We can all agree that being a writer is more complicated than it used to be. Back in the days before the internet was a thing, being a working writer essentially meant that you submitted your articles to magazines and wrote books for publishers. There were other outlets, of course, but this was the bread … Read more
In the classic 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, we meet Dorothy, a teenage girl who dreams of a life “somewhere over the rainbow.” She’s stuck in a drab, sepia-toned farm in Kansas and wants nothing more than to run away and experience a more exciting life. But when she is swept away to Oz … Read more
You were born with a gift. You can think of it as a beautiful white pearl. This gift, this pearl, is meant to be shared with the world. As a child, you were excited to share your gift with others. But over the years, as you accumulate disappointments, rejection, and hurts, your pearl becomes dark … Read more
If we could give our modern age a name, it might be called, “The Age of Hurry.” A hundred years ago, no one could have imagined the pace of life today. Commerce and communication can happen instantaneously around the world. And when you look at your task list, you have messages to answer, deadlines to … Read more
Welcome again to my monthly business update. As usual, I will focus on three areas: ghostwriting, The Daily Writer, and personal updates. Ghostwriting Here are three important lessons I’m learning: You probably need to raise your prices. Clients are not mainly concerned about your writing ability. Having the right connections makes a huge difference. The … Read more
When you are writing straightforward how-to content, or perhaps writing for clients, it’s fairly easy to put your mind in third gear and follow a standard writing formula. But what happens when you are writing about highly emotional or sensitive topics? How can you communicate effectively but also do it in a way that honors … Read more
In the Hero’s Journey storytelling template, we begin with the main character. He or she exists in what is called the “ordinary world.” The ordinary world is Luke Skywalker on Tatooine, Dorothy in Kansas, Frodo in the Shire, Michael Corleone before he gets wrapped up in the family business, and a thousand other examples from … Read more
Have you ever had this experience? You just finished a writing project that is important to you. It might be creating a blog post, writing a book, getting a cover design, getting a new client, or something else. You’re sitting with someone you admire over dinner and mention that you completed it. You show them … Read more
Think back to your high school years. Like most of us, you probably knew a kid in high school who was supremely gifted. His or her natural talent was head and shoulders above the rest. They might have even been voted “most likely to succeed” or “most talented.” Everyone fawned over their natural talent. Everyone … Read more
One of the most interesting characters in literature is the unreliable narrator. This character might be delusional, a liar, or is simply prone to exaggeration. Or, they might not have a firm grasp on reality because of their personality or mental state. The unreliable narrator is so effective as a storytelling device because you don’t … Read more