Word count: 264 words Reading time: About 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. I’ve just finished reading the enthralling book, Moonwalking with Einstein, by Joshua Foer, it presents a riveting description of how the author trains […]
What does apposite mean? Read More »
Word count: 754 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you ever think you should spend summer writing your book? Here are five reasons why you shouldn’t! My back is both my fiercest enemy and my dearest friend. It’s an enemy because I often wake up with an aching thoracic spine – and by the
Why you should set a writing time LIMIT Read More »
Word count: 350 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. I read Penelope Trunk’s blog every time she publishes a post. I’m not sure I’d like her a lot in person
Do you dream of publishing a book? Read More »
Word count: 278 words Reading time: About 1 minute A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. Here is a sentence by Joshua Foer I read recently that I’d happily imitate. I recently finished reading the delightful non-fiction book, Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer. (A subscriber
A pseudoscientific cliche Read More »
Word count: 346 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute Today’s writing tip will help you if you like to use mind mapping. There’s high tech. There’s low tech. And there’s no tech. My “technology” tip for today falls into the latter camp, but I mention it because it will help you stay more organized
A new use for an artist’s notebook Read More »
Word count: 240 words Reading time: About 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, squib. I have heard the word “squib” dozens of times — almost always with the adjective “damp,” in front of it.
Word count: 748 words Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you suffer from procrastination when writing? Here are five tips that will help you get more words on the page, faster. Many of us postpone doing things we don’t like. Taxes (guilty!) Washing dishes (guilty, occasionally.) Making the bed (at least I overcame this
5 ways to tackle the writing you’re avoiding Read More »
Word count: 127 words Reading time: Less than 30 seconds 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, let’s discuss what you can do with a wordle… My colleague Jude Anker introduced me to Wordles, although, of course,
Pick a Wordle, any Wordle! Read More »
Word count: 222 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Each week I identify a sentence from my reading that has interested me. This one comes from New Yorker reviewer John Lahr. I confess. I used to watch Sex and the City. At the time (1998-2004), I found it entertaining and diverting. The few episodes
Intellectual sinew and humour are not her primary colors…. Read More »
Word count: 250 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Here I tell you about a piece of technology that can help writers. The software is called Camtasia. Thomas Jefferson famously said, “never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” I confess, I’ve been more likely to follow Mark Twain’s advice: ” Never
How to record your screen Read More »
