13 Ways to Stay Safe Abroad

Safety. For many travelers it is at the forefront of the mind. Whether you travel alone or with friends, safety should be approached with dedication and your eyes wide open. So, what are some of the things we can do as travelers to remain safe when abroad? Political Unrest/War/Sickness Pandemic.         - …

10 Unexpected Must-Haves for Travel

Everyone has a tried and true packing list. Some items may change based on the destination or climate, but there are basics that exist on every packing list. We have a few unexpected items we do not leave home without, regardless of the space or destination. They may surprise you! Travel-size flat iron - Not …

Killing the Darlings: Editing Dilemmas

"In writing, you must kill all your darlings." ~ William Faulkner  Ok, so Faulkner wasn't the only one to have said this. In so many wordings, several writers over the centuries have expressed this piece of dreaded advice. Why do we view it as "dreaded advice"? Because we know it is true and must be …

Details, Details, Details : Character Profiles

As writers we spend a lot of time inside the dark confines of our minds. We often take from the world and people around us to build tangible and realistic story elements. Our characters can often embody people we know well, which can get a little awkward. So, how do we create characters who are …

Fortress of Solitude: The Writer’s Sanctuary

Creating a space in which to write is crucial for us all, but it looks different for everyone. Whether you enjoy a truly solitary space without distractions or flourish within the chaos of busy bodies around you, creating a space that will inspire and feed your creativity is the key here. So, how do you …

Highlight Trip: The Long Weekend

Many people only have a week or two of vacation allowed with their jobs or school for a whole year. Sometimes we are also limited by finances and a lengthy stay just isn't in the cards. So, what do you do when your vagabond feet are itching? You could skip the trip and save it …

Cold Weather Blues: Destinations – St. Thomas USVI

Growing up in Southern California I spent so much of my childhood at the beach. Being a redhead, I spent it slathered in sunscreen every couple hours, under the umbrella, fighting my mom about wearing a hat when none of my siblings were forced to, and playing in the surf. I love to swim, body surf, …

Cold Weather Blues: Destinations – Puerto Rico

If you live where the wind hurts your face 4 or more months out of the year, cold destinations are not always on your must-see list during those months. Being a born and raised California girl, I do love my warm sand between my toes and the salty ocean breeze on my skin. I do …

Tropes: They aren’t bad!

trope /trōp/ noun trope; plural noun: tropes a figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression. a significant or recurrent theme; a motif. As writers we often try to shy away from things that may be seen as trope or even as cliches. They feel predictable and commonplace and as creatives we aim to …

Travel XL: A Curvy/Plus-Size Guide

When you are curvy, plus-sized, thick or whatever you consider yourself to be, travel when you are larger than what is deemed "straight-sized" or "standard-sized" carries its own set of guidelines. I'm not talking about the unspoken "rules" that we seem to adopt when navigating the world. You know the ones I mean, take up …