Word count: 252 words Reading time: About 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 writers. Today’s weblink focuses on the important task of revision. How much time do you spend revising your writing? If you’re like many […]
Throw up into your typewriter… Read More »
Word count: 281 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. That’s why, every week, I present a sentence that I’d happily imitate. Today’s comes from an Anthony Lane New Yorker review of the movie Les Miserables. I’ve never read any
The camera soars on high, the orchestra bellows… Read More »
Reading time: Just over 1 minute I read widely, watch movies and listen to the radio. In today’s post you’ll see an interesting piece of figurative language I’ve encountered recently. It’s from New Yorker writer Lauren Collins. When my family and I went to Paris a year and a half ago, we had a number
The figurative language of Lauren Collins… Read More »
Word count: 244 words Reading time: about 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: obloquy. I have to confess. I’d never heard the word obloquy before reading Salman Rushdie’s autobiography, Joseph Anton. I like to think of myself
Word count: 748 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Many writers tell me they don’t have difficulty writing — they just don’t know WHAT to write about. Here’s a creative solution if that nitty-gritty problem bugs you…. I once had to interview a neuroscientist for an article I was writing. Fortunately for me, a math-disabled
Hey, fill in some blanks! Read More »
Word count: 370 words 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 writers. Today, I focus on a new offering from Constance Hale. If Constance Hale writes it, I will read it. As a
Why you should vex, hex, smash and smooch Read More »
Word count: 373 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. That’s why, every week, I present a sentence that I’d happily imitate. Today’s comes from the novel Capital, by John Lanchester. I hadn’t heard of John Lanchester (pictured above) but my
Even his tallness appeared a form of ease… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute I read widely, watch movies and listen to the radio. In today’s post you’ll see an interesting piece of figurative language I’ve encountered recently. It’s by Elizabeth Renzetti. My daily newspaper is the Globe and Mail. In last Saturday’s edition, I read an amusing piece by Elizabeth Renzetti on
The figurative language of Elizabeth Renzetti… Read More »
Word count: 283 words Reading time: Just over 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: machicolated. I can’t remember where I collected the word machicolated. I think it must have come from a reader because I can’t fathom
What does machicolated mean? Read More »
Word count: 700 words Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you suffer from writing shame? Even if you’re not aware of it, it may be the secret monster that’s sapping your writing strength…. When I was 10 years old, one summer morning I remember standing at my kitchen door, talking to a neighborhood pal
How to overcome your writing shame Read More »
