Word count: 328 Reading time: About 1.5 minutes A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. Here is a sentence by Katrina Onstad I read recently that I’d happily imitate. I spent my early working life toiling in the field of journalism […]
The city…low brick and resigned… Read More »
Word count: 350 words Reading time: About 1.5 minutes Need help? Here I tell you about a piece of technology or software for writers. Today I write about Wordflex. If you’ve been a reader of mine for more than a few weeks you’ll know I’m a big believer in mindmaps. They
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Word count: 232 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute If you increase your vocabulary you’ll not only help your reading, you’ll also make your writing more precise. Here is my word of the week. I had always thought that disgraced newspaper baron Conrad Black had the largest vocabulary of
What does deliquescence mean? Read More »
Word count: 255 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 I tell you about Caitlin Muir. I’m an incredibly productive writer — not because I’m particularly smart
Looking for Internet advice? Read More »
Word count: 319 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. Here is a sentence I read recently that I’d happily imitate. New writers, particularly bloggers, so often state nothing more than the obvious. Holidays
An invitation to move away from the noise… Read More »
Word count: 253 words 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 writers. Today, I introduce you to The Charisma Myth. Like many others, I enjoy Seth Godin’s blog. I don’t recall if
Is there a charisma myth? Read More »
Word count: 233 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Building your vocabulary is always a good idea. It benefits your reading and it also helps you be more specific and precise in your writing. Here is my word of the week: palimpsest. I love going to theatre. And when
What’s a palimpsest? Read More »
Word count: 743 words Reading time: 3 minutes Have you ever struggled with the passive voice? Here is a tip for avoiding that problem. Readers ask me about grammar, a lot. I don’t quite know why. I’m not the Grammar Girl or anything. I make more than my share of
Why you should look for a spell of bad weather Read More »
Word count: 216 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute This is my regular installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help writers. Today I write about Amy Porterfield. I try to keep abreast of developments in social media and I have accounts
Interested in social media? Read More »
Word count: 165 words Reading time: About 30 seconds A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. Here is my sentence of the week. I uncovered it while reading. I like lists. And wit. That’s why the following paragraph (yes, I’m cheating by
The players’ names a novelist’s dream… Read More »
