How Studying Theater Improved My Writing
As a children's author, it's crucial for me to develop characters that are interesting, engaging, and relatable to young readers. Drawing on skills learned in the theater helps me infuse an atmosphere of fun and play into the process - another essential quality for children’s stories.
Meditation for Writers and How it Impacts the Brain
Meditation has transformed my life on every level, from my personal to my professional life. As writers, creativity is inherent in our work. We need our brain's cognitive functions to work effectively to do our job well. This is where meditation has helped me tremendously, as without it, I would honestly lose my mind when striving to come up with story after story.
Life Lessons We Can Learn from Kids to Become Better Adults
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give to aspiring authors is that your work has to be something you love because you'll be working at it pretty much all of the time. Fortunately, I love what I do because I learn something new about it every day, which keeps things interesting. And my biggest teachers are the kids.
The Chakras and How They Influenced the Names of My Characters
Did you know that the characters in my ‘Mula and the Fly’ children’s series were named after the chakras? Chakras (or “wheels of energy”) are points within the body that go from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.
Ayurvedic Strategies to Kickstart Your Writing Routine
As writers, we know that there's no "one size fits all" approach to getting the job done. There’s just the idea in our head and the blank page in front of us. However, over the centuries, various tools and techniques have been developed, tested, and refined by writers who have experimented with what works and what doesn't.
5 Tips for Writing a Children's Book: Get Started with These Strategies
Writing for kids is a weird and wonderful journey. You've got to dive right into the deep end of that rainbow-sprinkled, slime-filled, squiggle-shaped pool of imagination. Writing for kids can feel like hours of fun-filled character creation, but it can also be daunting if you don't plan ahead.
How Children’s Literature Influences Us: Reflections from a Children’s Author
I don't think I ever grew up. Wait - scratch that: I never grew up. I'm basically a kid in high heels, and I love it. I mean, why would I want to ignore that side of myself? Besides keeping me young, there's a slight sophistication to embracing one's childlike wonder. It makes me do the most foolish thing: enjoy life.
5 Simple Mindfulness Practices
Have you taken the time today to think about nothing? Or better yet, have you taken the time to live in the moment?
Doing nothing may sound simple, but in our busy lives it’s a short practice that is easy to forget. Yet it’s essential to take that moment in order to check-in and give our mind some restful attention - if only to broaden the scope of our horizon.
Here are a few simple practices to grease those mindful training wheels.
The Ageless Benefits of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is ageless. It’s the practice of stepping back and observing the moment without judgement. Maybe that sounds simple…too simple.
Read on to see how this simple practice can make an enormous impact.