Last week, I watched an inspiring Tedx Talk by Mel Robbins. She said that if you have a creative idea, you have 5 seconds to act on it. After that, the idea vanishes right out of your head. This totally resonated for me. Lots of great ideas have vanished from my overstuffed brain as I sat in the kitchen with a ladle and a crockpot trying to come up with some
HOW TO FINISH YOUR BOOK IN TEN EASY STEPS
(Hint: Showering is not required) My first novel RESTLESS IN L.A. was just published! With three kids, finishing it was a near impossibility but I did it! Between you and me, I must admit that there were many responsibilities, hygienic habits, and personal grooming activities that went by the wayside. But the novel got finished! Hooray! Here are ten easy tips to say YES to your book and NO to
Debut Author of RESTLESS IN L.A. Talks Getting Published and Becoming an Amazon Bestselling Author
I wanted to share this Q&A between my publicist Natalie Obando and me for her website: www.DoGoodPR.com. My hope is that other writers might find a nugget of inspiration from my circuitous journey to publication. Natalie: I hear authors give many excuses when it comes time to talk about getting published and why they aren’t yet. I hear it time and time again: “I don’t have time.” “I won’t get
Why a Sexy Book is Better Than A Sexy Man
Some say a sexy book is better than a sexy man. With a sexy man, you have to worry about love handles, and messy pubic hair, and smooth legs, and whether or not your natural, not-breast-cancer-causing deodorant works. Not so with a sexy book. All you need is a finger to turn the pages (or swipe if you’re e-reading) and a pillow to lay your head on. You don’t even
New Year, New Mindset for 2017: Tuning in Without Freaking Out
My goal for 2017 is to have more peace. What a year to choose that resolution! I crave inner peace and resist letting external circumstances affect my mood, my sense of safety, my blood pressure. When I draw from my center, I feel calm. But this year brings unique opportunities. It’s only January and I can see where the year is heading. Now, more than ever, I wonder how I’m
Asking the Universe for a Sign? Pay Attention to Your Feelings if You Want to ‘Get it’
The year 2013 was a big one for Sara Bareilles—and me. She released Brave and I finished my first novel. I listened to Brave a thousand times. Every word struck my heart like a bull’s eye. Say what you want to say. And let the words fall out. Honestly. I want to see you be brave. When I printed out the last page of my book, I felt emboldened. But
Rule #1 for a Literary Reading: Try to Present Yourself as if You’re Sexy
“Try to present yourself as if you’re sexy,” my eleven-year-old daughter told me when I asked her which shoe I should wear. I was doing my very first reading from my novel, Restless in L.A., for Litcrawl LA, a literary event in North Hollywood. I had my hair blown out at Drybar on Ventura Boulevard while watching 27 Dresses. I love that movie. My favorite part was when James Marsden and
Full Burn
My book tour is starting in New York City. I’m wearing a cool boho sweater, new leather skirt, and killer pair of boots, carrying a hipster bag that holds the galleys, the PR launch plan, whatever, just cool author documents, and I’m looking sophisticated yet stylish. My curls are frizz-free. None of my three children have called or texted me with emergency carpool issues, homework assignments, or we-are-out-of-sliced-turkey catastrophes, which is good because