A New Rough Draft November
Today is the first day of Rough Draft November and there’s a NaNo 2.0! But before I dive into a new manuscript, I’ve made a list of self care ideas to help me get to the point where I can write The End.
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Haunted by Love: The Romantic Power of Ghostly Settings
Haunted houses hold more than ghosts. They hold love, memory, and the courage to face what lingers. A reflection on gothic romance and heart.
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Halloween for the Introverted Romantic
For the introverted romantic, Halloween isn’t about fright. It’s about beauty, mystery, and falling in love with the world in the glow of candlelight.
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A Plan for Thanksgiving
Although Halloween is a week away, it’s time to start preparing for those November holidays that are loaded with family, fun, and food.
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Preptober Meal Plans
While my NaNo project is all set, I’m trying to get my life ready for such a huge project. One of the things I do ahead of time is to plan out some of my meals, for my self and my family. So let’s get started with a monthly meal plan!
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Pennhurst: Structures that Speak
In my second post about Pennhurst Asylum, once known as the Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic, I discuss the architecture and how its abandonment affects visitors.
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The Gothic Heart of Romance
Romance has always had a gothic heartbeat. And today’s essay explores why readers—and writers—are drawn to moody, windswept love stories where passion and fear intertwine, and love survives the storm.
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Prepping the Fall Garden
Let’s prepare our vegetable garden and flower beds for fall and early winter. From soil care and mulching to planting cool-season crops, these garden prep tips will keep your plants healthy and ready for spring.
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Pennhurst: A Place of Memory, Decay, and Reckoning
Step inside the haunting history of Pennhurst Asylum, once known as the Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic. In this first installment of my Pennhurst series, I explore the asylum’s dark past and its legacy as an International Site of Conscience.
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How Autumn Teaches Writers to Let Go
Autumn is the perfect season for writers to reflect on the art of letting go. Just as trees release their leaves, writers can release scenes, drafts, and ideas that no longer serve their stories.
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Favorite End of Summer Movies
Although September is here, it’s not too late to wallow in the end-of summer-feels with movies that embody this end-of-summer/bittersweet vibe.
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Lessons from a Long Hot Summer
Today I’m writing about what summer teaches creatives about rest, impermanence, and inspiration, and how to carry its lessons into the new season
