For some of the creative writing classes I teach—thankfully, not all—I'm paid according to the number of students who enroll. Each student pays a very modest amount, so a small class means small remuneration for me. After recently teaching six students at an arts center, I screwed up my courage and … [Read more...] about They Came for the Cookies
baby boomers writing
If the World Were About to End
If my husband learned the world was about to end, or that he only had a short time to live, he'd stuff some chocolate in his mouth. Then he'd assemble all the sweets we have in the house and go out and stock up on some more. Under similar circumstances, though, I'd hasten to get my hot (and I do … [Read more...] about If the World Were About to End
Seniors Write Stories from Their Lives
As I've written in other posts here, I teach boomers and seniors to write stories from their lives. Our classes are moving, exciting, suspenseful, and a whole lot of fun—because that's what the stories the students write are. My Legacy is Simply This When new students tell me they have this … [Read more...] about Seniors Write Stories from Their Lives
My Wonderful Creative Writing Teens
Recently the extraordinary teens in my creating writing class read from their work in a public forum. It's true the audience was mostly made up of the teens' relatives, but even that's meaningful. Some of my students had never allowed their parents to see their work before. And trust me, their … [Read more...] about My Wonderful Creative Writing Teens
Guest Post: What You Deserve From Your Copywriter
In my past work as a marketing communications director, I hired and supervised a ton of copywriters. Shakirah Dawud is among the best I know. In her guest post below, Shakirah explains what you have a right to expect from any copywriter you engage. - Lynette You want to send an effective message … [Read more...] about Guest Post: What You Deserve From Your Copywriter
Finding Time to Write
If you're always putting other activities before your writing, try the tips in the list that follows. 1) Eliminate distractions and time wasters. Get on “do-not-call” (www.donotcall.gov) and “do-not-mail” (www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference) lists to stop telemarketers’ calls and junk … [Read more...] about Finding Time to Write
Supercharge Your Life Writing with These Ideas
The main branch of my town library invited three instructors to lead creativity workshops for folks 50+ years old. I had the pleasure of running the workshop on memoir and life story writing with three different groups of participants. I'd worried beforehand that the evening was packing too many … [Read more...] about Supercharge Your Life Writing with These Ideas
Writing Stories from Your Life
I teach memoir and life story writing. Reading my students' stories has given me a peek into the lives of those who've fought in wars or made ends meet on the home front; and of little girls who wandered along wooden floors in an old dime store, accompanied by the slightly sour aroma that emanated … [Read more...] about Writing Stories from Your Life
What Keeps Me From Writing? The Fire Within, Part 2
Feeble Counter-Measures I have tried all the known methods for minimizing hot flashes. I take deep breaths to calm myself while grasping an icy beverage when a hot flash threatens. I eat tofu, lentils, and garbanzo beans, drizzle flaxseed on my food, and drink one cup of coffee in the morning. I … [Read more...] about What Keeps Me From Writing? The Fire Within, Part 2