Write Now Coach! Blog by Rochelle Melander

by Rochelle Melander I wrote a dozen poems and submitted them to my editor for possible inclusion in an anthology. I knew that turning them in on time would increase my chances of getting one included in the collection. I create a lesson plan every week, because I need to... Read More

09 Apr 2024

Productivity

How to Get Inspired

by Rochelle Melander Last week, we went to see Piano Men 2 at the Milwaukee Rep. Two men play and sing songs on pianos, based on audience requests. The performers played songs as diverse as “Ring of Fire,” “Green Acres,” and “Hey Jude.” They encouraged the audience to sing along—loud... Read More

02 Apr 2024

Productivity

Say Anything: Using Dictation to Boost Your Writing Productivity

By Elizabeth Cole A couple of months ago, I tried out the dictation feature on my phone’s Notes app, mostly because I was sick of using the keyboard and having my fingers get cold after hours of typing. I had tried dictation years before, and got totally frustrated by how... Read More

26 Mar 2024

Writing Mentors

Persist

What My Heroes Taught Me about Writing: Wang Zhenyi by Rochelle Melander It’s made to believe, Women are the same as Men; Are you not convinced, Daughters can also be heroic? — Wang Zhenyi Wang Zhenyi (1768-1797), a Chinese astronomer, mathematician, textbook writer, and poet, lived at a time when... Read More

19 Mar 2024

Productivity

How to Overcome the Fear of Failure

by Rochelle Melander I’m teaching art and writing at a local school. When I present an assignment, one of my second-grade students always says, “I can’t.” It doesn’t matter what we’re doing. Draw a circle. “I can’t.” Give that circle a face. “I can’t.” How about drawing hair on that... Read More

12 Mar 2024

Productivity

Navigating Fallow Time

by Rochelle Melander It’s important to stand still sometimes. Think of it as a little rest in the long journey of your life. This is your harbor. And your boat is just dropping anchor here for a little while. And after you’re well rested, you can set sail again. –Satoshi... Read More

05 Mar 2024

Writing Mentors

What My Heroes Taught Me about Writing: Florence Nightingale

by Rochelle Melander “I never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.” ~ Florence Nightingale Happy Women’s History Month! To celebrate, I’ll be writing about some of my favorite heroes and how... Read More

27 Feb 2024

Writing Prompt

Boost Your Creativity

by Rochelle Melander Creativity is just connecting things. -Steve Jobs I’m taking a Poetry class this winter with Pomelo books. Our task: to take a subject we know a lot about and write a funny poem using a skill like alliteration, idioms, or synonyms. The challenge has been great fun.... Read More