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: 550 words Reading time: About 2 minutes Even simple words, such as “exit” can convey a freight of meanings. Always ensure you’re using exactly the right words.… When I took my first ever ride on the Canada Line — Vancouver’s newish subway from downtown to the airport — […]
Are you finding exactly the right words? Read More »
Word count: 606 words Reading time: About 2.5 minutes Some events attract immediate notoriety. Does that mean you should offer your opinion on them? No! (Bloggers take note!)…. On the night of Vancouver’s Stanley Cup riot I was reading a book. The hockey fans in the household — my husband and
Why I won’t give you my opinion of the Stanley Cup riot Read More »
Word count: 577 words Reading time: About 2.5 minutes Is your writing SPECIFIC enough? Never underestimate the value of being particular and concrete, as Jonah Lehrer explains…. I’m not usually thrilled by the prospect of meeting famous writers. Generally, their work excites me more than their persons, so I seldom attend “writer’s
Putting a $ figure to stories with Jonah Lehrer Read More »
Word count: 723 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you manage your writing time — or does it manage you? Here are five techniques I use to ensure that I get more writing done…. When my triplets — now strapping 17 year olds — were babies, I designed feeding charts
How to get more writing done Read More »
Word count: 685 words Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do deadlines make you nervous? Instead of dreading them, I say you should welcome them with open arms. Deadlines don’t have to destroy your day.Instead, they can make you MORE productive…. More than 30 years ago, when I was completing my undergraduate
How to demolish your deadlines Read More »
Word count: 685 words Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Should you tweet? Yes! It’s a great way to connect with new people, meet with potential customers and learn new information. Should it take your full day? No!…. I’ve just spent the last three hours reading tweets, looking at Twitter sites
How to avoid losing great gobs of time to X (formerly Twitter) Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes As an unrivaled devotee of Spunk and Bite, I was thrilled to learn Arthur Plotnik had written a new book. I became ecstatic when I learned I’d have the chance to interview him…. I am a triple-XL fan of Arthur Plotnik. So, when his new
A few words with the great Arthur Plotnik Read More »
Word count: 743 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Ever thought of starting your own blog? Looking for advice on how to become a better blogger? Today, I dive into the world of blogging…. I am not a blogger. Not yet. But even as you read this I’m operating like
7 ways to become a better blogger Read More »
Word count: 669 words Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Even if you’re not a fan of his music, Stephen Sondheim has something to teach you. Read on to learn more… Don’t you love farce? My fault I fear. I thought that you’d want what I want. Sorry, my dear.
5 ways to send in the clowns for your writing Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes While I read at least 52 books every year, I also make time to read The New Yorker magazine (and it’s no small task!) Read on to learn why… I was in my early 20s when I saw the New Yorker for the first time. Initially, I
Why I read the New Yorker Read More »
