Write Now Coach! Blog by Rochelle Melander

I’m thrilled to welcome Nancy Levin to the blog. She’s here to talk about the books that have shaped her writing—and it’s a delicious list! We’re also celebrating with her the release of her wonderful new book: Jump…and Your Life Will Appear. After you read the post, enter to win a... Read More

25 Mar 2014

Write Now! Weekly Writing Tip

Sick? Stop Writing and Rest by Rochelle Melander

Dear Writers, Happy Spring! After months of teaching sneezing, coughing kids at the library, I finally got sick. Last Wednesday, I came down with a sore throat and chills. I cancelled all my meetings—I didn’t want to make others sick—but thought, “I can still work.” And then I got worse.... Read More

18 Mar 2014

Write Now! Weekly Writing Tip

Stuck? Three Ways to Discover New Ideas By Rochelle Melander

Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. —John Steinbeck Last Tuesday at the library, we wrote noisy poetry. An eight-year-old girl whined, “But I don’t know what to write about!” I asked her questions: What interests... Read More

11 Mar 2014

Productivity, Write Now! Weekly Writing Tip

When Habit Isn’t Enough: How to Boost Productivity By Rochelle Melander

As you may have read last week, I’ve signed up for the Idle Ironman at my Y. In the next month, I’ll bike 112 miles, run 26.2 miles, and—since I don’t swim—run an extra seven miles. The first year I did the Idle Ironman, I started a week late. But... Read More

04 Mar 2014

Write Now! Weekly Writing Tip

Beat the Writing Blues: Make a Small Change By Rochelle Melander

All great things have small beginnings. —Peter Senge In yoga, I notice that the small shifts yield big rewards. Tiny movements create aha moments. When I relax my shoulders, shift the angle of my foot, or lift my chin—the correct pose emerges. It feels right. I’ve noticed the same phenomena... Read More

25 Feb 2014

Write Now! Weekly Writing Tip

How to Write Through Doubt by Rochelle Melander

Remember these things. Work with all your intelligence and love. Work freely and rollickingly as though they were talking to a friend who loves you. Mentally (at least three or four times a day) thumb your nose at all know-it-alls, jeerers. critics, doubters. —Brenda Ueland Doubt happens. Rejections pile up.... Read More

24 Feb 2014

Author Interviews

Writer Interview: Paul Geenan by Rochelle Melander

I met Paul Geenan several years ago and was immediately intrigued by his intellect and curiosity. When I heard about his new book, Civil Rights Activism in Milwaukee, I wanted to learn more about the book and Geenan’s writing process. Geenan was kind enough to offer an interview, and you can... Read More