Reading time: Less than 1 minute Have you ever felt uncomfortable with hiring specialists? Here’s why you should get over that idea…. If you had a problem with your feet, you’d visit a podiatrist. If you had cancer, you’d see an oncologist. If you had heart troubles, you’d go to a cardiologist. So, why do people have […]
The value of hiring specialists 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 metaphor from Karen Auvinen… A few years ago when I was travelling with my family in England, we saw a fox in the backyard of the house where we were staying (in
The figurative language of Karen Auvinen… 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: panacea. I can’t recall when I learned the word panacea, but I’ve loved it ever since. For more than 40 years, I’ve known it means a cure-all or remedy for all
What’s the root of the word panacea? Read More »
Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Do you suffer from bad writing habits? Here are some ideas you need to overcome so you can develop the good habit of writing — easily — every day… I work with dozens of people every year who are trying to build the writing habit. Some succeed quickly. Others
Trying to build a writing habit? Beware these 5 traps 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 an interview with musician and songwriter Nick Cave… I know very little about popular music — except that my lack of knowledge makes
Can writers get too comfortable? Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute If you get nervous about anything — but particularly public speaking or job interviews — then consider trying some power poses… I’ve recently wrapped up a third year as debate club coach for my local high school. I love working with these 25 or so kids! They’re so much
Power poses help calm nerves 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 a series of metaphors and similes from Richard Wagamese. My friend Ellen recommended to me the 2009 book Ragged Company by Ojibway author Richard Wagamese (pictured above). This tale of a group of homeless people who win a $13.5 million lottery
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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: chortle. I was reading an amusing Kathryn Schulz piece in the New Yorker about writer Nell Zink this week. (The piece was headlined “Outside In” and appeared in the May 18/15 issue.) There,
What’s the origin of the word chortle? Read More »
Reading time: Just over 4 minutes Looking for some recommended books in time for summer holidays? Here’s my roundup based on my reading so far this year. I aim to read 52 books every year and my habit is to post the names of them for you, twice a year. I do it once in June
Recommended books: summer 2015 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 website produced by writer Miranda July….. I’m guessing the name Miranda July (that’s her, pictured above) is a nom de plume.
No one belongs here… Read More »
