Welcome!

Writing a book is hard. Especially when you haven’t done it before. It can feel daunting, thrilling, scary, exciting, overwhelming, and impossible.

You have a book-length story in mind (novel, memoir, or something in between) but you don’t know where to start. You feel overwhelmed by the thought and spend a lot of time dealing with negative self-talk, overwhelm, and procrastination. And hello, imposter syndrome!

A quick tangent: I am a novice skier. What I love most is to ski with someone who is just a little bit better than me because they will challenge me, but are also not so far removed from my experience that they become impatient or bored.

I am here to be your ski buddy, buddy!

This publication will help you lay the groundwork for a solid story and give you a starting place to write from with more confidence.

I’ll be your writing friend who gets it, and can nudge you in ways that challenge but not defeat you.

Together, we’ll get your story out of your head and onto the page with intention and clarity. We might even have some fun while we’re at it!

Because, at the end of the day, what is most important to me is that you write your story and put it into the world. Our stories matter. All of them.

Including yours, dear one.

Free subscribers have access to…

My weekly newsletter for emerging writers, which includes tips and strategies for getting started on a book-length story while also managing your mindset.

We also do a monthly deep-dive into a novel or memoir to find the groundwork they built their story on.

All of this comes for free! But if you find value in it or any of my other work, maybe you’d like to help a girl out by chipping in a little.

Oh, and also…

For paid subscribers…

I run online Morning Writes every weekday. This is a Zoom session where we write in good company. A little community goes a long way when it comes to focus and accountability.

Upgrade your subscription now to join me in Morning Writes and have access to future workshops and immersions.

Or just to help a girl out.

Upgrade to paid subscription

Here is what I believe:

1. Your story matters. You deserve to write it and you have a reader out there who needs it.

2. There is no "right" way to write (but there are some things that can help).

3. You can write with a schedule that fits your life.

4. Self-doubt is part of the process, and it doesn’t need to keep you from writing.

5. The deeper you understand your story, the more your reader will be impacted by it.

6. Your story will only get written if you write it. 

7. You’ve waited long enough to become the writer you’ve always wanted to be.

8. We writers need community. 🌷🌼🌹🪻

A few more things:

• I wrote a book once, and my essays and articles have been in some places.

• I’m a certified book coach and have worked with writers of all ages for decades.

• I also work at my local indie bookstore.

• I’m a married mom of emerging adults.

• I was an elementary teacher in a former life.

• My last name is pronounced det-lefs. (In case you were wondering!)

• I have an anxious dog and three shady cats. Photos of them are likely to appear.

• I’ve been a writer as long as I can remember.

Let’s discuss!

Be part of a community of writers. Participate in the comments section, send me a direct message, bring in a friend!

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