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: Just over 3 minutes Do you struggle with being alone? If you’re a writer, it’s essential to learn how to work alone… I enjoy meeting people. I’m cheerful and friendly. I love chatting with friends. I never fear speaking in front of an audience. These are all characteristics of an extrovert. But, but…. If […]
Reading time: Just over 2 minutes You might want to write a book, a thesis, or a big report but you’ve lost your steam with long-term project motivation. Here’s how to get it back… Imagine that you’re a farmer. First, you need to select your crops. Then you must prepare your land. Then, sow your
How to improve your long-term motivation Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes If you’re a defensive pessimist, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn how to prepare for rejection… I tend to see myself as confident rather than anxious. I know what I’m good at. I work hard. I have faith in my abilities. That
How to prepare for rejection Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Usually, taking vacations means having less work. But my recent editing vacation has been highly productive… I write this column from British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, in a little cottage overlooking the ocean. I’m alone and it’s blissfully quiet. Right now it’s a cool rainy day and my lunch is cooking
Why I’m taking an editing vacation… Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you struggle with writer’s guilt? Don’t let it talk you out of writing. Use these ways to outwit it… I was not born a guilty person. I had impatience. Perfectionism. Even a titch of arrogance. But, somehow guilt always slid off of me like eggs out of a Teflon plan. I
How to deal with writer’s guilt Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes What do you do when Hemingway needs help? Call another editor! Do you know the proverb, ‘two heads are better than one’? In addition to applying to life, you should also be aware it governs editing apps. Even good ones, like the Hemingway editor. I counsel just about everyone
What to do when Hemingway needs help Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do struggle to find enough time for reading? Here are five tips for how to read more books. After I published last week’s blog post about the books I’ve read so far this year, emails started flooding my inbox. “How do you possibly read so much?” people wondered. “Where on
How to read more books Read More »
Reading time: About 5 minutes Looking for some recommended books in time for summer reading? Here’s my semi-annual roundup of books I’ve read so far 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, in June and December.
Recommended books: summer 2016 Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Several readers recently asked me how to eliminate the verb ‘to be’ in their writing. Here’s how… When Hamlet moaned, “to be or not to be, that is the question” he was actually reflecting the dark thoughts of many overworked editors. Writers frequently use the verb “to be” more
How to eliminate the verb ‘to be’ Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes It used to be considered bad manners to wear a hat inside. No more! Here’s why you should always wear one of six writing hats when you’re at your computer… While I was reaching for a metaphor about writing last week, my brain suddenly latched onto the six thinking
How to find your six writing hats Read More »