Be a more productive writer

Reading time: About 3 minutes Sure, you may read for fun. But if you learn how reading helps writing, you’ll start approaching the task a little differently…. An essay by Joan Didion described her husband — the late John Gregory Dunne — reading a novel. I could be wrong, but I seem to recall the […]

Reading time: About 4 minutes If you want to flourish as a writer, take some simple steps that will make the act of writing less painful and more fun…. As the pandemic starts to fade — in the developed world, at least — I’m noticing lots of talk about languishing and flourishing, two sides of

Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you have any bad habits with writing? Here’s how to demolish them so you can learn to write with ease, grace and pleasure… When people tell me they cannot write, I never suggest they get more disciplined or work harder. Instead, I try to help them figure out

Reading time: Less than 3 minutes If you think sunk costs are a topic suitable only for economists, read on to learn how this issue affects writers as well. Do you ever do any of the following: Work for a client who belittles you or who pays you poorly?  Accept writing or editing contracts for

Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Getting more information is not always wise. Don’t let yourself be tripped up by the perils of information bias… Do you often postpone or delay making decisions? Does researching sound more enticing to you than writing? Are you the type of person who adores spending time in the library

Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Self-sabotage might sound like a dramatic way to behave but, in fact, it’s a relatively common type of reaction for many writers… When I was in high school and university, I always left writing my papers until the night before they were due. At the time, I just thought

Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Are you familiar with the phrase urgency bias? It’s governing your life and you need to stop it in its tracks if you want to write. When you hear that something is “urgent” how does that make you feel? Worried? Anxious? Sweaty? Panicked? According to researchers from Johns Hopkins,

Reading time: Just over 3 minutes A simple strategy like time-blocking can make a huge difference to your writing productivity — and to your ongoing happiness… Did my headline get your attention? If so, you may be wondering about the connection between better writing and better living.  I’m also sure you’ve already guessed that my

Reading time: Just over 4 minutes Do you know how to make stress work for you? Or do you simply dread it? Here is some advice specifically for writers…. Working as a senior editor in a metropolitan daily newspaper (1984-1990) was one of the happiest times of my life. I loved the stress! I always