Nancy K. Napier Ph.D.

Now They Tell Me: Yes, Fiction Writing Is Hard!

When a long-time academic shifts from writing up research to writing mysteries, the path can be tough. The hardest part is adjusting to a new way of thinking.

When a long-time academic shifts from writing up research to writing mysteries, the path can be tough. The hardest part is adjusting to a new way of thinking.

The Joys and Frustrations of Being a Beginner

Personal Perspective: When's the last time you tried to learn something new? As in, you are a rank beginner? It's harder than I expected.

Personal Perspective: When's the last time you tried to learn something new? As in, you are a rank beginner? It's harder than I expected.

What Is Your Reading Plan for 2022? Mine Surprised Me

Do you feel overwhelmed with all there is to read? Maybe you need a different approach—read less but read deeply.

Do you feel overwhelmed with all there is to read? Maybe you need a different approach—read less but read deeply.

How Do You Participate in Meetings?

How do you contribute in meetings? Here's an alternative to voicing an opinion.

How do you contribute in meetings? Here's an alternative to voicing an opinion.

Wish You Had a Memory Like an Elephant?

Do you seem to be forgetting more often than you used to? Several tips can help you manage better.

Do you seem to be forgetting more often than you used to? Several tips can help you manage better.

When Learning Feels Frustrating

Don't aha moments feel good? You'll never know unless you force them to happen.

Don't aha moments feel good? You'll never know unless you force them to happen.

'You Got Any Gas?'

In times when we can't be face-to-face so much, we realize the lost benefits of mindless chatter as a way to connect with others.

In times when we can't be face-to-face so much, we realize the lost benefits of mindless chatter as a way to connect with others.

Finding Tiny Bits of Joy in the Pandemic

We each have ways of managing during the pandemic—and I have found a small daily way to surprise myself and bring a few seconds of joy.

We each have ways of managing during the pandemic—and I have found a small daily way to surprise myself and bring a few seconds of joy.

How Do You Belong?

When we feel disconnected, how can we find ways to connect? Some countries have done it well for hundreds of years. What can we learn from them?

When we feel disconnected, how can we find ways to connect? Some countries have done it well for hundreds of years. What can we learn from them?

Why 'Doing It Again' Feels So Right Right Now

Instead of seeking the ever-new and exciting, sometimes just revisiting what you know can be a joy.

Instead of seeking the ever-new and exciting, sometimes just revisiting what you know can be a joy.