Reading time: Just over 3 minutes The real problem with writing is not spelling or grammar. It’s persuading yourself to put enough words on the page…. I’ve been spending a lot of time on the internet reading what others have to say about writing. Too many of them sound like Julie McGuire who wrote in […]
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Beta readers are people who will review an early draft of your manuscript. I strongly encourage everyone in this program to identify beta readers who can help them. Here’s who you should ask to be a beta reader: Someone who is interested in reading and/or well informed in your subject area Someone who has some
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Reading time: Less than 5 minutes What writing lessons do you need to learn? Here are five I picked up when writing my soon-to-be published book…. My second book, Your Happy First Draft, went to the printers in September 2019. That month also marked another important occasion: The 700th issue of Power Writing, this weekly newsletter/blog that
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When you think of finding an author whose writing style you can emulate, it can be hard to put your finger on exactly what they do that works. Here’s how I suggest you approach the job of identifying such an author: First, understand there’s no such thing as an author who is going to be seen
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Many clients or potential clients ask me to tell them if their writing is any good. Unfortunately, that is NOT a question I can answer. All I can tell them is whether *I* like their writing. This is because our views about the quality of writing are entirely subjective…. As subjective as: What types of
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Reading time: Less than 4 minutes Do you want to write a book? It may help you to realize that a book is the natural result of a writing habit…. I read an article in the New York Times recently, exploring the relationship between swimming and happiness. I don’t swim much myself (except when it’s
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Writing is hard work. There is no law that says you’re going to love doing it every day. But if you get to the point where, day after relentless day, you’re dreading sitting in front of your computer, it’s time to re-evaluate how you’re approaching the task of writing. Here is a list of questions
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Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Want to play a part in my next book? Consider joining my book launch team! Details below… My next book, Your Happy First Draft, is going to the printer this month. Yahoo! Even though I’m by nature a died-in-the wool awfulizer, I cannot believe how long the final stages —
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A few years ago, I was shopping for a Toastmaster’s group. It wasn’t because I was scared of public speaking — I’m not. And it wasn’t because I’m particularly bad at speaking in public — I see myself as at least reasonably competent in this area. I simply wanted to sharpen my skills with more
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Reading time: Just over 5 minutes Do you need some tips for writing from home? If you find it hard to get settled or impossible to accomplish anything, here’s my advice on how to turn yourself into a productivity master… I’ve always loved working from home. Oops, let me correct that statement. Working from home
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