TAYLOR ENGLE ANDERSON BRAIN

In the long gallery of medieval Europe, few went as hard in the paint as Hildegard von Bingen. Born in 1098 in the Rhineland, she was a Benedictine abbess (can any of us say the same?), visionary mystic, composer, natural philosopher, medical writer, and political correspondent at a time when women were rarely encouraged to be anything at all. Hildegard did not so much transcend her era as bend it, using its language of faith to articulate a defiantly original intellect. She

Capricorn characters are rarely loud on the page. They don’t announce themselves: they arrive already prepared. They are builders, strategists, keepers of time and consequence. If other signs burn bright, Capricorn endures. This workshop is designed to help you write a Capricorn character in real time. Not as a stereotype, but as a layered, human presence shaped by ambition, restraint, and the quiet pressure of responsibility. Grab a notebook and let’s get into it! What Is a

This is a fiction piece, inspired by losing my father in 2021. As he was leaving his body, he ludicrously, deliriously asked us to help him escape the hospital so he could go on his own terms. That didn't happen—but in this story, it does. I submitted this piece to a writing contest. It was not accepted, so I’m taking control of my voice and publishing it here. I’ve stopped treating rejection as a verdict. I’m less interested now in knocking on doors and more interested in le

Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens in different rooms, seasons, moods, and small moments.  It happens at kitchen tables and park benches, in crowded cafés and quiet bedrooms at midnight.  Sometimes it shows up when you invite it. Sometimes it sneaks in when you stop trying so hard. The environment we write in shapes not just what we create, but how we access it. Our words are influenced by light, sound, pressure, people, and even how safe or seen we feel in the

When someone says “forgive but don’t forget,” I don’t hear an instruction to harden myself or keep score. I hear an invitation to value myself. To be loving, but also firm about what is healthy and acceptable for me. Forgiving and forgetting doesn’t feel loving. Forgiving while maintaining necessary boundaries does. That distinction matters. Forgiveness, at its best, isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about choosing how the past gets to shape you. Memory as protection For som

I’ve never had one writing playlist. I have many: for different moods, different tasks, different versions of me. I love music. It’s essential to me, a big part of how I move through the world. I’m a Pisces, so my life often feels like a movie soundtrack. Music is emotional for me. It sets the tone, it changes how I experience time, and it definitely  affects how I work. So instead of having one go-to “writing playlist,” I choose my music based on what I’m working on and what

If self-publishing is a marathon, the holiday season is the stretch where the crowd thickens, the music gets louder, and everyone starts handing out water and snacks. Readers are buying, algorithms are paying attention. Gift cards are burning holes in digital pockets! And yet, many indie authors drift into November like it’s just another Tuesday.  The holiday season is one of the biggest opportunities of the year for self-published authors—especially those willing to prep ins

2025 has been the best year of my life. It began with a quiet decision: to finally step out of the corporate world that had pressed me flat for years. I had begun to feel like a diluted version of myself, defined by someone else's ever-changing rubric. Leaving felt like slipping out of a costume I never realized I was wearing. The relief was immediate. Once I reclaimed my space, the rest of my life rushed in to fill it. In the past year, I taught over 200 dance classes. I’ve

Every holiday season, I find myself returning to the same questions:  What does care look like in my body right now? What does nourishment feel like? How can food be more than just food? This is especially top of mind as I continue to navigate life post-anorexia. So when I heard about Culinary & Cannabis ’ Infused Thanksgiving Side Dishes class, led by nurse, pastry chef, and wellness advocate Tamara Anderson, I was intrigued to learn more.  As someone who healed from anorexi

Winter creeps in slowly, draping the world in gray light, longer nights, and a magnetic pull toward blankets and hot drinks.  Despite the joy of the holidays, this season can feel like a challenge. Energy dips, motivation wanes, and the usual spark of inspiration seems to hide beneath layers of cold air and early sunsets. But winter isn’t a death sentence for creativity. It just requires a different rhythm and level of focus. Just like the seasons outside, our bodies, minds,

So you launched your book. You posted, you emailed, you celebrated…so, now what? One of the biggest myths in self-publishing is that all of the sales happen during launch week. In reality, most authors who sell consistently are playing a long game, and the launch is just the beginning. Let’s talk about how to keep your book selling months—and even years—after release. The Power of Evergreen Marketing Evergreen marketing means creating content, systems, and pathways that conti

How storytelling connects you to your deeper self. Writing has a way of pulling the most surprising things out of you. It’s why I’ve always been so drawn to it as a form of expression: it’s a bridge to your inner life, a way to connect with your higher self and bring clarity, balance, and creativity into your everyday. One of the most powerful ways I’ve deepened this practice is through morning pages, which is part of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way . Every morning, I sit do

Five small ways to conjure rest, renewal, and radiant skin this Halloween. There’s more than one reason we all adore this season: the air is crisp with change, the veil between worlds feels a little thinner, and our bodies beg us for slower rituals and deeper rest. Halloween doesn’t have to be just costumes and candy. It can also be a time to honor your body, your energy, and your inner witch. Here are a few small rituals I’ve been loving lately: 1. Draw a Bath and Banish the

In today’s digital world, being a talented writer doesn’t feel like enough anymore. Your words might be brilliant, but if no one knows who you are, they can easily get lost in the noise of oversaturation.  But even in a chaotic digital world, you can carve out your peaceful little corner. Building a personal brand as a writer isn’t just about marketing or chasing followers: it’s about claiming your voice, showing up in ways that feel authentic, and connecting with readers who

It’s Scorpio season! Time to embrace intensity, mystery, and transformation.  If you’ve ever wanted to create a character that lingers in your reader’s mind long after the last page, a Scorpio-inspired character is your secret weapon.  They’re magnetic, mysterious, and deeply passionate: sometimes in ways that make your other characters (and your readers) sweat a little. Let’s break down what makes a Scorpio tick so you can understand how to channel their energy on the page.

Self-publishing isn’t just about writing a book. It’s also about selling it, which can feel like its own beast.  Selling yourself means embracing a side of yourself many writers resist: the marketer. For introverts, this can feel especially uncomfortable. As writers, we’re used to hiding behind the page, letting the words speak for themselves. But if you want your book to find readers, pre-launch hype is essential, and that means you have to be okay with being seen. The pre-l

Autumn is here! It’s time for cooler nights, cozy vibes, and a natural shift inward. A.k.a., the best time of year. This is the perfect season to focus on self-care and create rituals that keep your body and mind balanced. CBD can be an amazing ally this time of year. It helps ease tension, supports sleep, and keeps your skin glowing through the colder, dryer months. Here are five LumiBloom must-haves to help you thrive this season: Cherish CBD Bath Bomb When the temperature

The zodiac is a surprisingly rich toolkit for building characters. Every sign comes with traits, strengths, weaknesses, and conflicts that can make someone feel fully alive on the page.  If you’re looking to add depth and nuance to your cast, understanding the signs can give you a shortcut to personality, motivation, and internal tension. Virgo is a study in contrasts: grounded yet quietly passionate, practical yet deeply compassionate, organized yet prone to perfectionism. T

Marketing your self-published novel series can feel overwhelming. Breaking it into actionable steps is what makes it manageable. Here’s a practical roadmap to help your books reach readers. Build Your Author Platform Think of your platform as your launchpad. It’s where readers discover you and your books, and you want it to easily reflect that. Website Include a clear bio, book covers, buy links, and a blog or news section. You should also consider offering a free incentive (

Life doesn't always slow down long enough for bubble baths and ten-step rituals, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn't try. We deserve the little luxuries to keep us sane, grounded, and glowing, and this line is one of my favorites. LumiBloom’s Shower Steamers is a spa moment tucked right into your daily shower. Female-founded by Mackenzie McClain Hill and designed with both CBD and non-CBD options, these bombs fizz into aromatherapy magic the second they meet water. Think of t