A wrap-up of my time at Tucson Festival of Books – along with a cautionary tale for authors of how to behave like a normal human being when other authors ask what you write.
First Cup of Coffee – March 17, 2026
//Tag: writing advice
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First Cup of Coffee – March 10, 2026
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First Cup of Coffee – November 22, 2024
//On giving ourselves permission to give less than 100% (or more) effort to tasks and projects that aren’t our priority. Insights I gained from Becca Syme’s Author Business Summit, sustainability of all our efforts, and taking time off.
First Cup of Coffee – November 18, 2024
//Instead of writing what you know? Write what you are. Other thoughts on revision, integrity, and a story about a guy I knew back in my peer counseling days in college who behaved badly toward women. Warning: abrupt stop. Instead of hitting pause, I hit the stop button, but I was done anyway, so… you just don’t get the usual sign-off today. But I will talk to you all on Friday. You all take care 💙
First Cup of Coffee – October 14, 2024
//A continuation of my intensive breakdown of the language “coaches” use to entice you to spend your money, why their “guarantees” mean nothing, truth and lies about passive income, and sustaining a career as an author.
First Cup of Coffee – September 27, 2024
//On the story structure that utilizes characters that represent heart, mind, and body. Also, how to know when to listen to critique and then making the judgment call of folding information into a story without slowing pace.
First Cup of Coffee – September 20, 2024
//Some tough love today! I explain how no one will ever care about your writing career as much as you do and how other people will always be happy to suck up your time and energy. Also, exciting news on NEVER THE ROSES!
First Cup of Coffee – September 6, 2024
//Why so many authors end up “trunking” their first novel, why it’s often not only a good idea, but inevitable – and how to know if you should. Also, garbage data, The Fall, and The Riddle Master of Hed (and why I think I bounced off of it as a kid).
First Cup of Coffee – August 26, 2024
//My wonderful weekend at Bubonicon and exciting news about next year’s con. Also, thoughts on more experienced authors giving advice to newbies, how to be honest without stomping on their dreams, and a story of my own newbie dream-crushing.
First Cup of Coffee – August 9, 2024
//Recent revelations on ghostwriting, using metrics for good, rain gauges, gardening, JD Vance’s memoir, the real meaning of “bemused” and whether everyone has one great novel or flower arrangement in them.
