Power Writing began as a weekly newsletter in April 2006. Its purpose? To give tips and advice about writing, to tell interesting stories and to help writers everywhere work faster, better. I distribute the newsletter by email to thousands of readers around the world every week and, since March 2012, it has become the Tuesday entry of my blog.
You can read many Power Writing entries here – I back-entered all columns until the beginning of 2009, and a handful of ones that were earlier than that. But I hope you’ll consider subscribing, too. Just enter your name and email in the box next to my photo on the home page of my website. If you do that, you’ll not only receive Power Writing by email each week, you’ll also automatically get access to a 10-minute video on how to unblock your writing.
Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you fail to write because you’re always trying to do too much? This is a common problem, and it takes some mindful planning to get around it… It’s the Tuesday after Labour Day in North America — one of the most hectic days in […]
Are you trying to do too much? Read More »
Reading time: About 5 minutes You already know that writing takes time, but here’s what it takes to be a good writer…. You’ve probably heard of the 10,000-hour rule, even if you know little more than the name. Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell is the person who popularized the notion that
What it takes to be a good writer (and it’s not just 10,000 hours) Read More »
Reading time: About 5 minutes When the day ends, do you find you’ve run out of time for writing? Here’s how to be more productive… I love August. My email drops by about 50% and my meetings by 75%. The entire world appears to have become like Paris — everyone’s gone
How to be more productive — in the summer Read More »
Reading time: About 6 minutes Many people seem to think they need to feel bad in order to write something that’s good. Instead, I suggest evaluating the types of negative thinking that are holding you back…. Do you find writing interesting and pleasant — a time filled with self-discovery? Or
Types of negative thinking that hold back your writing Read More »
Reading time: Less than 5 minutes Ever wondered how to overcome writing anxiety? If that’s an issue you face, here’s some detailed advice on how to respond… While many people believe the most common health issue facing the developed world is depression, in fact, the biggest challenge is something else.
How to overcome writing anxiety Read More »
Reading time: About 4 minutes Does shiny object syndrome seem to dog you? Today, I give a list of reasons why it might and five strategies for overcoming it. I was going to begin today’s post by asking if you were a crow. Then, some quick research informed me that
How to break free from shiny object syndrome Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Have you ever figured out how to get unstuck from your writing obstacles? Check out a new no-charge video I’ve just created on the subject… Are you the type of person who gets STUCK when you’re writing? Being stuck can take many manifestations. It may
How to get unstuck from your writing obstacles 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 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 »
Reading time: About 4 minutes Looking for some recommended books in time for summer reading? Here’s my semi-annual roundup of books I’ve read this year. I aim to read 52 books every 12 months, and my habit is to post a complete list of the names of them for you, twice a
Recommended books: summer 2023 Read More »
