Published in Invisible Illness

·Pinned

I’m Not Scared of Death, But I Can’t Stop Asking This One Question

Jonathon Larson’s “Tik Tik Boom” has left me wondering — I assumed the throbbing pain and loud clicking in my shoulder was a simple injury from a fall, but the physio suspects some underlying condition and insists I head straight to the emergency department. First though, I head home. I let my husband know, grab a notebook, reassure the kids…

Crohns Disease

9 min read

I’m Not Scared of Death, But I Can’t Stop Asking This One Question

Published in With Love

·Pinned

At 40, I Was Scared to Enter the Dating Pool Again

Plunging into online dating is a daunting experience — One of the kids in my swimming class was terrified of the deep pool. I found his mother sitting poolside and asked if he’d had any traumatic experiences that might have caused it. “No,” she replied. “It’s me. I’m afraid of the water. I won’t even go in up to…

Mwc Reentry

5 min read

At 40, I Was Scared to Enter the Dating Pool Again

Published in Inspired Writer

·Pinned

I Applied the 10% Rule to My Writing, And Some Weird Doors Opened Up

3 creative side-gigs for you to try too — I’ve been a working writer for over 12 years and the 70/20/10 rule is one I’ve always applied to my time. The 10 part is the most fun. Here’s how it works — I spend the majority of my writing time on work that pays, around 20% on testing out…

Writing Tips

3 min read

I Applied the 10% Rule to My Writing, And Some Weird Doors Opened Up

Pinned

Hello, I’m Kelly Eden

Let’s chat — If we haven’t met yet, here’s some things I’d tell you if we met in real life. I’ve been a working writer for over 13 years, predominantly for print and online magazines. I love both fiction and nonfiction and have been fortunate enough to carve a career from both. I’m especially passionate about personal essays and love helping other writers tell their stories more powerfully. My Personal Essay Course is self-paced with direct feedback from me. I have won awards with my own personal essays, including an Honorable Mention in the Medium Writing Challenge. If you’re new to Medium, come visit my publication. We’ll give you a hand.

Writing

1 min read

Hello, I’m Kelly Eden

Let’s chat

If we haven’t met yet, here’s some things I’d tell you if we met in real life.
I’ve been a working writer for over 13 years, predominantly for print and online magazines. I love both fiction and nonfiction and have been fortunate enough to carve a career from both.

I’m especially passionate about personal essays and love helping other writers tell their stories more powerfully. My Personal Essay Course is self-paced with direct feedback from me. I have won awards with my own personal essays, including an Honorable Mention in the Medium Writing Challenge.

If you’re new to Medium, come visit my publication. We’ll give you a hand.

Check out my lists of curated stories: for writing, relationships, and mental health

Connect: I run a newsletter for writers, I’m on Twitter, and LinkedIn
or email me at inspiredwriter.kelly@gmail.com

Published in Inspired Writer

·4 days ago

2 Truths About Writing Contests That Increase Your Chances of Winning

Even if you don’t believe in yourself — We’re running a personal essay contest at Inspired Writer (one week until deadline!). If you haven’t entered yet, consider this my elbow nudging your arm and saying: “Hey, you’re a great writer. Finish that story and send it in!” Because honestly, there are a couple of secrets about contests. Encouraging truth #1 I’ve…

Contests

3 min read

Published in Inspired Writer

·Jun 15

Tell Your Story and Win Some Cash

And prompts to get you started — People often say to me, “I’m not that great at writing personal essays. If I entered a contest, I wouldn’t win.” But as a writing mentor and judge of several international contests, some of the best personal essays I’ve read have been from brand new writers! At their basic level…

Contests

3 min read

Published in Inspired Writer

·Jun 14

You’re Missing The Point of Personal Essays

It isn’t about you — One of the first stories I had published was a personal essay, except I didn’t know it was one. I’d never heard the term “personal essay” so I pitched it as my personal story. Which is pretty much what a personal essay is, right? What I didn’t realize is a…

Contests

3 min read

You’re Missing The Point of Personal Essays

Published in The Writing Cooperative

·Jun 13

A Letter to The New Writer Wanting to Carve Out a Career

3 of my top tips from 13 years of experience — Dear New Writer, I’m so glad you reached out. I remember what’s it like at the start. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong and I didn’t know who to ask. Thankfully, I had some great mentors along the way and I’ve been in this career for 13 years…

Writers On Writing

4 min read

A Letter to The New Writer Wanting to Carve Out a Career

Published in Inspired Writer

·Jun 1

I spent $660 on a Personal Essay Course. Here’s What I Learnt.

Was it worth the money? — The majority of my work comes from publishing personal essays. So, when I was looking for a course to improve my writing this year, I hunted out a personal essay one. “But, wait. Don’t you teach personal essays?” I hear you ask. You’re right, I do. But I’m someone who…

Writing Tips

4 min read

I spent $660 on a Personal Essay Course. Here’s What I Learnt.

Published in History of Yesterday

·May 30

How 19th Century Sailors Embraced a Custom of Cannibalism

And what finally put an end to it — Imagine this scenario: A handful of emaciated sailors look warily at their captain. They’re stranded in the middle of nowhere in a small whaling boat and the food ran out days ago. The captain holds out his fist, five straws poking out the top. …

History

6 min read

How 19th Century Sailors Embraced a Custom of Cannibalism