Hello writer,

Where are you headed?
Check in with your inner compass. Where does your True North point? Is it toward writing a specific story? Many stories? Publication? A full-time career as a writer?

What is it that you, in your heart of hearts, want to be doing with your time he...

Hello writers,
One of the greatest perks of my work is watching writers take a leap forward. And there are many ways writers grow—vocabulary, technique, consistency, confidence. There are milestone moments too: finishing a draft, hiring an editor, publishing their stories.

As a teac...

Write Things: On What’s Been Stolen From You

Hello writers,
None of us know exactly how our lives will unfold or where our journeys will take us. As writers, the same can be said for our stories. We start out with one thought, destination, or idea in mind, but then—after several cha...

Write Things Newsletter: On Guilt vs. Regret

Hello writers,
As you take new steps toward your goals, you’ll encounter new obstacles. Personally, today’s topic is one I recently recognized in myself, so I wanted to share it.

It’s part of a bigger discussion, so if you have any quest...

Hello writers,

It’s been a busy couple of weeks!

There was a great turnout for my Your Writing Dream: Why It Matters More Than You Think webinar last Thursday, and I’m very excited to announce the launch of my Write Things Community on July 1st.

I’ve worked with so many talented ...

Hello writers,

I had a wonderful conversation with Nadia Kidwai of CBC Radio One in Winnipeg this past weekend. We talked about everything from perfectionism, to the creative process, to the power of the questions we ask ourselves.  

In all honesty, the interview felt like it was ...

This week, Rachel Small and I had a fantastic conversation about the struggles we see writers face on the journey from writing a story to finishing their revisions with an editor.

Based on how well it went, we’ve decided to release the video to anyone who’s interested. You can chec...

I don’t think there’s anything more important for a writer to understand than uncertainty. 

Specifically, your relationship with it.  I think this is the biggest determinant of exceptional success or spectacular failure for a writer.

And that’s not an overstatement.

Idea: On Unce...

No one has to follow their dreams.

Heck, you don’t even have to acknowledge you have a dream.
But if you’re reading this email, there is a dream inside of you. I guarantee it.

Idea: On Mindset

As a young man, I loved playing with little kids. At parties or family functions, I had ...

I’m sorry, but this one might burn a bit.

You’ve probably heard the old story: if you drop a frog into boiling water, it jumps out. But if the water is room temperature and you slowly bring it to a boil, the frog stays—never realizing the danger.

This week, we’re doing a temperatu...

Hello, writers,

It’s good to be back! A nasty virus ran through our family last week, but today, everyone finally seems to be in the clear.

And that’s good, because there’s something I need to get clear on: telling in our writing.

I’ve been teaching it wrong.

Here’s why.

Idea: ...

Hello writers,

I’m working through my Enhance Your Storytelling workshop with a dozen amateur writers, and I came across an obvious truth—one that, perhaps, isn’t often articulated.

Actually, it was the writers I’m working with who pointed it out. So, a big thank you to them for t...