Despite the pandemic, I hope you’re able to take some time off for yourself, even if you’re unable to see many family members or friends. Last night my family went for a walk in a light-filled neighbourhood across town. We all wore masks and friends walked us by several blocks of homes with the most […]
Reading time: Just over 5 minutes Here are my 10 favourite articles or posts from last month, focusing on the most useful, helpful and healthful pieces for writers. Little Jack Horner Sat in the corner, Eating his Christmas pie; He put in his thumb, And pulled out 10 plums, And said, “What good blogs have
PubCoach top 10: December 2020 Read More »
Viewing time: 19 mins 52 secs Here is the original text from a PhD dissertation for which I did a substantive edit in the video shown above. In a change of policy — and in order to keep my videos to a more reasonable length — I did the edit before filming the video this
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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 similes from Vicki Laveau-Havie…. Family trauma doesn’t sound like a happy theme for a memoir but in the hands of Vicki Laveau-Harvie, the subject becomes raw material for
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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: skep…. As a fan of the writer Maggie O’Farrell, I was excited to learn she had a new novel published this year. Titled Hamnet and Judith, the
Reading time: Less than 6 minutes (and easy to scan) Are you stressed and worn out — too tired to write another word? It might be time to consider indulging in some self-care for writers…. The phrase “self-care” has always sounded slightly suspect to me. It makes me think of wealthy people justifying their trips
15 ways to pursue self-care for writers Read More »
Viewing time: 32 mins 54 secs Here is the original text of a chapter for a business book for which I did a substantive edit in the video shown above. Even if you don’t watch the video, I suggest you scroll to the end of this post to read my concluding notes. You might also
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Reading time: About 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about figurative language from Olaf Olafsson…. The Icelandic writer Olaf Olafsson has been a recent discovery of mine thanks to a New York Times review of his very fine 2019 novel The Sacrament.
More figurative language from Olaf Olafsson…. Read More »
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: frangible…. I found the Alison Wearing memoir, Moments of Glad Grace to be exceptionally easy to read. Featuring mostly short sentences, plenty of active voice, and lots
What does the word ‘frangible’ mean? Read More »
Reading time: About 4 minutes In a panic over Christmas gifts for writers in your life? (Or wondering what to ask for, yourself?) Here’s a whole list of ideas, most of them reasonably priced. Christmas is approaching and the panicked buying is about to begin. If you are purchasing a gift for a writer (or
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