Unlike a lot of the minimalism hype out there these days which focuses on decluttering, Lightly: How to Live a Simple, Serene, and Stress-free Life by Francine Jay is about embracing simple and intentional living as a lifestyle philosophy.
Read MoreIn this post, we’ll go into detail about what everyday creativity really is, as well as give you some examples and suggestions of how you can incorporate it into your life. You never know, you might read on to discover that you’re more creative than you thought!
Read MoreIn my last post, Why You Should Do A Creative Retreat, I talked about the value of doing a creative getaway. But maybe you have kids, you don’t work 100% remotely, or travel expenses aren’t in the budget right now. For that reason, I wanted to couple the blog’s most recent post with a follow-up on how to get the benefits and some of the experiences of doing a creative retreat without having to leave home.
Read MoreI’d always dreamed of going on a creative retreat. I love the idea of secluding myself in a beautiful location, far away from the distractions of everyday life, and focusing my time and attention on my creative writing projects. If you’ve been toying with the idea of doing a creative retreat but have some hesitations, here’s why I think they are totally and completely worth it!
Read MoreEvery writer knows that writer's craft is almost as much about reading as it is about putting pen to paper. No matter what you like to read, immersing yourself in the craft of others is not only one of the best learning tools for a writer, but it's also one of the most fun!
Read MoreAlthough I don't usually send Valentine's Day cards, the desire to get creative one evening had me getting out my markers and putting together these super easy DIY Valentines. I'm not much of a visual artist so I went for really simple and minimal designs that I think pretty much anyone can recreate. If you're looking to make something with a personal touch this Valentines Day, give one of these designs a try!
Read MoreI am one of those people who can't work in silence. I love working in coffee shops with background music and a little hustle and bustle. There's something about tuning out the ambient noise that keeps me focused on my writing. When I'm working from home, I'm always looking for the perfect playlist to write to
Read MoreLike so many romantic teenage girls who grow up to be writers, I have always been a big Jane Austen fan. Coming home from university over the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays always meant pulling my well-worn copy of Pride & Prejudice or Sense & Sensibility off the bookshelf and diving into Austenland.
But, as any Austen-head knows all too well, there are only six of her novels and it doesn't take long to exhaust your supply. With that in mind, here are four other books to read if you love Jane Austen.
Read More"If you can't think what to write, tough luck; write anyway." - Philip Pullman
I've had that Philip Pullman quote in my head and over my writing desk for years and years. I came across it young enough in life that it was pretty powerful in shaping how I look at writing. I'm not saying that writer's block doesn't exist, but that quote reminds me that writer's block is never an excuse not to write.
Read MoreOne of my resolutions for 2018 was to read 40 books in the year. In the first few days of January I felt a lot of pressure to get started and read as fast as I could since I had no idea if 40 was an accurate or reasonable goal for me. Now that 2018 is over, I can very happily say that I surpassed my goal and read a total of 49 books last year! (Oh how I wish I could have gotten to a nice round 50!). Along the way I picked up a few new habits that have helped me seriously increase my reading time. If you're thinking of starting a reading challenge, here are my top tips on how to win that bet against yourself.
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