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Writing Resources

Getting the most out of a professional critique

Excluding my regular critique group (except during COVID), I've probably had over 100 professional writing critiques. Some harsh, some dismissive, some encouraging, some insightful, some throwaways. I've made a substantial investment in my writing career and I've learned a solid professional critique can put you on an enlightened path.
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Kids masks made with t-shirt ties

Writing for Magazines & Mask-Making

Teen Scouts help the Mill Valley Masketeers by cutting hundreds of t-shirts to make ear ties. Led by local Mill Valley citizen Lee Budish, people from around the community came together like the Scouts, to donate fabric, cut, sew and deliver over 14,000 masks to those in need.
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The Sisters, Cascade Mountain Range

Brain Cleaner for My Writing

My brain cleaner for writing is running--or journaling. After last week's horrific attack on our nation's Capitol, I needed a lot of brain cleaning. Nothing works better than a run (without falling) along the BLM and viewing the stunning Cascades. The incredible views always remind me to take deep breaths, count my blessings, be positive, and start anew. So as…

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Sunrise Mill Valley to Sausalito Trail

Header, Blood & Get Up

On a 6:30 am 5 mile run, 39 degrees, headlamp in place, and bundled like a muffin, I tripped on some unknown giant ridge that popped out on flat, paved walkway along SF Bay in Sausalito. I flopped along for a bit trying to right myself and crashed to the ground on the side of my head, knees, elbows, legs.…

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Children's masks

It’s the Small Things During Covid

In Jan. 2020, I decided it was time to learn my new (!) sewing machine. I hadn't opened it's box in 15 years. I took a lesson. March 14th, we entered the pandemic and shelter in place. A friend suggested I might consider making masks to donate with a volunteer group called #millvalleymasketeers. After all, I could now thread my…

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Be a Life Long Learner for Change

The horrific events around the world from Covid-19 and the painful injustice and brutality against Blacks in the U.S. have seared everyone's heart, soul, conscience, and life. We need healthy healing, and fair and just policies to change a system that enables these heinous violent acts to continue. If that wasn't enough, in California we face overwhelming fires, deep unemployment,…

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From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Being an Audio Book and Podcast Geek

I listen to audio books and podcasts constantly (even more during shelter in place). I'm always walking around with headphones, and it super irritates my husband. He'll say something to me and I'll say, "What?" He'll say, "Never mind!" Audio books help me stay up on current literature in the genres I write, or to learn a new topic or…

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Mill Valley Library

Desperately Missing My Library

Photo courtesy of Mill Valley Library My library, the Mill Valley Library, is one of the most beautiful. It's my friend, my helper, idea source, inspiration, entertainment and so much more. With shelter in place, there's like a hole in my heart without the library. Plus I'm holding over 15 books to return, and it feels like one of the…

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