Young adult literature is what made me want to be an author. A copy of The Truth About Forever given to me by a friend introduced me to a genre teeming with swoon-worthy stories, loveable characters, and relatable lessons. Every time…
I am obsessed with flowers. Like, anything to do with florals. I’m totally enraptured. I secretly dream of growing a flower farm on our acreage, of always having fresh-cut, home-grown flowers on my kitchen counter. I dream of traveling to flower…
I never got the chance to meet my grandma Joey. Even though my middle name — Joann — is her namesake, she passed away a few months before I was born. I ache to know her, to be close to her.…
As a writer — or painter, poet, scientist, or whatever amazing profession you claim — continuing to improve your craft is important, not only to sharpen your saw and remain competitive in your field, but also to help you remember what…
Just call me Indiana Jones, ’cause last week, I unearthed a true hidden treasure: my old high school yearbooks. Okay, that’s a tad dramatic, because let’s be real — I was the layout editor on my high school yearbok staff; I…
As far as my career goes, I transitioned into freelance writing almost imperceptibly. Writing was in my career plan all along, but being self-employed never had been. I’d worked for newspaper and magazines, and loved that work. I loved having an…
When I got the idea for Talking Shop, I initially thought, “Hey, this will be a great way to get more content up on my site!” I realized quickly, however, that it would become SO much more than simple blog posts…
Are you tired of deciding where to eat for dinner? SAME. After too many “I don’t care, what do you want to eat?”s exchanged between you and your family or friends, have you ever just picked a restaurant at random and…
I feel like one of true, genuine blessings in life is getting to cross paths with, and learn from amazing people. My life has been filled with such serendipitous and rewarding interactions. I knew Emily Kim for only a short time…
One of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever received was from my best friend, Amy. For my birthday last year, she sent me a little book filled with sealed envelopes. “Letters to my Friend,” the cover read. Inside was prompted letters…
The best songs heighten moods. They validate your emotions and make them feel beautiful. They make mundane moments magical. There’s a thrill that comes with finding the right words to capture how a song interacts with your emotions or environment. I…
Okay, confession time: I live my life by bullet points and checkboxes. Anyone else a compulsive to-do lister? My planner never leaves my side, and on its heavily-worn pages are color-coded tasks, lengthy lists, and chicken-scratch notes. Like many of you,…
