Write On

“The theme for this whole panel today is this: Just start!” declared Stephanie Barbé Hammer, summing up the lively final panel discussion at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Moderated by novelist Nancy Klann-Moren, the conversation quickly became less about writing books and more about building a successful writing life.

When asked how they juggle writing with everything else, the answers were refreshingly honest. “I don’t sleep,” joked novelist Rick Shaw. “I have a puppy that wakes me up at 6 am!” laughed Melinda Palacio, Santa Barbara’s recent Poet Laureate, adding that she still relies on a paper calendar and handwritten lists. Lisa Angle compared readers to loyal dogs: “They like consistency, and they like routine. Be consistent with your posting.”

Rachel Sarah Thurston encouraged writers to think beyond the next chapter. “It’s about discovering your soul’s mission as a writer,” she said. “Set annual goals, then break them into quarters, months, and weeks.”

Hammer followed with another practical tip: “Do your writing first. When your brain is tired, then do your social media.”

Mary Hill-Wagner captured the spirit of the conference perfectly. “This conference is like Build-A-Bear. You can pick and choose and make it what you want it to be. You can come having written nothing, or written 50 books, and you’ll still learn something.”

Perhaps Rick Shaw offered the best advice of all: “Get over yourself. Get past the imposter syndrome. Trust yourself. Trust your story. Pull the trigger.”

Sightings 

Zoë Saldaña marked her 49th birthday at home with filmmaker hubby Marco Perego-Saldaña and their sons, while celebrating another milestone – becoming the highest-grossing lead actress in cinematic history… Justin Bieber surprised hockey fans last Friday at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo by stepping onstage to announce the Toronto Maple Leafs’ No. 1 overall pick, Gavin McKenna, celebrating devotion to his hometown team… Jennifer Aniston going viral by teaming up with makeup mogul Charlotte Tilbury at a joint glam-session event to spotlight her haircare brand, LolaVie, while revealing that Tilbury’s foundation has long been one of the Montecito actress’s favorite secrets.

From Richard and Friends to all of you… Pip! Pip!