TAYLOR ENGLE ANDERSON BRAIN

Journaling is one of the simplest and most powerful tools for self-reflection, creativity, and discovering your own voice. Over the years, I’ve developed a daily practice that keeps me connected to myself, my stories, and the world around me. I want to share that with you. Here are nine ways to take your journaling practice deeper: 1. Journal Fictionally Step into your character’s mind. Write as if you are them: what they see, feel, and think. I do this every day with my crea

I’ve spent the better part of the last decade in PR and journalism, which means I’ve sent more pitches than I can count to editors, producers, hosts, and inboxes that will probably never see the light of day again. When you’re in this world, you learn fast that the “where” matters just as much as the “what.” A.k.a., your perfect pitch doesn’t matter if it’s in the wrong inbox. That’s why I was intrigued to try MillionPodcasts , a platform built for one thing: helping you find

It’s the best time of the year! As the golden leaves start to fall and the air turns crisp, autumn invites us to slow down, reflect, and prepare for rest. This seasonal shift isn’t just a backdrop for cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice; it’s a powerful rhythm that mirrors the natural cycles inside our bodies—especially the menstrual cycle’s luteal phase. Autumn energy is about winding down with intention. It’s a time to gather the fruits of your summer labor, savor what you’ve c

Why breaks are essential for maintaining your writing spark.  We glorify the grind, but creativity requires contrast, and rest is not a reward; it’s part of the process. If your writing feels flat, uninspired, or forced, it might be time to stop doing and start being.  Here are seven ways to shake it up with ease: 1. Go for a walk. Let your mind drift. Observe something beautiful. Look at trees, strangers, shadows, sunlight. Sometimes, the best ideas float in when you're not

You’ve written your book, and now you’re wondering: How much should I charge for it? Pricing isn’t just about numbers; it’s about positioning. Your price tells a story. It shapes how readers perceive your work and can either invite them in or quietly signal, “This isn’t for you.” So how do you make a pricing decision that feels aligned, strategic, and confident? Let’s break it down. Factors to Consider When Setting a Price Start with the basics: Genre norms. What’s typical fo

My first glimpse of the Sun was my father: From the portal of creation, I flew Into the arms of a Lion. How long do you think he waited Until he told me my first joke? I’m meant to spend this lifetime with Leos. I’m not sure why—only that the universe keeps putting them in my path, from my father to my first best friend to my dance students to my soulmate. Where others find them grandiose or self-centered, I think Leos are inspiring, exciting, and powerfully compassionate. Ye

If you’re dreaming of seeing your work in print or digital form, self-publishing is a powerful way to make that happen on your own terms. But with so many platforms out there, it can feel overwhelming to figure out which one is right for you. I’ve self-published two projects myself: the Creatress Journal , a deeply personal guided journal for menstrual cycles, and my women’s magazine , which I published on Blurb, a platform known for beautiful print-on-demand books and magazi

This November marks three years since I texted you and asked, “What are you doing tonight?” You said, “Waiting for you,” and we’ve never had to wait for each other since—except when it’s time to go and you’re sitting on the couch, not dressed yet, screaming, “Am I ready?! I’ve BEEN ready for 17 hours." You’re insane and hilarious—the only person who’s ever held my attention long enough to win me for life. You’re the only person I’ve ever killed my ego with.  Sometimes you’re

If you’ve ever struggled to breathe real life into your fiction characters, astrology  might be your secret weapon. And when it comes to emotional complexity, the Cancer zodiac sign is a goldmine.  Born between June 21 and July 22, Cancer is a water sign ruled by the moon. Cancers are all intuition, memory, and deep feelings. This is also a cardinal sign, meaning it initiates and leads more than the other water signs—but unlike fiery Aries or air-focused Libra, Cancer leads w

As someone who’s worked in and reviewed the industry for almost ten years, I’ve become very picky with flower—especially in California, where the industry is changing fast and legacy feels more like a buzzword than a backbone. So when I heard CAKE She Hits Different  was stepping into the flower game, I did a mental double-take.  This pause was not because I doubted their ability. I love their vapes, but because expanding in today’s Cali market goes against what nearly every

When it comes to self-publishing, your book cover is what people judge first, no matter how often we warn against it. It’s the first impression readers get, the face of your story, and often the reason someone clicks either “buy” or keeps scrolling past.  A professionally-designed book cover doesn’t just look pretty: it communicates your genre, tone, and the quality of your writing in one clean, powerful image. Here’s how to make sure your cover actually sells your book. Why

It’s summer in South County, and sure, you’ve got to be prepared for the odd (somewhat terrifying) wildfire. But otherwise, it’s where everyone wants to be .  At least that’s what we tell ourselves. Aren’t we lucky? Aren’t we blessed? California is just the best.  Although a SoCal summer is truly inimitable, it’s also not the only place to be from June to September. When I lived in Brooklyn, the annual post-spring anthem was, “We OUTSIIIIIDE!” And we were, almost nonstop, unt

After releasing my women’s magazine , which celebrated feminine relationships and connection (and included resources on syncing your life to your menstrual cycle ), my husband and I poured ourselves into creating a magazine for men: centered on mental health, creativity, strength, softness, and truth.  We wanted to make something that felt real. Something that could help men feel comfortable being vulnerable; something that made men feel supported and inspired. We wanted to r

I learned the hard way that editing your own book  can feel like walking a tightrope between perfectionism and paralysis. When you read something over and over again, it’s easy to start second-guessing everything—the plot, the characters, even your sentence structure. Suddenly, nothing feels “good enough.” But here’s what I’ve realized: reading and writing are incredibly subjective. Even grammar “rules” are flexible. They can be bent, broken, and reinvented, as long as you’re

Astrology is one of the best tools we have for character development: not because it boxes people in, but because it offers relatable energetic patterns that help us understand how people move through the world. Characters are living, breathing contradictions, and astrology is just one tool we can use to help us name those contradictions with a little more grace. Each astrological sign contains both evolved and unevolved expressions. We’re all messy, layered, growing beings,

To my first love story. Happy Mother's Day, mom. A mother is our first love story. Correction— My mother was my first love story, And I wish everyone could be loved by Lori. Correction— If you’ve met, you’ve surely felt her love: A sweet outpour, it’s generous and delicate. Correction— It’s hard-earned and self-taught, The way she really makes sure she sees you. Correction— Because maybe what she sees in you Is her own purity reflected in your gaze. What came first? The soul

I recently tried the Zen Brands  cannabis gummies, and I almost found myself wanting to eat the entire pack in one sitting. These things are delicious, and they come individually packaged inside the larger pack, which means they’re perfect for tossing in your bag or keeping in your desk drawer for a quick getaway from the day-to-day. From a flavor perspective, these gummies are fruity, tasty, and veryyyy smooth. Plus, they’re gluten-free, fat-free, and come with vegan options

It was the height of the pandemic. Many of us were just trying to stay afloat, learning how to exist amidst widespread uncertainty. But for LumiBloom  founder MacKenzie McClain Hill, something else stirred beneath the surface.  In the quiet, she heard a call. And from that sacred pause, a brand was born. A BIPOC-owned, CBD-powered wellness company founded with intention and anchored in lived experience, LumiBloom honors the wholeness of women—body, spirit, and mind. “This ver

A few days after visiting a local animal fair, where I saw a sloth chilling on a branch, I received a package from ZZZ’s Collective . I cracked it open to find a rolling paper booklet graced by a laid-back, wonderfully illustrated sloth—and I laughed out loud. It was whimsical, clever, and oddly timed—like the universe was showing me something I needed to see. But beyond the animal art, I quickly realized there was something more meaningful happening here. What is ZZZ’s Colle

Imagine the cruel fate of being a Pisces sun with a Leo rising: deep need for solitude paired with a karmic duty to be seen and perceived.  I moved to New York City to get lost in a sea of performers—the ones in LA weren’t Old World enough. And as my skin grew paler from Northeastern living, I drew closer to my sun, learning to let the tides carry me. Emboldened by the softness of my sun, I could finally end the performance. I became addicted to silence: the ideal I’d been ch