Uplevel Your Life: Using Poetry for Shadow Work

Uplevel Your Life: Using Poetry for Shadow Work

Why do we do the things we do? Or, why don’t we do the things we say we most want to do? We all want to eat healthier and exercise, and anyone reading this article wants more magic and writing in their lives. So, why is it so difficult to wake up early to write,… Read more »

Episode 470: Craft Jam: Weave Your Story's World

Episode 469: Craft Jam: Weave Your Story’s World

We’re back for another episode of our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Lori and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we’ll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more. This month’s… Read more »

First Chapter Scene Analysis: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

First Chapter Scene Analysis: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Welcome back! If you’ve been following this blog series, you know why studying stories is imperative to your ability to improve your writing craft. The short answer: By studying books, particularly ones that exemplify bestsellers, breakout novels, and, perhaps most importantly, masterworks in a genre, we can recognize patterns and invaluable, key elements in fiction… Read more »

Consent and Condoms: Ice Planet Barbarians

Consent and Condoms: Ice Planet Barbarians

Though it may come as a surprise to some, I’ve only been reading romance novels for a few years now. I’ve always secretly enjoyed romance plots when they come up in other books I’ve read or movies I watched, and I’m the first to worship two characters at the barest hint of chemistry, but it… Read more »

Create a Happy and Healthy Writing Life

Create a Happy and Healthy Writing Life

Writer wellness is a journey, not a goal. It is an attainable path for a sustainable writing routine that is built in small ways of taking care of yourself. I teach at an adaptive sports and fitness center. I wake up every day with the purpose of making Tai Chi possible for anyone in any… Read more »

5 Lessons Learned from 7 Years of Writing Poetry

5 Lessons Learned from 7 Years of Writing Poetry

Welcome back, poets!  This will be my final post as a columnist for DIY MFA. This is a bittersweet departure for me, but I’m excited to begin another chapter of my life! It’s truly been an honor writing for you all and I thought I’d leave you with some of the lessons I’ve learned from… Read more »

June 2023 Leisure Learning: Summer Reading, All Grown Up

June 2023 Leisure Learning: Summer Reading, All Grown Up

Word nerds, please grab a mimosa and join me as I raise a glass to that super special time of year: (to be read with your best Oprah impression)***SUMMER READING SEASON!!***  Like ghost stories in October, summer reading carries with it the indulgence of being simply delightful. It’s a time to break free of books related only… Read more »