About

Welcome!
Thanks for visiting.

I’m passionate about the power of writing to heal and transform lives. As a creative writing teacher and coach, I witness my students’ and clients’ liberation when they realize that it’s safe to speak and to be seen. It took me decades to understand how to get out of my own way, how to allow what wanted to be expressed through me to come forward. When I finally understood this process, it was a game-changer. Ever since, I’ve been helping other writers, creatives, and people interested in healing through writing, how to navigate their work and lives from the inside out.

I love coaching new and established authors, and I view publishing and book promotion as opportunities to deepen self-awareness, nourish meaningful connections, and delight in peak experiences while being of service. It wasn’t always this way. I used to view these activities as onerous burdens at best, and at times, a maze of painful, debilitating rejection. I made the mistake many writers make of attaching my value and worth to the vagaries of the publishing industry, which is notoriously fickle. What a relief it’s been realizing that I am free to write and publish what I want, and that “author platform” doesn’t have to mean something unpleasant. We can actually enjoy it! My new book will show you how to do this and much more!

Education
Growing up, I learned a lot about life lingering around the dining room table and listening closely—long after the other kids were excused. My mom, who entertained a lot, explained to guests that I, her “baby,” enjoyed “adult conversation.” She was right. I got to be a fly on the wall. The adults forgot I was there and shared revealing anecdotes. I couldn’t get enough of their stories.

I also loved making up my own, which drove my sister crazy when I’d tell tall tales to neighborhood kids to see what they’d believe. I’d come clean at the end, and tell them I was kidding, at which point my sister would accuse me of being a bullshit artist. At least the word artist was used to describe me. That was cool.

Life and books have been excellent teachers. But I’ve also had the privilege of attending some stellar colleges and universities. I studied dance at The Juilliard School, and earned a B.A. in Dance and Literature from Scripps College; an M.F.A. in Film Production, with a Screenwriting emphasis, from The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts; and an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology from The University of Santa Monica (USM).

I live in Southern California with my husband of thirty-five years. We have a young adult daughter.

a modern-day medicine woman, disguised as an entrepreneur.”

—Dolores Wylie, shaman serving hospice and veterans

class you get much more than a teacher, you get a steadfast facilitator who offers calm encouragement and tremendous insight into the entire writing process, which by nature is fraught with insecurity. Her warmth and guidance fosters a place of creativity and unparalleled support, not to mention crazy productivity! I’m thrilled to have Bella in my corner and can’t recommend her highly enough.”

 —Melissa Gould,
Author of Widowish, A Memoir