What Does Delphie Burn for?

My main character’s diary entry What if I hadn’t been raised here? What if I’d been born outside the walls, where I’m free. Free to let my hair down, stop smiling like a fool. And stop this anxiety ridden, vigilance to be perfect, a programmed person, a completely different unauthentic version of me. Whatever meContinue reading “What Does Delphie Burn for?”

Frozen in the Ground and in Life

But not in heart and mind The ground was hard and unforgiving. Arthur tracked snow prints up the hill beside another smaller pair, and he knew he’d soon find out if she — Catherine — were here. His stomach fluttered between lightness and heaviness. He didn’t know what to do with his hands. They were freezing, so he slipped themContinue reading Frozen in the Ground and in Life

Stop Agonizing Over Your Recent Submission

Instead, move on with four writing ideas for inspiration After submitting a short story, I tell myself to move on. Go on, get moving and start working on a new writing project. To find new inspiration and get my mind off analyzing the piece I submitted, agonizing over the outcome — accepted or rejected forContinue reading “Stop Agonizing Over Your Recent Submission

Overcome the Overwhelming Sink or Swim Feeling at Your Job

Overwhelm at work can vary. Sometimes, your boss quits without notice — my particular true story. Or you were hired a month ago, and your co-worker is leaving. That means you’ll be in charge now. And by the way, compensation, what’s that? Or how about being overwhelmed while I’m writing a post about overwhelm. AllContinue reading “Overcome the Overwhelming Sink or Swim Feeling at Your Job”

Find Career Direction in Your Passion and Feel Better

What do you want to be when you grow up? This question has been asked of many people. It’s one I’ve thought about many times as a young girl, a woman, and after settling on a career. It’s a question where I wished, I had a magic crystal ball, tarot cards, or any idea ofContinue reading “Find Career Direction in Your Passion and Feel Better”

If Burnout’s Fatigue is Pulling You Under, Consider These Two Tips

m at the bottom of a pool. Cement bricks poured around my ankles and feet. A straight jacket pulling tighter and tighter around my torso. Securing my arms into my chest until they feel like one and the same. Holding my breath and seeing legs above me. My struggle becomes frantic, erratic, and fruitless. MyContinue reading “If Burnout’s Fatigue is Pulling You Under, Consider These Two Tips”

One Way to Assess the Conflict Within Your Work in Progress

Cheryl St. John, the author of Writing with Emotion, Tension, and Conflict(Writers Digest Books, 2013), writes, “You can’t write a book and then go back later and try to add conflict.” Weak conflict is one way to have a manuscript rejected, St. John explains. Her advice makes sense. That’s why I often use St. John’s book toContinue reading “One Way to Assess the Conflict Within Your Work in Progress”