"There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you" - Zora Neale Hurston (Dust Tracks on a Road) In me, I’ve always felt there was something, a story, that wants to get out. Actually maybe more than one ‘something’. And definitely more than one story! No, this isn’t a scene from the 1979 … Continue reading Writing into the new year with my old themes
Four years ago, I completed an online memoir writing course where my coach urged us to drop writing prompts and exercises like morning pages. Instead, we should focus on intentional (purposeful) writing each time we put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. At about the same time, I learned what morning pages were (random, … Continue reading One writer’s return to writing morning pages
No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. And no, my blog title doesn't contain a typo. I really am 400 today! Or rather, this is now officially my 400th blog post! By sheer dogged perseverance, I've pushed myself hard to relentlessly churn one post after another since April 2019. My pace doubled in 2020 … Continue reading In the blink of an eye, I’m 400!
Last week, I wrote shamefacedly about C S Lewis, a writing hero of mine. Even though I never read any of his works all the way through. As shocking and embarrassing as that post was -- calling a writer my hero when I've never read his works cover to cover -- it can't beat today's … Continue reading My “Writing Heroes” #6 – Those I’ve Never Read (Part 2)!
Of late I’m finding it increasingly hard writing in a proper way. By "proper" I mean seated at a desk with my laptop in front of me and banging away at the keyboard merrily. Or doodling endlessly on my notepad while sitting in a comfortable arm chair. All the while, undisturbed. Why? Well for one … Continue reading “Writing on the go” is all about, well, writing on the go!
All of us go about our days wearing different hats as we transit from one role to another. When at work, we’re the power executive in tailor-made Armani suits. After work we change into our Lululemon sports gear for that weekly HIIT workout. Then afterwards, we’re home in our Alex Mill PJs tucking our kids … Continue reading Parenting motivations #11 — Am I still a stay-at-home dad? (Part 1)
Three weeks ago I started this podcast mini-series by introducing two categories of podcasts that inspire me to write. I then followed it up with another entry a week later about categories three and four. Today I'm going to share another category of inspiring podcasts. But before I do, I have to explain what motivates … Continue reading Podcasts that inspire me to write #3/4
When I think about a recent line I read, I can't help but pump a fist in the air and say a definitive YES! In the novel “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” (which was made into a film I recently reviewed), co-authors Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows had one of their … Continue reading How “flit-reading” among books inspired me to write
Woody Allen once said that "80% of success in life is showing up!" I believe he's right. This is why I'm showing up at my usual writing space now, sitting and waiting for inspiration to come-a-calling. So I can blog my next masterpiece. Right. The truth is, since taking a break from blogging in the … Continue reading Is “showing up” all it takes to be a writer? Not quite.
I'm probably going to regret publishing this. Oh well, as dame Doris Day once sang (yes I'm that old), "Que Sera Sera...Whatever will be will be". After all, the start of a brand new year is typically the time lots of people say lots of things right? Things that sound like resolutions. Or a promise … Continue reading This new year, I’m gonna lean into what scares me!
