by Rochelle Melander What’s a lady to do when the floor falls out from under her? Easy answer: She closes her eyes. Imagines a floor where there isn’t one. Pretends that the twitch in her eye is from lack of sleep. Worry. Women Worry. Up all night worrying, I suppose! —Claire Burke, Yesteryear Are you...Read More

by Rochelle Melander You need novelty. Novelty activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and boosting learning, memory and motivation. Most of us turn to social media to get our dopamine fix. But that’s not the best thing—as we now know, social media’s addictive. But new stuff—that’s gold for your brain. Novelty helps you adapt...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 Creativity is just connecting things. -Steve Jobs I’m taking a Poetry class this winter with Pomelo books. Our task: to take a subject we know a lot about and write a funny poem using a skill like alliteration, idioms, or synonyms. The challenge has been great fun. It also provided me with...Read More

December 12, 2023 Note From Rochelle Dear writers, Most of the groups I belong to have wrapped up for the year, including the Goddess group. I miss them. These groups have helped me to stay focused, write more, and stay encouraged. If you’ve been feeling lonely and discouraged about writing, consider joining the Writing Accountability...Read More

June 20, 2023 Note From Rochelle Dear writers, Since January, I’ve revised a novel and written a new one; written and revised several picture books, and written half a dozen poems. I owe my productivity to meeting with my accountability partners every single week. Sharing my weekly goals with them and then having to report...Read More

March 24, 2020     Note From Rochelle     Dear Writers,   I’ve been working at home for more than 20 years, and I’m struggling to focus. At first, I spent too much time scrolling through my social media feeds, searching for new information and checking on friends. I got distracted by all of...Read More

November 13, 2018     Note From Rochelle   Dear Writers,   When I was a kid, I often did my homework with friends. Although we probably goofed off as much as we worked, the time always went faster—and we always finished our homework.   That’s the principle behind write-ins: when you write with another...Read More

How Procrastination Can Boost Creativity by Rochelle Melander Are you a procrastinator or a pre-crastinator? Procrastinators put off doing the big things, sometimes until the last minute. Pre-crastinators get stuff done quickly—although not always the right stuff—way ahead of deadlines. How Pre-Crastination Kills Creativity I’m a precrastinator. I get stuff done…early. If I have a...Read More

September 12, 2017   Note From Rochelle   Dear Readers,   Are you planning to write a novel during National Novel Writing Month? Do you hope to complete your book project by the end of the year? Believe it or not, it’s time to start planning! If you need help planning or finishing a book...Read More