The Las Vegas Strip with a snowy background. Self-Acceptance Plays an Important Role in Creativity Accepting my life as it is, not as I wished it to be, has been an important part of the process as I learn to revel in this creative skin I’m in. However, like everything else that is worthwhile, acceptance … Continue reading Living the Writing Life: Those Dreaded Supposed Tos
Creativity
An Artist Date: The Van Gogh Immersive Experience
It's Important To Take Yourself on Artist's Dates Since reading The Artist's Way I have made a point of having artist's dates. According to Julia Cameron's website, "The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you...Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art … Continue reading An Artist Date: The Van Gogh Immersive Experience
When I Nearly Gave Up Writing For Good
Rediscovering My Connection To Writing A few days ago I was reading the wonderful website Writers in the Storm and I came across this post about the writing resolution that changed the writer’s attitude and ultimately changed her writing career. I nodded a lot as I read the piece because, although the specifics of my … Continue reading When I Nearly Gave Up Writing For Good
It’s Here: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction
I’m so happy that I can finally share my first nonfiction book—Painting the Past: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction—with everyone. Already, on its first day of release, Painting the Past has been named the #1 New Release in Authorship. Amazing. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen. I came up with … Continue reading It’s Here: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction
My Favorite Books About Writing
As I've been adding the finishing touches to my first nonfiction book about writing historical fiction, I've been thinking about the writing books that have inspired me over the years. There are too many to name in a short blog post, but here are a few I go back to again and again. Writing Down … Continue reading My Favorite Books About Writing
How To Start a Story
This is how I begin writing a historical story, or any kind of story, really. First, I notice when I have ideas that might become a story. The ability to recognize potential story ideas is a skill that most writers learn at one point or another. We all have random thoughts that float through our … Continue reading How To Start a Story
Advice On How To Be Happy From Robert Louis Stevenson
Finding Life Advice At Starbucks I was standing in Starbucks when I saw this list from author Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) hanging from the community board. I think his advice is as appropriate today as it was over a hundred years ago. I’ve been pretty busy lately, … Continue reading Advice On How To Be Happy From Robert Louis Stevenson
How to Live Like a Poet According to Jack Kerouac
Researching and Writing During a Busy Term I can verify that life as a PhD candidate is a lot of work. There are times when, after long days of researching, writing, and teaching courses at my university, I feel as if I'm lacking even one viable brain cell. I can walk into the supermarket for … Continue reading How to Live Like a Poet According to Jack Kerouac