“One of Nature’s Masterpieces”
Every rock in every direction was a stunning mix of muted gray, smoky black, sky blue, sunlit yellow, and reddish brown, resembling watercolors merging in a masterpiece. …
A Moving Email
On the third day of this gray, dreary start to 2025, I received an unexpected thoughtful and well-written email from Teagan, one of my past writing students …
Exceptional Writing takes time
Writing should not be done last minute. That has been a repeated topic of conversation in my home recently. My 17-year-old son thrives on starting tasks at the eleventh hour, and to my utter …
Writing Goals
Goals. Goals are important in all aspects of life; without them, especially in this busy part of the world that we live in, people tend to focus on just …
Traditional Tutoring & Writing
Ever since I founded my business, in May of 2014, I have never provided traditional tutoring services. I feel that workbook “learning” is more mindless than ...
The Importance of Identifying & Addressing Writing Problems Early
When the last National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) writing assessment with released scores was given to eighth and twelfth graders in 2011, only …
A Change of Attitude About Writing
June 10, 2024, is the day that my son and I “agreed” to start meeting weekly to discuss his college admission writing, a date much later than my choosing, ...
Is My Child a Good Writer?
If you have ever wondered if your child receiving A’s on school papers or in their English classes indicates that they are a good writer, you are not alone. …
Why Isn’t My Child Getting Better at Writing?
If you have noticed that your child is not getting better at writing, but you are not sure why, I recommend addressing the following in the following order: Have …
Timely Writing
There is more to writing than the words that it is composed of. It is important for writing, whether it be a school assignment or a personal or work email, to be …
The Importance of Written & Verbal Communication
Written communication is inarguably important, particularly in the twenty-first century where it is the predominant means of communication. That said, we shouldn’t …
College Admission Essay Consulting Services
I am excited to announce, and I am sure some of you are excited to hear, that I will be offering college essay consulting services starting in early 2024 (as soon as …
4 Easy Ways to Help Your Children Become Better Writers Faster
Allow your children to be independent learners and writers: Let them take their writing classes and complete their homework for those classes by themselves, but …
What Makes a Writer a Good Writer?
Good writers understand the value of writing, and they themselves want to become better writers. Good writers are organized and manage their time well, consistently …
Writing Beyond High School
Since 2014, I have done something adventurous with my son on New Year’s Day because I believe that a new year should begin at the end of your comfort zone. This year …
Two Writing Courses That Shifted My Trajectory
As my dad has been preparing to retire and my son has been preparing to apply to colleges, I have been doing a lot of contemplating about the progression of life …
Reading, Vocabulary, and Writing—They Are Interconnected
When Jack Horton, one of my sixth-grade students, joined my Writing Critique I course at the beginning of February, it was apparent to the other students in the …
To Become a Better Writer, You Need to Read More.
Taylor Greenwalt, one of my tenth-grade writing critique students, has a love of reading that shines through her writing. I have been fortuitous to have her share …