A home without a pet contains empty spaces — I didn’t realize the gravity of my decision when I agreed to allow our daughter to foster kittens. When Kari proposed the idea, her father was a barrier to overcome. He dislikes cats. But when the fourteen-year-old tilted her head slightly to the right, flashed her crooked smile, and batted…

Write to manage difficult situations — The morning sky shined bright as a warm breeze brushed my arm. Every sign of nature forecasted a day of potential until we answered the phone call and were told Kari, our daughter, laid in the hospital unconscious following a stroke. Like a tornado that touches down unexpectedly, her stroke…

Strategies to save your narrative — It can be difficult to find your own errors because when reading our own work, we tend to read what we think it says. It requires focused practice to slow the brain down and learn to edit effectively. Unlike CPR, each step can be performed independently and there is no…

Variety increases interest — Accomplished writers become life long learners. Athletes don’t skip practice because their skills are good enough. Ongoing education is necessary for doctors to remain current on new practices and information. A musician repeatedly plays a song to increase fluency, proficiency, and add personal techniques .No matter how famous or successful…

Learn supportive communication strategies for stroke rehabilitation — “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” — George Bernard Shaw Several years ago, my youngest daughter, Kat, phoned me distraught about a conflict at work. Before she started talking, she clarified, “Mom, I don’t want you to solve my problem, just listen.”…

Record the simple triumphs as wins — “Live life like it’s the last breath you take for that breath is the whole essence of living, the little things in life are what connects us to all the big things we live for.” — Robert Frost When Kinsley, our middle granddaughter was two years old, she already knew…

Word choice, similes, leads, showing, figurative language — When a draft sits finished in front of you, the temptation to push the publish button can force the process. We all fall into the trap of thinking our writing is good enough. However, there is a difference between a good writing and great writing. That is the great controversy…

Brainstorm vocabulary — Adding sensory imagery to writing is a simple skill to develop. However, it requires a strong vocabulary specific to the topic. Writers who have not consciously practiced this technique will find immediate success if they take time to pre-write prior to the first draft. Start with a simple statement of…

Use imagery to engage readers — The smell of cinnamon carries me to Mom’s kitchen where fresh snickerdoodle cookies greeted me as after-school treats. Styx singing Boat on the River sends me adrift to a time when I waterskied with friends in high school. …