New Project: Does It Look Like Her? Cover Reveal 🎊

Surprise! Time for a cover reveal of my new poetry collection, Does It Look Like Her? Also known as: my first self-published book project and a grand adventure.

Next week, my book will officially have a book birthday and be available for purchase (stay tuned for more details!), but I couldn’t wait any longer to share this first glimpse at my little first-born, self-published book baby.

For a few years now, I’ve loved teaching a university course about submitting work and publishing, getting to share my own knowledge as an indie and small-press-published writer and editor, but the one aspect of publishing I didn’t know a lot about was self-publishing. I previously had no firsthand experience with self-publishing a book through KDP, which was a shame because I’ve long been meaning to learn. #goodintentions  

When I started writing these narrative poems early last year, in the back of my mind, I thought, “Hmm, maybe this is the perfect time to learn a thing or two about self-publishing with one of my own manuscripts, so I can share with my students and friends.”

Fast forward a few months #lifeflies and a rollercoaster learning curve, and I finally nudged myself into gear and am so grateful I did. #stepbystep #perfecttiming   

If there’s anything you’ve been dreaming of doing or thinking about starting for a few years, begin here and now. This is your gentle nudge; you’ve got this first step.

My collection may not be perfection, but I gave it my all, and I can’t wait to share these poems about a painter, her son, and the artistic process!   

In Tune: Writing about Music in Fiction! 🎶

I’m crafting some exciting new projects for 2024, including a delightful 4-week online writing class at WOW! for February.

Introducing: IN TUNE: Writing About Music in Fiction!

If you’re looking to treat yourself to some writing motivation or looking for the perfect holiday or birthday gift for the writer in your life, look no further! This class will rock! 🤩🎸🥁

Course description:

“Fiction is filled with references to music: from high-school dances and music-school students, singers, music teachers and lessons, garage bands and musical instruments to records, rock concerts and folk/indie festivals and coffee-house performances, opera and musical-theatre performances, and so much more. Many of us spend our happiest hours with music in the forefront or background of our lives as soundtrack. There’s a type of music-inspired prose for as many musical genres as you enjoy.

Whether you’re writing a scene or story about a music practice, a novel with a musician or music fan as a protagonist, or just want to know more about how musical fiction works and/or add musical references, vivid characterizations of vocal performance, or music-centered scenes or references to your writing, this course will explore how music culture, sound, setting, POV, and more are portrayed within fiction to enhance and inspire your own rhythmic, compelling prose. Knowing how to read musical notes isn’t required for this class—just the desire and sincere appreciation for both music and literature and to add another tool to your literary toolkit.

Students will choose one novel with a musical plot to read independently, and the instructor will provide excerpts from music novels as well as handouts and a weekly writing assignment to get the muse melodically flowing! Join us for this new course that’s sure to strike a chord.”

To the great joy of writing and music! Sign-ups open now! Clickety-click: IN TUNE: Writing About Music in Fiction!

Inspiration Station: Quote & One Week in✍️

We’re officially about a week into 2023.

New Year’s Day (and January in general) can be a bit of a rollercoaster🎢—fresh starts and anticipation for the next months, yes, but also tinged with bittersweet memories of false starts from the past months and years.

So often at this time of the year, the expectation is for absolute change and immediate results, which can create a lot of pressure and self-judgment. It’s really easy to be hard on ourselves when we put in the work for a few days or weeks, and yet there feels like no forward momentum anywhere in sight.

So often we think setbacks only happen to us, when setbacks are normal, and annoying, unexpected obstructions are part of the journey for everyone. Much of life as an artist and as a sensitive person is unknown and out of our control; let’s gift ourselves kindness, a deep breath, and permission to adjust or detour as we need to.

Goals and dreams are allowed to evolve, stretch, and grow as we, too, grow. Just one teeny-tiny start in the direction of our writing and personal goals can set us up well, especially if we approach goals with flexibility and knowing there’ll be speed bumps. The path might not happen as we thought it would (I’m continually surprised), but it will still be meaningful and worthwhile to keep practicing our art and to keep striving.

Let’s keep our self-talk positive and supportive, as we would for a friend. I tend to forget this one, so I’m reminding myself here. 😁

For today, focus on just one slight step. Follow with another on another day. Onward! 🌞👍

Inspiration Station: Quote ✍️

I love me some motivational quotes, particularly if they have an artistic theme. This morning, I ran into this new-to-me quote by Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro.

While Pissarro’s focus is drawing, I think it applies equally well to writing, photography, and many other arts. Ahh, that magical moment when we realize we’ve created “‘something in its true character.’” Priceless!

Couldn’t resist sharing.

Blog Tour: "How to Self-Motivate" 💡

The next stop on the Blog Tour is an article I had the joy of writing for Mari L. McCarthy’s CreateWriteNow.

Today’s article is all about self-motivation in your writing life, a topic particularly apt during this hectic holiday season. Enjoy! Clickety-click.

Also check out Mari’s wonderful books, such as Mindset Medicine and Journaling Power, along with motivating courses, beautiful music, and inspiring journaling podcast and videos.