My daughter caught my attention. “But I want it to be perfect.” It was a moment of awakening. My daughter's innocent desire for perfection echoed my own inner struggle, a battle I’ve been fighting for years. The realization that this ideal of perfection was already...
Sometimes, achieving success can feel like a maze. Decisions that don’t work out, choices that make us unhappy, shots in the dark that make us look foolish; all these outcomes keep us on edge. But there is a solution: be yourself. I’ve always felt, still feel, and...
I am humbled to be a Guest of Honor at Bouchercon 2024 this week. So, in honor of all the wonderful authors I am meeting this weekend, I’ll share with you the common questions I’m getting from writers as I appear on panels, walk the halls, and generally interact with...
So, writer, you are your boss. And what is it that a boss might have that an employee who is told what to do every day might not have? Self-discipline. You must put your butt in the chair, as some say—every day. I'm getting asked many questions as we go through Killer...
We don’t have to know how the gas stove works. We use it. It has its function. But it is not the same with our mind and our life. We don’t want to use our life (and we certainly don’t want someone else to use it). We want to enjoy it. We want to experience it. We want...
I’m sure you’ve heard that you need to work harder when things aren’t going your way. I’m sure you’ve heard when you work harder, someone has the sage advice that, no, you need to work smarter. When you’re working smart, everyone suggests that you keep an eye on the...
Embrace a new approach to life and work with work-life integration. Discover how prioritizing what you love and focusing on fulfilling tasks can bring true satisfaction and purpose to your daily life.
Happiness isn’t found in external success but within. Many creatives struggle with an insatiable need for more—more sales, more recognition—but true fulfillment comes from embracing the joy of creation itself. By shifting focus inward, we free ourselves to create authentically and find lasting peace.