Link Love: October 9

Last night, I watched my CNN segment air on the local news and — as I sat there cringing while the camera zoomed in on the framed engagement photo hanging on the wall — it hit me: Not only am I potentially embarrassing myself, but I’m also potentially embarrassing my family. Who wants to be associated with the slightly overweight shopaholic who lied to her husband about her purchases, eventually racking up thousands of dollars in debt!? Luckily, my family is understanding, and excited about the media attention I’ve received. My mother half-jokingly told me she thought I did well…but was glad I was identified by my married name. Thank god because, as a writer (and especially as a sex writer), almost everything I do revolves around self-disclosure.

Aside from that bit of excitement, the week wasn’t incredibly productive. I’ve been sick, and have felt less than motivated. But I did squeeze some reading in:

[Read more…]

Are You Scared, Too?

me and magazines

I’ve always had a thing for glossy magazines.

It started with Highlights and, since then, I’ve subscribed to maybe 30 or 40 different titles (seven of which I’m still subscribed to now). And while they’ve never held the same allure for me as those thick paperbacks I’m constantly losing myself in, they provided me with something even better: a vision of my future as a writer.

I was going to write up a different post today. One on the benefits of online education. But then I was blindsided by the news that Conde Nast is folding Gourmet, Cookie, Modern Bride, and Elegant Bride, and I felt a sharp pang of sadness, followed by a little shiver of fear.

Have you guys felt it, too?

[Read more…]

Link Love: October 2

It’s been quite the week. I’ve welcomed a news crew into my home. Gotten started on my career coaching certification program. Upped my posting frequency. Drawn up some lofty goals. And all while coming down with something I fear is the flu. Here’s hoping I can keep up with everything I have planned for myself. At least if I crack under, you’ll have these writers to turn to:

[Read more…]

Link Love: September 25

What a week. I made headway on my book proposal and started my career coaching certification program. And this weekend, I’m visiting the last huge chunk of wineries in NJ for my regional magazine piece. I feel pooped, but it’s a good kind of pooped. What helped and inspired me along the way? Check it:

[Read more…]

The Vulnerability of Writers

hiding

[Photo via]

Oh, writers.

We already have it tough enough, what with being our own worst critics and all.

Unfortunately, launching our words out into the world also opens us up to the criticism of others, criticism that can be either constructive or just plain cruel.

[Read more…]

Link Love: September 11

This week’s link love is quite brief, but that’s probably best. After all, I’m about to set out for two more vineyards (in hurricane/tornado weather no less)! Wish me luck!

[Read more…]

Last Week’s Link Love: September 6

It’s been quite the month, but I can finally breathe again. Thursday was the last day of my temporary, on-site proofreading gig, and Friday was the due date of a legwork-heavy magazine article. Since then, I’ve (finally) signed up for a career coaching certification program, and also turned my attention to another legwork-heavy magazine article (and by legwork, I mean traveling all over my home state and drinking lots of wine; tough stuff).

I’m about to head out to two more wineries today but, before I go, I thought I’d leave you with this past week’s link love:

[Read more…]

Last Week’s Link Love: August 24

Oh you guys. I am sooo pooped. I got home at 1 a.m. last night after an 11.5-hour drive during which I was crammed into the middle back seat of a car between my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law.

I am cranky.

Anyways, last week’s installment of Link Love is going up late, because I was en route to Michigan this past Friday. Here you go:

[Read more…]

Link Love: July 18

What’s notable this week? Well, I gots myself a laptop (early birthday gift from my husband) and I also dove in to Freelance Success‘s Summer Query Challenge, which is acting as a great motivator for non-blog-related activities. Of course, all blog-related activities have suffered.

Truce?

[Read more…]

Breakneck Book Report: Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird

bird-by-bird

Back in April, I posted a monster roundup of the 20 books I built my freelance life upon. Readers (and writers, obvs) were quick to point out that I had made an egregious omission by not including Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird.

The truth is, I had plumb forgot about it because, long ago, I lent my copy to someone else, and it was never returned.

Recently, I bought myself a new copy, and immediately fell in love all over again.

[Read more…]