Despite COVID, I’ve been lucky enough to arrange for a second very brief holiday this summer. This time, my husband and I are heading to Galiano Island (see image above) where we’ll be spending six days in a very small, 650-sq.-ft (or so) cabin. While our adult daughters hold the fort at home, we’ll be […]
Reading time: Just over 4 minutes Is writing perfectionism something that troubles you? Here’s a list of practical tips to help you vanquish that unruly beast! Many clients tell me they don’t write because they’re perfectionists. They can’t start their writing, they say, because they know it won’t be good enough. As a result, they
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When my husband sees my daily time sheet, he rolls his eyes at me. “It looks like you’re a lawyer,” he says. He doesn’t mean that as a compliment. But do you know what? I don’t care. My daily time sheet, which I started using about three years ago, has more than tripled my efficiency.
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Reading time: Less than 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: orrery… When my children were young, a dad in our social circle decided to acquaint all our young kids with the concept of space and planets. In
Reading time: Just over 6 minutes (but highly scannable) Here are my 10 favourite articles or posts from last month, focusing on the most useful, helpful and healthful pieces for writers. Summer seems strangely surreal this year. I just heard from a friend in Colorado, for example, that she must book time at a pool
PubCoach top 10: July 2020 Read More »
Some clients tell me they just don’t have enough time to write. If you feel this way, here are four suggestions for you: 1-Choose to make the time for writing We all have 168 hours in a week. If we sleep eight hours per night and work eight-hour days five days a week, that leaves
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Desperate for a break from work, I’ve gone a brief socially-distanced holiday. We’re heading to the B.C. Okanagan for some sunshine (we hope), some swimming (dependent on the former) and lots of reading. We’ll be doing our own cooking, buying some cherries and wine and celebrating a significant birthday for my husband. You’ll see me
Reading time: Just over 5 minutes If you spend too much time daydreaming — whether happily or unhappily — you’ll lose time to write. Here’s how to calm your wandering mind. When we sit down to write, our minds often pick precisely that moment to go for a little wander. In fact, we human beings
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I know that personal journaling can improve your mental health. Reduce anxiety and depression. And increase your creativity. But it is not going to help you with your writing. I make this statement with some caution because I don’t want to stop anyone from journaling if they find the practice to be helpful and productive.
Why journaling isn’t enough Read More »
Reading time: Less than 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: demersal… When I read Casey Cep’s marvellous non-fiction book — Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud and the Last Trial of Harper Lee — I learned about voodoo, racial
What does ‘demersal’ mean? Read More »
