Most books are not Important Books, no matter how excellent they are – but if a book makes you think, isn’t that what’s important?
Writing Articles
Main Characters – An Airport Perspective
Perspective is the difference between being an extra and being the star of the show, and the difference between a layover and a destination.
New Year Goals and Guesses
This year, I’m staying focused on the feeling I want instead of making up a goal based on a guess about what will lead to satisfaction.
The Style Edit (continued): Word Search
Part 4 of the self-editing for authors mini-series continues with some ways writers can use the search function to improve style.
The Style Edit: The Sound of Style
Part 4 of self-editing for authors touches on how listening to your work can help you refine your writing style.
The Structural Edit: Following the Thread
Part 3 in the series on how to self-edit is about refining a work’s structure to make sure the story holds together.
The Content Edit | Editing for Coherence
Part 2 of the self-editing mini-series is all about why a reader’s questions are the most valuable tool for content editing.
The most important step in editing your own writing
Effective self-editing is a superpower for any writer, and it starts with one very important step.
We’ve Heard It All Before
Here’s a simple way to check for cliches in your writing.
Does the First Sentence Really Matter?
I just started reading Maphead, by Ken Jennings, and I am already sure I’m going to love it. It's the kind of book I'm inclined to like—but I am only a few pages in and already hooked. How? Writing instructors often stress the importance of the first sentence, and I...
Henry James & Brain Overload
Henry James is one of my favorite authors, and one of my very favorite books is The Ambassadors. In certain circles, this is a polarizing statement – people who’ve read any of his novels quickly sort into two groups. I’ve never talked to someone who admitted...