Here are three things bringing me joy lately. I hope they do the same for you, Reader. #1 – Ted Lasso | TV Series | Apple TV A show about kindness, teamwork, and being a joyful underdog. Guaranteed to bring the warm and fuzzies and plenty of belly laughs (Jason Sudeikis is a gem). #2 – This podcast episode, "A Spell to Stop 'Feeling Behind'" by Natalie Miller of Mind Witchery. Writing students often tell me, "I'm so behind on my novel." Natalie explains how "behind" isn't a feeling, and then...
over 3 years ago • 1 min read
Florence Foster Jenkins is widely known as "the world's worst opera singer." Madame Florence adored music and had big dreams to become a renowned soprano. She was diligent in her practice. She performed, recorded, and advocated for herself as an artist. Yet, her vocals were consistently flat and her rhythm off. Despite years of practice and an unshakable belief in herself, Florence's voice sounded like an alley cat in the throes of a difficult labor. Google "Florence Foster Jenkins singing"...
over 3 years ago • 3 min read
Florence Foster Jenkins is widely known as "the world's worst opera singer." Madame Florence adored music and had big dreams to become a renowned soprano. She was diligent in her practice. She performed, recorded, and advocated for herself as an artist. Yet, her vocals were consistently flat and her rhythm off. Despite years of practice and an unshakable belief in herself, Florence's voice sounded like an alley cat in the throes of a difficult labor. Google "Florence Foster Jenkins singing"...
over 3 years ago • 3 min read
What will you leave behind when you exit this world, Reader? That's the question I'm pondering after finishing episode one of NatGeo's Secrets of the Whales docuseries. Let me explain. The first episode is all about orca whales. If you've known me for a bit, you know I can't help but nerd out on orca facts. You see, each orca pod has a unique culture passed down from matriarch to matriarch. No two pods hunt the same way. Some examples: Orcas in Norway herd herring into "bait balls." Then the...
over 3 years ago • 2 min read
Yesterday, I sat down to write my weekly newsletter to you, Reader, and it was... Awful. The words were stilted. My tone was obnoxious. The ideas were foggy. It felt like sucking mud through a straw: difficult as hell and disgusting. I spent 15 more minutes "writing through it" before I called it a day, shut the laptop, and took a bath. Why? Because I'd reached a point of diminishing returns. The more effort I used to force words out of my brain, the worse the writing became. It's creative...
over 3 years ago • 3 min read
Content Warning: Abuse, addiction. Do you have stories you feel you can't share, Reader? Stories that are so personal you're too terrified to put them into the world? Stories that make your throat constrict and your palms sweat? You know the ones. Maybe they're about... An abusive ex who threw a chair through a window when you asked him to pick up his shoes. A toxic boss who said you're "not a team player" because you spoke up about shady office politics. Or maybe they're less about someone...
over 3 years ago • 3 min read
Content warning: Animal surgery and pain. On June 28, my dog Nala had minor surgery to remove a small tumor from her lip. She also had four teeth extracted (she's an older gal at 10 years old). 😢 Before I took her in, I assumed the bump on her lip was nothing to worry about. Then the doctor called me during the surgery. "The tumor is ulcerated and hard, which isn't a good sign," he said. "We're going to send it to the lab for analysis." Immediately, my brain jumped to the worst-case scenario:...
over 3 years ago • 2 min read
Did your writing stall this summer, Reader? Or maybe you're chuggin' along, but it feels a bit lonely. If you've hit the mid-summer writing slump and need a quick injection of creativity, insight, and joy, then join me for the... Write for Joy! 5-Day Challenge Experience five days of co-writing community insights on joy generative writing prompts Get all the details and save your spot here. See ya there, Reader? Write on,Renee PS – The last time I ran this Challenge, writers loved it! Here's...
over 3 years ago • 1 min read
Last May, I had a brilliant idea. I was hiking in Laguna Beach, and it was the first truly warm* day of 2021. My pale skin turned rosy pink and a soft brown line formed on my bicep, creating a comical farmer's tan. Finally, I thought. Summer is coming! Hiking brings me immense joy, Reader, and that's when the idea hit me: I'll make a Summer List! I'd planned to go home, open a spreadsheet, and make a list of all the activities I wanted to do this summer. Things like... Eat vanilla soft serve...
over 3 years ago • 2 min read