Reading time: Less than 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about several metaphors from William Trevor… The best figurative writing paints an exceptionally clear and evocative picture in the reader’s mind’s eye. Let me give you an example from William Trevor’s highbrow thriller Death […]
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Reading time: Just over 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: mondegreen. I learned a new word last week, as a result of my recent obsession with podcasts. Sadly, I can no longer remember which program I heard it
What’s a mondegreen? Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you ever suffer from literary envy? If so, today’s column is for you. I’ve been lucky enough to be born with little envy for other writers. I think this is because I’ve never identified primarily as a writer. My thing? Editing. I was born with a natural talent for
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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 an book written by Elizabeth Gilbert… If you’re a writer — or want to become one — or a painter or
Elizabeth Gilbert delivers Big Magic Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes Don’t be afraid to try something just because it’s relatively new. My life has been greatly enriched by the addition of podcasts… I’ve been recently transformed from a mild-mannered editor, writer, and trainer into a raging podcast enthusiast. Talk to me at a party and I’ll bend your ear about
Are you unfamiliar with podcasts? 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 a metaphor from scientist Hope Jahren… As a person who completed an honours degree in political science in 1979 — at a time when my department lacked a single professor who was a woman
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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: exiguous… I didn’t enjoy the plot of the novel Saving Agnes by Rachel Cusk. But I found her writing remarkable. You can see some examples of her superb figurative language here.
What does the word ‘exiguous’ mean? Read More »
Reading time: About 2.5 minutes Do you find it hard to get back into writing after taking a break from it for awhile? Here’s what to do… One of my clients is a successful novelist. She has a high-profile, New-York-based agent, and has already had one of her books published, to critical acclaim. Now, she’s under
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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 on the daily routines of 12 famous writers… Did you know that E.B. White (pictured above) usually wrote in his busy
Learning from the routines of other writers… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute Writers and organizations generally put themselves first when making appeals for money. Here’s why you should put yourself second… I’ve been helping a client of mine with a big fundraising request. Confidentiality prevents me from sharing too many details, but I can tell you they need to raise $200,000.
Why you should put yourself second Read More »
