BOOKS THAT SHAPE YOUR LIFE

The books that you loved and treasured growing up, shaped the adult life you now lead.  The characters and stories influenced the directions you headed in and who you associated with.  I studied in NYC because of reading Lily Brett's Just Like That.  I realized men and women were very different after experiencing Anna Karenina.  I travelled to Europe after consuming The Book Thief and City of Thieves.  I am a big backer of the underdog after To Kill A Mockingbird, Came Back To Show You I could Fly, So Much To Tell You and The Collected Works of TS Spivet moved me beyond belief.

What books have shaped your life?

LET PAINTING INSPIRE YOU

If you get stuck writing and feel you may be experiencing writer's block, look up some art.  Sit with a painting and figure out the story behind it.  Then let that information bleed back into your story in some way.  This is a great device to jump start the subconscious brain.  Plus it's a great procrastination tool and you get to look at cool pictures.  To stop the procrastination going into an all out art gallery experience, only allow yourself one viewing.  Then go straight back to your writing.  

BEGINNER'S NOVEL WRITING IN THE VALLEY

I'm also teaching my infamous novel writing class in the Valley this Summer.  Check out LA Creative Studios Website to sign up fast.

LA CREATIVE WORKSHOPS IN THE VALLEY

BEGINNER'S NOVEL WRITING CLASS - SIGN UP FAST

My much anticipated beginner's novel writing class will start its next session May 31st.  Running for 10 weeks in Echo Park, you will write your very first novel from start to finish.  All writing levels are welcomed and no experience is necessary.  This class will produce a novel out of even the most dubious participant!  Fun, challenging, inspiring and life changing, you will achieve what most would-be writers never do - you will complete a novel.  

Email fast to reserve your spot.  Class sizes are kept extremely small for personalized attention.  Cost $475

INSPIRATION BOARDS

One of the most fun (but be careful - it can turn into procrastination) tools to use when writing a novel, is the infamous inspiration board.  Cut out images of anything that floats your boat and then see if you can put all those elements in your book.  Sometimes having strange goals like crafting a fluffy grey bunny or an exotic fruit from Fiji into your novel can be thrilling and strangely helpful.  Try it, I dare you!

SUPPORT DARLING MAGAZINE

One of the best women's mags to ever be invented, Darling Magazine is everything you've wished for.  It's a mag that makes women feel good, empowered, supported and inspired.  These are the kind of stories and messages women need to be sharing, not the latest diet fads and surgical procedures.  Let's start reading Darling and learn to celebrate ourselves in whatever package we arrived in.  

If you'd like to pledge some cash to their kickstarter campaign for Darling's first ever print edition, hit the link below.  

DARLING MAGAZINE

WRITING WITH THE WAVES

I just returned from the most amazing retreat in Costa Rica.  While taking Qoya classes (dance yoga for women) with the amazing Rochelle Sheik, we talked about life being just like the ocean.  To go for a lovely swim, you have to navigate big waves, little waves, no waves and maybe, if you're super unlucky, a tsunami!  The ocean is always changing, just like life.  I love this analogy for writing too.  Some days you will be writing on a still ocean and inspiration will flow out easily.  Other days you will hit big waves that are tiring and seem impossible to swim past.  But as long as you know that's just the ebb and flow of the ocean, you continue on.  So continue on and relax knowing it's all just part of the plan.