About Beth Mende Conny and WriteDirections
Welcome to WriteDirections.com. I'm Beth Mende Conny, and I hope you'll stay awhile, take advantage of all the site offers and leave here a better — or at least more inspired — writer.
When I founded WriteDirections in 1999, my goal was to make the writing road less bumpy and more fulfilling. I also wanted to share the lessons I've learned, too often the hard way. Here's one of the most important:
Writing isn't rocket science.
Really, when you think about it, it's just a bunch of words on a page. Getting them to work together and grab the attention of readers — now that's the challenge. WriteDirections will help you meet it.
Zip around these site and you'll find:
- free how-to articles and meditations
- advice and inspiration ASAP via the WriteDirections Blog
- podcasts and videos on writing for fun and profit
- links to my favorite books, music, movies, Web sites, etc.
- a list of my books
- a special client’s page for businesses and not-for-profits
Enjoy what you find, put it to use, then pass it along. Writing, like good times, is to be shared.
About me
I was born in New York City, into a family of writers, which was a blessing and curse. For while I love to write, I don't always like being a writer. It's a 24/7 job, with no days off. I sometimes threaten to change professions. The only problem is, writing isn't a profession. It is who I am.
I've been writing since I first learned to form letters on a page. Since then I've authored/edited/ghosted more than four dozen books, written scores of newspaper articles, syndicated a column and taught writing at various colleges.
I've got a master's in journalism and a Ph.D. in writer's angst. I carry a pen and pad wherever I go. I eavesdrop on conversations to steal dialogue. I have more book ideas than can comfortably fit into my brain. I write even when I'm not writing. I drive my family crazy. I drive myself crazy too.
Still, I write.
I can't explain why, but maybe I don't have to. If you're reading this, you likely understand. We're kindred, wacko souls, you see, and it's nice to have company.
With you on the writing road,
—Beth