I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest childhood memories is of me, sitting at a desk in my third-grade classroom, flipping through a hardcover encyclopedia for the letter ‘S,’ because I wanted to research the sun for a short story I was working on. I’d even asked my teacher, Mrs. Engle, to let me stay inside during recess so I could work. Despite the … [Read more...]
Work, Purpose, and Success Don’t Have to Be Linked
Is it society? How we were collectively raised? What’s portrayed in the movies and TV? I’m talking about the pressure we often put on ourselves to make money and find success in whatever way we can. This pressure often means we put the things that light us up or bring us joy to the wayside. Maybe it’s the age I’m at now, or the fact that I lost a job I loved due to the devastating cuts to … [Read more...]
My Path to Becoming a Published Author
When I was eight years old, I told everyone I met what I wanted to be when I grew up: an author. Thirty-three years later, that dream finally came true. It wasn’t the path I expected - but, really, when is the path ever what we expect? *** Oops & Daisies contains affiliate links & participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program & other affiliate programs. If you buy … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Facing the Blank Page
So you want to write, but you're unsure of where to start. Or, perhaps you're worried that whatever you write won't be as good as it sounds in your head? Facing the blank page can be hard. Getting started can be hard. Finding the right words can be hard. But there are ways to trick yourself into defeating the blank page and getting started with a story idea, or a blog post, or whatever else it is … [Read more...]
Creative Writing: Why I Welcome Criticism
I write every day, clicking away at my keyboard. This is, naturally, a solitary activity, unless you count the dog who usually cuddles by my side or my kids who are often upstairs for quiet time (when they’re not asking me for a snack for the millionth time). Sometimes I’ll join my writing group, particularly during Nanowrimo, for a write-in, where we focus on getting words onto paper. Even then, … [Read more...]
