creativity

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September 9, 2019

10 Things Non-Writers Don’t Understand About Writing

Non-writers often see the finished product, but writers live through the uncertainty, self-doubt, editing, rejection, and invisible work required to create it. To people outside the process, writing can look like a hobby, a side interest, or a simple act of putting words on a page. But writing teaches lessons that extend far beyond books and articles. It reveals how creativity works, why meaningful work feels difficult, and what it takes to persist when progress is invisible. Here are 10 things writers understand that many non-writers never fully see.

August 30, 2019

Why You Only Think Clearly After You Start Writing

Many people believe they need clarity before they begin writing. The opposite is usually true. Clarity often arrives because we write. Whether you're journaling, outlining an idea, working through a problem, or drafting an article, writing forces vague thoughts into concrete form. What feels confusing in your head often becomes understandable once it reaches the page. That's why so many writers continue writing even when nobody is reading. Writing isn't just communication. It's exploration.

August 21, 2019

What to Do When You Think Everything You Write Is Bad

You've been there. Maybe you're there now. Everything you write is horrible. Terrible. It's the horrible, terrible, no good, very bad writing (day). Welcome to the club. Stay awhile. While you're here, you should know something. Everything you write probably isn't that bad. And even if it is sort of bad, that's OK because good writing comes from bad writing.

August 16, 2019

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Write (Writer’s Block Fix)

Most writers eventually reach a point where they don’t know what to write, feel uninspired, or hit a creative block. Low levels of inspiration happen to everyone. The question is what you must do when writer's block arrives.

June 11, 2019

What Publishing Professionals Look For in Picture Books

What makes a picture book stand out to publishing professionals? Editors, agents, illustrators, and art directors all evaluate manuscripts through different lenses, yet certain qualities consistently rise to the top. To better understand what publishing professionals look for in picture books, I spoke with the teams behind Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader and What a Prickly Pear. Their insights offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at what helps a picture book move from manuscript to bookshelf.

April 30, 2019

Susan Schmid on Patience, Perseverance, and Publishing Children’s Books

It's a joy to have children's book author Susan Maupin Schmid by for an interview. Susan is the author of the 100 Dresses series from Random House, an avid seamstress, and a Mentor Mom for MOMSnext (a division of MOPS International). She considers her inner 10-year-old her greatest asset as a writer and mentor (except when said inner child wants to stay up late or play Animal Crossing).

April 15, 2019

Bonnie Clark on Literary Agents, Picture Books, and Traditional Publishing

Picture book author Bonnie Clark joined me to discuss her debut children's book, TASTE YOUR WORDS, working with literary agent Adria Goetz, balancing writing with parenting, overcoming rejection, and navigating the traditional publishing process. Whether you're pursuing traditional publishing or simply trying to finish your next manuscript, her journey offers valuable lessons on persistence, creativity, and long-term growth.

February 20, 2019

How to Create Work People Can’t Stop Talking About

Why do some books, products, businesses, and ideas spread naturally while others are forgotten? Usually, the answer comes down to two things: value and emotion. People share things that improve their lives. They remember things that make them feel something. When creative work accomplishes both, it becomes difficult to ignore.