One reason that I wanted to start my own business was to specifically teach memoir writing classes. My mom took a memoir class for years down in Palm Desert, CA taught by the lovely Tammy L. Houts who runs TLC Writing Retreats for Women. Tammy, as my inspiration, showed me what an incredible thing the class was for her students. The classes not only capture moments in the writer’s life like a photograph turned into words but there is also a bit of catharsis that happens along the way. Those who take her classes look at all they’ve accomplished, survived, done, and then truly see what remarkable human beings they are. It’s very empowering. I decided…

Moving day finally came. I had looked at the first office in February, got my business license in March, got this office in April, and then waited and waited until I could move into my little piece of the sky. On August 1, 2022, my friend Pearl (Thank you Pearl!) helped me move in. All that time in between was filled with a few things:

1. I had to get the guts to tell my boss and office mates that I was quitting my full-time, okayly paid, job.

2. I had to save…

I knew that if I was starting a business, I needed an office. I’m such a people person that I need to be around people during the day. I need my quiet time, too, but I knew that an ‘at home’ office wasn’t going to cut it. I also got some advice from my big brother Frank that confirmed my belief. He said that getting an office makes it real. And it lets all those around you know that you’re not just doing this…

On March 16, 2022, I applied for my business license. The most difficult part of that process was thinking up a name for my business. Names are hard because I know how important they are. They mean everything. Book titles have to set the right tone and rhythm for the entire book. So important. Your character names can create mental images for your readers that will make or ruin the book. Names of towns, pets, favorite hangouts, etc. can create images…