Word count: 194 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Each week I identify a sentence from my reading that has interested me. Emulating other writers is a particularly effective way of improving our own writing. When I read the book The Wife: A Novel, by Meg Wolitzer, I was both dazzled by her writing […]
Terrified of death’s dress rehearsal… Read More »
Word count: 273 words Reading time: About 1 minute Need help? Here I tell you about some tools for writers. I normally dislike shopping but something about buying on the Internet makes the whole procedure easier and far more fun for me. That’s why I currently have an Albatross hanging around my neck. Well, actually,
Why you might want an Albatross Read More »
Word count: 200 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. Here is a word I’ve used many times without ever being 100% sure of its meaning (embarrassing, I know!) Preternaturally.
He was preternaturally shy… Read More »
Reading time: About 2.5 minutes Do you leave everything until the last minute? That’s a mistake! Instead, you should always plan your writing time… Until about 10 years ago, I lived my life perpetually behind the eight-ball. In school, I delayed writing essays until the day before they were due. For my career, I chose
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Word count: 195 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. What do I like about Colleen Wainwright? I like the way she writes: she’s informal, she’s funny, she’s honest. I
Channeling Colleen Wainwright Read More »
Word count: 211 words Reading time: Less than 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. When I was a Girl Guide, back in the dark ages, one of my favourite campfire songs, called
The very word gloaming reverberates… Read More »
Word count: 240 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Need help? Here I tell you about a piece of technology or software for writers. Today’s pick is called Audacity. I am a particularly dim bulb when it comes to technology. Just ask my 18-year-old son. He’s my in-house IT department (and not all that
Do you have enough Audacity? Read More »
Word count: 251 words Reading time: About 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, peripatetic. When I read the Walter Isaacson biography of Steve Jobs, the author reminded me that novelist Mona Simpson (pictured here) was
A dreamy and peripatetic life… Read More »
Word count: 682 words Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you have the self-control to motivate yourself to write regularly? If not, consider this book one of the best possible tips for writing. I really, really, really, really didn’t want to write today’s column. I’ve been covered in hives all week (the result of
How to increase your writing willpower Read More »
Word count: 191 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Need help? Here I tell you about some tools for writers. This one involves writtenkitten. I like to turn writing into a game whenever possible. My Twitter buddy, Dawn Bugni, feels the same way and she introduced me to a great website for doing just
Dogged by writing? Get written kitten! Read More »
