on October 2, 2023

Female Friendships Move Mountains

One thing all my novels have in common, whether superhero stories or historical adventure novels is that they have strong females with strong female friendships. Female friendships are powerful, but no one really teaches you how to be a great friend or what to do in order to grow those relationships. Here’s a few quick tips for all the sisters of different misters. Five Little Reminders to Being a Good Friend Listen supportively without giving advice on personal matters unless you are asked. Walk by their side through the hard times when there’s nothing to do but be present. Help them laugh when they are discouraged. Catch them when they fall. Remind them of all the wonderful and admirable things…Read More

The Black Swan Files, friendship, encouragement, friendship matters, female friends, women's history month

on January 30, 2023

How to help a friend, colleague, or family member through a rough spot.

Encouragement is a basic human need. It was late in my life when I really learned the importance and the power of encouragement. Once it struck, it struck deep. I began to understand this basic human need, I’ve gotten a little better at it. I’ve also learned it takes time and practice as well as insight and sincerity to really get it right. It’s easy to be rah-rah. That’s the quick pass at encouragement when you are running around to get stuff done and don’t actually have time to look the person in the face and see what’s up. Or the quick, ‘you can do it’, without recognizing what it really takes for the person to do it. Don’t get…Read More

leadership, valuing people, authentic encouragement, encouragement, encouraging others, friendship matters, how to, dreams, human needs, success, leadership tools, goals, mentoring, friendship, parenting, inspirational leadership, pay it forward

on March 13, 2017

What does your social media say about you?

Freedom of Speech is an American right, even if nothing we say is right. But what does it reveal about you? Is bad form your norm? Are you the new adult bully of social media? While I don’t think this is statistically true, it often feels like social media has manifested more bullies in the adult population than all the playgrounds in the last twenty years! As a writer, I’m acutely aware that words have power. Words can inspire, hurt, educate, encourage, curse, destroy, unite, divide, turn you off, pique your interest—and everything in between. Which will you do today? Because there’s been so much negativity from people on social media platforms, I took a break this past month from social…Read More

freedom of speech, social media, gossip, social media cleanse, great minds, tweeting, truth, hate speech, encouragement, inspiring others, insults, lies, bad behavior, listening, bullying, positive social media, bullying in social media, posting, cursing in social media, slander, detraction, small minds