My one thing

June 13, 2011

Some weeks I have so much going on that it’s overwhelming. Each of you probably feel this way sometimes, too. The job, the book, family obligations, the blog…. When I start to feel overwhelmed, like there’s just not enough time for my projects, I ask myself: What is the one thing I want to get […]

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Writers’ Roundup: June 10

June 10, 2011

Remember Cooper, the Hambidge Dog? He’s visiting me in DC. Quite the handful. Links from this week: The definition of joyfear and why you should seek it out, not avoid it. From zen habits. Seth Godin writes about the widening gap between paid and free, including thoughts about how to move toward the paid side […]

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Teleconference Thursday Night on Writing Travel Memoir

June 9, 2011

If you’re into travel writing and memoir, consider joining this free teleconference tonight with the National Association of Memoir Writers. At 7pm EST, I’ll be a guest for the discussion, along with literary agent Elizabeth Evans. All you’ve got to do is register today and dial in tonight. Here are the details.

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On Evil Plans: When Scheming Becomes Planning

June 8, 2011

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my Next Big Adventure. Pondering. Plotting. Scheming. Not quite to the point where I’m ready to tell the world what that Big Adventure might be… but yes, scheming. And today something happened that turned my scheming into planning. It started with my eyes hurting at work, sore from […]

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How to Turn Writing Your Book into an Education

June 8, 2011

I was out to dinner recently with two journalists-turned-MFA-students, asking what they’ve learned so far in the classroom. And it occurred to me that even though I didn’t earn a degree, writing my first book has been an education. It has hit me only in the last couple of years, after realizing just how far […]

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Want a job in journalism? Learn biz

June 6, 2011

Over the past year, I have not only looked for a job in journalism, I’ve also covered hiring trends. I spend my days browsing job boards and Facebook groups dedicated to hiring and job-opening listserves and LinkedIn company updates — basically sniffing around anywhere people post jobs. My beat isn’t focused on journalism, but my […]

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Writers’ Roundup: June 3

June 3, 2011

Good variety of links this week: Tips for using Facebook for journalism, from The Washington Post’s @innovations blog. Google releases the +1 button for sharing content. It’s worth understanding this development if you want to stay on top of social media and online trends. Following up on our conversation about whether we can really have […]

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6 Digital Tools That Keep Me Sane

June 1, 2011

Because I have my hands in so many buckets, a few of you have asked how I manage it all. The truth is, I’m trying to cut back, working to choose priorities and stick with them. I also make conscious lifestyle choices, like living mostly TV-free; that goes a long way. But like all of […]

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Q&A: Gigi Rosenberg on Grant Writing

May 31, 2011

What writer wouldn’t want to win a grant to support her projects? To help us figure out how to do that, Gigi Rosenberg joins us today. Gigi works as a coach, teaching artists and others how to make fabulous presentations. She’s also a memoirist, and most importantly for this interview, author of recently released The […]

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Writers’ Roundup: May 27

May 27, 2011

Time for the weekly roundup! Interesting and useful links from this week: The New York Times runs an optimistic story about making money through blogging. Some good ideas here, but the reporter forgot to include anecdotes from bloggers who try but fail to bring in cash. If you overuse the em dash — like me […]

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