The net is filled with writing tips, “hacks” in the language of the day, and it’s easy to think they’ll make you a great writer. They won’t. There’s no magic. There are no magic tips, no magic tricks, no magic wands, no magic incantations, no magic anything that will make you a great writer. You can learn to » Read More
Category: Better Writing
Productivity Principles for Part-Time Writers
Most of my clients are part-time writers. They’ve got demanding fulltime jobs. They’ve got important relationships. If that’s you, here are six tips I’ve developed from working with successful part-time writers. What works for most people will probably work for you. Try that first. The most productive time for most » Read More
Better Writing: 4 Tips for Revising Your Work
If you want to create great writing, you must revise. That’s never easy, but here are four tips that will help you revise better and quicker. Get the Big Stuff Right First Revising will be easier if you take care of the big things first. If you’re writing a book, big things are chapters or sections. If you’re working » Read More
Don’t Write like a Writer
Elmore Leonard was one of the most successful writers of our time. He wrote Westerns and detective fiction. He wrote novels and short stories and screenplays. And he wrote his “10 Rules for Writing.” Read his tips for common sense advice about how to write stuff that people read. After he lists his 10 rules for » Read More
Writing Better: Analyze your successes and failures
Laurence Olivier was one of history’s great Shakespearian actors. Hamlet was one of his signature roles. On this night, he was giving one of his greatest performances ever. When it was over, his friends rushed backstage to greet him and congratulate him. They were stunned to find Olivier sitting in a chair with tears » Read More