J.R. Writing Advantage

Writing coaching, produce, and something sweet this morning at the Bethesda Farmer's Market! Come by and see me!

It's a beautiful day at the Bethesda Farmer's Market. Stop by the booth for a chat!

Prose, puppies, and produce! It's a great day at the Bethesda Farmer's Market. Come say hi!

It's a beautiful day at the Bethesda farmer's market. Stop by my booth for a chat!

Congratulations to my client, Andrew Bennet, entrepreneur and healthcare leader extraordinaire, for publishing his first book: Healing Together: Connecting the Power of Love and the Promise of Neuroscience to Overcome Chronic Pain. After almost three years of working together on this book, Andrew’s finished product is a science-backed, yet compassionate handbook for chronic-pain sufferers and their partners. Do yourself a favor and purchase a copy of this book for yourself to help a loved one dealing with chronic pain.

See it on Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/4OtSZ

📖😰 Breaking Through Writing Anxiety. What’s Your Fear? 😰📖

What do we fear most when writing? Why do some write with joy and ease, while others dread the process? Weren’t we all beginners at some point, in the same writing boat? What then happened during our development to lead us on such very different paths? Was it a dogmatic teacher who stifled our belief in ourselves? Even as late as graduate school, a professor managed to stifle my process with his own rigid practice. It took me some time to forget this nonsense and return to my usual, free-spirited style, but I did. Perhaps some were never taught to enjoy writing, but to use it only as a tool. Or maybe the lack of belief in their own writing came when most doubt surfaces…in puberty. Whatever the cause, I hope to allay some of those fears in the coming weeks with my new seven-part writing series: Breaking Through Writing Anxiety.

📚📚Kickstart your reading this summer!📚📚

As a writer, reader, and teacher, I’m often asked for book recommendations by friends, clients, and random strangers I meet while tabling at the Bethesda Central Farm Market, so I’ve devised a list of quality page turners to read this summer! Happy Reading!

Oldies but goodies:
Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte
A romantic novel, with destructive elements, set on the mysterious Yorkshire Moors (symbolizing beauty and danger!) in England. (Oh, the mystery, the dysfunctional relationship, the romance!)

The Handmaid’s Tale: by Margaret Atwood
A futuristic dystopian novel where a patriarchal and totalitarian regime, the Republic of Gilead, has supplanted the United States government. (Umm, is this where we’re headed?)

Before Night Falls, by Reinaldo Arenas
A memoir detailing Arena’s carefree life as a child, and later heartbreaking adulthood during Castro’s regime. (Incredibly beautiful and gut wrenching)

Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett
A novel about a lavish party at the home of a South American vice president, interrupted by a group of terrorists who take the partygoers hostage. (You will be truly invested in these relationships!)

Newbies (Within the last five years):
James, by Percival Everett
A reimagining of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Huck's friend, Jim the slave. (Incredible themes and storytelling)

Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller
A retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus. The novel follows Patroclus' relationship with Achilles, from their initial meeting to their exploits during the Trojan War, with focus on their romantic relationship. (So beautifully told)

Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett
The story follows Lara, who recounts her past, including her time as an actress and a brief affair with actor Peter Duke, to her three daughters. (Fun summer read!)

Malibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A story about four famous siblings who throw an epic party on one unforgettable night in 1983, revealing family secrets and grappling with their past, while facing the pressures of fame and family drama. (Fun summer read!)

Hey, everyone, as a writer and educator for over 20 years, I have seen a sharp decline in reading from adults and children. If we can try to squeeze in 30 minutes of reading a day, several times a week, it would do a great deal not only to improve our writing skills—imitation is key here—but would keep our brains nimble in the face of our daily tech diet. A recent article in Slate, based on government research, confirms that our reading muscle, like writing and exercise, strengthens when completed more often. But don’t worry, you can start slowly
by adding 15 minutes once or twice a day, or 30 minutes once a day, a few days a week. Give it time, though; you may feel antsy at first, as reading is a muscle we must build or rebuild again.
And, just like the writing zone I often mention, there is a reading zone we may also enter if we allow ourselves the time to take the trip. Happy reading!

There’s a Simple New Year’s Resolution That Will Help You Read More Books I tried it—and the results were fantastic.

Happy holidays! Please check out my new workshops for 2025, and start the year off WRITE! www.jrwritingadvantage.com