Word count: 211 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. Here is a sentence I read recently that I’d happily imitate. When I was a Girl Guide, back in the dark ages, one of my favourite campfire songs, called […]
The very word gloaming reverberates… Read More »
Word count: 240 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute Need help? Here I tell you about a piece of technology or software for writers. Today’s pick is called Audacity. I am a particularly dim bulb when it comes to technology. Just ask my 18-year-old son. He’s my in-house IT department (and not all that
Do you have enough Audacity? Read More »
Word count: 682 words Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you have the self-control to motivate yourself to write regularly? If not, consider this book one of the best possible tips for writing. I really, really, really, really didn’t want to write today’s column. I’ve been covered in hives all week (the result of
How to increase your writing willpower Read More »
Word count: 237 words Reading time: Less than 1 minute A great way to improve your writing skills is to emulate the work of others. Here is a sentence I read recently that I’d happily imitate. I’ve never been a huge fan of Ernest Hemingway. Perhaps that’s why it took me longer than I’d
The lack of him had moved in with me Read More »
Reading time: About 2.5 minutes As soon as I saw the title of the book The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg, pictured here, I wanted to read it. Even if the work had nothing to do with writing (and that’s pretty much the case) I reckoned I could grab some useful tips that I
Exploring the Power of Habit Read More »
Word count: 627 words Reading time: About 2.5 minutes Even if (like me) you were a fan of Steve Jobs, you wouldn’t have wanted him to be your writing coach… I admit it. I’m a Machead. I love my iMac and my iPhone and my iPad. I find them reliable, beautiful and incredibly easy to
Why Steve Jobs couldn’t train writers Read More »
Word count: 150 words Reading time: half a minute I appreciated many of the fine novels by Ann Patchett, particularly, Bel Canto and deeply disliked only one, Run. I felt lukewarm, however, about her most recent book, State of Wonder. The plot was moderately engaging, and the writing moderately good. But even though the book offered
Ann Patchett and her state of wonder Read More »
Word count: 317 words Reading time: Just over 1 minute My Kindle died last week. Inconveniently, this occurred while I was out of town, on holiday and, thus, in read-like-a-maniac mode. (I usually try to finish a book a day while on holiday although am sometimes slowed down when I attack a particularly long tome, such as
The Kindle is dead, long live the Kindle! Read More »
Word count: 575 words Reading time: Just over 2 minutes Looking for a gift? Wanting some interesting reading for yourself over the holidays? Here are 21 books for you to consider…. I made it, just in time! Last week I finally achieved my annual goal of reading 52 books this year. I gave you a
Recommended books: Christmas 2011 Read More »
Word count: 783 words Reading time: About 3 minutes If you’re looking for holiday reading, here is part one of my annual book list! I always set myself an annual target of reading at least 52 books and when I hit my total in 2010 (last November) I published a summary. Trouble was, some people would
Recommended books: Summer 2011 Read More »
