Monthly Archives: June 2026

A Boy, A Lake, A Sun My little boy, the vast, still lake,And the big low sunKeep each other companyNow the day is done. The child is quiet, and his curlsAre full of evening light,He sits in utter confidenceOn the … Continue reading →

« How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. » Anne Frank What a gentle, joyful spirit shines through Anne’s words! Today, June 12, is her birthday. She was born in 1929, but … Continue reading →

« The secret of becoming a writer is to write, write, and keep on writing. »Ken MacLeod « Nothing will work unless you do. »Maya Angelou William Styron called writing “my tortoise-like art” and had a strict writing pattern: He rose at 12, had … Continue reading →

As we launch into our writing today, some words of wisdom from writers to embolden us and give our words wings: « Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you … Continue reading →

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”   Marcel Proust This quote always makes me think of my wonderful family and friends — and how blessed and … Continue reading →

There is having flowers in the Spring,Breezes in the SummerMoon in AutumnSnows in Winter.If there is nothing worrying over youIt will be the best season at all times. —Buddha

« The best way I ever found to help someone overcome fear and rapidly develop courage and self-confidence is by speaking before groups. I discovered that when I lost my fear of speaking to audiences, I lost my fear of speaking … Continue reading →

“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.Sir Edmund Hillary” So often, I’ve found, when writers talk about their work, they do it in an almost dismissive, self-disparaging way. This tendency takes many forms, some straightforward and some subtle. … Continue reading →

“Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own.”Carol Burnett We’ve all experienced periods when the literary landscape appears dry and uninviting. Sometimes this takes the form of writer’s block, or a long time between books, or difficulty … Continue reading →

As kids, many of us received allowances from our parents and as parents, we’ve also given allowances to (and often make allowances for) our children. As adults, however, we’re not always so generous to ourselves. We’re often caught up in … Continue reading →