Maria 
Let’s have a heart-to-heart about that deceptively misnamed monster: the “first draft.” It’s cute how we all pretend the first draft is an actual thing and not just a word soup we spill onto paper. My first draft is just me chucking my story down—like a toddler with a new paint set. Everywhere. On everything. … Read more
“Damn, I look good.” A thought likely uttered out loud or in one’s own head a dozen times a day. How do I know this? Because I am a lurker on social media. I scroll through dozens of feeds, and over half of them are photos of men and women posing. “Look at me!” They silently … Read more
I once heard Denzel Washington give a speech where he said, “Fall down nine times, get up ten.” For any endeavor, I believe that’s true. Whether you fall ten times, five times, or once on your chosen journey, each time will be a learning experience. I like to refer to those moments as ‘school fees.’ … Read more
The Netflix series -The Diplomat, starring Keri Russell, is a fast-paced political thriller that demands your full attention. If you’re thinking of tuning in while you make dinner, do your nails, or balance your financial books – you might have a re-think. With each episode featuring political maneuvering and subterfuge – you’re going to want … Read more
Ever heard of the expression – grow old gracefully? There’s a certain amount of wisdom in that. We all grow old. Perhaps with technological breakthroughs, we’ll be able to maintain our physical youth well into our eighties. That time is not yet here. Faces sage. Bones get brittle. It takes more effort to run a … Read more
My daily mantra – so many books, so little time. I purchase books, and I borrow books from my local library on the Libby App. My biggest frustration is when I’m in the middle of one book I’ve purchased, and the library informs me three books I’ve been waiting for are available. Unfortunately, my library … Read more