An Interview with Jerrianne Hayslett by Rochelle Melander Congratulations on your new book, Valiant Vel: Vel Phillips and the Fight for Fairness and Equality. Can you tell us about it? Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to talk about Vel Phillips and our book Valiant Vel. Vel Phillips was a tiny middle-class Black woman who...Read More

by Rochelle Melander The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. – Bertrand Russell I follow many writers and creatives on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. When they share their habits, successes, and even their failures, I feel encouraged to...Read More

by Rochelle Melander Distracted from distraction by distraction. – T.S. Eliot I have talked to so many people who’re struggling to focus. They have good intentions to research, write, or work and they end up doomscrolling. I’m in the same boat. Because I use social media for my job, I can’t just quit. Plus, social...Read More

Note From Rochelle Dear writers, If you’re struggling to focus (and who isn’t?) this is the perfect time to try the Show Up and Write sessions. I’m doing a special session that combines the Writing Accountability Group and Show Up and Write on Thursday, March 27 at 11:00 AM CT (Think Chicago). We’ll be doing...Read More

by Rochelle Melander “I don’t want anyone who doesn’t want me.” –Oprah Winfrey “In general, things either work out or they don’t, and if they don’t, you figure out something else, a plan B. There’s nothing wrong with plan B.” ― Dick Van Dyke Every writer will get rejected repeatedly. If you’re not getting rejected, it’s...Read More

An Interview with Sharon Woodhouse by Rochelle Melander Hi, Sharon, Welcome to the blog! And congrats on your new book. Can you tell us about The Profitable Author? Thanks, Rochelle! Everything in The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books is based in my personal experience and observations from my 25...Read More

What My Literary Heroes Taught Me about Writing by Rochelle Melander When it comes to changing history, sometimes you must write your stories for the people least likely to embrace them. Harriet Ann Jacobs wrote her book, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, to appeal to white women in the North, teaching readers...Read More

by Rochelle Melander With everything going on in the world, I’m struggling to focus and stay productive. Last year, I discovered and wrote about the 100-day project (https://writenowcoach.com/the-100-day-project/). The 100-day project provides the container I need make art. Read on to learn what it is and how to make it work for you. What it...Read More

By Rochelle Melander I’ve spent the last week under the weather, first with the Norovirus, then with a cold. The only benefit to being sick has been my need to rest—and stay offline. It’s tempting to spend every moment scouring the news, listening to the pundits, seeking signs of hope and a path forward. It’s...Read More

An Interview with Liv Rosin by Rochelle Melander Congratulations on your new book, My Stroke of Blessings: A Message of Hope. Can you tell us what it’s about? My Stroke of Blessings: A Story of Hope is a recounting of my brain hemorrhage, my determination to return to the classroom and beyond, and my discoveries...Read More