The Writer's Life
Blog
business, personal finance, and joy.
Learn about
The Gift of Dreaming Big
Now is the perfect moment to unwrap the gift of boundless ambition.
Tackle Writing Deadlines from Anywhere in the World
After two years of working together in Zoom-land, I get to work in person, in Spanish plazas, with my developer, Rafa.
Discover the game-changing tool that travels with me.
Will AI Take Over Freelance Writing?
What does AI mean for the future of creative writing? I decided to ask it.
How I Finished My Novel … 10 Years Later
Ten years of writing, re-starting and editing, and then it happened last week: I finally finished my novel’s Sh*tty First Draft™️.
The Best Thing I Read This Week
I have a list of general questions I start with in most interviews, but often just let my curiosity lead me. This NYT opinion piece added so many more to my list.
Can Your Writing do These 3 Things?
What we can learn from words that make us uncomfortable.
Writing on Vacation
When I take any type of vacation, I try to leave all the “shoulds” of my writing life behind. Then the biggest question is, “Should I write at all on vacation?”
Pitch, Please!
Your writer senses tell you “Hey, this could be a story.” But wait! There are steps to getting your idea actually accepted.
I Hate Pitching (But I Want Fancy Bylines)
If we want those fancy bylines, we have to get past the pitch.
Put the Spirit of Summer in Your Writing
How often do you write something just for the joy of writing?
How to Get Your Writing Joy Back
Take your writing life from striving to thriving with the ultimate life hack: remembering we’re all going to die anyway.
What Does a Writers Trip to NYC Mean for My Wallet?
I did the math. Here’s a total breakdown of my business trip expenses.
Beat the Summer Writing Slump
We don’t want to look back in the fall and think, “Bleh, I have to start all over again!” Inertia is a b-word.
Is Being a Writer Bad for Your Health?
Writing can be a solitary activity, so having a community of fellow writers to celebrate with and commiserate with has been incredibly rewarding.
Have You Ever Considered Writing Satire?
Writing parody and satire is so fun, so refreshing, I think more writers would do it if they felt permission.
Do You Know How to Drive This Tank?
It took me three attempts to learn to use Scrivener, what is now my favorite drafting software.
Why I Visit New York City Once a Year (Instead of Living There)
I highly respect the hustle, but it’s not for me.
Die, Procrastination!
There is just something magical about starting your writing with a short mindfulness practice.
Facing the Beast
If you’ve taken time off from writing, it’s never as simple as just sitting down to write.
Here’s how to get back in the seat and back to business.
Julia Cameron Taught Me to Pray
In my spiritual life, an attempt at still openness has been central. I never prayed into that openness, until my conversation with Julia Cameron.
The Solution You Haven’t Tried…Yet.
What could happen if you committed yourself to asking, and asking everyone, until you found what you were looking for?