Categories
Lifestyle Work

A Writing Workbook You Will Love!

Writing workbooks coming soon

I know. I know. I KNOW.

I’ve been quiet.

No new blog posts.
No fresh stories.
No flash fiction.

And apparently that has people wondering if I’m okay.

I’m okay.

I’m just… full.

Booked.
Scheduled.
Overflowing.

So much so that I’ve had to close enrollment in my writing workshops.

That’s the good news.

And the hard news.


Why My Writing Workshops Are Full

My workshops have always been conversation-driven.

Real people.
Real stories.
Real courage.

That’s where the magic happens.

Someone says, “I’ve never told anyone this before…”
And then they do.

Every new voice changes the room.
Every perspective deepens the learning.

But a workshop can only hold so many people.

And lately, there’s simply been no more room at the table.

It’s a wonderful problem.

But it means some of you are waiting outside the door.

I don’t like that.


Why I’m Creating a Writing Workbook

So here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

I’m building a writing workbook series..

Not a watered-down version of a workshop.
Not a fluffy PDF.

A real, structured, step-by-step guide built on the same philosophy I teach live:

Keep it simple.
One idea at a time.
Clear beats clever.
Anyone can learn to write well.

Because I believe that.

Truly.


What Makes This Writing Workbook Different

A workbook can’t replicate conversation.

It can’t raise its hand.
It can’t laugh at the right moment.
It can’t gently ask, “What do you really mean here?”

But it can give you structure.

It can give you prompts.
It can give you rhythm.
It can give you focus.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by writing, or if you’ve started and stopped more times than you can count, this is built for you.

This is for the beginner.

The hesitant writer.

The thoughtful overthinker.


Can a Writing Workbook Replace a Workshop?

No.

And it’s not meant to.

Workshops are alive. They breathe. They’re interactive.

But a writing workbook can open the door.

It can prepare you.

It can build confidence.

It can help you discover that you are more capable than you think.

And when space opens in a workshop?

You’ll be ready.


Who This Writing Workbook Is For

It’s for the person who didn’t get a seat.

It’s for the person who isn’t quite ready to speak up in a group.

It’s for the person who has a story but doesn’t know where to begin.

It’s for anyone who wants clarity instead of complexity.

Because writing doesn’t have to be complicated.


When the Writing Workbook Will Be Available

It’s not ready yet.

Good work takes time.

But it’s coming.

And when it’s ready, I won’t make a huge splash.

I’ll just quietly open the door.

If you’d like to be the first to know when the writing workbook for beginners is released, make sure you’re subscribed and keep an eye on this space.

Seats may fill.

But the page is wide open.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

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Categories
Lifestyle

How To Respond To Bad Cell Phone Etiquette

cell phone etiquette

People with bad cell phone etiquette in public are so annoying.

I was in the grocery store, in the produce department, and a young lady on her phone was blocking everywhere I wanted to be.

Every carrot.
Every apple.
Every bag of lettuce.

She was everywhere.
And she was in the way.

I finally gave up and decided to do the rest of my shopping.

I’ll come back to produce later, I thought.

Apparently, she had the same idea.

She followed me.

Still talking.
Still loud.
Still completely oblivious.
She was a textbook example of terrible cell phone etiquette .

And then…she crashed into me.

It was a full-on T-bone collision.
Cart to cart.

I wasn’t hurt.

But she didn’t know that.

She immediately dropped her phone and started apologizing like she’d just caused a five-car pileup.

And yes, I leaned into it.
I appeared faintly stunned.
Slightly fragile.
I gave a great possibly-injured-old-lady routine.

It worked beautifully.

She felt awful.

Thank goodness it was a shopping cart and not a car.

Maybe now she’ll think twice about cell phone etiquette in public.

Although… I doubt it.

Still, for one brief moment in the grocery store, cell phone etiquette made a comeback.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

This post might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

WHY IS CONFLICT IMPORTANT IN A STORY?

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Categories
Lifestyle

Your Voice Matters – How To Embrace Storytelling

Your Voice Matters

Your Voice Matters

Your voice matters.

Make storytelling your New Year’s Resolution.

Everyone has a story to tell.

Yes, even you.

Especially you.

Storytelling isn’t just about writing novels.

Although it certainly can be.

Storytelling is also how you post to social media.

It’s how you engage with customers.

And it’s how you shoot the breeze with your friends and family.

Inspiration can be found in the simplest moments of your day.

I write stories about the most mundane things.

My dog, a trip to the store, waffles.

Every moment can be turned into a story.

Start to tell your own personal narrative now.

Read my blog for inspiration.

I teach writing, speaking, and ESL, and I use my blog posts to open up class discussions.

Join in on that discussion.

Comment, and I promise I’ll respond.

Your story is worthy.

Your voice matters.

Make storytelling your New Year’s Resolution.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

This page might include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission from the seller at no cost to you.

CHECK OUT SOME FREE WRITING RESOURCES!

CLICK HERE TO COMMENT – I PROMISE I’LL RESPOND

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Categories
Lifestyle

I Still Love To Read Classic Children’s Books

Classic Children's Books

Classic Children’s Books

It was just an offhand remark.

About classic children’s books.

Someone heard it and repeated it.

And now several people have thanked me.

What happened was that I mentioned to some friends that I had encouraged one of my adult ESL students to read children’s books.

This student was insulted.

He was polite about it, but he felt that, as physician, children’s literature was beneath him.

At our next class session, however, he told me that he had picked up A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (AKA Daniel Handler).

And he loved it!

Many language students try to read books at the same level as their native language.

The problem is that if you have to keep stopping to look at a dictionary, you are disrupting the flow of your reading.

My suggestion is to read at a level where you don’t have to stop.

Read at a level where the context can help you understand all the words.

If your book is at a 5th grade level, keep reading more 5th grade books until it becomes easy.

Then move on to a 6th grade reading list.

And so on.

I have many friends from all over the world.

Several of them told me that, after hearing my story, they picked up some children’s books.

And their reading skills have improved.

See? It works!

My Favorite Children’s Books

Here’s a list of some of my favorite classic children’s books that you will enjoy whether you are an ESL student or not:

If you are struggling with reading comprehension, pick up some children’s books.

Read at a level where you don’t have to stop to look at a dictionary.

There is no shame in reading classic children’s books.

No matter your age, they are always a pleasure to read.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

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Categories
Lifestyle

Pray For Me – I’ll Need Help!

Pray For Me

Pray For Me!

Pray for me.

One grown son has just had shoulder surgery.

The husband is hobbled with a pulled muscle.

And the other grown son is having his wisdom teeth out tomorrow.

Oh my.

Pray for me.

Or for them.

Someone is going to need some serious help by the end of the day tomorrow.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

CHECK OUT SOME FREE WRITING RESOURCES!

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Categories
Lifestyle

I Love Books – They’re Always The Best Gifts!

I love books

Books, Books, Books!

I love books.

They are always the best Christmas gifts.

I’m always thrilled when I get one.

Ebooks and paperbacks are great for everyday.

But a hardback makes an extra special gift.

I’m going to share a list of books that would make excellent gifts this year!

FOR THE STORYTELLER IN YOUR LIFE

  • How To Tell A Story – This is an amazing guide that draws advice from the storytelling experts at The Moth. I’ve read this book many times, and I learn something new every time.
  • Writing Down The Bones – Natalie Goldberg gives great advice regarding the craft of writing. I highly recommend this book.

I’ve read all of these books, and any of them would make a great gift for the storyteller in your life.

NEW RELEASES

  • First Frost – The latest of Craig Johnson’s Longmire books won’t be released until May, but it is available now for preorder.

I can’t wait to read all of these!

PICTURE BOOKS

  • I Spy – My kids LOVED the I Spy books. They would make a great gift for any child on your list.
  • Love You Forever – This is a must-have classsic for every kid and their parents.

Reading to your kids is the best gift you can ever give them.

FOR THE SMART ALEC IN YOUR LIFE

This book is an oldie, but it’s still a goodie!

I LOVE BOOKS!

Books make the best gifts.

They always fit, they won’t break the bank, and you can personalize it to suit your recipient.

Don’t know what to buy this year?

Buy books!

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

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Categories
Dog

This is Why She’s Considered A Doofus

Doofus

She’s Such a Doofus

She really is a doofus.

Blue Dawg.

Otherwise known as Bluefus the doofus.

It turns out that she doesn’t like turkey gizzards.

Who ever heard of a dog not liking gizzards?

I put them in her bowl.

Blue was puzzled, as if to say, “What in the world is this nonsense?”

Then she bent down to eat, and I thought that all was well.

Until later, when I stepped on a gizzard that she deposited in the middle of the room.

Sure enough, she placed gizzard parts all over the house.

Ewww.

Luckily we have hard floors so it was easy enough to clean up.

That would have been a stinky mess on carpeting.

I’ve never heard of a dog who doesn’t like gizzards.

Until now.

What a doofus.

Read stories about Blue Dawg

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

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Categories
Lifestyle

Now I Own A Very Exclusive Gown

Exclusive

An Exclusive Gown

The Grown Son had his third and (hopefully) final shoulder surgery.

The procedure itself went well.

But we did have some scheduling snafus.

And a check-in snafu.

And a check-out snafu.

As well as a pharmacy snafu.

So it wasn’t really a surprise to get home and find that he was still wearing the hospital gown under his clothes.

I laughed and laughed and laughed.

We now own the Most Expensive Garment ever.

You think Vuitton or Armani or Prada are exclusive?

Pffft.

This Hospital Gown cost more.

I’m sure of it.

The next time we’re invited to a black-tie event, I know just what I’ll wear.

I can brag sanctimoniously about how much I spent on it.

And hey, I’ve got the perfect shoes to wear with it.

Hospital socks!

I’ll be the talk of the town.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

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Categories
Work

Leave No Doubt – How To Be Very, Very Clear

Leave No Doubt

Leave No Doubt

I always tell my students this:

If your words create a huge argument about How To Say It, you need to find a simpler way to say it.

I see it all the time.

Groups on social media will erupt into a HUGE grammar debate.

Dozens and dozens of people will chime in with dozens and dozens of varied suggestions.

It’s an enormous, distracting rabbit hole.

Seriously, if writers can’t agree, how in the world will your readers be able to make sense of the thing?

It’s the responsibility of the writer to be understood.

It’s that simple.

If an argument erupts, the writer has missed the mark.

Instead of debating the grammar rules, just find a simpler way to say it.

Keep drilling down.

Simpler, simpler, simpler.

Keep at it until you have found the most straightforward way to express yourself.

Simple, by the way, doesn’t mean stupid.

I’m not suggesting that you dumb down your work.

I am, however, suggesting clarity.

Leave no doubt, or dangling modifiers, or run-on sentences, or improper noun-verb agreements in your writing.

If you’re not sure about a particular passage, post it to a social media group.

If an argument erupts, you know what to do.

Simplify.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

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Categories
Lifestyle

I’m Impressed – It’s Why I Think My Kid Is A Genius

I'm Impressed

I’m Impressed!

I’m impressed.

My son had a great idea.

He’s an absolute genius.

Here’s the backstory.

When we first moved into this house, the oven wouldn’t keep an accurate temperature.

I bought an oven thermometer.

Sure enough, the temp was off by about 10 degrees.

Which wasn’t a problem at all.

I could just make the adjustments.

However, recently, the oven couldn’t seem to hold a steady temperature at all.

I would set it for 350 but it would barely register at 250.

And then it would drop to 100.

We started to shop for a new range.

However, we don’t use the oven much in the summertime.

Maybe we could put off this major purchase for awhile.

Perhaps we can shop around and wait for a sale.

The Genius Son suggested that maybe the oven isn’t broken at all.

Maybe it’s the thermometer that’s broken.

I purchased a new oven thermometer, and set the temp for 350.

The old thermometer barely registered at 200.

The new thermometer registered at 340.

Which is normal since we already know the oven is off by 10 degrees.

Woo hoo!

Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a new range, we spent $5.00 on a new oven thermometer.

I’m impressed.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

CHECK OUT SOME AMAZING WRITING RESOURCES!

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