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 New York Times Magazine piece on writer John McPhee…. I first heard of writer John […]
Considering John McPhee… Read More »
Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Do you ever give yourself treats for writing? You should. Take five minutes right now and develop a reward strategy you can employ to bolster your spirits… As any six-year-old will tell you, Halloween is not just a holiday for ghosts and goblins. It
Tricks and treats for writing Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you have enough mental toughness for writing? If not, here are four suggestions about how to increase it…. Have you ever noticed the similarities between writing and making music or exercising? Each of these activities requires practice, commitment and repetition and we get
Four ways to build mental toughness for writing Read More »
Reading time: Just over 3 minutes If you want to get better at writing you probably think diligent work is the key. Here’s why writers should reflect and plan, instead…. Have you ever used an expression like, “experience is the very best teacher,” or “I learned everything I know from
Is lack of reflection sabotaging your writing? 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: fatberg…. You’ll certainly be familiar with the word iceberg, but have you ever heard of a fatberg? I hadn’t until I received
What’s a ‘fatberg’? Read More »
You may dismiss the Rolling Stones as old-time rock ‘n rollers, druggies or a group of has-beens, but it turns out that Keith Richards’ writing advice is surprisingly wise…. I’m old enough to have been a seven-year-old when the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. (“Those boys have hair
Five writing lessons from Keith Richards… Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you know how to write a complaint letter? The rules are straightforward but surprisingly challenging to apply… My 20-year-old son, who’s studying to become an opera singer, recently gave me a complaint he’d written about one of his professors. He wanted to know if
How to write a complaint that gets results Read More »
I’m currently travelling so I won’t be able to blog regularly until Sept. 26. I have scheduled my Tuesday posts in advance so expect the next one Sept. 12. I’ll give you the details of the trip on my return.
On the road again… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Here are 10 boredom cures — also known as writing tips — that can help any writer have a bit more verve…. I sometimes find myself getting bored when I write. This feeling is not the end of the world, but it’s not very
How to save yourself from boredom while writing 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 New York Times article by Roger Rosenblatt…. I spend much of my working life thinking about
Roger Rosenblatt’s ‘invisible forces’ Read More »
