Word count: 746 words Reading time: About 3 minutes I’m a big believer in templates and systems. But what should you do if your writing process suddenly stops working for you? I really struggled with writing the last two issues of Power Writing. (I’m hoping you didn’t notice.) Ironically, those […]
What do to when your writing process fails you Read More »
Word count: 400 words Reading time: About 1.5 minutes This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help writers. If you ever need to do some essay writing for senior high school or college/university, be sure to get yourself a
The moves that matter in essay writing Read More »
Word count: 238 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. Here is a sentence I read recently that I’d happily imitate. Lee Upton is an American poet who also writes literary criticism and non-fiction. A
That astonishing thing: writing a novel… Read More »
Word count: 222 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute If you increase your vocabulary you’ll not only help your reading, you’ll also make your writing more precise. Here is my word of the week. My friend Marcelle, sent me a link to a public radio post because she liked
What is senescence? Read More »
Word count: 688 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Here is the final entry in my three-part series on Deliberate Practice for writers. Be sure to read parts 1 and 2 first. (On the suggestion of reader Tracy Isaacs I rewrote this post on Oct 30 to express it in a more positive way
How to use Deliberate Practice when writing – part 3 Read More »
Word count: 250 words Reading time: 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 writers. One of my weekly blog entries now relates to figurative language. Does this seem odd for someone who
Why you should consider Metaphorically Selling Read More »
Word count: 304 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. Here is a sentence I read recently that I’d happily imitate. I don’t know much about David Remnick, (pictured above) but I’m a big fan
Bruce Springsteen’s eyes narrow, as if in hard light Read More »
Word count: 248 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute If you increase your vocabulary you’ll not only help your reading, you’ll also make your writing more precise. Here is my word of the week. Richard Wagamese is an author and journalist from the Ojibway Wabasseemoong First Nation in northwestern Ontario. His charming
What does chiaroscuro mean? Read More »
Word count: 796 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Here is the second entry in my three-part series on Deliberate Practice for writers. Be sure to read part 1 first! Here is the most important thing to know about Deliberate Practice. It is not a writing activity. It’s either a
How to use Deliberate Practice when writing – part 2 Read More »
Word count: 241 words 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 writers. If you want to discuss language in an erudite way, get yourself over the the Language
Language log offers interesting info for writers Read More »
