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.
Are you prepared to take risks while writing? Let me give you an example of something my husband did recently with his choir. Although it wasn’t a writing activity, it offers at least three lessons worth learning. My husband has a great voice and he loves to sing. Loves it. He’s performed in an auditioned community choir […]
Don’t back down from a good story Read More »
Have you ever been asked to write a communications plan? Today’s newsletter gives you a clear five-step plan for producing one. Last week I met with a client — the CEO of a non-profit organization — who announced that he wanted a communications plan. Having been around the block a few times I knew enough
How to write a communications plan Read More »
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 on earth was this stuff?
Are you having a bad day writing? Read More »
Reading time: About 2 mins. 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
How to make money writing in a tough economy Read More »
Reading time: About 2 mins. 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
How to write about the boring Read More »
Are you hardy enough to disappoint to the expectations of other people? Today’s column describes why you should be prepared to just 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 ringing and the
Why you should just say no Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes Do you ever do what I call desperation writing? Today’s post 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
How to wipe out desperation writing Read More »
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. But this time of year
5 ways to set writing goals that work Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes 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
Welcome to Dr. Wicked Read More »
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 remember seeing him give his
A writing lesson from Richard Nixon Read More »
