Tag Archives: advice

A New Year Every Day

Posted on January 15, 2013 by

I paid more attention than usual this year to people’s New Year’s resolutions and to the obligatory articles in the media about the most common resolutions and how long people keep them. Unsurprisingly, people want to improve their health, financial … Continue reading →

Posted in Criticism, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Lobbing Nerf Rocks

Posted on December 1, 2012 by

At a workshop I attended recently, Emmy Laybourne, author of the Monument 14 series, shared a rule, well-known among screenwriters, that I had never heard before: “Chase your character up a tree and throw rocks at him.” It’s smart advice: … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Libraries, Motherhood, Volta, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Improvised Emergency Oil Candles

Posted on November 15, 2012 by

(Just for a change, a practical post.) Several people asked me about the oil candles I referred to in Perfect Whole, Superstorm Sandy Edition, so I thought I would post some pictures and directions for anyone who also finds herself … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Internettled? Work With It!

Posted on April 15, 2012 by

Today, Perfect Whole presents something completely new: a guest post! Dr. Elena Taurke-Joseph, a psychologist and filmmaker, proposes a productive, self-compassionate process to use when feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated with technology. This is the first of a series, which she … Continue reading →

Posted in Criticism, Volta | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

This Essay is Not Living Up to Its Potential

Posted on April 1, 2012 by

You’re not working up to your potential! Raise your hand if your teachers told you this when you were growing up. Wow! That many of you! That’s a LOT of unlived-up-to potential! Let us pause for a moment and imagine … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Motherhood, Volta | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Midlife Crisis; Or, Why Time Travel Wouldn’t Have Helped, Anyway

Posted on August 15, 2011 by

  I’m no expert in the mid-life crisis, being in the midst of one and not having yet come out on the other side to write sagely of the hazards and rewards of the journey for those just setting out.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Volta | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments