Reading time: About 1 minute This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world for material to help other writers. Today I discuss a blog post about how cliches help writing… I abhor cliches — even though they spill out of my mouth with […]
Could cliches help writing? Read More »
Viewing time: 4 min. 34 sec. 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 #66, with advice on dealing with rejection. The post first ran on Sept.
Dealing with rejection (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 metaphors and similes from Rachel Syme… A New York Times Magazine article by Rachel Syme about the movie A Star Is Born, had me ready to
The figurative language of Rachel Syme…. Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute Increase your vocabulary and you’ll make your writing much more precise. That’s why I provide a word of the week. Today’s word: brindle…. Todd Haynes is an American independent film director, screenwriter, and producer. He first gained public attention in 1987 with his controversial
What does ‘brindle’ mean? Read More »
Reading time: About 4 minutes Rejections are a challenge. But they are also inevitable, so you’d be wise to learn how to deal with rejection as a writer…. Most of us have had jobs we didn’t get, partners who dumped us, schools we didn’t get into and teachers who didn’t
How to deal with rejection as a writer Read More »
Reading time: About 1 minute This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world for material to help other writers. Today I discuss the question: will copy editing change your manuscript? When I wrote my first book, I assumed my professional editor wouldn’t have
How much will copy editing change your manuscript? Read More »
Viewing time: 3 min. 54 sec. 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 #65, with advice on how to make a business case for books. The post
How to make a business case for books (video) Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about similes and metaphors from Jonathan Rosen… I have mixed feelings about a new memoir by Jonathan Rosen. On the one hand, I believe The Best Minds explores
The figurative language of Jonathan Rosen… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute Increase your vocabulary and you’ll make your writing much more precise. That’s why I provide a word of the week. Today’s word: marled…. My adult children tease me about being a fashion disaster. Sure, I can “clean up” for speeches and meetings with clients,
What does ‘marled’ mean? Read More »
Reading time: About 4 minutes Here’s some practical advice on how to write more concisely…and if you can’t do that, how to edit the extra verbiage you’ve produced… When I started writing, 40 years ago, I always wrote short. If a client or boss wanted 750 words, I’d struggle to
Learn how to write more concisely with these 7 tips Read More »
