Romance novels treat women’s pleasure as if it’s not only necessary but sexy. The men in those stories never get disgusted looking at a woman’s body, even one with curves or body hair or cellulite. They never argue about putting on a condom. They take as much...
The problem with romance novels
I just read and enjoyed (to varying degrees) 6 different romance novels within the last 2 weeks. I plan on reading more and I’m even certain I’ll like some of them. So, I don’t have a problem with the books per-say (give or take a few aggressive, manly-men being...
What does it mean to love yourself?
When was the last time you tried something new?
It feels like we've been cooped up for 114 years. Like we're stuck in the same day over and over from Palm Springs (which was surprisingly good) only we can't find the cave and we don't have dynamite to blow it all up. So, what if you tried something different when it...
How can you write when the world is on fire?
How can you not? Because the alternative to you (and everyone else) deciding not to write because things are too much is that evil wins. The world is a balance between the good and bad. It's never just one thing. Unless you let external circumstances get in the way...
Leaving your comfort zone
What pushing past your comfort zone can feel like: Absolute terror (how the hell are you supposed to succeed?)Questioning your desire and trying to logic your way out of what you wantInsanity (who are you to go after your dream?)Constant failureOscillating between two...
A different kind of permission
Lately, I've been exhausted during the day. I want nothing but sleep. My business, my writing, going to the store to buy the two grapefruits I need but forgot to get while there last, all feel draining, exhausting, like hurdles I have to jump over and I was never good...
Honor your brain
No one can tell you how to live your life but you. You might need an outside perspective to help you see the big picture*, but if someone’s offering you advice that feels out of alignment with who you are (say, telling you to stay in a loveless marriage or to...
Who cares how long it takes
It took me 2 years to finish a short story once. A story that's under 1,500 words, mind you. And there's another idea rattling around in my head that I had back in 2017. I'm still not done—in fact, I haven't even decided what that story really is yet. I know what it...
Stop chasing a fantasy
When you finish your novel, your life won't be any different than it is now. Your anxiety and depression won't disappear. Your dreams of making millions of dollars won't magically come true. You won't suddenly attract the love of your life because you've done...