Reading time: About 2 minute Before you spend your money on a new computer, consider the issue of customer service… Since I started buying computers back in 1987, I’ve gone back and forth between PCs and Macs. But in recent years — ever since the release of the Vista operating system in 2006 — I’ve stuck with the […]
Great computers; lousy customer service 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 simile from Patricia Volk… Food-related memoirs hold a special place in my heart, perhaps because I grew up in a “foodie” family where, after finishing Christmas dinner we would inevitably push our
The figurative language of Patricia Volk… 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: perspicacity…. I’ve heard the word perspicacity since I was a child. I’ve probably even used it. But I could no longer remember what it meant when I encountered
What does ‘perspicacity’ mean? 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 an blog post written by John Ellsworth… John Ellsworth doesn’t know much about how to design an attractive blog post. Look at it! No
John Ellsworth shows the benefits of self-publishing Read More »
Reading time: About one minute I’ll get ideas for better workshops wherever I can find them. Here are some tips I gathered recently from a client of mine… As a long-time conference and workshop presenter, I’ve learned several tricks over the years. When I ask the participants at one of my talks to raise their hands in
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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: limning. My colleague John Friesen is a voracious reader. I can tell by the wide variety of texts he sends me, usually with interesting or unusual words highlighted.
What does ‘limning’ mean? Read More »
Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Does the idea of improving writing skills make you feel hopeful and excited? If so, the term “deliberate practice” is one you need to learn… Has our writing improved in the last 100 years? This question occurred to me as I listened to a recent podcast by Stephen Dubner.
Why aren’t we getting better at 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 an article on handling criticism… What to you do when someone criticizes your writing? Put your hands over your ears? Argue with
Advice on handling criticism Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute Writers should occasionally cede control to graphic artists, particularly when it comes to visual elements such a logos. Here’s an example from the company Ballet BC… I don’t think about logos very much. Until I see one I really like. The dance company Ballet BC now has one of my all-time
Simple messaging with big nuances… 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: nocebo… I usually enjoy reading Seth Godin’s blog. I find it entertaining, interesting and frequently provocative. But it’s always written in plain English, so one thing I don’t
What’s a ‘nocebo’? Read More »