The Writer’s 3 Step Practice for Improved Health and Creativity

“Many of us walk around dehydrated without realizing it and that can have a significant effect on our health and how we feel,” Dr. King says. Dehydrated bodies trap toxins and encourage water retention – a natural defense against the chronic “drought.”

Food, glorious food. NEW Studies promoting red wine and chocolate for unexpected uses

One of my favorite phenomenons is an unexpected stroke of brilliance from a most unlikely source. A couple of awesomesauce items came out of the 244thNational Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. I picture with suspicion such conferences proffering our nation the the latest results culled from ongoing animal testing of synthetics intended as food additives, eyelash lengtheners or weight loss supplements. […]

Self-doubt and writing: amicable partners?

It’s Monday morning, and I am dragging myself through the mud. Am I making any progress?  Is what I’m writing any good, any good whatsoever? Over the weekend, my husband and I had the rare opportunity to enjoy a date night. It was a beautiful evening, so we sat outdoors at one of our favorite […]

5 Tips for Writing More, Writing Better. Cultivating a laser-beam focus

Last week, we lost our Internet connection for more than two full days. The initial shock rendered me temporarily immobile. What could I possibly do? I couldn’t work without connection to the outside world…. could I? No, the pain and discomfort was too much to face. I decided instead to get my car keys and […]

Anne Lamott’s tips for growing your creative spirit–and sense of purpose.

I offer you a guest-post of sorts today in the form of excerpts from Time Lost and Found by author Anne Lamott which I just found in the always pleasing Sunset magazine. As a mother who is a freelance writer and editor working from home, I often place my own needs (especially creative diversions) at the […]

Your Aha! Moment – Neural Evidence for Sudden Insight

A recent study published by the Cell Press in the May 13 issue of the journal Neuron supports the idea of “a-ha” moments in the brain that are associated with sudden insight. In the words of Albert Einstein, “You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created.” Our daily lives […]

Life Would Be Wonderful…If It Weren’t For The Imaginary Hardships

The following is a version of my column which appears in San Clemente Presbyterian’s NEWSBREAK magazine. Editors are welcome to use it as a FREE REPRINT. Sometimes I don’t need a mirror to see my own reflection. My five-year-old son Joseph is a perfectly capable alternative. Lately, when my answer to one of his requests […]

Writing And Blogging Can Improve Your Health!

Last night, my husband and I were discussing the future of blogging. With so many social media outlets–most of which requiring only a sentence or less, did blogging have a future? It’s easy to jump to “yes!”, especially if you are a writer who simply must write, or if you generate an income from your blog. However, […]