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: 2 minutes Your enemy is smart, sly and tricky. As a writer, you need to learn how to outsmart resistance… One recent morning, I slept in — mainly because I’d had a dreadful sleep the night before. As a result, I was late getting to work. And I […]
The REAL reason you’re not writing and how to outsmart resistance Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Smart phones can be convenient and entertaining. But did you know that your phone is stealing your words? I grew up in a time when my four siblings and I had to take turns using the household phone to talk to our friends. Picture this:
Your phone is stealing your words (and how to stop it) Read More »
Reading time: About 4 minutes (faster if you skim) 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
Recommended books: summer 2025 Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes Do you know how much time to spend writing? Or do you mainly feel guilty about not spending enough? I’m going to say something controversial here… The myth of the eight-hour writing day Most writers, especially troubled or blocked ones, spend way too much time
How much time to spend writing every day Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you need to be a more persuasive writer? It’s not as challenging as you might think…. First, a quick reminder: If you’d like to learn more about how writers can use artificial intelligence — ethically and in a way that feels good, even if
How to be a more persuasive writer: Five irresistible ways Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Have you lost count of how many writing days you’ve let go by? Here’s how to return to writing after a slip… We all have slips. From keeping our houses clean. From eating more healthily. From establishing exercise habits. And from writing. If you’ve experienced
How to return to writing after a slip – without beating yourself up Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes Interviewing is a skill that becomes easier with practice. In the meantime, always be sure to know which questions to ask… Do you ever need to do interviews for your writing? Maybe you’re a freelance writer who needs quotes from a vice-president or a business
13 questions to ask during your next interview Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Ask me if you can make money as a writer and I’ll tell you yes. But it won’t be in the way you expect… I grew up poor. My parents scrambled to put enough food on the table to feed their kids, five of us. We
Can you make money as a writer? Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes Are you a believer or disbeliever in the value of AI for writers? Or does the whole idea just put you off? I’ve been studying AI for the last year and I have some thoughts for you…. When my friend Jeff started talking to me
AI for writers — beyond the myths Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you think your writing would improve if only you could become more creative? Here are seven ways to boost your creativity…. We’ve never had pets in our household. Although I’d dearly love a cat, my husband is highly allergic to animal dander — and the thought
7 ways to boost your creativity Read More »
