Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Sometimes, being “sticky” is a desirable trait. At other times, it’s a bad idea. Here’s how to figure out if you’re using too many sticky words…. Ever since Chip and Dan Heath wrote the 2007 bestselling book Made to Stick, many of us have seen the […]
Do you use too many sticky words? Read More »
I’m away from my blog for a week as I’m off on a full-time volunteering gig. I’m the debate coach at my local high school and I’m running a debate camp for teenagers for the next five days. Happy Canada Day (July 1) to my Canadian compatriots and happy Fourth
Reading time: About 4 minutes 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, in June
Recommended books: Summer 2017 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 written by Derek Sivers…. I can’t remember how I learned about Derek Sivers
Why you should hire a translator Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about two similes and a metaphor from novelist Barbara Gowdy… I had heard the name of Canadian novelist and short story writer Barbara Gowdy for many years.
The figurative language of Barbara Gowdy 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: interstices… Some authors use unusual words multiple times in a single book. No reader is surprised to see words like “it” or “that” or
What does ‘interstices’ mean? Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Are you still editing WHILE you write? This broken writing process is only slowing you down, as a clever little app can help demonstrate to you…. I spend a good chunk of my life trying to persuade people to stop editing while they write.
Do you have a broken writing process? Read More »
Reading time: Just over 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of very funny images from Helen Ellis…. I read the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo and it inspired me to clean and
The figurative language of Helen Ellis…. 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: clerisy… I regularly read the New York Times but, as a Canadian, don’t have the time for many other American newspapers, excellent
What is ‘clerisy’? Read More »
Reading time: About 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 bestselling author John Grisham… I’ve never been a huge fan of John
Writing advice from John Grisham Read More »
