I'm trying to find courage to move forward in this difficult journey of art and creativity.

I used to say I didn't believe in writer's block. Now it turns out that was just because I hadn't written anything that vulnerable before. And it seems it's all I do now. Anyway, this may be depressing. All about when it takes months to get two inches along in a project because of emotional baggage.

These are affirmations I need to hear about my work. It matters. You can do it. There is a bigger picture. You are uniquely suited to do this.

My career has been a process of writing more and more personally, and that has meant having a thin skin. How to manage this as a professional, as well.

Sometimes the best thing you do as a writer is quit on a book that isn't speaking to you anymore.

In which I argue that a truly talented writer must also be a deeply good human.

I figured out why I was feeling the urge to quit. I'm terrified of my current memoir project, which I've been trying to get the skills, wisdom, and courage to finish for 14 years. And I still don't know if I'm ready. Maybe you have a project like this?

I'm taking a year off new projects. I just pushed myself too hard and need to take a hard break to reassess. The podcast will probably continue, though.

There are reasons to be afraid of writing. I talk frankly here about real losses following the publication of The Bishop's Wife.

Me reconsidering whether or not talent exists and what it looks like, if it does.