Hi Reader! At last, the 10 Year Anniversary Edition of The Writer' Process is published! I am really proud of this update—it takes everything I loved from the first book and makes it stronger. Revising it was a ton of fun. What's new: New research into creative and flow Advice/guidance on integrating AI in the writing process without losing your writing soul or voice New experiments to try in your writing life A perspective enriched by ten years of coaching, teaching, and of course writing...
13 days ago • 1 min read
A new writing experiment, and a book preorder! Dear Reader, The next edition of The Writer's Process releases next week, and it's been quite a journey getting here. If you want a print copy, wait for next week. You can preorder the ebook today. (See the post below for links.) You'll hear more from me about that. But first, here's a writing exercise that I've done most mornings lately and really enjoyed. Yes, even during book pre-launch activities! It's inspired by a story Ray Bradbury's Zen...
20 days ago • 1 min read
A simple test for using AI, and a book about beliefs Hi Reader, This week's post is about writing and AI. If you are in the "never mention writing and AI in the same sentence" camp, I hear you and respect your decision. Skip below the post to the book give-away for April—I think you'll like it. For everyone else, here goes. The AI Transparency Test I have tried to sit on the sidelines, to avoid the AI and writing debates as I firmed up my own opinions. But questions about writing and AI are...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
The April writing exercise and launch team invitation Hi Reader, Happy first day of April! The world feels so upside-down lately (AI-generated books???) that April Fool's pranks seem unnecessary and potentially cruel. So let's just welcome the new month with a fresh energy. Fun, yes. No fooling. How's your writing going? Mine has shifted from the deep work of writing and revising a book to the wide-ranging work behind supporting a book launch: drafting blog posts, emails, instructor guides,...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
A book give-away, energy, and endnotes Hello Reader, How's your writing energy holding up in these crazy, uncertain days of March? Even the weather in March is predictably unpredictable. So, let's lean into writing and telling stories. The book give-away: How to Tell a Story The March book may inspire your inner storyteller. It's How to Tell at Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from the Moth. It's a terrific guide to oral storytelling, and many of its practices apply to...
2 months ago • 1 min read
March Writing Practices Hi Reader, De-humanizing language is all around us. And that troubles me deeply. This month's writing experiment is about pulling strongly in the other direction—adding people back into the words. Against my usual tendency, I'm going to advise you to use more rather than fewer words when writing about people. If you try it. I'd love to know what you think. An experiment in re-humanizing language Categories have a cost. When groups of people become an abstract category,...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Writing advice and a book give-away Hi Reader, Before we get to the book give-away and writing advice, we need to talk about the book ecosystem. Specifically, Amazon. I have a mixed relationship with Amazon. As an indie author, a majority of my sales come from Amazon. I try to support the broader book ecosystem, distributing my books widely, but it's harder to make a dent with nonfiction books outside of Amazon, and getting into physical retailers is difficult. So, I need to sell books on...
3 months ago • 2 min read
A writing experiment, a workshop, and an update to The Writer's Process Hi Reader, If you're in any part of the U.S. that has been buried in snow and frozen in subzero temperatures, I hope this email warms you. Times are tricky indeed—which makes it more important that we write for ourselves and others. I've read many moving, personal stories of experiences with ICE and with ice this winter. Here are three things that might help: February's writing experiment, useful for anyone having trouble...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, As I type this, a dozen cedar waxwings perch on the bare branches of the plum tree outside my window. I'll take that as a good sign. Reading the news is difficult these days, but looking out the window almost always delivers. Books are another great escape during turbulent times. I've just finished a couple memoirs by great writers: Joyride by Susan Orlean and Working by Robert Caro. Those writers' stories inspired this week's post. Because the post is short, you can read the...
4 months ago • 2 min read