Category Archives: What’s Up With Joanne!

Inspiration from My Favorite Authors

Collecting quotations has been one of my lifelong hobbies. In the pre-computer days, I would jot down quotations on slips of paper and toss them in a desk drawer. Once a month, I would type them up and place them … Continue reading

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Dating Trends for 2023

While reading Bianca London’s article in a recent issue of Glamour UK, I realized that I was unfamiliar with the 2023 dating lexicon. In researching the article, Bianca enlisted the aid of dating experts Eugénie Legendre and Dennie Smith and … Continue reading

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In Praise of Napping

Today is National Napping Day, a day created by Camille and Dr. William Anthony in 1999 to spotlight the healthy benefits of catching up on quality sleep. Dr. Anthony noted: “We chose this particular Monday because Americans (and Canadians) are … Continue reading

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A Year of Wordle

Partway through the second week of February 2022, a global phenomenon named Wordle captured my attention. At first hesitant, I dismissed the word game as another millennial fad. But I couldn’t ignore the growing number of people—many in the over-fifty … Continue reading

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Just Let It Be

December can be stressful. Even more so this year as we navigate the increasingly uncertain terrain of Covid. Whenever I feel discouraged or overwhelmed, I take time to read and reflect upon the following Zen parable: Buddha was walking from … Continue reading

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What Will You Do When Your Characters Misbehave?

When I first heard this question at a creative writing workshop, I was tempted to say that I intended to firmly hold onto the reins. A neophyte with no literary credits to my name, I couldn’t imagine characters actually misbehaving … Continue reading

Posted in Soul Mate Publishing, What's Up With Joanne!, Writing | 2 Comments

On Exploring Creativity

It is never too late to explore creativity and launch second, third, and fourth acts in life. Here are three strategies that have helped me on my writing journey: Listen to the God (or Goddess) nudges in your life. If … Continue reading

Posted in Inspiration, Soul Mate Publishing, What's Up With Joanne!, Writing | 7 Comments

Buzzwords and Dating Trends of 2021

I was surprised and a bit disappointed to discover that I was unfamiliar with the latest dating lexicon. In a recent interview on Cityline, celebrity matchmaker Carmelia Ray shared the following buzzwords and dating trends of 2021: Sneating Going on … Continue reading

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Eleven More Second Acts

I started the Second Acts series on my blog in July of 2013. Since that time, over 100 women have shared reinvention stories that have inspired anyone asking the question: What am I going to do with the rest of … Continue reading

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Laugh Out Loud!

Today is International Moment of Laughter Day, a day set aside to remind us to laugh out loud each day. According to originator Izzy Gesell, “Laughter comes right after breathing as just about the healthiest thing you can do. It … Continue reading

Posted in Soul Mate Publishing, What's Up With Joanne! | 8 Comments