August 18th, 2022 The most common thing said about my books comes across as backhanded, but I’ve come to realize it aligns with what I want to do as a writer so completely. The song goes: “I am not a big reader, but I really liked your book.” Usually followed by the encore of: “IContinue reading “Accessible Excellence”
Tag Archives: Growth
We Will Meet As Strangers
August 13th, 2022 You read the words again. You’re young and you fall in love with the story, the first and last time you will fall in love. The plot thrills, the characters sing, the words pierce and they cut and they dig and find a place in your soul, creating a permanent home there.Continue reading “We Will Meet As Strangers”
No Judgement
August 11th, 2022 “Most of the things we love are the things that embarrass us,” wrote Helena Fitzgerald. It is terribly true, and I would add: the things we love THE MOST are the things that embarrass us, and the things that embarrass us tell us the most about ourselves and each other. I likeContinue reading “No Judgement”
A Kind Word & A Friendly Face
August 8th, 2022 “All they need is a kind word and a friendly face.” Kindness is like a thumb on a knot. I had a really insecure week. Not that the week wasn’t sure of what it was, but I’m not. I’ve just felt out of place and out of sorts, not myself, wobbly onContinue reading “A Kind Word & A Friendly Face”
Everyone as Puzzles
August 5th, 2022 A life’s journey is puzzling. I’ve made that idea near-literal. When you’re in recovery and an open book, people love to ask you about the ugliest parts of your story. “So what was your rock bottom?” I have never been fully comfortable with that phrase, at least when it comes to howContinue reading “Everyone as Puzzles”
What’s in a number?
August 2nd, 2022 Today, a friend asked me a great, big question: why? And how? Why am I a writer? How did I know I was a writer? Why and how am I the person that I am? And being put on the spot is wonderful, because you don’t know what you’re going to say,Continue reading “What’s in a number?”
The Best of the Worst
August 1st, 2022 This is your semi-annual reminder that my posts are personal opinions made by a very, very flawed person with little-to-no common sense. It can be hard for us, especially once we designate something or someone as “good” or “bad,” to remember that everything is actually somewhere in the middle. This feels especiallyContinue reading “The Best of the Worst”
wEiRd
July 25th, 2022 I have an obsession with the word “weird.” It’s not one of those inexplicable things. I know why. The ASL sign for the word “weird” is to take the letter W and crawl it across your face horizontally. Go ahead, try it. I’ll wait. You look incredibly silly but I love it.Continue reading “wEiRd”
Negative Space
July 24th, 2022 Criticism isn’t fun. It can be helpful, though. But it’s also stupid and people should mind their own business. I had to understand why I felt this way. And I realized it wasn’t about criticism. It was, as the whole universe is, about balance. People talk shit. It’s just a fact ofContinue reading “Negative Space”
Introduction v.2022
July 20th, 2022 How does a person get another person to like them the first time they meet? That’s what required of us when we write these stupid distillations of ourselves. If you hate me two sentences in, then I lose you. Definitely for the moment, most likely for today, and possibly forever. No pressure.Continue reading “Introduction v.2022”
The Den 