The 3 ways I write.

by | Jul 28, 2015 | Hustle

When I write, I start by creating an “honest draft.” That means I suspend that part of myself that is desperately thinking, “Will people like this? Will people like me? Will they be mad or happy with this sentence?” I struggle with wanting everyone on the planet to...

How to be a better writer, part 1.

by | Apr 9, 2015 | Skills

I spent four years in college studying journalism. I then spent 17 years as a full time, professional writer. I’ve written and published five books, but it wasn’t until this last one that I learned 3 important lessons about writing. (I was going to say, “lessons that...

The writer’s cabin is a myth.

by | Jan 28, 2015 | Hustle

Every writer secretly believes in the writer’s cabin. In our heads we see a small isolated cabin in a quiet patch of woods. There’s a porch with a swing out front. We sit on that when we need a break from all the amazing words we’ve written inside....

Pssst Writers! Quick book signing trick.

by | Oct 27, 2014 | Uncategorized

If you’re an author, and lots of you are, you are going to sign books. Here’s a trick my friend Robert D. Smith taught me. Always sign in blue sharpie, not black. Why? Well, the publisher can publish in black. Sometimes books are printed with a signature....