In his book No Plot? No Problem! Chris Baty describes this exercise as the Magna Carta list. I call it books that make my heart hurt, and it’s a great way to determine which story elements from your favorite book
The Magna Carta Exercise
Summer Reading
Here are some recent reads I’ve really enjoyed, and I think you will too! My Goodreads page Cinder and Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer Winterhouse by Ben Guterson Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol The Wish Tree by Kyo
5 Craft Books I Recommend
There are so many craft books out there, all claiming to show you how to defeat writer’s block once and for all, or how to make time to write every day, or how to turn your first draft prose into
Around and About
Hello there! This is just a quick post to share where I’ve been on the internet so far this year. Publications: A revised portion of my extended critical thesis from my MFA at Spalding University was published as book reviews
Favorite Books of 2017
Nonfiction The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russel I read this book early in the year, while the bitter winter swarmed outside my windows, much the way it does now. It was a pleasure to read, bringing light, warmth,
My Favorite Books of 2016
2016 had some dark spots. But despite the turmoil, some wonderful work was released by authors and publishers who are showing up and doing good work. Someone asked me what my favorite book I read this year was, and I
Books That Make My Heart Hurt: How to Get Out of a Writing Slump and Figure out What You Should be Writing
It’s probably no secret that I’ve been in a bit of a writing slump lately. Something about the deadlines that came with my low-res MFA program, and the knowledge that when I met them someone would be there to read
The Books on My Bookshelves
Since I moved this summer and had to pack up, move, and unpack all of my books again, I thought I’d share with you what’s on my bookshelf!
Focus Part II: Bullet Journaling
Bullet journaling is a great way to keep a to-do list along with a calendar, and it provides multiple ways to plan for the long-term as well.
Hobbies that Inform or Improve my Writing
Notice: I did not say OTHER hobbies. Writing is no hobby. If you want other people to take your writing seriously, you have to take it seriously first. Writing is my job. It may not pay me very much right