Nothing is more toxic to the soul than comparison. Glancing at the biographies of established writers, I feel myself infected with that familiar poison: by the time she was my age, Jodi Picoult was already married with children, had published several books, worked as a creative writing instructor at a private academy and English teacher … Continue reading
It’s good to finally take yourself seriously as a writer but-as you find markets for your work- you must not forget the simple joy of making art. In my experience, the best writing is done in a spirit of fun without the expectation of a client or reader. The pieces I hold dearest were written on … Continue reading
William Zinsser, author of perennial classic “On Writing Well,” once argued the “mere serviceable is a drag.” Despite what stuffy academics and the literati might say, I completely agree: the primary goal of writing is entertainment. “What?” you might scoff in disbelief, “what about the nobler goals of information and persuasion, guidance and enlightenment?” Yes, as … Continue reading
The Blank-Faced Confidante 