Category Archives: inspiration

Don’t be stifled. What stifles you? It’s not about what stops you, nor what makes things difficult for you. When I made a little list about what stifles me, I found it was all within me. getting it right not doing things wrong feeling like I’m a silly girl in the middle of a cornfieldContinue reading “open invitation no. 28: what stifles you?”

Find time. It has been many weeks since I’ve written a blog post on my own blog. Each week I know exactly what I want to write: A list of things to never-forget from Hannah’s graduation partyThe way whimsy took over and led us to offering a win for the kidsA few lines about myContinue reading “open invitation no. 22: you have time”

Just write. It’s easy to not-write…at least it is for me. I write all day for my job; I write in a morning journal — every single morning; I write in a draft notebook; I write in a writing notebook. The thing that’s easy for me to not-write is a blog post…writing that is justContinue reading “open invitation no. 20: just write”

Write for the fun of it. There are many reasons to write. Today, write for the fun of it. Writing is fun. Let the words wiggle and make something just because making stuff is fun. Write everything you know about zucchini or tooth brushing. Look for an unexpected color and write about it. Allow yourselfContinue reading “open invitation no. 17: have fun”

Don’t be alone. It is natural to retreat when things get tough. Recently I wrote this sentence — I’ve had to learn to write through dark times.  I know uncertainty has the potential to destroy a writer’s mojo…I also know writing can be one of  the best ways to process uncertainty.  This is especially trueContinue reading “open invitation no. 16: writing communities matter”

Sometimes you don’t feel like writing. Do it anyway. Being a writer can seem magical…until you sit down to write. I started my career as a middle school language arts teacher. I assigned writing. I always thought the assignments were interesting and easy. By dumb luck, I landed in a workshop with Katie Wood RayContinue reading “open invitation no. 14: when you don’t feel like writing”

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Write anyway. There’s a quote that goes — Don’t sweat the small stuff.It’s all small stuff. Richard Carlson said that. It’s actually the title of a book he wrote in 1997. I remember it being a popular phrase when I was in undergrad, and it wound its way intoContinue reading “open invitation no. 12: write anyway”