Reading time: About 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of images from Deb Olin Unferth…. I had never heard of Deb Olin Unferth — an an American short story writer, novelist, and memoirist — […]
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Reading time: Less than 1 minute Increase your vocabulary and you’ll make your writing much more precise. That’s why I provide a word of the week. Today’s word: demersal… When I read Casey Cep’s marvellous non-fiction book — Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud and the Last Trial of Harper Lee —
What does ‘demersal’ mean? Read More »
Reading time: Just over 4 minutes Is procrastination the thief of YOUR time? Here’s a clever and easy idea for how to beat procrastination…. Are you looking for a sure-fire way to stop procrastinating about writing? My tip may surprise you. I suggest that you write every day — or,
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Many writers mismanage their email. (In fact, many people mismanage their email. But the issue is more important for writers because email takes place at the computer — where we need to write.) When I meet with new members of the Get It Done group, I often ask about email. Many writers confess to opening
Do you manage your email — or does it manage you? Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of similes and metaphors from Casey Cep…. I was introduced to writer Casey Cep (pictured above) when I read her New Yorker article headlined,
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Reading time: Less than 1 minute Increase your vocabulary and you’ll make your writing much more precise. That’s why I provide a word of the week. Today’s word: syncretic… You may find it odd to see a Halloween type of photo on top of a post running in July, not
What does ‘syncretic’ mean? Read More »
Reading time: About 6 minutes (but very scannable) Looking for some recommended books in time for summer reading? Here’s my semi-annual roundup of books I’ve read this year. I aim to read 52 books every 12 months, and my habit is to post a complete list of the names of them for
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Many of you registered for my Zoom-based webinar on becoming a better self editor. I know how painful — and slow — it can be to listen to audio, so for your hidden post today, I’m providing a copy of my script from the call. Here you go! I’ve been a professional editor for more
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Reading time: Just over 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of metaphors and similes from Mark Salzman… There are two reasons to read the excellent 2012 book The Man in the Empty Boat written by
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Reading time: Less than 1 minute Increase your vocabulary and you’ll make your writing much more precise. That’s why I provide a word of the week. Today’s word: blag…. As soon as I heard about the 2018 book with an almost irresistible title — My Sister, the Serial Killer —
What does the word ‘blag’ mean? Read More »
