Today, I want to let you in on a little secret. What I look for first when I read a draft. It might surprise you.
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What Refinement Really IsWhat Refinement Really Is
Refinement isn’t about fixing what’s broken — it’s about clarifying what’s already trying to emerge in your story.
This week on Storylines, I’m unpacking what refinement really is, why it feels so different from drafting, and how to approach it without losing heart or momentum.
Why Revision Feels Harder Than DraftingWhy Revision Feels Harder Than Drafting
Revision often feels harder than drafting — not because something is wrong with your work, but because the work is asking something different of you now. Drafting runs on momentum and hope; revision asks for discernment, patience, and a deeper kind of honesty about what your story is really trying to say.
This week on Storylines, I want to talk about why that shift can feel so unsettling — and why it’s actually a sign that your story is entering its most meaningful stage.
Beyond Resolutions: Why Knowing Where You Are Matters More Than Setting GoalsBeyond Resolutions: Why Knowing Where You Are Matters More Than Setting Goals
Resolutions rush us toward change without asking us to pause. This piece begins instead with orientation—taking an honest look at where you are before deciding what comes next.
Beyond Resolutions: Beginning with what you actually needBeyond Resolutions: Beginning with what you actually need
The turn of the year often brings a rush to declare resolutions — bold promises we’re meant to keep by sheer force of will. Beyond Resolutions invites a different approach: one rooted in intention, rhythm, and return, where your writing grows not from pressure, but from presence and steady care.
When Your Writing Gets Sidelined in DecemberWhen Your Writing Gets Sidelined in December
When life fills up, even the most devoted writers step away from the page.
This month, let’s explore how to honor the pause without losing your momentum.
When Writers Need to Pause: The Mindset of ReturningWhen Writers Need to Pause: The Mindset of Returning
As the year winds down, we often measure our writing in pages and progress.
But what if this season wasn’t about finishing more?
What if it was about returning — to our story, our voice, our creative pulse — and rediscovering what still wants to be written?
Revision: Why It’s The Writer’s Rite of PassageRevision: Why It’s The Writer’s Rite of Passage
Every writer reaches a moment when the words they’ve written ask to be seen again.
Revision isn’t about starting over. It’s the moment you begin to become the writer you’re meant to be.
The Secret Every Great Writer (and Ball Player) KnowsThe Secret Every Great Writer (and Ball Player) Knows
With the World Series on, I’ve been thinking about how writing is a lot like baseball. In this week’s Storylines, I share why writing is an evolution — a practice that deepens over time as you grow, return, and absorb new layers of understanding.