Reading time: About 2 minutes Although she never has enough time for writing, Su Chang says she always aspires to write a “child’s draft,” where she lets all the words pour out and doesn’t worry about rearranging them until later… Su Chang is a Chinese-Canadian writer. Her debut novel The […]
Reflections on writing with Su Chang… Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Having some strong mental models can not only help you write faster but it will make the job more pleasant as well… Have you ever noticed how some tasks come naturally while others feel like wading through mud? You might whip up dinner effortlessly but
9 mental models to help you write smarter, not harder Read More »
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 other writers. Today I discuss a blog post about why we should write in airplane mode — even if we’re not flying….
Why you should write in airplane mode Read More »
Viewing time: 3 mins 53 secs The Write Question is a weekly video podcast about writing that I started in 2017 and that ran, more or less weekly, until April 2022. This is a republication of issue #151, which discusses how to juggle research with writing. The post first ran
How to juggle research with writing (video) Read More »
Reading time: Just over 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of metaphors from Delia Owens…. I had heard many positive comments about Delia Owens’ first novel. As well, It had topped the The New
Delia Owens’ figurative language…. Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Susan Sanford Blades says she pretty much NEVER feels like writing, but deals with the challenge by being obedient to her writing schedule… Susan Sanford Blades’ debut novel, Fake It So Real, won the 2021 ReLit Award in the novel category and was a finalist
Reflections on writing with Susan Sanford Blades… Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes Perfectionism in writing, which often leads to overwhelming guilt, is only a destructive force — not a helpful one… Are you ever haunted by the quality of your writing? Not just the occasional “I-could-have-done-better” thought (we all have those), but a deeper, more consuming guilt?
Creator to critic: How perfectionism in writing traps you in guilt (part 3 of 3) Read More »
Reading time: About 1 minute Clients often ask me if it’s possible to earn enough money as a writer. My answer is, “it depends”…. I have earned enough money as a writer for the last 45 years. How have I been able to do this in a notoriously skinflint industry?
Do you earn enough money as a writer? Read More »
Viewing time: 5 mins 16 secs. The Write Question is a weekly video podcast about writing that I started in 2017 and that ran, more or less weekly, until April 2022. This is a republication of issue #150, which discusses how to use your memory for memoir. The post first
How to use your memory for memoir (video) Read More »
Reading time: Just over 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of similes and metaphors from Julia Phillips. I think it was the New York Times book review podcast that introduced me to the writing
Julia Phillip’s figurative language… Read More »
