Reading time: About 5 minutes Are you looking for business tool recommendations? Here are nine tried-and-true options that make a big difference to my working life every day of the week…. Each of my grandparents was born in the late 1800s — not just before computers, but before domestic refrigerators, airplanes and televisions. All of […]
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Reading time: less than 3 minutes Many people use PowerPoint as the default tool for writing their speeches and presentations. That’s not always a wise decision…. Whenever I’ve written about the software PowerPoint, I’ve usually received a flood of email. A few readers may disagree with my basic premise that the software sucks. But more
If not PowerPoint, then what? Read More »
Reading time: Just over 2 minutes The pomodoro technique is a time-management tool used by millions of people around the world. It’s particularly useful for writers and students…. I’m a big believer in the magic of three. You know — the three little pigs, the three Musketeers, the three Stooges. There’s something ineffable but magical about a list
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Reading time: Less than 5 minutes Are you still struggling with what gifts to buy some writer friends for Christmas? Or, maybe, like me, you don’t even know what gifts to request for yourself. Here are 17 ideas for Christmas gifts for writers… I once overheard someone say, “Christmas is for musicians as tax season is
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Reading time: About 4 minutes The price of groceries is rising these days. But that’s not true of everything. The Internet allows us to do so much at absolutely no charge. Here’s a digest of great no-cost tools for writers… Do you ever feel that there’s just not enough time in your day to accomplish everything
26 fantastic no-cost tools for writers Read More »
Reading time: About 2.5 minutes How can you write if you’re easily distracted by email? Even more challenging, how can you write in a coffee shop if you don’t have a laptop? My suggestion? Try the Neo Alphasmart…. I’m embarrassed to admit that my handwriting is so bad (and so physically discomforting for me) that
How the Neo Alphasmart helps you write for 700 hours on three AA batteries Read More »
Word count: 750 words Reading time: About 3 minutes Today I answer a question from a reader who is looking for a new style guide …. A reader named Michelle submitted the following question to the Publication Coach: I work in a request for proposal (RFP) department for a financial institution. With a degree in
Who wants a new style guide for Christmas? 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 of my teenage children who
A plethora of references to improve your writing Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes In this, my last column of 2009, I bring you 12 blogs — one for each of the days of Christmas. This is what I like to call a “high concept” column. I’m taking the song the 12 days of Christmas and, um, re-purposing the title to present the 12
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Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Dr. Wicked provides a great no-cost tool for anyone who wants to write faster. Back when I worked in daily newspapers, most of my buddies were journalists. One was named Peter and I liked his style. He was a great reporter — he could produce writing in a wide variety
In praise and honour of Dr. Wicked Read More »
