Word count: 239 words Reading time: About 1 minute If you build your vocabulary, you’ll not only benefit your reading, you’ll also become more precise in your writing. Here is my word of the week. As a former journalist, I am immeasurably cheered to see fellow scribes write novels. I […]
What does “extirpated” mean? Read More »
Word count: 746 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Here is the first entry in my three-part series on Deliberate Practice for writers. I’ll never forget the headline that led me to Cal Newport. It read: “How an MIT postdoc writes 3 books, a PhD defense, and 6+ peer-reviewed papers
How to use Deliberate Practice when writing – part 1 Read More »
Word count: 232 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Each week I scan the Internet to identify funny or interesting websites, blogs or articles of particular interest to writers. If you read my writing regularly, you probably understand that I’m a huge believer in the power of story. I
Why writers should use the yellow test Read More »
Word count: 272 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute The best way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. For this reason I regularly write down sentences I’ve picked up in my own recent reading. Today’s comes from Julie Otsuka. This summer I read
And for a moment we forgot to breathe…. Read More »
Word count: 298 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute Here is information on a software service for writers. I volunteer for lots of writing across the Internet and I also allow you — or any other reader — to reprint any of my copy, without emailing me. But I
When trust fails, Copyscape works Read More »
Word count: 191 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute If you build your vocabulary, you’ll not only benefit your reading, you’ll also become more precise in your writing. Here is my word of the week. I’ve never encountered any of Regina O’Melveny‘s poetry but, this summer I read her
What’s an “alembic”? Read More »
Word count: 755 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you need some writing help? Here’s a clear and plain list of what I can do for you. When I work or volunteer, I never get asked to sell. Instead, I tend to do things that are literary, organizational or
Do you need some writing help? Read More »
Word count: 234 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. Today I introduce you to eggcorns…. My friend Rochelle Triester introduced me to the charming site
It’s the time of year for eggcorns! Read More »
Word count: 251 words Reading time: About 1 minute The best way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. For this reason I regularly write down sentences I’ve picked up in my own recent reading. I like cleverness and wit in writing. Perhaps this is
A deep respect for the money it loathes… Read More »
Word count: 269 words Reading time: About 1 minute Here I tell you about a piece of technology that can help writers. Do you have the habit of regularly backing up your computer files? No? Let me tell you about my system. I am a backup freak. This isn’t because
How BackBlaze stops me from awfulizing Read More »
