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 2.5 minutes Most writers aren’t terribly sporty but did you know you can help your writing by talking like an athlete? I’ve written before about how we writers seem addicted to self-sabotage by trash-talking to ourselves. I really don’t know how to write… My boss is going […]
How to help your writing by talking like an athlete Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes What do you do in December? Is it a party month for you? Or, like me, do you enjoy the chance to reflect and plan…. My worst December memory? Actually, I have two. 1) My parents owned a struggling weekly newspaper and one Christmas
What are you doing with the rest of the year? Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Have you ever considered how much influence doubt may have on your writing? It could be one of your secret enemies — although, in truth, it’s relatively easy to turn it into a friend. I have a new companion. Or, at least, a new recognition
How to befriend doubt Read More »
Looking for some book suggestions in time for Christmas? Here’s my roundup based on my reading so far this year. My habit is to post for you the names of all the books I’ve read, twice a year. Last June, I told you about the 27 titles I’d read by
Recommended books: Christmas 2013 Read More »
Reading time: About 2.5 minutes Non-fiction writers are usually allergic to making stuff up. But, ironically, many of us struggle with making quotes more believable. Here are some tips…. Have you ever had to “make up” quotes for your boss? This is not such an unusual thing in the world
7 tips for making quotes more believable in your writing Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Many of us have plenty of bad habits. But how many of us have taken the trouble to develop good writing habits? Here is something that always astonishes me: Every time I cite a principle that I’ve mentioned what feels like a million times
More lessons from my piano Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Many of our excuses for not writing might sound convincing, if we don’t think about them too much. But when it comes right down to it, the only person we’re hurting is ourselves. Check out this list and see if any of these excuses
83 excuses for not writing Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you have a half-finished manuscript collecting dust in a bottom drawer? A half dozen articles you’ve started but never managed to wrap up? Here are five tips that will help you learn how to finish your writing. In the deliciously-titled fantasy novel, Miss Peregrine’s
5 ways to finish your writing Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Our bodies may start to fall apart as we accumulate years, but if anyone asks me “does writing improve as we age?” I’m ready to answer yes! At age 56 I’m not yet a senior. But I’m starting to become constantly surprised by how young
Why our writing improves as we age Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you have enough sentence length variation in what you write? The biggest problem? Most people don’t use nearly enough very short sentences. Perhaps it’s time to consider the age-old question: does length really matter? I’m talking about writing, and sentence length of course. Let’s
Are your sentences the right length? Read More »
