Power Writing began as a weekly newsletter in April 2006. Its purpose? To give tips and advice about writing, to tell stories in an interesting way and to help corporate writers (and others) work faster, better. This newsletter is still distributed by email to thousands of readers around the world every week and, since March 2012, has formed 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 directly under my photo on any page of my website. If you do that you’ll not only receive Power Writing by email each week, you’ll also automatically get a free copy of my booklet on mindmapping.
Have you ever had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad writing day? And does that make you feel like a crummy wordsmith? Today’s newsletter is designed to put your bad days into some sort of perspective. I opened the freezer door and a sea of green goo puddled towards me. What …
Have you ever wondered about starting your own writing business? Today’s newsletter describes five strategies to help you succeed — despite the economy. Last week I received an email from a longtime copywriter who told me she’d lost her job. Fortunately, she has just the right attitude. She’s gung ho and …
Do you ever have to write about something that bores you to tears? Today’s column describes five ways you can make a wearisome job much more interesting. Last week I did something I hadn’t done in more than a year. I hopped on a Skytrain (that’s an elevated mass transit …
Are you hardy enough to disappoint to the expectations of other people? Today’s column describes why you should be prepared to say “no” to meet your own writing goals. How do you find the time to write? Do you wake up early in the morning so you can write before the phone starts …
Why you should just say no Read More »
Do you ever fall victim to the I-must-get-this-done-now statement? Today’s newsletter describes how to eliminate the “must” and find the desire to write. Are you ever desperate to get something written? And chronically unable to do it? Well, I have three suggestions for you. But first let me begin with a …
Do you try to set writing goals for yourself, but fail to achieve them? Today’s column gives you an easy, five-step formula for developing goals you’ll actually meet. I used to go work out three to four times per week. I’m not allowed to now, on account of my recent stroke. …
Do you ever delay and procrastinate with your writing? Today’s column provides an excellent (and no-cost) online tool for preventing writer’s block. It’s been snowing where I live. Okay, I know it’s January and all, and that might not seem like a strange complaint (unless you live in, say, Australia) but …
Do you remember the days of Richard Nixon? Today’s newsletter describes the creative experiences of actor Frank Langella — who’s currently starring in a movie as the former president — and translates his thoughts into writing advice. I was in high school when former U.S. president Richard Nixon resigned. I don’t …
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Have you ever had a near-fatal experience? Today I explore three lessons I learned from the experience of having a stroke. If you’ve been a subscriber of mine for at least three weeks, you’ll have received an email from me on Nov. 18 saying I was too sick …
Reading time: Just over 2 minutes I’m a big fan of a technique called “vacuuming your lungs.” Designed to eliminate breathlessness in people who need to deliver speeches, do radio interviews or even teach classes, it involves expelling all the air from your lungs, bending over and temporarily denying yourself of …
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