Sophfronia Scott's Blog: Sophfronia Scott, Author, page 20
June 7, 2019
Donut Crazy Love

First, a confession: I can’t eat an entire Donut Crazy donut in one sitting. In fact, it might take me a couple of days. I could say I’m savoring it, or that I’m sharing it with my son. But really, a Donut Crazy donut is like eating three desserts at once–and it’s absolutely glorious. Check out this featured offering and note the little brownie on top. See how tiny and innocent it looks? Don’t be fooled. It’s a diversion. From what? Cut open the donut and you’ll see: it’s STUFFED with a brownie! That’s just crazy. But I love it.
It’s National Doughnut Day so I’ll share with you that I discovered this shop this past year during my daily trips to New Haven, Connecticut. Actually, there are six locations. Their website says Donut Crazy is family-owned and operated. “We serve up fresh and delicious specialty donuts all over southern Connecticut.” The specialty bit? They aren’t kidding. When I saw a donut topped with a Biscoff cookie, those sugary little miracles served as snacks on airplane flights, well, let’s just say they had me at hello. But that kind of over-the-top novelty can wear off eventually. Why do I keep going back, especially when I can’t consume such a donut daily? Sometimes I just love the smell of the place. But honestly?

It’s the flavor.

I haven’t tasted a donut (and this goes for all of the Donut Crazy donuts) this scrumptiously pleasing since childhood. Yes childhood–when powdered sugar on the tongue felt like magic, and the smell of yeast carried a mystery all its own. I remember being six or seven years old, and my siblings and I helping our oldest brother with his paper route on the streets of Lorain, Ohio, in the wee hours of the morning. Once in a while he would reward us with a trip to Bob’s Donuts and glazed coffee rolls (my favorite) and hot chocolate. My brother is generous like that, and I still remember the time with great love.

Bob’s Donuts closed years ago. And I used to think the flavor and those memories would always be far away, just a little out of reach. But Donut Crazy brought them back to me. I’m going to Ohio soon to visit my brother. Of course I’m going to bring him a box of Donut Crazy donuts.
May 31, 2019
Bausch On Getting Work Done
As lonely as writing can feel, I know I’m not the only one sitting in a space trying to find exactly the right words that can make a story or a poem or an essay sing. Often I get timely reminders, such as the excellent posts my friend, the brilliant author Richard Bausch, features on his Facebook newsfeed. The thing I find comforting about Richard’s words is he’s been writing for years and produced multiple novels and short story collections, but when he begins again he has to start with the blank page or the blank screen, just as we all do. And it doesn’t get any easier.
On this morning’s walk, I share my friend’s beautiful and helpful words on the matter of getting work done. Enjoy. xoxo
Need an even bigger jolt of inspiration? Then join me in the Veneto region of Italy this September for my Write of Your Life Retreat! Our departure date will be here before you know it, so register now for one of the last remaining spots. Drop me a line if you would like a copy of the full color brochure. Read all about it here at Grand Tourist UK.
May 24, 2019
A Different Writers’ Block
We tend to think of writers’ block as being stuck because you don’t know what to write or don’t feel inspired. But what if you’re not writing something fun or different because you have a block that says, “I can’t do that?” And maybe that block isn’t even real! On this morning’s walk, let’s talk about how to dissolve blocks so you can write beyond what you think you can.
And don’t forget, you can still seize the opportunity of joining me in the Veneto region of Italy this September! There are a few spots left in my Write of Your Life Retreat! Drop me a line if you would like a copy of the full color brochure. If you’d like to attend this fabulous adventure with members of your writing group you’ll want to register soon to ensure we can accommodate everyone traveling together. Solo travelers are indeed welcome too! Read all about it here at Grand Tourist UK.
May 19, 2019
Assignment: Your Own Creativity
Do you always need an assignment or a writing prompt to help you figure out what to write? Not really. On this week’s morning walk, I talk about how writers can move beyond assignments to take charge of their own creativity.
And don’t forget, you can still seize the opportunity of joining me in the Veneto region of Italy this September! There are a few spots left in my Write of Your Life Retreat! Drop me a line if you would like a copy of the full color brochure. If you’d like to attend this fabulous adventure with members of your writing group you’ll want to register soon to ensure we can accommodate everyone traveling together. Solo travelers are indeed welcome too! Read all about it here at Grand Tourist UK.
May 13, 2019
The Rhythm of Your Life
There’s a time for everything. Remember that? It’s in the book of Ecclesiastes, the words that became the lyrics of the song, “Turn! Turn! Turn!”:
To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted...
The same goes for all of us. There’s a certain rhythm to the way each of us lives our life. But do you honor that rhythm? It’s what’s on my mind for this week’s Morning Walk.
And don’t forget, you can still seize the opportunity of joining me in the Veneto region of Italy this September! There are a few spots left in my Write of Your Life Retreat! Drop me a line if you would like a copy of the full color brochure. If you’d like to attend this fabulous adventure with members of your writing group you’ll want to register soon to ensure we can accommodate everyone traveling together. Solo travelers are indeed welcome too! Read all about it here at Grand Tourist UK.
May 3, 2019
Matching Words with Action

Do your everyday actions match up with what you say you want to be in the world? On this morning’s walk, let’s talk about what your life can look like when they do. By the way, a special shout out to my friend Phoebe Farag Mikhail, author of the new book, Putting Joy into Practice: Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit from the Early Church. (Paraclete Press) Writing the book took longer than Phoebe planned because she wanted to ensure she was walking her talk. In the epilogue she shares how her writing slowed when she realized she was weighed down by life’s cares and not seeking her own joy and indeed was far from it. The book has a marvelous authenticity as a result. Bravo Phoebe!
Walking this morning on the campus of Yale University
By the way, you can still seize the opportunity of joining me in the Veneto region of Italy this September! There are a few spots left in my Write of Your Life Retreat! Drop me a line if you would like a copy of the full color brochure. If you’d like to attend this fabulous adventure with members of your writing group you’ll want to register soon to ensure we can accommodate everyone traveling together. Solo travelers are indeed welcome too! Read all about it here at Grand Tourist UK.
April 27, 2019
What to Do When Opportunity Knocks
Remember the words to “Lose Yourself,” that smash hit by Eminem? It went like this:
Look
If you had
One shot
Or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted
In one moment
Would you capture it
Or just let it slip?
On today’s morning walk I’m thinking about how too many people do let this moment slip by when all they had to do was follow through. I hope this will inspire you to seize an opportunity when it arrives.
By the way, you can still seize the opportunity of joining me in the Veneto region of Italy this September! There are a few spots left in my Write of Your Life Retreat! Drop me a line if you would like a copy of the full color brochure. If you’d like to attend this fabulous adventure with members of your writing group you’ll want to register soon to ensure we can accommodate everyone traveling together. Solo travelers are indeed welcome too! Read all about it here at Grand Tourist UK.
April 21, 2019
Why the Writing Life is Also a Student’s Life
This week I attended the North American Review writers conference at the University of Northern Iowa. I was there as an invited featured writer, but I appreciated the opportunity to attend sessions taught by my fellow writers. I’m always learning as a writer. On this Morning Walk, I talk about why you’ll want to keep being a student too.
There are still a few spots left in my Write of Your Life Retreat! It’s taking place in the Veneto region of Italy this September. Drop me a line of you’d a copy of the full color brochure. If you’d like to attend this fabulous adventure with members of your writing group you’ll want to register soon to ensure we can accommodate everyone traveling together. Solo travelers are indeed welcome too! Read all about it here at Grand Tourist UK.
When Life Gets in the Way of Your Writing
It’s been a tough couple of weeks. In times like these it’s easy for many writers, myself included, to let writing and important goals fall by the wayside. On this Morning Walk, I explain why now, more than ever, you’ll want to hold on to the things you want to do.
There are still a few spots left in my Write of Your Life Retreat! It’s taking place in the Veneto region of Italy this September. Drop me a line of you’d a copy of the full color brochure. If you’d like to attend this fabulous adventure with members of your writing group you’ll want to register soon to ensure we can accommodate everyone traveling together. Solo travelers are indeed welcome too! Read all about it here at Grand Tourist UK.
How to Bring Meaning to Your Writing
Recently a student asked about how make her writing meaningful. On this Morning Walk I share what the class discussed and how the qualities that make you unique can do the same for your work.
There are still a few spots left in my Write of Your Life Retreat! It’s taking place in the Veneto region of Italy this September. Drop me a line of you’d a copy of the full color brochure. If you’d like to attend this fabulous adventure with members of your writing group you’ll want to register soon to ensure we can accommodate everyone traveling together. Solo travelers are indeed welcome too! Read all about it here at Grand Tourist UK.