by Noelle Sterne
January 2018
Saying “No” can take as much courage as saying “Yes.” We’ve all had the experience of squeaking a mousy “Okay, sure” for something we didn’t really want to do – drive twelve kids to the water park in the Mini Cooper, agree to Sunday dinner with new acquaintances when the conversation had already stalled at “Hello,” go with a friend to a football game when we’re allergic to fans in painted faces.
Read Moreby Noelle Sterne
May 2017
The whole thing lasted no more than ten seconds. I’d stopped at the supermarket for a few necessities before rushing home for an important client call. Throwing my groceries on the counter, I paced back and forth, almost hopping, sandwiched between the customers behind and ahead of me.
Read Moreby Noelle Sterne
July 2016
My writing buddy’s face turned dark pink as she shouted over her latté. “No one can write anything worthwhile without a private place!” She thrust her face into mine. “It’s gotta be your own!”
“Oh, please!” I replied. “All you need is the desire, will, and your stone tablet and a sharp tool. It doesn’t matter where you write!”
Read Moreby Noelle Sterne
May 2016
The rejection experience I’m about to relate was the kind of marvel you may read about and say, “Yeah, yeah, okay for you. It could never happen to me.” That’s what I used to think . . .
It All Started . . .
Read Moreby Noelle Sterne
May 2015
You meticulously study the publication’s guidelines. You follow them precisely. You draft and redraft your submission. But . . . the rejections pour in relentlessly. You moan, scream, swear, and fling around the house, ready to throw in the sponge and throw out your keyboard.
Read Moreby Noelle Sterne
October 2013
Like most writers, I keep bumping up against articles on how to treat my writing more like a business. Like many writers, I rebel at this advice, always wanting more time for the writing itself. But in an infrequent browse through a business publication, I came upon an article that didn't give me administrative agita. Even immersed in creative bliss, a writer can hardly resist the title: "Ten Traits That Make You Filthy-Rich" by Jeffrey Strain (TheStreet.com, February 1, 2008).
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