Word count: 250 words Reading time: 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. One of my weekly blog entries now relates to figurative language. Does this seem odd for someone who specializes in non-fiction writing? I […]
Why you should consider Metaphorically Selling Read More »
Word count: 304 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. I don’t know much about David Remnick, (pictured above) but I’m a big fan of his writing which I
Bruce Springsteen’s eyes narrow, as if in hard light Read More »
Word count: 248 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. Richard Wagamese is an author and journalist from the Ojibway Wabasseemoong First Nation in northwestern Ontario. His charming and heartfelt novel, Ragged Company,
What does chiaroscuro mean? Read More »
Word count: 796 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Here is the second entry in my three-part series on Deliberate Practice for writers. Be sure to read part 1 first! Here is the most important thing to know about Deliberate Practice. It is not a writing activity. It’s either a preparatory job or an editing
How to use Deliberate Practice when writing – part 2 Read More »
Word count: 241 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. If you want to discuss language in an erudite way, get yourself over the the Language Log immediately. This weblog, run
Language log offers interesting info for writers Read More »
Word count: 261 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute A terrific 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. This summer, a friend recommended the novel Ragged Company by Ojibway author Richard Wagamese. When she told me the
The flashing bottoms of my brother’s feet…. Read More »
Word count: 350 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. I read the self-help guide What Color Is Your Parachute by Richard Bolles when I was 18 years old. A feel-good
Be so good they can’t ignore you Read More »
Word count: 239 words Reading time: About 1 minute If you build your vocabulary, you’ll not only benefit your reading, you’ll also become more precise in your writing. Here is my word of the week. As a former journalist, I am immeasurably cheered to see fellow scribes write novels. I remember when I heard that
What does “extirpated” mean? Read More »
Word count: 746 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Here is the first entry in my three-part series on Deliberate Practice for writers. I’ll never forget the headline that led me to Cal Newport. It read: “How an MIT postdoc writes 3 books, a PhD defense, and 6+ peer-reviewed papers — and finishes by 5:30
How to use Deliberate Practice when writing – part 1 Read More »
Word count: 232 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Each week I scan the Internet to identify funny or interesting websites, blogs or articles of particular interest to writers. If you read my writing regularly, you probably understand that I’m a huge believer in the power of story. I often argue that one of
Why writers should use the yellow test Read More »
