Viewing time: 4 mins 31 secs The Write Question is a weekly video podcast about writing that I started in 2017 and that ran, more or less weekly, until April 2022. This is a republication of issue #172, which addresses the problem with outlining. The post first ran on Jan. 29/21. Transcript: When is […]
What’s the problem with outlining? (video) Read More »
Reading time: About 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about similes from Jennifer Haigh… Jennifer Haigh is an American novelist and short story writer. Her first novel, Mrs. Kimble — telling the story of a mysterious con man named Ken Kimble through the
The figurative language of Jennifer Haigh… Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes Becky Blake says that new writers are often too hard on their early drafts. They haven’t yet learned to trust the process of release and revision…. Becky Blake is a creative writing instructor at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. Her essays and stories have appeared in publications
Reflections on writing with Becky Blake… Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Smart phones can be convenient and entertaining. But did you know that your phone is stealing your words? I grew up in a time when my four siblings and I had to take turns using the household phone to talk to our friends. Picture this: an actual cord attached to
Your phone is stealing your words (and how to stop it) Read More »
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 other writers. Today I discuss a blog post about perfectionism… Many writers tell me that their biggest problem is perfectionism. They want to write something perfectly
Is your depression masquerading as perfectionism? Read More »
Viewing time: 4 mins 20 secs The Write Question is a weekly video podcast about writing that I started in 2017 and that ran, more or less weekly, until April 2022. This is a republication of issue #171, which addresses the perfect time to write a novel. The post first ran on Jan. 22/21.
When’s the perfect time to write a novel? (video) Read More »
Reading time: About 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about similes and metaphors from Sarah Winman…. Sarah Winman is a British author and actress. She attended the Weber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and began her career in theatre, film, and television
The figurative language of Sarah Winman Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes Eufemia Fantetti suggests that writers make friends with their writing process — in order to use more energy rather than burn it up with frustration… The short fiction, A Recipe for Disaster & Other Unlikely Tales of Love, by Eufemia Fantetti, was runner-up for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and
Reflections on writing with Eufemia Fantetti… Read More »
Reading time: About 4 minutes (faster if you skim) Looking for some recommended books in time for summer reading? Here’s my semi-annual roundup of books I’ve read this year. I aim to read 52 books every 12 months, and my habit is to post a complete list of the names of them for you twice a
Recommended books: summer 2025 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 blog post about re-thinking email…. Many years ago, after reading the bestselling Tim Ferris book The Four-Hour Workweek, I started
Re-thinking email when you are writing Read More »
