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 »
Word count: 283 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute Building your vocabulary is always a good idea. It benefits your reading and it also helps you be more specific and precise in your writing. Here is my word of the week. I was in a coffee shop recently, where I read an interesting newspaper
What does nugatory mean? Read More »
Word count: 688 words Reading time: Less than 3 minutes We focus so much on getting things done. But here are some writing tips that will help you learn how to take a break… I was strolling home, down West Broadway, one day last week, stopping at a printing house to get a quote and
5 ways to take a pause that refreshes Read More »
Word count: 253 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. I can’t remember when I first heard about TED talks. But it was a long time ago and I watch them regularly.
Getting to know TED Read More »
Word count: 207 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 by Diane Ackerman that I read recently that I’d happily imitate. If you want to write a memorable sentence, be sure to use imagery. In
Smells detonate softly in our memory… Read More »
Word count: 206 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute This is my regular installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help writers. Today, I examine a new book by Chris Guillebeau…. You have to love a guy whose number 1 goal is to
Could you use a $100 startup? Read More »
