What makes a story great? And what are the steps that will get you to that final product Whether you’re writing a novel, screenplay, personal essay, or another creative project, you want to deliver your best work possible—but honing your creative process can take a lot of trial and error.

One look at composer-performer Lin-Manuel Miranda’s list of accomplishments and you’ve got to wonder how he does it all. His first musical, In the Heights, which he wrote and starred in, won four Tony Awards. He’s acted in TV shows, appeared on SNL, and was recently awarded the prestigious MacArthur “Genius” Grant. He wrote the songs for Disney’s animated “Moana,” whose hit song “How Far I’ll Go” was nominated for the 2017 Oscar for Best Original Song. He’ll be starring in Disney’s upcoming Mar

Retirement opens up a host of exciting opportunities—the chance to explore new hobbies, travel to new destinations and even relocate to a different city, state, or country. For previous generations, deciding where to retire mostly involved the pursuit of sunshine. And though it’s still true that we’re all looking for better weather, finding the perfect place to retire has a little more to it than that. Here are some additional factors you’ll want to consider during your search for where to reti

When you watch celebs on the red carpet are you admiring the dazzling gowns and glamorous fashion... or wondering when was the last time that actress ate carbs? The Academy Awards are this Sunday, and I for one will be kicking back with a glass of bubbly to enjoy one of the biggest fashion moments of the year. As a stylist I've seen how celebrity fashion can be an amazing source of inspiration for your personal wardrobe -- the red carpet is fabulous for spotting upcoming trends and gleaning ideas! -- but I've also found that a lot of women really struggle with this.

If you’re in the midst of retirement planning, you’re probably thinking about your social security benefits, how much money you should be saving, and the best places to retire to. But have you taken care of your will and estate planning yet? We know, it’s not the cheeriest of subjects, but always putting it off until later can cause big problems down the road. Without a legal will, you’ll have zero control over who gets what after you’re gone. The fate of your house, your grandmother’s earring

Meeting someone in person is pretty straightforward. You smile, shake their hand, tell them your name. But what if you’re not meeting face to face? What if you’re introducing yourself via email? Maybe you’re reaching out to create a new connection, to ask for advice, or a collaboration, or a job. How do you compete with the other 700 emails in their inbox and convince them a response to you is worthwhile? Writing an introductory email can be nerve racking when there’s so much pressure to get th

Creativity stirs within all of us, longing for the chance to burst forth into the world. Commissions are a way for you to answer that call of creativity and join with me as a collaborator in the creative process. As a co-creator you’re invited to connect more deeply with your own creative vision and desires, so we can bring to life the beauty within your imagination. Guided by your inspiration, I’ll craft original artwork that’s custom-made for your home or workspace (and for you). You’ll have a unique piece that you’ll also enjoy a very special relationship to.

There are many celebrated writers in this world, but few ever reach the rockstar-level status of dark fantasy author Neil Gaiman. Fans stand in line for hours at his book signings, only to faint when they finally meet him (or ask him to sign their body so they can get his signature tattooed). His beloved novels and comics—Coraline, Stardust, American Gods, Good Omens, and The Sandman (to name a few)—have gained cult followings and been adapted for the big screen and television.

Natural. Relaxed. Spontaneous. Your life is real, unscripted, and beautiful. And you want photography that stays true to who you are. No posing, no props, no pressure – just a window into your unique world as it is right now. During our sessions, you'll have a relaxed, no-fuss experience. And afterwards, you'll get to enjoy some seriously fun and beautiful photos.

Is Friday a super productive work day? Or are you starting to wonder why you bother coming in at all? For many of us, getting through the day on Friday (especially the afternoon) can be a real struggle. Who doesn’t get that #FridayFeeling? After a long week of getting stuff done, we’re just ready for the weekend to begin. Staying focused on work can feel impossible, but indulging in a lighter work day can be guilt-inducing when we expect (or others expect) that we’ll get more work done than we

Leaving for vacation? Heading to a work conference? Beset with the flu? You’re taking a break from email correspondence, which means it’s time to set up the dreaded “out of office” message. Not only is it a bore to write, most people will be less than delighted to read it when they were expecting a real response from you. But what if you could turn this necessary evil into a way of engaging with people that’s informative, memorable, and even fun? Maybe they wouldn’t be as disappointed to get yo

Your wedding is an expression of who you are as a couple, and chances are you’re planning a celebration that’s a little unconventional. Your wedding won’t be traditional – why should your wedding photography? My passion is to help you break free from the mainstream, reject the mediocre, and really, honestly, be true to yourself. Whether you’re planning a casual hoopla on the ol’ family farm or a week-long Indian fusion wedding with enough guests to fill a town, we’ve got a package for you!

You want your writing to have a clear message. You want it to be easy to read and reach more people. But your pieces aren’t getting a lot of engagement, and your readers are confused about your main points. You’re having to verbally explain to people what you wrote, and you’re getting fewer and fewer responses to your novel-length emails. Maybe you were aiming for your next writing piece to be strong, effective, and easy to understand . . . only to end up with a meandering piece of work whose

You’ve just poured your heart into your latest blog post. You got real! You got vulnerable! …And now a total stranger is publicly ridiculing you. Life on the Internet can be stressful. As you express your experiences and opinions, you are bound to run into the naysayers, the haters, and the outright trolls. Dealing with these characters may not be fun, but they don’t have to ruin your day. Here are seven smart ways to handle negativity on social media and come out on top. The simplest and mo