Word count: 234 words Reading time: Less than 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. Here is one by Michael Ondaatje. Although I liked the novel The English Patient, […]
Sleep is a prison… Read More »
Word count: 203 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Every week, I tell you about a book or a piece of technology for writers. Today I focus on a terrific organizational tool, Shovebox… Do you have a junk drawer anywhere in your house? You know what I mean — it’s the place where you
Take this Shovebox and use it! Read More »
Word count: 206 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute If you increase your vocabulary, you’ll not only benefit your own reading, you’ll also become more precise in your writing. Here is my word of the week. Whenever I encounter a word that interests me I jot a quick note about it in my iPhone. Usually,
What does prosaic mean? Read More »
Word count: 656 words Reading time: About 2.5 minutes Did you smile when a host of Mary Poppinses floated down from the ceiling during the opening ceremonies of the Olympics? The Games have writing tips to teach us as well… My summer sport is walking – not a competitive event, at least not the way
Are you an Olympic writer? Read More »
Word count: 212 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Each week I scan the Internet to identify websites of particular interest to writers. I’ve told you before that when I’m asked to name my hobbies, I always include reading and cooking. And it seems there are a lot of other writers just like me.
Finding intellectual nourishment from food writers Read More »
Word count: 146 words Reading time: About 30 seconds A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. Here is a sentence by Lauren Groff I read recently that I’d happily imitate. I recently finished The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff (thanks for the suggestion, Charlie!) Not only
A thousand belly flops of terror by Lauren Groff Read More »
Word count: 195 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Today, I tell you about a piece of technology that can help writers. It’s called Google docs and it’s 100% free of charge! I knew it was possible to edit collaboratively even if the other people were halfway around the world. I just didn’t know which
How to edit collaboratively Read More »
Word count: 226 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, timorously. One of my readers recommended to me the novel The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff. I really enjoyed
What does timorously mean? Read More »
Word count: 563 words Reading time: Just over 2 minutes Do you procrastinate about writing because you’re afraid of making mistakes? That, perhaps, is the biggest mistake of all…. Many years ago, I tried to learn how to ski. I’m the kind of person most others describe as “bookish” – definitely not an athlete –
Why you should welcome some writing mistakes Read More »
Word count: 241 words 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 writers. Have you ever spent any time in a red room? If you haven’t, and assuming you’re seriously interested in reading and
Why you should visit the Red Room Read More »
