I hate it when “real” writers do this.
A few weeks ago, I met a fellow writer at a party. He told me a story that made me so mad I almost threw Chex Mix at him. Here’s how the scene went down: I stood in a swanky apartment full of my boyfriend’s parents’ friends, chatting to strangers and …
Read More
Bypass burnout & end the year with a bang: how to relax during the holidays
Most years I enter the holiday season in a fog of to-do lists and fierce nostalgia. I think I look like this: I’m Jimmy Stewart, obviously. When in reality, I look like this: We don’t get much snow here in Virginia, but I imagine that lovely thick snow blankets the …
Read More
how to answer the question “what do you do?” without boozing, sleazing, or wanting to die (part 2)
The holidays are upon us, and you know what that means…huge dinners, road trips, and meeting new people at parties! I got a jumpstart on family visits when I drove to New Jersey to celebrate my birthday. We went into NYC and saw An American in Paris on Broadway! My sister and …
Read More
How to answer the question “What do you do?” without boozing, sleazing, or wanting to die (part 1)
Picture this: You’re standing at a holiday party, bopping along to a festive playlist and piling bleu cheese onto butterfly-shaped butter crackers. You feel FANTASTIC. Maybe it’s the candlelight, the rum punch, or your cute velvet dress. Who knows? Who cares? (Side note: Velvet is BACK, according to teen.com. Since …
Read More
Sneaky writing habits that zap your authority
Remember when you were 2.25 years old and you cuddled on the couch with your mom? You both stared at a picture book splayed out in your lap, and she pointed to an illustration and asked, “What animal is that?” “DEER!” you shouted, beaming. And your mom smiled back. Or …
Read More
“What do you want to do with your life?” 3 ways to answer the world’s worst question
It’s the nightmare inquiry made of every soon-to-graduate liberal arts major in America. The niggling worry of every newly committed entrepreneur. The unscratchable itch burning every person who hits upper tiers in Maslow’s hierarchy. “What do you want to do with your life?” The question sounds harmless when posed by …
Read More
Bust through boring like the Kool-Aid Man: 3 free tools to write copy that pops
As a child, I consumed the written word the way I now consume brownie batter: in small, rapid bites, each flavor distinct but devolving quickly into a flurry of blurred indulgence. The pleasure never gets old, even though I seem to. After devouring all the text on a cereal box, …
Read More
The Perks of Being an Outcast in Middle School
I’ll never forget the look on Amy’s face when she stopped me in the school hallway and said, “Congrats on winning Most Original. You really deserve it.” Amy (not her real name) was one of the cool kids. Even though we were both in 8th grade, she was a woman: …
Read More
A simple cure for writing overwhelm
You’re staring at a blank Word doc, watching the cursor flash, when suddenly the thought hits you: Would anyone notice if you just crawled under your desk, curled into a ball, and nursed a bag of Swedish Fish until tomorrow comes? And by “bag” I mean “bottle.” Dear reader and …
Read More
Pump up your perceived value with the Glade Candle Method (and discover the benefits of your soulful services)
Walking through Wal-mart the other day, I happened upon a mid-aisle display of pumpkin- and foliage-scented Glade air fresheners. Images of hayrides and color-changing leaves wreathed the cardboard display, which touted the “feelings of fall.” To an outsider, it looks innocuous, a gentle reminder that autumn is here and you …
Read More