with it. The show has hit its stride. The writing is great. It’s sweet and dark, ultimately all about trauma. In this latest arc, conversations about meeting the shadow and coping with grief are beautifully brought home. Quick primer if the show is new… [Read More]
Resource your state of wonder
Writing asks us to cultivate wonder. That state of mind that allows us to approach the unknown with curiosity and awe. In wonder, we become open, present, more susceptible to being astonished. I’ve been teaching about this all month, and today I want to affirm: Writers need to nourish our own curiosity. We can learn… [Read More]
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