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Tag Archives: the writing life
The Significant Now
I’ve been holding out for some divine inspiration lately, a few life-altering insights to share with the world. But the truth is this: I don’t have any. The school year has ended, life is unhurriedly unfurling, and nothing earth-shattering has … Continue reading
Sharing Sunday with John Green
Celebrate my 44th at Noah Grant’s with my best friend and listen to John Green speak all within a 24-hour window? It was a no-brainer. As soon as Andi mentioned the possibility, we loaded the three youngest kids in the … Continue reading
Posted in Great Reads, Help From My Friends, My Kids, We Are Family, Write On
Tagged Au Bon Pain, Billy Joel, Childish Gambino, Christ Church Cathedral, Columbia Club, Crash Course, DFTBA, Esther Earl, Foreigner, Hank Green, Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis, John Green, Michael Jackson, Monument Circle, Nerdfighters, Noah Grants, Sarah Urist Green, The Art Assignment, The Fault in Our Stars, The Foundation to Decrease World Suck, the writing life, Vlogbrothers, Whitney Houston, ZZ Top
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A Trip Around the Sun
Today begins another trip around the sun. The snow in our backyard is melting, revealing layers upon layers of dog poo — the remnants of a long, cold, record-setting season — measuring the winter of our discontent like rings on … Continue reading
Full of Grate
The season of gratitude is upon us. I’ve been reading the daily Facebook posts. Some may find them wearing, but I enjoy the reminder to look at life through a different lens — sometimes even one that’s rose-colored. Ultimately, this … Continue reading
Giving Thanks
I cannot deny that these past two years have been hard. Soul-crushing, fetal-position hard at times. Let me begin by saying this, by owning this: I know that if I threw my problems into a pile with all the other … Continue reading
Posted in Big Thinks, Help From My Friends, Man Of My Dreams, Me Myself And I, My Kids, We Are Family, Write On
Tagged " vulnerability, abandonment, being a writer, being needy, choosing happiness, corporate copywriting, education, embracing change, financial struggles, glass half empty, glass half full, gratitude, Indiana, Indy's Child, Joni Mitchell, living in limbo, Midwest Writers Fellowship, Mississippi, moving, new home, new job, Notes & Words, professor's life, professor's salary, publishing, raising resilient kids, The River, the writing life, true friends, writing
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Reluctant Research
Many years ago, when I first began my professional career, I worked with a gal who became a quick friend. We were in different departments, but we clicked instantly. She’d just gotten married, I was engaged. We were young and … Continue reading
Posted in Write On
Tagged gratitude, losing a child, One Blue One Brown, researching a novel, the writing life, writing a novel
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The One Less Traveled
Obstacles often present themselves as opportunities. Today, I get to wrap my arms around that life lesson and give it a little squeeze. Here’s what I received from my prospective agent this afternoon: “Dear Ms. Willis, Thank you for your … Continue reading
Posted in Big Thinks, Write On
Tagged Brandi Carlile, Christopher Coake, Dick Fosbury, facing rejection, finding a literary agent, Fosbury Flop, George Washington, Jesus, publishing a book, rejection, Robert Frost, self-publishing, The Road Not Taken, the writing life, Thomas Paine, Three of Eva, traditional publishing, validation, writing a book, WWJD
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