by Marjorie Brody My blood pressure soars to a startling new high. Worry scurries around my brain like a ferret on the loose. Anxiety about how to face the next crisis—they’re coming at me faster than I can handle—makes it near impossible to stay focused. And squeezing in physical exercise? You’ve got to be kidding. […]
“Pay your dues.” I’d certainly heard enough of that in my prior career as a psychotherapist. Interns had to do grunt work or work 24/7 to be considered accepted. Clinicians had to give up family life if the bachelor head-of-the-hospital demanded that staff be as workaholic as he. If you didn’t comply, your professionalism was […]
by Marjorie Brody When I imagined becoming an author, I visualized book signings, travel, interviews and photo shoots, writing on deadlines, searching for fresh ideas, juggling personal and professional tasks, influencing book cover concepts and designing stickers for book plates, giving presentations, answering readers’ emails, teaching craft and encouraging new writers, and even creating a […]
by Marjorie Brody I had lunch with a colleague last week. “I’m thinking about not writing anymore,” she said. The pressure to produce on a contracted timetable had taken the fun out of her creativity. “Writing feels like work. I’ve lost the joy I had when I was just writing as a hobby. Now it’s something […]
by Marjorie Brody Every two minutes. That statistic boggles my mind. Every two minutes. Throw in two other statistics: 1 in 4 and 1 in 6 and I’m ready to join Mariska Hagitay, on Law and Order: SVU. Do you recognize that data? Here it is: In these United States of America someone is sexually assaulted […]
By Marjorie Brody “Hi, sis. I’m in the hospital with Mom,” my brother said when I answered my cell phone. “I think she’s having a heart attack.” “Which hospital?” He tells me. “I’m at a book festival about three hours away. I’ll grab my things and be there as soon as I can.” “Okay.” I ask […]
by Marjorie Brody The solar panel specialist looked across the table and leveled his gaze with mine. “It’ll be years before you see a return on your investment. Make sure it’s something you really want to do.” Well, of course, I want to ease the electric grid and use solar power. I’ve always wanted to […]