The Elements of Style is an excellent writing resource. Start with it. Then build on that foundation. For a comprehensive reference on punctuation and formatting, there are several notable resources. Unfortunately, none of them are in complete agreement, with obvious conflicts. Each guide has its advocates. And many have specific applications. While some people know […]
Personally, when it comes to finding balance, it seems something is always slipping, with the areas of writing, work, and life being in a constant state of tension. Yes, there are times where I may go a couple of days keeping everything in balance, but one little bump in the road and the whole thing […]
Many writers starting out try to blog and write a book at the same time. They end up doing neither one well. Or they try to write a book before they’re ready. Then they end up with something not suitable for publication, waste a lot of time, and endure much frustration. That assumes they finish […]
Finding time to write is a dilemma most writers face at one time or another. Maybe all writers do. I think the problem, however, is in the question. We don’t need to find time to write as much as we need to make time. We each have 24 hours in our day. While work and […]
Many beginning writers wonder about point of view in writing and which should they use. Though there are many books written on this subject, here’s a brief overview. Note that most people use perspective and point of view interchangeably—that’s what I learned in High School English—but others make a distinction between them, claiming that point […]
Do you want to stay current with other changes in writing conventions? I wish there was a site, a book, an app, or a publication that would answer these questions. But if there’s a one-stop resource, I don’t know of it. Besides, there would likely be disagreement over it, anyway. Here’s how I work to […]
The main benefit of writing short stories before writing a novel is to identify and learn how to fix problems with our writing style and voice. And every writer has them. Here are some other benefits: For those who write nonfiction, the same rationale applies to writing articles, blog posts, editorials, and so forth. In […]
Many writers want to write a book about their health scare that almost killed them. But will publishers be interested in that book? These stories are very personal for the writer, very real and raw. Unfortunately, it isn’t unique, and publishers want unique books. (Unless a writer has a big platform that will move books. […]
Many Writers Wish They Had a Mentor The problem is that those who are most qualified to be a mentor are also the busiest, and the people who have time are usually not as experienced. If you find someone who would make a great mentor, just ask them, but leave them room to say, “No,” […]
Most definitely! First, if writing were easy, everyone would do it. Though anyone who knows how to read can write, few people can write well. That’s what being a writer is: exercising our ability to string words together with excellence. As with any worthwhile endeavor, it takes time to develop skill as a writer. As […]