If you want to improve your writing, you’ll need to watch out for certain errors that most writers make, such as continuity errors. Sounds straightforward. What is simple isn’t always easy, though, and it definitely isn’t always done. Continuity errors are mistakes I find quite often when I’m editing fiction. I’m reading along and ooops, something doesn’t fit with what […]
Writing with an outline
Writing teachers, experts, and editors—most of them, anyway—push writing with an outline, or, more accurately, using an outline even prior to beginning to write. The rationale is that it helps a writer be organized and being organized means communicating effectively. I tend to disagree with the party line on that. Yes, disorganization can decrease effectiveness in communicating, but being organized does […]
Do it yourself proofreading
Proofreading one’s own writing presents challenges. We know what should be there, what we meant to say, and so our brains fix the errors as we read, without drawing our attention to them. This fact is why everyone needs an editor (even editors who write need someone else to look at their writing before it goes […]
The best day to post
Like so many things, “When is the best day of the week to post?” depends on your audience. Not all fields of business are the same. That said, I’ll share with you the things I’ve learned over the years as they relate to my field and audience. Mondays suck No, I’m not talking about dreading […]
Why you don’t write
Why don’t you write? You want to. You need to. So why don’t you? Fear, plain and simple, and it’s okay! It’s totally understandable. From the time we were infants, we looked to others for approval. You might even say that was a survival mechanism. Even the noncomformists among us need some sense of belonging, […]
Rest and relaxation help productivity
The need to create is natural as moss on a rock. It’s often stifled and squashed in kids and adults alike, however. Sometimes just having the freedom to play around is enough to bring it out again. Stress relief technique Many a wife has shooed her husband out to the workshop to go tinker, or […]
“Am I a writer?” you ask
What if you’re not a writer? That’s probably just your Writing Dragon talking. Some people want to be, but they don’t have any natural ability for it, and they never develop their skills to the point that they can be a good writer. Some of them just don’t write anything, ever. People who never write […]
Getting past writer’s block
Getting past writer’s block is sometimes just a matter of getting our inner perfectionist to shut up for a little while. Getting started is the key. Type a few questions about what you’re wanting to write. It might be questions your readers might want answered, or questions you want answered. For me, it’s easier […]
Stuck on NaNoWriMo Novel?
Millions of people started NaNoWriMo on November 1st. Some had grand plans for their novels and characters. Some started flying by the seat of their pants in the style of No Plot? No Problem, written by the founder of the contest, Chris Baty. During the first week, fingers flew, coffee disappeared by the pot, and […]
Why Everyone Needs an Editor
Editing and proofreading your own writing is hard, because you know what it is that your writing is supposed to say. Your brain automatically fixes errors as you read over what you wrote, so you don’t notice them. Others do notice those errors, though, and having errors in your writing interferes with the reading experience, […]