Reading time: Just over 1 minute This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss a new app for writers called Fighter’s Block…. I’m feeling slightly nervous as I write today’s column. My fear arises from […]
Are you ready for fighter’s block? Read More »
Reading time: Just over 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about some fine work by music writer and cultural critic Alex Ross…. I was a 16-year-old when I went to my first opera, dragged by a friend. I think the initial appeal
The figurative language of Alex Ross… 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 some personification from New Yorker writer Emily Nussbaum… I haven’t yet seen the much-lauded TV adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale. (I am notoriously late watching most television. My
The figurative language of Emily Nussbaum… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Sometimes, being “sticky” is a desirable trait. At other times, it’s a bad idea. Here’s how to figure out if you’re using too many sticky words…. Ever since Chip and Dan Heath wrote the 2007 bestselling book Made to Stick, many of us have seen the word “sticky” as a compliment.
Do you use too many sticky words? Read More »
I’m away from my blog for a week as I’m off on a full-time volunteering gig. I’m the debate coach at my local high school and I’m running a debate camp for teenagers for the next five days. Happy Canada Day (July 1) to my Canadian compatriots and happy Fourth of July to my American
Reading time: About 4 minutes 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 you, in June and December. Here is a
Recommended books: Summer 2017 Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss a blog post written by Derek Sivers…. I can’t remember how I learned about Derek Sivers (pictured above), but it wasn’t
Why you should hire a translator 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 two similes and a metaphor from novelist Barbara Gowdy… I had heard the name of Canadian novelist and short story writer Barbara Gowdy for many years. But I’d never managed to
The figurative language of Barbara Gowdy 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: interstices… Some authors use unusual words multiple times in a single book. No reader is surprised to see words like “it” or “that” or “was” a multitude of times.
What does ‘interstices’ mean? Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Are you still editing WHILE you write? This broken writing process is only slowing you down, as a clever little app can help demonstrate to you…. I spend a good chunk of my life trying to persuade people to stop editing while they write. I do this because I
Do you have a broken writing process? Read More »
