Here’s a lesson I learn over and over as a writer. I’ll go through periods of no ideas, no enthusiasm, feeling convinced that every story on earth has already been written, every thought in my head has been expressed so much better by thousands, if not millions, of other writers. And I only go…

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      I’m reading through my advanced students’ work this weekend. The class, given through UCLA Extension, was limited to twelve students and they had to submit sample chapters to get in. Each person who was accepted is on his or her way to finishing a memoir and their stories are amazing and heart…

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    I have blog block, the cyberspace version of writers block. Sick to death of the sound of my own voice going on and on about writing, I have nothing to say to you. Nothing to write. So in class this week I asked my students what they’d like to read on this blog…

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    This week in the L.A. Times there was an article by David No about actress Jenny O’Hara who said the best piece of advice about acting she ever got was in a play directed by Gene Saks. Before opening night Saks told the cast: “Don’t whore. Go out there and play the play.”  “It’s…

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  My friend and fellow writer/UCLA instructor, Amy Friedman, whose essay “Kept Together By The Bars Between Us” was published in New York Times “Modern Love” column on Valentines Day (and believe me, this is a major literary coup to get your essay in that column!) sent some writer advice: I always tell my students…

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  From Linda, a reader of this blog: I've been feeling so confused about the conflicting advice: "write what sells" or "write your passion". One writer advised me, don't write what you need to, write what the editor needs. “Professional writers query before writing the piece otherwise the chances are slim you'll find your way…

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  No, it wasn't from Joe the Pumber or Sarah Palin, it came in the mail as a note with an ostentatious "calendar portfolio" for a mall in Orange County. (Apparently my husband had bought a leather jacket at this mall years ago and is still on some special mailing list.) Here's the sentence:   "South Coast Plaza…

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I go through such self doubt, procrastination, and total cluelessness before getting down to work on a writing assignment that the surprise of finishing an essay or article that actually makes some sense and getting it done on time always amazes me. That’s how I’m feeling today – amazed. This morning I emailed my long…

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I’ve forgotten who made this phrase famous for writers, “Kill your darlings” – I think it was a British poet.  I’ve just finished another draft of a much labored-over book (yes, yes, the novel that never ends) in which I slaughtered my darlings left and right.  “Your darlings” are descriptions that you, the writer love.…

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