I'm happy to announce that some of my writing is being featured over at BlogHer today. Heather has chosen to include a bit from my piece about why I don't want diverse friends. I really appreciate the conversation that has resulted from that post and I look forward to seeing more at BlogHer. I'd love it if you'd click over to BlogHer and participate in any discussion there. And if you're new to the blog, welcome! I would love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!   Image: OregonDOT via Flickr … [Read more...]

Writing can be a lonely gig. All of the letters in my Myers-Briggs profile are pretty wooshy except for that big, monstrous E-is-for-extrovert at the beginning. I love being around people. But I also become profoundly non-productive as a writer when people are around, so alone is how a lot of it works. That said, you cannot do the work of writing alone. Aside from finding material from actually living, I would be absolutely nowhere as a writer without the help of a number of other already established authors who have given me advice and encouragement along the way. One person who has given me both of those things in spade is my friend Jason Boyett. Most of the time, I feel like there's not much I can do to repay that. BUT THAT ALL CHANGES TODAY. Due to a bunch of complicated … [Read more...]

My husband bought me that clock a year ago. He bought it because I was pitching my first book proposal to an agent and as a stalwart supporter of my writing, he wanted to encourage me. So I sent off this idea to the agent who I most wanted to represent me. That proposal was rejected. So my hilarious clock sat on my dresser. And I took the constructive criticism that the agent so graciously offered me and went back to the drawing board. I rewrote and reworked and came up with something that was way better, thanks largely to help from Ed Cyzewski. It was something that I loved. And I submitted to the agent again. That proposal was rejected, too. And the clock got buried under out of season clothes and children's school papers. I cried on the phone with my friend … [Read more...]

I have the distinct honor once again of being featured over at BlogHer. With so many superbly written blogs out there, I can't tell you what a lovely little boost it is to see my work over at that site. I love the way that they honor the voices of female bloggers. Today they are featuring my piece from last month about the Church reaching out and how I think we need to change our focus and stop reaching out. I would love it if you'd let people know about the post. And if you're here for the first time, welcome! Take a look around, sign up for my newsletter, check out my Facebook page, and come chat with me on Twitter. … [Read more...]

Tomorrow marks seven years of blogging. In seven years, I've learned a couple of things about this process. Here are seven lessons about blogging that I've learned over the past seven years. Keep proper perspective. Your writing is important, both to you and to your readers. But it's still a blog. This world will keep on going if you need to take some time off. And you will keep on going if you need to take a break every now and again. In fact, you'll probably be better if you sometimes don't post. Which leads me to number 2... Know what healthy blogging looks like for you. There will always be people telling you how many times you should check your stats or how often you should post or what topics you should write about. And there is some good advice out there. Refreshing your … [Read more...]

Today is my day to make you click around to find me. In addition to my piece at A Deeper Family, my piece about almost being an influential blogger is being featured over at BlogHer. With all of the recent hoopla about the presence of female bloggers, I appreciate again the work that goes on over at BlogHer, featuring a variety of women writers. And of course, I am honored to be featured there today. Thanks for your support of my writing here - you guys are all kinds of awesome. … [Read more...]