Reading time: Less than 1 minute This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss a blog post on how to write a book…. Are you trying to write a book? I’ve always said that long-form […]
How to write a book Read More »
Reading time: Less than 6 minutes It’s hard to find good help, and that issue becomes particularly challenging when you need to learn how to hire an editor…. When I worked in the newspaper business, several decades ago, I interviewed then-famous Canadian writer June Callwood, and I wrote a piece about her. I handed it
How to find and hire an editor Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Do you know how to boost your productivity? It starts with making a list… I started writing lists when I was 10 years old. I recall sitting at the whitewashed student desk in the corner of my childhood bedroom and itemizing all the tasks I wanted to accomplish that
How to boost your productivity with one easy hack Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes The recent American election — and subsequent backlash — has more people following politics than in recent memory. If you want to get involved, here’s how to write more effective letters to elected representatives… I love getting questions from readers. Today’s comes from American Pam Weaver. She wrote me
7 ways to write more effective letters to elected representatives Read More »
SeReading time: Just over 3 minutes If you were educated following Western norms, your many years of schooling may have made you wonderfully analytic but otherwise unoriginal or uninspired. Here’s how to improve your creativity… Are you already a creative person? Or are you the kind of writer who desperately wants to become more creative? Our
How to improve your creativity Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute Being prepared is better than being scared when it comes to responding to the media… I was leading a workshop recently, on the topic of how to respond to the media, when I had a question I really hadn’t expected. “Is it an obligation to do an interview with
How to respond to the media Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Does the topic you must write about seem unspeakably dull and boring? Here are some tips for how to increase your interest, no matter what the subject… Imagine you have a blog piece, an article for your employee newsletter or even a long report that you’ve been procrastinating over.
How to get more interested in what you’re writing Read More »
Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Do you struggle with being alone? If you’re a writer, it’s essential to learn how to work alone… I enjoy meeting people. I’m cheerful and friendly. I love chatting with friends. I never fear speaking in front of an audience. These are all characteristics of an extrovert. But, but…. If
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes If you’re a defensive pessimist, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn how to prepare for rejection… I tend to see myself as confident rather than anxious. I know what I’m good at. I work hard. I have faith in my abilities. That
How to prepare for rejection Read More »
Reading time: Just over 3 minutes Do you need to learn how to write a thesis? Here’s some advice from someone who’s just finished the job… I can’t begin to calculate how many words I’ve written in my life. If forced to give a total, I’d say well over a million. But I can tell
Lessons from writing a thesis Read More »
