What I learned this week
Sometimes, surprise yourself.
Similar Posts
On how we are free
Years ago, Jessica had a big plastic castle that she got for Christmas, and a number of princess figures that fit inside. One day she came to me and she said, “I let all of the princesses out of the castle and now they are free!” She was beyond excited; she was thrilled. And…
Facing fears
Ever since Jessica started middle school, every morning I have parked in the parking lot and walked to the front door with her. In the afternoons, I stand by the front door to pick her up and we walk to the car together. Everyone else, of course, drops their kids off; they just wait in…
On arriving
This week I heard from a lot of people who are disenchanted with the books they’re writing or have written. Most of the writers I know work in nonfiction, which you sell on the basis of a proposal, and once you have a contract, you write the book. It’s a tough slog, but you sort…
On getting things done
A friend of mine always teases me about being held hostage when Jess is with me (as opposed to when Jess is with her father), because I answer the phone less and don’t talk as much. It’s absolutely true, and if said friend were to make an issue of it, my response would be, “Have…
On how I get so much done
This summer, Jessica decided that she did not want to go to day camp as she has in previous years and so we agreed to give her staying home a try. We had some intense negotiation first (Me: “You will have to be patient while I work.” Jess: “You can bring me to the coffee…
How to: Keeping the beginner’s mind
On the theme of Open the Office Door, an excerpt from my book Dojo Wisdom for Writers on a concept I love: Lesson #8: Keep the Beginner’s Mind Martial artists respect the beginner’s mind because it’s open to new experiences and isn’t as critical as it later becomes. Someone who is just beginning…