All About Writing Critiques
If you don’t open yourself up to critique, you won’t grow as a writer. While that can feel intimidating at first, it is one of the most important truths in the creative process. The purpose of a writing critique is not to point out flaws or diminish your voice. Instead, a writing critique is a […]
The Art of Journaling: Recording Moments, Preserving History, Creating Artifact
Confession: I have shoeboxes of journals. Some of them have hard covers with poignant quotes and soothing colors. Others are as plain as they come – solid black or brown with no hint of creativity. Regardless of the cover, the insides are all the same: lined pages scrawled with long-buried moments, pulsing questions and wins […]
Writing as an Anchor in a Busy Season: How to find time to write during the holidays—and why you should
Every year, the holidays sweep in with their familiar mix of wonder and whirlwind. There’s the glow of lights, the gatherings, the traditions we’ve practiced for years. And then there’s the schedule—crowded, noisy, full of good things that leave us feeling stretched thin. For writers, this season can make creative work feel out of reach. […]
NaNoWriMo Is Gone. What’s Next for Writers in November?
Every November for the past 20 years, writers flocked to the nonprofit National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) website, eager to take up the organization’s challenge: Write a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. November was dubbed National Novel Writing Month in 2000, as founder Chris Baty wanted to encourage writers to take advantage of […]
When Stories Save Us: Notes from the 2025 South Dakota Festival of Books
In a time of uncertainty—for journalism, for truth, even for funding the arts—stories endure because people keep showing up with curiosity, compassion, and commitment to telling them. That truth was on full display at the 2025 South Dakota Festival of Books, held September 26–28 in Spearfish. The South Dakota Humanities Council describes the festival as […]
Your Writing Retreat: 3 Ways to Step Away and Write
When you imagine a writing retreat, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the click of keyboards as participants hammer out stories. Maybe it’s hours of quiet focus. Maybe it’s the beauty of a lake or a mountain view outside an enormous picture window. Or, maybe the term “writing retreat” is new to you. A writing […]
3 Ways to Gather Material for Your Memoir
Have you ever thought about writing a memoir? If so, you may have faced this daunting question: Where do I even begin? This very thing happened at a recent Write-In I hosted. One writer shared that he was trying to tell the story of his life—for his grandchildren. “I’m at that time in my life,” […]
4 Traits Every Writer Must Have
Do you have what it takes to be a writer? Every writer asks this of themselves at one point or another. The answer depends, of course, on how you define what it means to be a writer in the first place. When you say you’re a writer, what does that mean, exactly? Does it mean […]
What is Accountability Worth to You?
Recently, I shared a survey link with my newsletter subscribers, to get a feel for how or whether people value accountability to their writing craft. Would anyone be interested in being part of a writing accountability group? Is a virtual community built around group coaching and quiet writing time something people would be willing to […]
Should You Write Every Day?
It’s probably one of the most debated questions in the writing world. Should you write every day? Do some research, and you’ll find the answers bounce from one side of the world wide web to the other – from the hard, “Yes” to the ardent, “No.” To prove my point, here is a sampling of […]