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The Muse Room: How Atmosphere Shapes Emotion, Creativity, and Connection
Have you ever noticed how your mood shifts depending on your surroundings? The spaces we inhabit—what we see, smell, hear, and feel—have the power to calm or unnerve us, to inspire or stifle us. Our emotions, behaviors, even our creativity, are deeply tied to atmosphere.

Donna Norman Carbone
Jul 93 min read


The Rush of a School Day Juxtaposed with the Ease of Summer: A Stream-of-Consciousness
The Rush of a School Day Juxtaposed with the Ease of Summer: A Stream-of-Consciousness

Donna Norman Carbone
Jun 132 min read


On Being an Author in a Trump Era
After the November election, I found myself in a bit of a moral dilemma. I grew up in a household where two topics were taboo. I cannot...

Donna Norman Carbone
May 175 min read


The “Let Them” List
If you’re someone who feels overwhelmed by the weight of other people’s expectations or reactions, I encourage you to try the “Let Them” approach.

Donna Norman Carbone
Apr 122 min read


Take the Leap
Beginnings can be scary. Taking a leap into the unknown without a safety net can be paralyzing. My fear of heights has kept me from...

Donna Norman Carbone
Mar 152 min read


The Morning After...
And this morning, the morning after the 2024 election, will remain a scarred, third tally on my heart.

Donna Norman Carbone
Nov 9, 20243 min read


What I Get to Do is Not Lost on Me
I seriously worked at the craft of being a writer for thirty plus years before publishing my debut novel. It started as a maybe… which...

Donna Norman Carbone
Oct 19, 20243 min read


Behind the Story: Of Lies and Honey
Inspiration I read an article in a magazine years ago. It was about a teenager, a debutante from high society, who had become pregnant....

Donna Norman Carbone
Sep 13, 20246 min read


Does Your Life Feel More Like a Marathon or a Sprint? Lessons in Creating Balance
This summer has felt more like a sprint. I made a goal to finish my third manuscript by the end of summer and eked it out with only one...

Donna Norman Carbone
Aug 22, 20243 min read


Happy Book Birthday, All That is Sacred!
All That is Sacred, my first published book baby, officially turns 1 today.

Donna Norman Carbone
Jun 6, 20243 min read


Seeds of Inspiration & How to Make them Blossom: Writing Process
As a gardener, one plants sees, never knowing which of them or how many will bloom. And, as a writer, I need to plant the seeds to see what

Donna Norman Carbone
May 14, 20243 min read


Women's History Month: a tribute
This month honors the history of women who have paved the way for us to have a voice. We have come a long way since disguising ourselves...

Donna Norman Carbone
Mar 9, 20242 min read


What a year 2023 has been: Top Ten
Each year, I write a blog post about my year in review. This year has been one I’ll never forget for so many reasons. This year, I got to...

Donna Norman Carbone
Dec 30, 20234 min read


Learning the Hard Way: My Journey
So, here’s the story. I’m writing it down to remember and to help YOU (those who dream about publishing a book)

Donna Norman Carbone
Nov 12, 20234 min read


NaNoWriMo Rebel: What I do when I don’t have time to write
In just ten more days, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) commences, but I’m up to my eyeballs in author To Dos and I have the...

Donna Norman Carbone
Oct 22, 20232 min read


First Sentences: A Promise
This first sentence of any story is like a promise to the reader. Can you recall any first sentences you’ve read that have stayed with...

Donna Norman Carbone
Oct 7, 20234 min read


Balancing Act: I’m still learning
I’ve been thinking a lot about balance lately. After coming off of a summer that flew by way too fast and one that I recognize in hindsight

Donna Norman Carbone
Sep 16, 20233 min read


What Does Barbie Have To Do With Writing? Or Anything? Everything, really.
Before I saw the Barbie movie, I’d intended on writing about how playing Barbies shaped me into a storyteller–a story I could still tell. Bu

Donna Norman Carbone
Aug 13, 20233 min read


My Writing Space
My writing space is largely decorated in black and white with pops of color...This space inspires me because it's mine.

Donna Norman Carbone
Jul 11, 20233 min read


Writing From the Heart
When my close friends read an early copy of my debut novel, All That is Sacred, which was released earlier this month, they asked, “Which...

Donna Norman Carbone
Jun 20, 20234 min read
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