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 on writing-related websites… I’ve never written a novel but it’s an idea I toy with […]
A list of writing-related websites Read More »
Reading time: Less than 2 minutes Do you ever get bored by work-related parties? Maybe you should be the person to suggest some party games that can help make the event more fun — and more productive… I’ve attended two Christmas/year end parties in the last two weeks. Yes, it’s February.
How to make a party more productive 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 simile from Cristina Henriquez… I read The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez (pictured above) several months ago and both the novel and its characters have remained with
The figurative language of Cristina Henriquez… 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: clerihew. Earlier this week I wrote about Ben Davis’s marvellous article on 30 art-writing clichés that writers should ditch. But his excellent column
What’s a clerihew? Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you find it difficult to let go of your writing? Here are some of the reasons why — and exactly what you can do about them… My three children are approaching the end of their college careers. We’re lucky in that they’ve been
How to let go of your writing Read More »
Reading time: Less than one 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 article written by Ken Davis. Back when I was a features editor at a metropolitan
30 art-writing cliches to avoid Read More »
Reading time: Less than 2 minutes Have you ever had to hire a communications contractor? How did it work out for you? If you had any problems, here are three suggestions for how to make your next hire more effective… I was having breakfast with some colleagues who work in
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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: cloisonné. I’m not hugely interested in things, unless perhaps they are books. I hold no love for fashion or shoes (as most people can
What does cloisonné mean? Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes People often laugh when I use the phrase “crappy first draft,” but I’m serious about it. Producing one is exactly what will turn you into a professional writer… Every beginning writer I know abhors the idea of a crappy first draft. It’s embarrassing, mortifying and humiliating.
The JOY of the crappy first draft 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 New York Times article headlined “Writing your way to happiness” by Tara Parker Pope. Can
Writing your way to happiness Read More »
