A list of recommendations and a planning workshop Happy holidays, Reader! We're almost at the solstice, the holidays, the end of the year—all turning points and opportunities for reflection. And food. And reading! The holidays in my family are pretty much about books. My grandmother used to give us all books. Then my parents took up the mantel of book distributors. Now I sending books to my siblings, exchange them with my adult children, and buy them for my toddler grandson. (His love of...

December's Writing Voice exercise It's the last month of the year, Reader. What's in store for you? In this issue, you'll find: The December book give-away (about writing jokes) A writing voice exercise (about emotion, complete with holiday music) Advice on employing editors Let's get started. Written any good jokes lately? How about a fun book for the last month of the year? I'm giving away a copy of Elliott Kalan's brand-new book Joke Farming. And we're doing the drawing now (rather than...

What happens in the very beginning Hello Reader, Working on anything interesting? I'm cracking open The Writer's Process with the thought of revising it for its tenth anniversary next year. And once I opened it, of course I realized how much I want to add and refine. So, I'm at that daunting point of possibility. Want to come along for the ride? If that book has had an impact on you, I'd love to hear about it! I'll be assembling a few stories. December's book give-away If you're searching for...