Monthly Archives: July 2023

Energetic, colorful writing with forward motion that carries readers along is exciting and engaging. But most of the time, vigorous writing doesn’t happen in a first draft — it’s the product of revision. It’s created and coaxed out through the … Continue reading →

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.” Martha Graham “If you hear a voice within you saying, ‘You are not a painter,’ then by all means paint…and that voice will be … Continue reading →

“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” Edmund Hillary “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to … Continue reading →

July Elizabeth Barrett Browning The little cares that fretted me,I lost them yesterdayAmong the fields above the sea,Among the winds at play;Among the lowing of the herds,The rustling of the trees,Among the singing of the birds,The humming of the bees. … Continue reading →

From Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-term Fulfillment by George Leonard: “…I began to see more than a casual relationship between learning and the willingness to be foolish, between the master and the fool. By fool, to be clear, … Continue reading →

The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life by Thomas M. Sterner highlights his powerful “DOC” technique: “’Do, Observe, Correct.’” This technique can be applied to any activity in which you try to engage the practicing mind, but … Continue reading →

Once upon a time…” Ah, now I’ve grabbed your attention! That’s what stories do: they capture us — and, if we do our job well, they entrance us. “Stories stick” – I love this phrase. I heard it on Dr. … Continue reading →

All that I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world.”  E.B. White Today, July 11, is E. B. White’s birthday—he was born in 1899. Known the world over for … Continue reading →

“You think rejection is bad—this is much worse… “It doesn’t feel good to be rejected. YOU GET REJECTED BY A LOVE INTEREST, BY A COLLEGE, YOUR BOOK GETS REJECTED, YOUR SCRIPT GETS REJECTED. “But there’s something that’s much, much worse … Continue reading →

This brings a smile to my face — it reminds me of Alex, my beloved, intrepid son, who knows all about the joys of of flying on two wheels! Going Down Hill on a BicycleA Boy’s Song Henry Charles Beeching … Continue reading →