Hi Reader, A long time ago, I missed my calling as a theatre kid. I was 7 years old. A cringingly shy child. I decided I wanted to try out for the local theatre company's production of Cinderella. I auditioned. I got passed up. BUT, days later, they called back. Apparently my audition form had gotten stuck to another one. I actually did get the part. But at that point, I'd moved on already. The calling had vanished. The shyness had overtaken me again. Anyone who has worked with me or attended...
4 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
Hi Reader, There are currently four baby bunnies living in the bush in my front yard and every time I see them, I squee with delight and sit and watch them, slowly dying from cuteness overload. š„¹ Baby bunnies eating. That's all they do is eat. And scatter. The bunnies scatter the second they think thereās a threat. Yesterday, a truck rumbled down the road behind the house and the bunnies fled to safety inside the bush. Their instincts are strong. Fast forward to probably a week or two from...
25 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
Hi Reader, From hotdog flavored whiskey to IKEAās meatball lollipops, we cannot trust the internet on April 1st. I have been working hard for the past 3+ months getting a new quiz up and running. This one uses 100% my own IP (instead of borrowing from Jim Henson). I spent hours drawing graphics for each result, days designing the dossier style results pages that actually look like files from an archive. I obsessed over the questions, logo for the fictional agency, all of it. I was so excited,...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Hi Reader, Since Iāve asked so much of you lately, Iām keeping this one short and sweet. I have a few things to share that I think you just might love. If itās cold right now where you live, this amazing soup will warm you right up! (Warning: it is 100% not fat free, which is probably why it is sooooo yummy). A fun little break from the daily grind (xenials will adore this) This inspiring article for writers (very on fleek with what Iāve been talking about of lateā¦ do people still say, on...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader! Just a quick note to let you know my talk, ACE Your Story: 3 Things You Need to Craft a Compelling Story goes live today at 4pm MST (3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern) at the Perfect Your Process summit! This is a free event for writers who want to create joyful writing practices. Iāll be in the comments answering questions! Come join me! Itās gonna be FUN!!! If you havenāt already, Register here Plus, youāll get access to the ACE Diagnostic Tool! Claire š P.S. This is the last email you'll...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader! Just a quick reminder, in case you havenāt gotten your free ticket yet, the summit starts tomorrow! Join me and a bunch of other amazing speakers here. Among MANY others, here are a few of the talks Iām especially interested in: Structuring Your Memoir with Marion Roach Smith (I have a memoir about all the dogs Iāve loved in my life in my idea bank that is demanding to be written!) Your Writing Personality: The Hidden Key to Your Creative Process with Rachel Clair How to Find the...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader! I know Iāve been asking a lot of you lately, and here I am again with another thing thatās happening! š«£ I had the honor of being invited to speak at Daniel David Wallaceās Perfect Your Process summit. This is an annual writing habits and practices summit happening over the weekend into next week! I hope you'll come and see my presentation! It goes live on March 23rd at 4pm MST (thatās 3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern) If you're here reading my newsletters and articles, you probably love...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, Iāve sent a couple emails about this already, and Iām going to send one more just in case you were on the fence about joining the workshop on the 25th. Because there might be something Iāve failed to mention: This workshop isnāt about tips and tricks. It isnāt about plotting. It isnāt about āhow to be marketable.ā Itās a creative reboot. Itās for the writer who: Keeps overthinking their beginning (š hi!) Feels creatively rusty Misses the version of themselves who used to write...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
WRITE AND FINISH YOUR DAMN (GOOD) BOOK Hi Reader, Today is my husbandās birthday. Happy Birthday, Husband! (yes, I do call him Husband as a term of endearment, usually with a strange accent, so itās like Hoos-bahnd). If you are celebrating a bāday in January, Happy Birthday to you, too! In fact, if youāre celebrating a birthday at any time this year, happy birthday! š I have a LOT of ideas this year (now that my brain has come back online). In order to work on what will best serve YOU, Iād...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read