Monthly Archives: October 2014
The lost art of fun
Posted on October 31, 2014 Leave a Comment
When’s the last time you had fun? What is your definition of fun? If you’re my mom, your definition of fun includes cleaning the house, which is just messed up beyond all get-out. Cleaning is not fun. Necessary, sure. Satisfying to some? Okay. Fun? No. Not in any universe. Mom also likes Sudoku, which qualifies […]
Midweek Writing Prompt: Plugged In (10/29/14)
Posted on October 29, 2014 Leave a Comment
In my classrooms and workshops, I strive to create safe, welcoming writing communities where individuals feel free to explore ideas, stories, and concepts without judgment. After all, we need those spaces to get started. The judgment – of editors, professors, critical friends – will come later. But in the beginning, we need that soft, friendly […]
Join me for an Advanced Memoir Workshop this January!
Posted on October 28, 2014 Leave a Comment
Fellow writers! If you are working on a memoir-in-progress and want some feedback as well as some inspiration, please consider joining me for an Advanced Memoir Workshop this January in New Jersey. I know, the Jersey Shore in JANUARY?! Yes. The Stockton Seaview Inn is beautiful, spacious, and warm with terrific service and good food. […]
Words don’t bleed; cut them
Posted on October 27, 2014 Leave a Comment
Tap, tap, tap. Click, click. {Save as: My Brilliant Masterpiece in Progress}. Print. Hold. Beam. {Send to: Writing Group That Keeps Me in Check}. Wait. Fret. Wait. Phone notification: {re: My Brilliant Masterpiece in Progress.}. Open. Read. Frown. ——————————————————————— If this writing/sharing/response process rings true (and you know who you are), then you are a […]
Pay yourself first
Posted on October 24, 2014 Leave a Comment
When you work for yourself, it is vital to pay yourself first – with money. When the money comes in, it flows to you (to your savings account, your investment account, your retirement account) first. Before the bills claim anything, you must pay yourself first. Freelancers, take note. Pay yourself first even if it means […]
Midweek Writing Prompt: The Story of a Name (10/22/14)
Posted on October 22, 2014 Leave a Comment
In my classrooms and workshops, I strive to create safe, welcoming writing communities where individuals feel free to explore ideas, stories, and concepts without judgment. After all, we need those spaces to get started. The judgment – of editors, professors, critical friends – will come later. But in the beginning, we need that soft, friendly […]
The moment(s) to celebrate
Posted on October 20, 2014 Leave a Comment
When you write to publish, the impulse might be to celebrate the moment of publication. That’s certainly the moment your family and friends celebrate because they can SEE your writing in print or online. Tangible evidence that all those months of mysteriousnous when you said you were “working” finally has something to show for it. […]
Write a killer job application letter
Posted on October 17, 2014 Leave a Comment
Job letters – or the cover letters attached to your resume or CV – are your first impression with a potential employer. If it isn’t clear, specific, and well-written (read that – no spelling, punctuation, or other sentence-level mistakes), you won’t get a call. In fact, if the letter doesn’t kill the employer’s doubt, she […]
Amanda Morris, Ph.D. 