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A Prisoner of Hope
Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.

A Prisoner of Hope
Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.
I post the first and third Tuesday of the month.
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The Need for Grace and Second Chances, part one
Second chances. There comes a time when we all need one. After all, who’s perfect? Lately I’ve been thinking about second chances in...

Megan DiMaria
Aug 8, 20172 min read
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What's the best way react when you're scrutinized and found lacking?
I once read an article about famous Hollywood types who feel compelled throw around their celebrity to get their way. "Do you know who I...

Megan DiMaria
Aug 1, 20172 min read
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Views on rejection from successful writers
I saw this article, 12 Famous Writers on Literary Rejection, and it's too good not to share. My favorite is what Sylvia Plath said: "I...

Megan DiMaria
Jul 18, 20171 min read
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Happy 4th of July!
I hope you're enjoying your summer—spending restful moments outdoors in nature and making beautiful memories with family and friends....

Megan DiMaria
Jul 4, 20171 min read
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Remember This
A reminder I certainly need, at times. Thought I would share it with you. Have a blessed day, friends!

Megan DiMaria
Jun 27, 20171 min read
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Two sentences that helped me reset my expectations and regain my composure.
I know that I can’t be the only one . . . Perhaps you've also found yourself scrambling to meet your goals, pushing yourself to do more,...

Megan DiMaria
Jun 20, 20172 min read
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Author Voice, part four
*This is part four in a series. View parts one, two, and three. If you've been following this series, are you understanding author voice...

Megan DiMaria
Jun 6, 20172 min read
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Understanding Author Voice, part three
*This is part three in a series. View parts one and two. I hope you’re enjoying the different samples of author voice we're including...

Megan DiMaria
May 30, 20172 min read
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Understanding Author Voice, part two
*This is part two in a series. View part one. Last week we started discussing author voice, which is the way in which an author tells a...

Megan DiMaria
May 23, 20173 min read
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What is Author Voice?
A lot of time is spent in writing circles discussing author voice. What is it? How do you perfect it? Author voice is the way in which an...

Megan DiMaria
May 16, 20173 min read
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Do dreams expire?
Is it ever too late to pursue a dream? Can you ponder a dream for too long, and miss the opportunity for accomplishment? Consider the...

Megan DiMaria
May 9, 20172 min read
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Prayers for strangers and hurting hearts
Who else prays for strangers? I can’t be the only one who prays for folks they don’t know. I’m pretty sensitive, and stories I hear prick...

Megan DiMaria
May 2, 20173 min read
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How does a writer decide on an idea? Part Two
This is the second of a two-part topic. See part one here. If you ask a seasoned writer, they’ll tell you that ideas are in the air....

Megan DiMaria
Apr 25, 20172 min read
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How does a writer decide on an idea? Part One
How does a writer decide on an idea? I believe writers are peculiar people. We tuck bits of memories in our brains and hearts only to...

Megan DiMaria
Apr 18, 20172 min read
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The Truth about Defining Moments
Have you experienced a moment when when reality crystalizes and you finally KNOW a deep, personal truth? I’ve been thinking about...

Megan DiMaria
Apr 11, 20172 min read
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Writers, learn to put rejection in perspective
Rejection is an ugly word, especially to a writer. But we need to keep it in perspective. To help you put rejection into perspective, I’d...

Megan DiMaria
Apr 4, 20172 min read
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Why readers need to experience the novel (see it, smell it, feel it, taste it, hear it . . .)
I recently read a story that left me wholly unsatisfied. The author skimped on writing in the sensory details. I felt disoriented while...

Megan DiMaria
Mar 28, 20172 min read
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Are you kind to others?
Are you a door holder? Do you notice someone behind you and pause to pass off the door? I know, I know—you’re in a hurry. You’ve got...

Megan DiMaria
Mar 14, 20171 min read
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Strategies to Overcome Writer's Block
Consider yourself the luckiest writer in the universe if you’ve never experienced a moment of writer’s block. Consider yourself fortunate...

Megan DiMaria
Feb 28, 20172 min read
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When challenges arise, what do YOU do?
When faced with a challenge, do you give up or persist? See that photo? It's of a hiking trial in Maroon Bells outside of Aspen,...

Megan DiMaria
Feb 21, 20171 min read
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