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.
Word count: 719 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Today I answer a question from a reader who is struggling with the demands of academic writing. My response hinges on mindmapping Read on to learn more…. A reader named Autumn Alexander submitted the following question to the Publication Coach: “I’ve […]
Mindmapping that works vs TMI Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Are you a voracious reader? (You should be!) And I think the writers we read can give us great advice about their craft. Today, I launch a new feature about writers…. Readers, I’m beginning a new feature in Power Writing — roughly once a
A few words with agent Nathan Bransford Read More »
Word count: 709 words Reading time: About 3 minutes A recent drop in e-reader prices makes this the perfect time to try out a sweet new technology that makes reading easier than ever… I’ve just returned from a week-long vacation on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. We filled our holiday with
Confessions of an e-reader addict Read More »
Word count: 559 words Reading time: About 2.5 minutes Hot is the opposite of cold. High is the antonym of low. And the profession of “writer” is generally diametrically opposed to “salesperson”…. Or is it?… Back when I was entertainment editor at a metropolitan daily, my phone used to ring
You’re in the word sales biz, baby! Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Are you still struggling with eating frogs — that is, tackling those important tasks you like to avoid? So am I! Here’s what I’m doing about it… I didn’t feel like writing this column today. Blame it, partly, on summer. When the weather becomes warm
More on the benefits of eating frogs… Read More »
Reading time: About 2.5 minutes Have you ever thought you might sound like a famous author? No need to read anymore. Just let the website “I write like” do all the work! Are you familiar with the writer David Foster Wallace? I had heard of him — especially following his
Why does Mel Gibson write like Margaret Atwood? Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Have you ever put a raw frog on your menu? I suspected not! Here’s why you should try to eat one every day — and do it first thing in the morning… I was born organized. In fact, I’m the kind of nut-bar who writes
Why you should be eating frogs early Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Are you writing for the right reasons? You might want to consider the words of singer Freddie Mercury before you continue… Every day — I try and I try and I try — But everybody wants to put me down They say I’m goin’ crazy
A writing lesson from Freddie Mercury Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you ever need help finding information? There’s nothing better than exactly the right reference. Here’s a list…. One of my dirty little secrets is that I have a Facebook account but check it only about once every three months. Juxtapose this with the habits
A plethora of references to improve your writing Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Improve your writing habits by ensuring you get a change, even if you can’t get a rest… I recently hitched my wagon to a Bombardier Regional Jet (followed by a rental car) and spent five days wandering Saskatchewan. I was speaking at a conference for
Do your writing habits need changing? Read More »
