Interview With Kyle Bynum: Spring 2026 Flash Fiction Contest Runner-Up

 

I'm excited to interview Kyle Bynum, one of the runners-up in our Spring 2026 Flash Fiction Contest. We're chatting with him about the inspiration for his story, "The Eurasian Collared Dove," why he decided to submit his story to WOW, and more.

Before you read our discussion, be sure to read his story, "The Eurasian Collared Dove," then come on back. First, here's more about Kyle:

"I am a storyteller who is falling in love with the process of writing. Telling stories is my way of communicating with the world, and I hope I can connect with many people. I'm currently a full-time college student but would love to become a published author one day. From the moment of inspiration until the final period of a story is typed, passion and excitement course through me, allowing me the vulnerability to create a roadmap of my feelings. It feels like a superpower to me, but I hope my stories can become a pleasant gift to you."

---- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: Congrats on "The Eurasian Collared Dove" winning runner-up. What inspired this story?

Kyle: After weeks of wanting to write something haunting and eerie, I woke up one morning with a strong pull to write a piece about a noise that created tension which gradually grew until the store couldn't contain it anymore. Initially, it was going to be the sound of battle drums, but as the core idea grew in my mind it became clear that I needed the sound to be annoying rather than scary. Much like this sound, when inspiration strikes with me it tends to become loud and persistent until I take action. Within an hour of waking up I had written the entire piece!

WOW: What a great choice to make it a more annoying noise than scary! I love how this story becomes first about nature, then about its torment of mankind. What made you decide upon that bird in particular?

Kyle: I almost don't want to give any credit to my archnemesis, the Eurasian Collared Dove, but I suppose it's only fair. For years the sound of this bird had been disrupting the peace of my mornings. I could never figure out where this thing was, or why it chose to make noise outside of MY window, or even what type of bird it was. One day, I finally found a video online that not only had the sound the bird makes and its image, but also its name. That prompted me to do some more digging, and after studying my opponent for a bit, I came to understand it more. Its incessant cooing doesn't bother me much now, and writing a story about it likely played a role in that!

WOW: Ha, I've had birds by my apartment like that. It's great you used it for inspiration! I love you describing writing as a superpower! What a wonderful description. How has writing for you changed over the years?

Kyle: Honestly, writing is still incredibly new to me. It was only a few years ago that I committed to working more on my mental health and began journaling, writing, and creating stories. Every piece I write is from the heart. It's like each word and sentence is code for my emotional state at the time of writing. Reading through my stories is basically exploring the maze that is my feelings, completely raw and unfiltered. It's also very empowering writing a story that I can be proud of.

WOW: It really is! Congrats again on winning runner-up with WOW! What led you to submit your writing to WOW?

Kyle: I hope it's not too shallow, but I wanted to get a sense of whether or not my writing was any good. For roughly 35 years of my life, I did not consider myself a writer at all, as I had no stories written. However, once I did start writing, it was hard to come by anyone who would read my work. I always believed people would enjoy my stories if they gave them a chance, so I looked into ways I could get that done. With this particular contest, the option to get a critique was perfect for me because it meant I would be able to see where I could improve and what my strengths were. Seeking out contests like this one was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

WOW: That's so great to hear. What advice can you share about creating publishable writing that you can share with our readers?

Kyle: I'll approach this question with a great deal of humility because I'm so new to this. What works for me is being fearless. I went back and forth between whether or not to use "courageous" or "fearless" here, but I feel fearless is more accurate. I don't know the "dos and don'ts" of writing. I don't know how you're supposed to tell a story. I don't know whether or not it was correct to put dos and don'ts in quotations earlier, or whether I need them now! My belief is that if your message connects with the reader, then none of that stuff truly matters. Write what you want to write about without fear that it won't connect, or that it has poor grammar, or that there are spelling mistakes. If it's from the heart, it will find an audience. Disclaimer: If "publishable writing" is meant to be literal then disregard my advice because you probably do need good grammar and spelling!!                                                      

WOW: Great advice! What are you working on that you can tell us about?

Kyle: Well, it might be a piece on the intrusive screeching of the rooster disturbing me on this otherwise fine morning... But honestly, I have a few ideas for flash fiction pieces that are ready to go. I want to write a story about the rain for the Summer contest. Don't worry, it will be very entertaining! I also might revise one of my older stories so it can be submitted to a contest. It's a very personal piece called "That Quiet Sky", and I'm so excited to share it with the world. It's fully written, but right now it reads more as a personal story to myself than one meant for the public, so it will need some modifications first. There's another story about an author struggling to be imaginative until...SOMETHING allows him to see things differently. And while it's still incredibly early in the process, I'm slowly working on a few different ideas for novels. Stay tuned!

WOW: We can't wait! Thank you so much for trusting us with your writing. We look forward to seeing what you come out with next!

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Leave a Comment interview, Kyle Bynum, Nicole Pyles, Spring 2026 Flash Fiction Contest

The Simple Trick That Got Me Back to Writing

 

This year has been extraordinarily stressful personally. It's tough to go into specific details, but let me tell you, this is not a year I'd live twice. It is definitely chalked up to one of my top 10 most difficult years (or really, periods in my life, more broadly speaking). 

As the stress levels waned a bit over the summer, I found myself wanting to write again. I hadn't in months, not since the early start of the year, when energy levels are only high because of pure denial about the level of creative drive that the year may inspire (sorry, did that sound cynical?).

What I learned as I tried to recover a sense of creative self this fall season is a trick that I wish I could impart to a younger version of me. A version of me who often waxed whimsical over the elusive muse that was supposed to inspire my work 

I would tell myself that the key to keeping up with my writing goals is simple and complex: discipline. Maybe that isn't the case for all writers. Or maybe they have a way of saying it that doesn't sound so grumpy and grown-up and boring. Could be that "habit" is a better way of saying it.

Either way, I decided to brush off a dusty digital file and began editing a bit each day again. I took on the old "one thing a day" approach that worked for me once. Lo and behold, it worked again.

It only worked because I allowed myself to just do a bit each day. But I found that doing even that could be hard. That makes this both simple and complex. I'm very aware that often the biggest hurdle to accomplishing this is me. And choosing what I'm prioritizing for the day.

If you're going through a difficult or stressful time in your life, you may just need a break from creative work. I sure did. But during that break, be open to the windows that open up and allow you to return to that creative self. Just don't overcomplicate it. Return to where you left off. Do a little bit each day. You'd be surprised how far that takes you.

Nicole Pyles is a tired and overworked freelance writer. If she's not working on her latest writing assignment or drinking too much coffee, she's gathering together podcast opportunities for her clients and newsletter followers. Subscribe to her newsletter for a weekly list of podcasters looking for guests.

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Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition by Mari L. McCarthy: Blog Tour & Giveaway

 

We're excited to announce the upcoming blog tour for Journaling Power: How To Create the Happy, Healthy Life YOU Want to Live, 10th Anniversary Edition. Mari L. McCarthy, author and long-time friend of WOW! Women on Writing joins us to celebrate her book's launch and special anniversary. We interview her about her book and give you a chance to win a copy for yourself.

Before we get to that, here's more about the book:

Are you ready to take control of your health and happiness, and healing - from the inside out?

In this powerful 10th anniversary edition of her international bestselling book, Mari L. McCarthy reveals how a simple pen-and-paper journaling power practice can unlock your inner healer, restore your connection to self, and help you create a life that finally feels like it fits.

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and facing mounting health challenges, Mari turned to journaling - not as a hobby, but as a lifeline. 

What she discovered wasn’t just helpful. It was transformational.  Less pain. More clarity. Emotional freedom… and personal power reclaimed!

Heal. Grow. Transform.

 

Through Mari’s Journaling For The Health Of It™ method, thousands of people around the world have discovered how to:

• Manage chronic illness and heal emotional trauma 
• Rewire negative thought patterns and reduce anxiety
• Cultivate self-compassion and body trust
• Awaken their intuition and inner wisdom
• Navigate their healthcare journey with confidence
• Live authentically, joyfully, and on their own terms

All you need to join them is a pen, a notebook, and a quiet space.

With inspiring writing prompts, Morning Pages exercises, and step-by-step guidance, Journaling Power gives you the tools to turn inward - where healing, clarity, and self-love reside.

Publisher: BookBaby

AISN: B0H6S6ZM55

ISBN-13: 979-8317840433

Print Length: 204 pages

Purchase a copy of Journaling Power: How To Create the Happy, Healthy Life YOU Want to Live, 10th Anniversary Edition on Bookbaby and Amazon. Be sure to add it to your GoodReads reading list.

Praise About Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition

"This autobiographical book is a good option for people who are looking for a reason or method to start a journaling practice. It shares a lot from the author's own perspective, and honestly felt like the book was probably also therapeutic for the author to write (in addition to being helpful to those who may be facing similar issues, such as struggles through chronic health conditions).

 

"The book really focuses on the idea of making journaling work for you. It's not about showing your writing to anyone else (or honestly even about reading it later). It's about the helpful effects of getting thoughts down on paper. There are specific journaling prompts as well as guidelines for how to journal. There are also a lot of stories of the author's health journey and how journaling fit into it. The author includes ways to reframe your inner critic and deal with common pitfalls, and also incorporates data and research that supports the benefits of regular writing, including narrative and expressive journaling. The end of the book has a bonus section, with prompts that didn't necessarily fit anywhere else in the book but also are worth exploring.

 

"One of my favorite little sections of the book was talking about being on a journey as opposed to reaching a destination. I do like that idea, because a lot of what we want to do with our lives doesn't necessarily have an end point. For example, I deal with my own chronic health issues, so I'm not likely to ever reach a destination of 'recovered' but I can continue on a journey towards greater mobility and small improvements.

 

"If you're curious about journaling, or feel like journaling will help you but don't know exactly where to start, read through this book to get you moving in the right direction." ~ Reedsy Discovery

 

"Mari L. McCarthy shines as a trailblazer in the world of journaling, and this updated edition of Journaling Power is a testament to her passion, wisdom, and lived experience. Drawing from her own transformative journey—overcoming the challenges of multiple sclerosis through daily pen-to-paper writing—Mari offers readers not just inspiration, but practical tools and heartfelt encouragement for writers who want to embark on their own paths of healing and self-discovery. This revised version is more than a guide; it’s an empowering companion that demonstrates how journaling can unlock creativity, foster resilience, and help anyone create a happier, healthier life. With its blend of personal stories, scientific evidence, and actionable exercises, Journaling Power stands out as an invaluable resource for writers looking to deepen their stories and anyone seeking to harness the life-changing benefits of journaling. This is a gift for the writer's soul. Thank you, Mari!" ~ Angela Mackintosh, Editor, WOW! Women on Writing

About the Author, Mari L. McCarthy

Mari L. McCarthy is the Founder and CEO-Chief Empowerment Officer of CreateWriteNow. She teaches health-conscious people how to use Journaling For The Health Of It™ for self-discovery,  personal growth and mental wellness.

Mari discovered therapeutic journaling 28 years ago while navigating the challenges of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Teaching herself to write with her non-dominant left hand, which began as a simple physical therapy exercise, quickly became a powerful tool for emotional, mental, and spiritual transformation.

She is the multi-award-winning author of Journaling Power, Heal Your Self With Journaling Power, and Mindset Medicine. Her work also includes more than 20 Journaling For The Health Of It™ workbooks, such as Who Am I?, Declutter Your Life and Writer’s Magic Journaling Challenge.

Learn more about her work and get your free Journaling Power workbook at CreateWriteNow.com. 

--- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: Congrats on your 10 year anniversary of Journaling Power! I can't believe it's been 10 years since your first book came out. What has changed for you since the first release of this book?

Mari: Professionally, a lot has changed. Since my first book was released, I’ve self-published two more paperback/eBooks: Heal Your Self With Journaling Power and Mindset Medicine: A Journaling Power Self-Love Book. I’ve also expanded the CreateWriteNow Store to 23 workbooks, including a very popular addition to our Writer’s Collection, Writer’s Magic: 21-Day Journaling Challenge. The Writer’s Collection now also includes 53 Weekly Writing Retreats, 12-Day Guide to Morning Pages, and Overcome Page Fright in 7 Days.

Personally. I’ve made many lifestyle changes, and my health is at an all-time high. I’ve been off prescription medications for almost 24 years, I follow a Paleo diet, and since giving up dairy, my vocal range has been approaching four octaves.  I sleep consistently 7–9 hours a night, I feel more energized, and I enjoy ever growing inner peace and harmony.

I’ve added meditation and deep-breathing exercises to my daily Journaling Power practice…and oh, the places I go!

WOW: I love it! So many good things have happened. What was your process of revising and updating the book to prepare for the 10 year anniversary? 

Mari: I was starting on a new book, “Heal The Issues In Your Tissues” and wasn’t getting anywhere so I had some discussions with my journal and discovered that 2026 was the 10th anniversary of Journaling Power. I already had the cover image, so then I created the Amazon description and back cover copy. I reordered the chapters a bit, renamed a couple chapters and added a Bonus Section of Advanced Journaling Techniques (thank you for the bonus section suggestion, Melanie Faith). Then it was on to the fun part: rewriting, rewriting, rewriting.

WOW: That's amazing how it all came together. You must have changed so many lives by sharing your journaling method. What kind of experiences have you heard from people about how journaling has helped them? 

Mari: I’ve heard so many wonderful stories over the years, and what strikes me most is that journaling meets people wherever they are in their lives. By putting their thoughts and feelings on paper, they were able to make sense of what they were experiencing instead of carrying it all around in their mind and body.

Others have used journaling to gain clarity about what they really want. They start by writing about what’s bothering them or what they’re struggling with, and somewhere along the way, they discover an answer, a goal, or a solution they hadn’t been able to see before.

And then there are the stories about action. Someone told me, “I knew what I needed to do, but I just couldn’t do it.” Journaling gave them a safe place to explore the fear, uncover what was holding them back (issues in their tissues), and take that exciting first step. 

WOW: I agree that journaling can be so life-changing. What led you to turn to journaling in the first place? 

Mari: It really started with what I call a physical therapy emergency.

I had an MS episode that caused me to lose the function of my right arm, so I had to teach myself how to write with my left hand. Am

I went into a Borders bookstore looking for something that might help, and one of the booksellers recommended Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. That book introduced me to Morning Pages—the practice of writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts first thing in the morning.

I started doing it, and something unexpected happened. Writing with my left hand quickly became easier. In those first few weeks, I realized that I had actually been left-handed as a child. The nuns at St. Bernard’s Grade School had made me switch to my right hand!

WOW: That's an incredible discovery! What advice would you share with those who don't really know how to get started with journaling?

Mari: The question I’m asked most often is, “How do I get started with journaling?”That’s why I created my 14-day introductory eWorkbook, Start Your Healing Journaling Power Practice Today!  available at CreateWriteNow.com.

My recommendation is to read through the workbook and choose the chapter or exercise that speaks to them.

Once they complete an exercise, I invite them to schedule a complimentary Journaling Power Session with me. During this session, we focus on whatever they’re currently navigating—whether that’s self-sabotage, an inner critic, procrastination, feeling overwhelmed or cluttered, or wanting to create healthier habits. Together, we identify what they need and co-create a Journaling Power Practice that fits them.

WOW: You have truly helped so many people. Thank you for choosing WOW to join you across your journey. 

--- Blog Tour Calendar

October 12 @ The Muffin

Stop by WOW's blog The Muffin to celebrate the launch of Mari L. McCarthy's blog tour of her 10th Anniversary Edition of Journaling Power. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

October 13 @ Boys' Mom Reads!

Stop by Karen's blog for a spotlight of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition by Mari L. McCarthy.

https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/

October 13 @ Sandy Kirby Quandt

Sandy shares her review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition by Mari L. McCarthy.

https://sandykirbyquandt.com/

October 15 @ Knotty Needle

Stop by Judy's blog for a review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. 

https://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

October 20 @ All Things Writing

Stop by Caitrin's blog for an excerpt from Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. 

https://www.caitrincking.com/blog

October 21 @ Thoughts of Maddness

Maddie shares her review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. She also responds to our tour-themed prompt about keeping a journal and her experiences writing in one over the years.

https://maddness22.substack.com/

October 22 @ Knotty Needle

Return to Judy's blog for her response to our tour-themed prompt about keeping a journal and her experiences writing in one over the years.

https://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

October 23 @ Melanie Faith's blog

Stop by Melanie's blog for a spotlight of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. Melanie also responds to our tour-themed prompt on her writing routines around her journal.

https://www.melaniedfaith.com/blog

October 25 @ Lisa's Reading

Stop by Lisa's blog for a spotlight of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition.

https://lisasreading.com/

October 26 @ World of My Imagination

Stop by Nicole's blog for her review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition.

https://worldofmyimagination.com/my-blog/

October 27 @ Discover The Magick Within

Stop by Isabella's blog for her review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. She also interviews Mari L. McCarthy about her book.

https://discoverthemagickwithin.com/

October 28 @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

Stop by Joan's blog for her review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. 

https://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/

    

October 29 @ The Memoir Revolution Blog

Stop by Jerry's blog for his review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. He also interviews Mari L. McCarthy about her book.

https://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/

November 1 @ A Storybook World

Stop by Deirdra's blog for a spotlight of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. 

https://www.astorybookworld.com/

November 1 @ Just Katherine

Stop by Katherine's blog for a spotlight on Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. She also responds to our tour-themed prompt on keeping a journal and her experience writing in one over the years.

https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/

November 3 @ Something Thoughts Everything Creativity

Stop by Kaecey's blog for her review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. 

https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog

November 5 @ A Wonderful World of Words

Stop by Joy's blog for an excerpt from Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. 

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

November 5 @ Hook of a Book

Stop by Erin's blog for her review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. 

https://hookofabook.wordpress.com/

November 6 @ Sarandipity's Blog

Stop by Sara's blog for a spotlight of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. 

https://sarandipitys.com/blog/

November 8 @ Shoe's Seeds and Stories

Visit Linda's blog for her review of Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition. 

https://lschuelerca.wordpress.com/

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

Enter to win Journaling Power: 10th Anniversary Edition by Mari L McCarthy. Fill out the form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends October 25th at 11:59 pm CT. We will randomly draw a winner the next day and follow up via email. Good luck! 

Journaling Power Giveaway

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13 comments blog tour, giveaway, journaling power, Mari L. McCarthy, Nicole Pyles

Interview With Jennie Bricker: Spring 2026 Flash Fiction Contest Runner-Up

 

I'm honored to interview Jennie Bricker, one of our Spring 2026 Flash Fiction Runner-Up winners. We'll be chatting about what inspired her flash fiction story, "The Sailboat," her revision process, and more.

Before you read our discussion, be sure to read her story, "The Sailboat," then come on back. First, here's more about Jennie:

Jennie Bricker practices natural resources law in Portland, Oregon, with a side gig as a freelance editor and writer. She has previously worked as a bookstore clerk, a college writing instructor, a magazine editor, a comic book editor, a pizza delivery driver, and the brown furry mascot for a southern Oregon pizza joint formerly known as Grizzly Bear Pizza.

Jennie has published around 40 nonfiction articles, both magazine features and academic pieces, one of which received an award. Her short stories and microfiction have appeared in 100 Word Story, Third Wednesday Magazine, and a Writer’s Digest prizewinners anthology. Her first novel, Thirsty Creek (Unsolicited Press, 2025), is an ecological murder mystery set in the Wallowa Mountains of eastern Oregon. Her second novel, The Metabolic Adventures of Two-Bit Gilkey, comes out in spring 2028 from Type Eighteen Books.

--- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: Congrats on winning runner-up for your story, "The Sailboat." What inspired this story? 

Jennie: This story began as a poem, during a period about 15 years ago when I wrote a lot of poetry, mostly bad. This poem was based on an actual relationship that ended, and an actual sailboat. I’ve taken several poems from that period and converted them into microfiction. I think it’s the imagery that makes the conversion effective. Very little of the poem remains, but some of the images are still there.

WOW: I love that you turned poetry into microfiction. That's something I want to remember! What was your revision process like?

Jennie: First, I converted the poem into prose, which required a narrative arc. Then, usually, a story is obese — too long, with pointless scenes and characters. So my main process is to winnow it down to something I consider its essence. With “The Sailboat,” I also fiddled endlessly with the language. I wanted the syntax to reflect the sound and the mood of the ocean, which in the story becomes the symbol  of emotion, memory, and nostalgia. So, for example, I wrote “salty sad lapping and murmur” because to me it sounded like the sea against the shore, or against the hull of a boat.

WOW: Great insights on the weight of a story. Does your career practicing natural resources law help or influence your writing in any way? 

Jennie: My law job gives me ideas for stories. My novel, Thirsty Creek, is based on an actual ecological disaster that I learned about as I was helping organize a conference for the Oregon Lakes Association. Usually my work is more of an impediment to writing. I write in the early morning, when it’s quiet, my favorite time. I start work when the hubbub of the day takes hold.

WOW: I love how your work inspires you. You have some incredible publications you’ve achieved! What advice can you share about creating publishable writing that you can share with our readers?

Jennie: Thirsty Creek took me 14 years to get into publishable shape and then find a publisher. I hope that’s not typical. So my advice is that persistence is at least as important as talent. Be patient. Laugh at rejection and never take it personally. Read constantly. And unless someone else is paying the mortgage, don’t quit your day job.

WOW: Great advice! What are you working on that you can tell us about?

Jennie: My second novel — The Metabolic Adventures of Two-Bit Gilkey — is a YA novel that comes out in 2028. It only took 2 years!! Apparently I have learned something. I’m also getting better at short stories, especially microfiction, which I adore. I’m writing short stories but haven’t settled in on my next big project. It’s between three ideas for novels. All of them, like Two-Bit Gilkey, have time travel, because I love time travel.

WOW: Time travel is really a great theme. Thank you so much for your time. We look forward to seeing more from you!

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Leave a Comment interview, Jennie Bricker, Nicole Pyles, Spring 2026 Flash Fiction Contest

How Better Mental Health & Self-Awareness Got Me Back On Track

When it comes to creative writing dreams, or goals as it's likely better put, I don't think there's enough said about how mental health can play a part in our own success. Lately, my own mental health took somewhat of a dive. Although not dramatically, mind you, it was enough to make me realize I needed to do something about it. I hadn't written in months, actually. 

Kicking off May, I began by making a list of all the things that actually helped my mental health, from the minor things like taking my vitamins regularly to major ones like keeping a gratitude journal. Somehow, becoming more aware of what helped me, instead of focusing on what didn't, made a big difference. 

Then I began to notice something that may sound obvious, but wasn't obvious to me until I started tracking it. On the days I made an effort to exercise (and yes, I know it's something I should be doing daily, no matter what), I also made an effort to write. Maybe it was really habit stacking at its best. I'd do my exercise routine, then follow up with a brief writing session.

And it's working. So far, I've made progress on a lengthy short story I've neglected for months.

These days, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. When I'm struggling like that, creative writing takes a back seat. But this month, I wanted to get back on track and feel good enough to focus on my writing goals again. 

If you aren't really feeling emotionally hot these days, don't beat yourself up for writing taking a back seat. Put your mental health first. Then slowly, when you can, reintroduce your writing goals. I think pushing yourself when you aren't doing well can do more harm than good. Accept where you are at. Then, when you can, find out ways you can bring your writing back in a low-pressure, gee-I-actually-enjoy-this-again kind of way. 

Nicole Pyles is a writer hoping to get her creative self back in action again. Check out her writing blog for updates at https://worldofmyimagination.com. Or say hi on threads at @BeingTheWriter.

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2 comments mental health, Nicole Pyles

When Busyness Becomes a Dog Run

 

A photo of a stranger's dog from Pixabay to represent my metaphor

The last month or so has been quite the doozy. It began when I had an idea for a Substack featuring podcasters looking for guests. I launched it, not sure about the time investment or whether it was worth it, but I wanted to give it a try.

In a few weeks, I went from roughly 400 to about 800 subscribers. That's remarkable, right? 

Well, when I had a really bad day that hit me really hard, I knew something had to give with my schedule. I ran across someone's newsletter that asked, "Is your schedule full but not increasing your income?"

In reality, I think they were selling a course or their coaching business, but that question came back to me on that particularly bad day. The few weeks of reaching out to podcasters did require extra time. It took several hours on Saturday to find and compile the information.

And it wasn't just that feature on my Substack that drained me, as I was also doing a fairly regular "Weekend Care Package" post. It was all fun...but...had I really just built myself a dog run?

I think it's my need to control my circumstances that sometimes leads me to create a busyness that feels productive but doesn't really go anywhere. That doesn't fit my goals. That is really taking up space without leaving room to really grow.

So, I sent out a more solemn-than-I-meant-to Substack post advising people of my pause on all features, including my posts featuring podcasters looking for guests. I braced myself, because I knew I'd feel guilty. And I did. I mean, someone even volunteered their time to help me when they read my announcement.

But I thought to myself: give it time. I asked myself to reflect at the end of the week to see if there really was room for this feature. Maybe I could go back if I felt it really benefited me this way (hey, it's a marketing funnel to the podcast service, really! my inner busyness addict said).

Well, now that a week has gone by, I've come to accept I made the right choice. 

And if you feel like you are too busy to write, or even more importantly, too busy to rest, make sure you haven't accidentally generated a busyness for yourself that is just a dog run. 

And you have to know what's right for you. For example, some people do fantastic with their newsletters. And it works for them. They had the time and room in their life for it to grow, and it's now a success. But we shouldn't base our goals on what worked for someone else. Don't be afraid to accept that something isn't right for you. 

In an ironic twist of fate, soon after that, I ended up picking up an extra writing gig, and another might start next week. It made me realize the importance of leaving room for things.

So if you feel like you are running around like a chicken with its head cut off (I knew one day that metaphor would enter into my writing), pause, do a busyness inventory, and see what you can stop doing for a while. See if it works and leaves you with breathing room.

Nicole Pyles is a chronic busyness addict who promises she'll stop adding unnecessary things to her plate. Check out her writing blog for updates at https://worldofmyimagination.com. Or say hi on threads at @BeingTheWriter.

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2 comments busyness, Nicole Pyles

Interview With Odyssey Writing Workshops Graduate & Instructor: Barbara A. Barnett

If you're looking to invest in yourself in the new year, you may consider signing up for a course with Odyssey Writing Workshops. Their courses combine deep focus, directed study, intensive practice, and detailed feedback to help you learn how to best use the concepts, tools, and techniques covered to make major improvements in your work.

Today, we're interviewing Odyssey Writing Workshop graduate and instructor, Barbara A. Barnett. She's teaching a course entitled, "All the World’s a Page: Adapting Acting Techniques to Strengthen Your Fiction."

Apply now through January 18, 2026. You will learn about several different acting techniques and how they can be applied to various aspects of your writing.

Before we chat with Barbara, here's more about her incredible writing journey:

Barbara A. Barnett is a Philadelphia-area writer, musician, and occasional orchestra librarian. She’s had over 60 short stories published in magazines and anthologies such as Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, Fantasy Magazine, Cast of Wonders, GigaNotoSaurus, Weird Horror Magazine, Flash Fiction Online, Black Static, and Wilde Stories: The Year’s Best Gay Speculative Fiction. Her novel-length work is represented by Emily Keyes at the Keyes Agency, LLC.

Barbara’s also a theater nerd. On stage, she’s appeared in musicals, operas, and operettas such as The Pirates of Penzance, Oliver!, Sweeney Todd, Iolanthe, Susannah, La Traviata, and a children’s theater adaptation of Snow White. Off stage, she’s worked on the administrative side of the fence for opera and theater companies. Her short play Ghost Writer to the Dead, which she adapted from a short story of the same name, was featured in a local short play festival. She’s also done several lectures on applying acting techniques to writing at The Never-Ending Odyssey (TNEO), a workshop exclusively for Odyssey graduates. You can read her essay “Acting Techniques for Writing Subtext” on the Odyssey Blog.

Barbara earned her Bachelor of Arts in music (vocal performance) and English literature from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Library and Information Science from Rutgers University. A 2007 graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop, she currently serves as managing editor of the workshop’s blog, a critiquer for the Odyssey Critique Service, and spent several years as Resident Supervisor for TNEO. She is also a graduate of Taos Toolbox and a member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) and the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).

You can find Barbara online at babarnett.com/.

-- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: Thank you so much, Barbara, for your time. I have to say that I love the name of your class you're teaching at Odyssey. And you actually have a background in performing arts! How did you make that connection between acting techniques and writing?

Barbara: I was studying opera performance as an undergraduate. In opera, you need to be an actor as well as a singer, so one of my instructors assigned a book called A Practical Handbook for the Actor. I’d been doing theater since I was a teenager, but that book was my first dive into studying any kind of formal acting technique. I’d also been writing since I was a kid, and one of the first things that struck me while reading was, “Oh my god, this would be really useful for writing too!” In particular, I found the book’s scene analysis technique useful for deciding on the best actions to describe on the page—the ones that would reveal character and not just serve as “well, something needs to happen between the dialogue” filler. Ever since then, I’ve become an absolute nerd about exploring the intersections between acting and writing.

WOW: I love that connection you found. You are a graduate of Odyssey Writing Workshop. Why did you decide to join their workshop?

Barbara: I’d been writing regularly and submitting my work for a couple of years when I felt like I hit a wall. The feedback I was getting from writing groups had become less helpful than when I first started out, tending towards, “Here are a few nitpicks, but otherwise this is great and publishable as is.” Yet I was still struggling to sell my stories. Many of the rejections I was receiving were of the “This is well written but” variety, and I wanted to turn those near misses into acceptances. I’d heard about Odyssey through word of mouth and thought a more intensive workshop environment like that was exactly what I needed to level up my work—and I was right! I applied, and much to my surprise (oh hi, impostor syndrome) was accepted. Almost two decades later, it remains one of the best things I’ve ever done for my writing.

WOW: That type of feedback sounds familiar to me. You know when you're ready for more! You are also a critiquer for their critique service. What writing lessons have you learned by reading the stories of those who submit to that critique service?

Barbara: To provide a helpful critique, I need to not only identify what is and isn’t working, but be able to explain why and offer suggestions that are in keeping with the writer’s vision for the story. Doing that for other writers has made me more mindful of how I’m addressing those issues in my own work.

Because critiquing requires me to break things down in an organized fashion for the writer, the process has also made me hyperaware of how much everything is intertwined in a story. It’s often difficult to talk about one concept in isolation of the others because, for example, character influences plot and vice versa. Issues with description are often related to issues with point of view. Slow pacing is usually the result of problems in other areas. So while it’s necessary to break things down, I’ve learned the importance of also looking at the big picture and how all the various story elements are working together.

WOW: That's great insight! What can writers expect from taking this course?

Barbara: First the disclaimer: they won’t be required to do any actual acting in front of anyone. You don’t have to be an actor to learn to think like one.

My goal is to give writers a new set of acting-inspired tools they can apply to their fiction, and not just to dialogue and emotion. Some people think acting is about how many lines you have and how you say them, but there’s so much more to it. Character development, plot, POV, description, pacing, subtext, setting—this class is going to touch on all of them. Some more than others—emotion, for example, is obviously a big one coming from an acting standpoint—but as I mentioned in answer to the previous question, everything’s interconnected. 

Another thing I hope will be valuable is the number of different approaches we’re going to look at. There are many different schools of thought on acting, and not all of them agree with each other—but that’s helpful, I think, because not all of our brains are wired the same way. A technique that works for Person A isn’t necessarily going to work for Person B. Or one technique might be better suited to the type of story you’re writing than another one would be. So one of my goals with this course is to give writers a variety of techniques they can try out to see which ones work for them.

WOW: I appreciate that you explore different approaches. Who is the course ideal for?

Barbara: I think the course will be most useful to intermediate writers—someone who has a grasp of the basics but feels like there might be something missing, or they simply want to try out new approaches to strengthen their writing. While the class is going to touch on a lot of different areas, I think it will be particularly useful for writers who want to dive deeper into character, emotion, and dialogue.

WOW: Great to know! For writers hesitant about investing in themselves through courses, what words of wisdom can you share?

Barbara: If you have the time and the means, and if you can leave your ego at the door, I find it’s worth the investment more often than not. If you have a good teacher, someone who is supportive and constructive with their feedback (which I strive to be!), the worst that can usually happen is you come away with reinforcement that you’re on the right track. The best that can happen is a massive number of lightbulbs go off and you improve your writing in significant ways, which is what happened for me when I attended Odyssey. But even if you take only one small thing away from a class, it can be worth it. In keeping with my course topic, I’m going to share a quote from actress Uta Hagen’s book Respect for Acting: “All tedious research is worth one inspired moment.”

WOW: I love that quote. Can you share any specific techniques, just maybe as a sampling, that actors use to make their characters come to life that our writers can keep in mind?

Barbara: Since I mentioned Uta Hagen in my previous answer, let’s go with her. One of the techniques the class is going to explore is a set of nine questions she developed for character development. What I like about this set of questions is that it asks you to look at more than just the character’s background (though that’s part of it too). It’s more than just a collection of biographical details. The questions ask you to focus on things such as the character’s relationship to the setting, which can be helpful for deepening point of view, leading you to understand which details your character would notice and how they feel about them. There are also questions about goals, obstacles, and the actions the character will take in pursuit of their goals, which can help you create things like tension and plot momentum.

WOW: Thank you for sharing that sampling! And thank you so much for your time today. Your course sounds like it will be incredibly helpful for our writers.

Remember, you have until now and January 18, 2026 to apply to All the World’s a Page: Adapting Acting Techniques to Strengthen Your Fiction," taught by instructor Barbara A. Barnett. It's a worthy investment if you are ready to reach your writing goals in 2026! 

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An Important Lesson I Learned from a Difficult Client Situation

Last week, I had one of the worst client experiences I've had all year. I'd rather not get into the weeds of it here, but I can tell you the word "lawyer" was brought up, and I ended up in tears. The situation has, for the most part, subsided and, as much as possible for now, has been resolved. However, I learned an interesting lesson that I wanted to share.

The day it happened, after responding to the client and attempting to resolve the matter, I stopped checking my personal e-mail and refocused my attention on other responsibilities. In fact, I didn't even think about freelance work the rest of the day. The next day, which happened to be my birthday, I didn't open up my laptop or check my e-mail even once. 

I absolutely had to put my mental health first. I even told a couple of pending clients that I wasn't able to accept work until the new year started. The situation that happened rattled me so bad that I was shaking. I can count on one hand the scenarios that have brought me to that point. And so I needed to protect my mental health immediately.

The day after my birthday, I felt brave enough to start work again. But an interesting realization came over me as I played catch up:

I let go of my freelance work for almost two full days. I didn't even worry about checking or responding to e-mails. 

And nothing really horrible happened as a result.

Only a few times this year have I let go of my freelance work enough to have some time to myself or to pay attention to non-work matters. Even then, I've either prepared well in advance or done a bit of work to stay on top of things. 

But those two days? No work was completed. No emails were responded to. No planning had been done in advance. It was my first official bout of "sick days" as a freelancer.

I've struggled with paying attention to my creative side this year. However, what this bad day taught me was that it's entirely possible to set work aside and focus on non-freelance matters. I hate to think it takes a bad day like this to teach me that lesson, but it did.

Unplugging is possible; it just takes a healthy dose of letting go for it to happen. If you struggle with letting go, here are some tips:

• Plan in advance. Planning can help, but you do have to stay committed to it. I did take some time away this Thanksgiving, for example, but I made sure to wrap things up early and communicate with any clients about time off. 
• Stop worrying. There are a few businesses that require an emergency response. My freelance work isn't one of them. These two days, I learned it isn't a terrible thing if I don't respond to an email right away. If you struggle with not responding, consider disconnecting your e-mail from your phone while you're away.
• Tell people in your life. I told my mom that I was disconnecting from work for those two days. It helped because I stayed accountable to someone other than me. Tell people around you that you plan to disconnect. Make sure they know they can call you out if you start working again.
• Plan your future work schedule. If you are taking any number of days off, make a list of what needs to be done on the day you return. This helped me let go. It stopped me from constantly running a to-do list through my head and feeling guilty. 

Taking sick days or vacation days as a freelancer is hard. We don't typically have a backup person to reply to e-mail or cover our desk when we're gone. However, it is possible. I learned this through an unusually tough lesson. And maybe I can take it as an opportunity to set freelance work aside and explore my creative self more often. 

Nicole Pyles is a writer living in Portland, Oregon. Her writing has appeared in Sky Island Journal, Arlington Literary Journal, The Voices Project, The Ocotillo Review, and Gold Man Review. A poem of hers was also featured in the anthology DEAR LEADERS TALES. Her short story, “The Mannequin of Lot 18,” was nominated for Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy for 2024. Since she’s not active on social media very much, stay in touch by following her writing blog at World of My Imagination.

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Interview With Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, Author of Always and Forever, and Giveaway!

 

We're so excited to have author Lorraine Zago Rosenthal back with us. We'll be chatting with her about her newest novel, Always and Forever. Published by Tribeca Press, fans of romance and family drama will love her book.

Not only will you have a chance to learn more about this prolific author, you'll also have a chance to win a copy of her book and a $25 Amazon gift card. 

Before we get to that, here's more about Always and Forever:

Three decades ago, a tragedy ignited a chain of events that devastated two New York City families and still haunts them today. Even their youngest members, Suzanne Starek and Jay Darnell, haven’t been left unscathed.

Suzanne is at the end of her twenties and has been plagued by misfortune, including her parents’ ill-fated union and the abrupt demise of her promising childhood career. Although she treasures her lifelong bond with Jay, being his best friend isn’t enough. She has spent years hiding her feelings for him and trying to understand her mother’s cryptic warning to keep him at a distance.

Suzanne wavers between staying safe and reaching for love while she helps Jay cope with his own mother, a glamorous and troubled widow. But when a clash between the families reveals shocking truths, Suzanne must decide how she will move forward from the heartbreaking past.

Purchase the book now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can also add the book to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

In addition to her latest novels, Always and Forever and Charmed, Lorraine Zago Rosenthal is the author of Other Words for Love, published by Random House (Delacorte Press), New Money, and Independently Wealthy, both published by Macmillan (St. Martin’s Press).

Lorraine was born and raised in New York City, and she is a graduate of the University of South Florida. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degrees in education and English. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband.

Find her online at:

Website: https://www.lorrainezagorosenthal.com

Instagram (@lorrainezago): https://www.instagram.com/lorrainezago

Twitter/X (@lorrainezago): https://x.com/LorraineZago

Goodreads Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/35s278pk

Amazon Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/4nehadfb

--- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: First of all, congratulations on your novel, Always and Forever! What inspired this book?

Lorraine: Thank you so much! When I plan a novel, my first inspiration is the characters. In regard to Always and Forever, Suzanne Starek, the protagonist, has a talent that led to success in her early years, but her childhood career was unexpectedly ruined. The novel opens with: “Someone can win an Oscar, or earn a gold medal at the Olympics, or be on the cover of Vogue, and end up with nothing but a souvenir that has to be sold at a pawn shop in exchange for cash to fix a broken-down car. A person can start out feeling special and important but become no better than ordinary. Average. Even less.” 

I have observed that some people achieve lofty goals at a certain point during their lives, but that success doesn’t continue. This real-life observation partially led to my creation of Suzanne, and it was intriguing for me to explore the psychological and practical aftermath of broken dreams. This also applies to other characters in Always and Forever whose lives have not turned out as they had hoped.

WOW: What a true statement! It's also incredibly tough, I imagine, to realize that success isn't continuing. You have a phenomenal way of capturing family drama and issues without overdoing it or making it seem like a soap opera. I'm so impressed! I can only imagine the type of planning you do in advance (unless you are a panster!). Either way, how do you keep track of so many details of people's lives as you write the book? 

Lorraine: Thanks again! I find it fascinating to create characters within a family and to develop their relationships based on their personalities, their life experiences, and their shared history. Despite the love and connection that exists among family members, there can also be envy, selfishness, betrayal, and resentment. With this in mind, it is interesting and challenging to create the interactions between parents and children, siblings, spouses, etc. It is always my goal to portray family drama in a subtle, realistic manner.

Although I have a strong vision of all my characters before I start a novel, I develop them fully during the writing process. The details about their lives grow along with the story. It takes a lot of work, focus, and proofreading to ensure these details are consistent throughout the manuscript.

"I have observed that some people achieve lofty goals at a certain point during their lives, but that success doesn’t continue. This real-life observation partially led to my creation of Suzanne, and it was intriguing for me to explore the psychological and practical aftermath of broken dreams."

WOW: I think that's a great balance. I really related to your main character. Although I must admit, throughout much of the book I kept quietly yelling, "Tell him how you feel!" Anyway, did you base her on anyone? Or how did she come to life for you?

Lorraine: I’m so glad you connected with Suzanne. As an author, I strive to create a protagonist with whom readers can empathize.

I’m also glad you felt the tension between Suzanne and Jay, and I understand what you mean about her hidden emotions toward him. As you know from reading the novel, she has spent years suppressing her desire to be more than Jay’s closest friend. The main reason she keeps this secret is that she fears he will reject her, and she doesn’t want to risk their lifelong, treasured friendship. Early in the story, she thinks, “If he knew I was dying for more, it could ruin everything. It might make things different. Weird. Awkward. I could lose him—and that would be even worse than spending the rest of my life being secretly in love with my best friend.” Due to unfortunate events in Suzanne’s past, her self-esteem is severely damaged, so she doesn’t have the courage and confidence to initiate a change in her relationship with Jay. She doesn’t assume he might want their relationship to evolve from platonic to romantic.

While creating Suzanne, I didn’t base her on a particular person. As I mentioned previously, I was inspired by a situation that has affected many people. My characters always come to life through a combination of experience, observation, and imagination.

WOW: I can completely understand her doubts and the reason. You do such a fantastic job of weaving in details without making the pace of the book seem overwhelming. How do you know which tidbits about each character to reveal and when? 

Lorraine: Incorporating details about the story, the characters, and past events that affect the narrative is a crucial component of writing a novel, and I do my best to include these details without slowing down the pace. Knowing when to reveal various bits of information evolves naturally while writing, but it’s important to do so when these facts matter. For example, rather than writing a multi-page explanation of a character’s past, it is more effective to disclose small drops of information when they enhance the scene, develop the characters, evoke emotion, and move the story forward.

WOW: Great technique! I love how you make settings so real. Do you base the places you write about on real locations? 

Lorraine: I absolutely do! I am originally from NYC, and my novels are set there—including Always and Forever. Suzanne lives and works on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Jay resides in a wealthy area of Queens, and Jones Beach on Long Island has significance in the story.

WOW: Now that makes me want to visit New York even more! I am a huge fan of your character names (like Tru being named after Truman Capote!). Where do you get your character names from? (It's something I personally struggle with!)

Lorraine: For me, creating characters’ names is one of the most interesting and fun aspects of writing a novel. I want the names to fit the characters in some way and/or to reveal facts about their history. In Always and Forever, Tru Warrick says that her mother is an avid reader, and she therefore chose to name Tru after Truman Capote. Tru admits to Suzanne that her name has “…rarely been described in a flattering way by anyone except my mother. I was the target of relentless jokes when I was a kid.” Suzanne knows how it feels to be bullied during childhood, and Tru’s admission sparks the beginning of a connection between these two characters. Most of the characters’ names in this story have meaning—for example, Tru describes Suzanne’s uncle’s name as “regal,” which also applies to his revered position within his family and among his peers. Suzanne’s first name and her surname have meaning too, and this is revealed as the story unfolds.

"Rather than writing a multi-page explanation of a character’s past, it is more effective to disclose small drops of information when they enhance the scene, develop the characters, evoke emotion, and move the story forward."

WOW: You put so much thought into names. You've given me a lot to think about for my own characters! I can't help but hope you are working on another book. What are you working on now that you can tell us about? 

Lorraine: My sixth novel is currently in progress. Stay tuned!

WOW: I can't wait! Thank you for joining us again. And I hope others pick up a copy of your book.

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

Enter to a copy of Always and Forever by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal and a $25 Amazon gift card! Fill out the Gleam form by November 27, 2025 at 11:59 pm CT for a chance to win. We will draw the lucky winner the next day, and follow up by email. Good luck!

Always and Forever Giveaway

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18 comments Always and Forever, author interview, Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, Nicole Pyles

How to Get Unstuck in Your Writing Journey

 

Lately, I've been working on a DIY house kit. It's actually the smallest one I've ever worked on before. Considering I've been doing this hobby for a couple of years now, that's saying a lot.

The entire process is a lesson in patience. It's tinier than you can likely even picture, too. It requires me to use tweezers and a careful eye. I also make sure I don't throw a scrap of anything. Who knows what purpose that tiny bead might serve? 

And I came across a challenge that led me to a creative solution that then served as a pleasant reminder.

I ran across directions on how to make a small chair. This was not as easy as it sounds. You have to bend the wires just so, glue it in just the right place, and not actually blow this little thing across the room because you breathed hard.

Worse, it wasn't working. I likely didn't have the right glue, but the truth is that I didn't think the chair could be made. 

I figured, well, this will be a house without a chair.

Before I could admit defeat, I remembered something: a tiny little LEGO kit that I put together last winter. I always keep the scraps of my DIY and LEGO kits, because you just never know when you might need them. 

Turned out, I had perfectly sized LEGO pieces to create a tiny, little chair for my tiny, little house.

I may go back -- especially now that I have the right kind of glue -- but putting this makeshift solution together helped me move on to the next steps.

And sometimes that's what we need to do as writers. 

How often have you gotten caught up in a scene that didn't make sense, just to end up stuck there? How many times have you put a story to the side because you just couldn't make the character fit or the setting work? Or confined yourself to a certain kind of writing, whether it be fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, because you've convinced yourself it's the only kind you should or could write?

Sometimes, we need to put in a makeshift solution, a placeholder, or a fill-this-in-later note to ourselves and move on. 

Unlike our school days, we have freedom of movement and expression as writers. I needed to remind myself of this while building my DIY kit. This isn't an assignment I plan to turn in. It's a creation I'm building for me.

Even though our plan is for our stories, essays, and poetry to be in the hands of our readers one day, there's no reason to remain stuck in place.

Nicole Pyles is a writer living in Portland, Oregon. Her writing has appeared in Sky Island Journal, Arlington Literary Journal, The Voices Project, The Ocotillo Review, and Gold Man Review. A poem of hers was also featured in the anthology DEAR LEADERS TALES. Her short story, “The Mannequin of Lot 18,” was nominated for Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy for 2024. Since she’s not active on social media very much, stay in touch by following her writing blog at World of My Imagination or her Substack, Nicole Writes About Stuff. 

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